Introduction.
Track and Tyre Times is a newsletter for all enthusiasts of heritage vehicles and machinery, featuring events, collections and museums located all around New Zealand.
This publication is compiled by Nigel Gamble of Big Iron Photography, an avid steam enthusiast, collector of vintage farm machinery, heavy equipment operator and history buff. located in South Canterbury I spend much time travelling about New Zealand visiting and photographing private collections and museums, as well as attending numerous events and places of interest.
In this edition.
This edition of Track and Tyre Times is dedicated to Wheels at Wanaka 2023, an event held in the Central Lakes district of New Zealand’s South Island. Wheels at Wanaka has gained the reputation of being the biggest vehicle and machinery rally to be held in the Southern Hemisphere.
For those unfamiliar with the event name, Wheels at Wanaka, the unsuspecting punter may believe that they are going to find a display of wheeled vehicles arranged in an area somewhere in the small lakeside town of Wanaka, perhaps on the village green, however, this is not the case!
Just like the scenery that surrounds the famous alpine resort of Wanaka, the first impression one gets when arriving at the rally field is “Can this be real?” Don’t be misled by the understated name, this event is big, just like the Caterpillar 789 dump truck that was seen moving about the grounds, big!
Oceana Gold’s newly refurbished 789C dump truck moving about in the dirt pit.
And so is the variation of what you can expect to see on the grounds, everything from the smallest motorbike right through to the biggest earthmoving machine you can find in New Zealand, the previous event saw a Caterpillar 24H motor grader, the biggest grader on Cat’s product list, make a guest appearance.
C&R Developments 24H on display at the 2021 event.
Wheels at Wanaka takes place over Easter Weekend and is held every second year, the venue is on a large piece of farmland situated upon the town boundary, which is very convenient as Wanaka is well set up for such an event of this scale, this year’s event saw over 40,000 people attended!
A Marshall traction engine is seen here parked up on the main street of Wanaka prior to the beginning of the event.
The town has many restaurants, bars, motels and hotels, it needs to be noted that accommodation can be hard to find, so booking well ahead of the event is essential.
New Zealand’s other famous tourist mecca, Queenstown is an easy drive from Wanaka, good accommodation can be found here also. For those staying in Wanaka, a bus collects people from the town centre, and drops you off on the rally ground and returns at regular intervals over the long weekend.
Once on the grounds, there are many ways to get about between the various displays scattered around the grounds, shuttle buses, tractors towing trailers and on one occasion an army tank were just some of the options available to the public to move around the expansive site, walking, of course, being the most popular, but do be a where that this is rabbit country, and it is very easy to put a foot down an unobserved hole if your unlucky.
Fancy a ride around the grounds? There are many modes of transport to choose from.
If like me you have a tendency to get hungry quite regularly there are plenty of options for food, and for those who are so inclined, there is even a bar. For kids there is a playground area and plenty to keep them entertained, this year the local Komatsu dealer brought along a couple of mini diggers for the kids to have a drive of, this was well supervised of course and as one would expect, very popular, there was a line of little operators waiting their turn all weekend.
It is not often kids get to have ago on a digger, but at this event, anything is made possible.
There is plenty to see at Wheels at Wanaka, the main parade ground has a parade of some kind taking place every 20 minutes, whether it is a procession of vintage cars, classic trucks or a rally car doing fast laps around the ring, there is always something entertaining taking place. A large area of trade displays and craft stalls gives a great opportunity for anyone wishing for a bit of shopping.
Seating set out ready for spectators to enjoy the earthmoving demonstration.
The sun sets upon the final day of set up, ahead of the greatest show on Earthmoving.
Here is a glimpse of what would be seen in the earthmoving pit the following day.
This year’s event enjoyed huge support from New Zealand’s Road Transport Industry, brand new trucks as well as vintage and classic trucks contributed to the big lineup, approximately 350 were on the grounds for the three-day event. W@W 2023 was chosen to be the venue for the release of Kenworth’s latest truck series the K220.
Dynes Transports 1973 LW924 K-W on display.
A 1980 W924 K-W parked amongst the lineup of trucks.
Some very shiny K-W’s lined up, including this perfectly prepared milk tanker from Dynes Transport.
Travelling all the way from Cambridge, C&R Developments transporter was a real head-turner.
The new K220 drew a lot of attention from potential new truck buyers and truck enthusiasts alike. Along with a big lineup of Kenworth trucks that covered many models from many decades, there was also a big turnout of other famous brands of truck builders upon the paddock, Mack, Volvo, Scania, Henio and Isuzu being just some of the recognisable names in attendance.
Big and small Mack’s on the Mack truck stand.
Across New Zealand, interest in road transport history has become very popular, hundreds of rusty discarded old road haulage relics have been dragged out of hedgerows, and from behind sheds by keen collectors who have spent thousands of dollars and uncountable hours returning these forgotten workhorses back into fine examples of trucks from earlier times, so it was no surprise to find that a large percentage of the trucks on show were classic or vintage in age. Older once familiar name badges such as Commer, Thames, Dodge, GMC and White could be seen gleaming on many truck bonnets.
A freshly restored Autocar.
The Binders Down Under Club set out a fantastic display of international trucks, including a most impressive lineup of ACCO models, including the famous 2670 and 3070 series trucks.
A long Bonneted International R190.
A lineup of ACCO T2670 and 3070 series trucks.
More trucks from the International stables on display.
Trucks as far as the eye can see!
However, if trucks are not your thing, then perhaps the massive selection of tractors lined up not far from the parade ring might impress you. Now for tractor enthusiasts there being so many machines on display here may not come as much of a surprise given that one of the biggest collections of tractors in NZ is kept in two massive buildings neighbouring the rally grounds, Allan Dippie, owner of this very impressive collection encourages a large group of volunteers, some of whom travelled from all over the globe to help move his collection out onto the rally grounds for the weekend, a task that can go on for days, given the collection is estimated to comprise of 400 to 500 tractors, most of which are fully restored.
One of the many tractor parades taking place.
So when you add another possible 200 to 300 machines that other collectors bring to display for the show, there is a lot to look over. What is unique about the tractor display is the range of makes and models on offer here, with the Dippie collection comprising of many examples that have been imported from all around the world. The tractor display at W@W is the ideal show to find some very rare and unusual machines, many of which were never imported to NZ in their working days.
What is even more unusual about this collection, is that Allan invites any tractor enthusiast who attends the show to join the tractor drivers club, to pick a tractor from the Dippie collection, and take it for a drive in one of the many parades that take place, a very generous gesture on Allan's behalf, and a great opportunity to operate some unusual equipment.
International Harvester, John Deer, Case along with Massey Harris–Ferguson and Ford are always strongly represented. For anyone wishing to see some English-built machines, Nuffield and Leyland tractors are easily found in the lineup, so too are Australian-built Chamberlain and International variants.
A rear sight in NZ, a Graham-Bradley tractor takes part in one of the many parades held during W@W.
One of the many international guests visiting the event, Marco Braakman from the Netherlands was one of the many volunteers who took the opportunity to drive a tractor (in this case a Holder ) in a parade.
Tractors waiting to take part in the tractor pull competition.
David Brown and Oliver Tractor’s taking part in one of the many parades that take place.
A Ferguson Tea and Fordson E27N halftrack moving around the ring.
Some of the Massey Harris, Ferguson and Massey Fergason tractor line up.
A part of the Case lineup that could be enjoyed over the weekend.
Just a few of the veteran tractors on display, Including Allis Chalmers and Rumely.
The sun sets upon the tractor display as another excellent day draws to a close.
McCormick Deering 15-30.
An impeccably restored Class header was an impressive site on the Class machinery stand.
Farmall M tricycle version.
A 1918 Ruggles and Parsons tractor followed by the predecessor of the John Deere tractor, the Waterloo boy.
Big and small, John Deere tractors of all sizes were in attendance.
For those people who enjoy older equipment, steam is always well represented, with a good number of traction engines at the rally. Both full-size, as well as scale or replica machines were seen getting about the grounds. A large contingent of engines was on display from the Southland District, whilst others had been transported down to the event from around Canterbury. Across the weekend the traction engines could be viewed in steam, moving about the grounds towing trailers giving rides, or parading about the ring.
McLaren, Marshall, Burrell and Garrett engines parading.
A Marshall compound owned by the Sanderson – scandrett family moves into the ring.
Engines having a whistle up in the ring.
Engines lined up in the steam area, include the Crossen Family Burrell, Bradley Family Marshall, and Locky Smith with his rack steer McLaren.
Remarkably these two-scale replica Garrett TE and Foden wagon were hand-built.
Burrell traction engine, Works No 3974, 8hp Dubble Crank Compound of 1924.
So with all this talk of trucks, tractors, stationary engines and steam engines you probably think there is a lot to be seen at Wheels at Wanaka! well, so far I have not mentioned the huge display of veteran, vintage and classic cars, or the big lineup of Landrover 4x4s that assembled on the ground, and then there was the motor cross demonstration, and New Zealand’s very own world rally legend Haydon Paddon was seen stirring up the dust in the main ring with his rally car, with commentary being provided by V8 supercars and motor racing icon Gregg Murphy.
NZ Rally legend Haydon Paddon entertains the crowd by tearing up the ring with his Hyundai rally car.
Some of the many cars on display included this immaculate Toyota Landcruiser.
Vehicles moving off ready for the Landrover parade.
And then there was the main attraction, the reason why people had travelled from all over the world to be at Wanaka for the weekend, the Terra Cat Earthmoving Extravaganza! The greatest show on Earthmoving! Considered the biggest working earthmoving event to be held in the Southern Hemisphere (one of the world's biggest), the extravaganza is a must-see, this is where earthmoving equipment of all ages is brought to life in the biggest playpen you will ever see.
Spectators look on as an 84W series Cat D10 moves into position ready to push load a scraper in the Teera Cat earthmoving demonstration pit.
The earthmoving display consists of all types of equipment, ranging from horse-drawn to modern-day, state-of-the-art machinery, much of which can be seen working over the weekend. Many of New Zealand’s heavy equipment dealers had on display, their latest equipment on offer. Brands such as Caterpillar, Komatsu, Volvo and John Deere were just some of the familiar names in attendance, but out in the working area all brands imaginable could be found, and in the case of Terex, could be heard all over the grounds.
A Komatsu D50A sits among a lineup of Komatsu’s latest equipment on offer.
Some new John Deere equipment is displayed on the John Deere stand, including this 850 J- 2 bulldozer.
More JD equipment on display, including their latest skid steer on offer.
A major sponsor of the event, New Zealand Caterpillar dealer, Terra Cat, had a very impressive stand showcasing some of the latest technology on offer from the Cat brand.
Brand new Caterpillar mid-range loaders and excavators sit alongside an old classic, the Cat D10, the first model dozer released by Cat to have the high-rise track configuration.
Some new shingle screening equipment spotted on the grounds.
Volvo's latest lite weight wheel digger on offer.
From the Komatsu camp, the D71 complete with inboard blade and LGP tracks. Parked alongside can be seen a new GD655 grader.
Team Terex out in the demonstration pit, making a whole lot of noise!
Moving dirt with sound! The 1955 Euclid 16DTD twin-engine scraper is being pushed by an Euclid TC12 twin-engine Dozer.
If you had hoped to have seen some big machinery, you would not have gone home disappointed! Wheels at Wanaka 2023 saw Oceana Gold attend this event with one of their biggest Caterpillar dump trucks, the Cat 789C, the 789 had stopped in at the event while being transported back to Macraes Gold Mine having undergone a complete rebuild. Having accumulated an estimated 65,000 to 70,000 frame hours, the truck was one of 3 to undergo a major rebuild, carried out by Terra Cat in their Christchurch workshops, The 789 would receive an engine upgrade, with the fitting of a larger engine. Replacing the original 3516B, 69 litre, 1900hp engine with a Cat Remanufactured 3516c 78 litre, 2100hp engine. As well as a new engine, the dump truck was also fitted with a new lightweight deck, which lowers the truck's overall weight and increases the amount of which the machine is capable of carrying, a massive payload of 190 tons.
Arriving by the truckload, the Caterpillar 789C off-highway dump truck arrives at Wheels @ Wanaka 2023.
The 789 was an impressive site to behold working in the demonstration Pitt.
It is not every day that members of the public get to climb over a dump truck, the opportunity to do so was taken up by many thousands of people over the three days.
The speed and agility of this big machine were impressive to see as it powered around the haul road inside the dirt pit.
There were some other large machines at this show also, machines like Paul Clark’s Caterpillar D10 Bulldozer and 660B Motor Scraper, as well as J Swap’s Caterpillar 992B wheel loader. This year's theme for the Earthmovers was celebrating 100 years of the scraper, a big turnout of scrapers meant that this milestone was well acknowledged. Machines built throughout that 100-year period were displayed and worked in the earthmoving pit, as well as being paraded around the parade ring over the weekend, a sight that was unforgettable indeed. I can not imagine that there would be many places in the world where one can sit down upon a grass embankment, baked by the glorious autumn sunshine, and watch a team of draught horses towing a 100-year-old scoop lead a parade of over 30 scrapers around the ring. The special parade took place several times over the weekend, and crawler-drawn carryalls as well as single and twin-engine scrappers were seen taking part. Once the parades were over these machines then returned to the demonstration pit and were put to work shifting dirt, creating a scene reminiscent of a large construction project. Not only is it possible to watch scrapers at work here, but dozers, excavators, loaders, dump trucks, draglines, graders, in fact, any sort of machine normally found on a construction site or earthmoving project can be seen here working.
Two draught horses from Dayboo Horse Studd tow a P& D Duncan horse scoop (owned by the editor) as they lead the 100 years of the scraper parade around the ring.
A beautifully restored Cat D2 towing a very original tumble bug scraper, and a very rear Clark CA-1 crawler move out into the ring.
Mike Edridge with his WW2 Clark CA-1 crawler and Carryall, this machine was designed to be parachuted into war zones for the US Army.
Some Wabco scrapers waiting to take part in the parade, including this little 101F Elevating scraper owned by Mid Canterbury contractors Yatman Brothers.
A Cat DW10 and 619 enter the parade ground.
Caterpillar's big 660B makes the old Duncan horse scoop look rather small.
Just a small number of the Terex and Euclid machines that were in attendance at Wheels @ Wanaka 2023.
The big Wabco 252W elevating scraper parked alongside the horse team.
A cat DW21 and DW20 working in the pit.
A modern Komatsu HM 300 ADT owned by Base Contracting is seen here hauling around the demo pit.
Porter groups Terex TS24 (Singapore Rose) is one of a batch of 7 TS24s built for the Vietnam War, if you know where to look you can still see some bullet holes that were inflicted upon the machine during the war. The Vietnam special was equipped with larger engines.
A Euclid 82-30 is busy levelling out the cut area.
The Cat No16 grader is busy tidying up windrows.
A selection of some of the gear on display.
A fantastic display that went on all weekend was the working demonstration put on by the draglines that attended this event, including this 30-RB Ruston Bucyrus owned by Macdonald Excavating.
Some old iron in action, including a McCormick Deering powered Bay City Face Shovel, 30-RB dragline and Caterpillar Speeder.
Nelson McBreen’s Cat D8H and Carryall are seen here working amongst other Cat gear.
The Cat 992B and International 560 loader loading the International 350 Payhauler.
People watching the Terra Cat Earthmoving Extravaganza in action.
An action shot from the greatest show on Earthmoving, the Terra Cat Earthmoving Extravaganza that took place at Wheels @ Wanaka 2023.
Wanaka’s Mount Iron provides the perfect backdrop for the earthmoving demonstration area, as these two Central Machine Hire, twin-engine Caterpillar 627F scrapers show how the push-pull technique of loading is carried out.
Loaders working in the pit.
A very nice example of a Cat 225 excavator.
A very rare Russel grader, built on a Caterpillar Model Fifteen crawler.
Restored to represent a D10 once owned by Fred Willetts, who owned the first D10 to come to New Zealand, this 84W series D10 has undergone a lengthy restoration by Paul Clark and his team.
Seen here working in the demonstration area, the D10 was a real crowd-pleaser.
The D10 working alongside the Wabco 252W scraper.
Another big attraction was J Swap’s Cat 992B, seen here loading out of a stockpile.
The loader is seen here loading the Cat 769 dump truck.
The 992 and IHC 560 working together.
Swaps 922 was one of many machines that had been transported down from the North Island to Wanaka for this event.
Terex TS14 and 82-30 in action.
A Terex S24 is about to be push-loaded by two Euclid -Terex dozers.
Terex TS14 hauling dirt.
The iconic Caterpillar D9 series included these machines awaiting a turn to push some dirt, pictured are the D9H and D9G. A D8F is moving off out of the line-up.
Another of Caterpillar's famously reliable machines, the 769B dump truck is spotted here moving away from the stockpile.
Making the earth move! Seen working here are the International 433 Pay Scraper, Wabco 252W and 222F elevating scrapers.
TS 14 is being pushed by the 82-20B.
Machines lined up out in the paddock.
Some of the scraper line up.
Even more earthmoving equipment is lined up for inspection.
Sadly, like all good things, after three incredible days, Wheels at Wanaka 2023 came to an end. After perfect weather, and with a record crowd attendance, this event was truly successful in every way. The one thing I always find disappointing about Wheels at Wanaka however is the fact that in the end, we have to pack up and go home! Although for me all I have to do is throw my camera in its bag and drive home, it must surely take weeks to pack this event up given the scale and size of the show.
So, if by reading this article you are upset that you were not at Wheels at Wanaka 2023, there is some good news! Wheels at Wanaka is a biannual event, Wheels at Wanaka returns in Easter of 2025 to the same great venue just on the outskirts of Wanaka township, so set aside the 18th 19th and 20th of April 2025, as the next event promises to be bigger and better than before.
The sun sets over Wanaka on the final day of the event, the big machines fall silent, resting until April 2025 when they will once again roar back into life to be a part of the greatest show on earthmoving!
You can order your 2025 Calendar by clicking on my online store tab.
For people wishing to purchase a Calendar outside of New Zealand, please click on the link below.
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Check in to my website as I am in the process of uploading many of the 2000 images I shot at this event to the web,
Images Copyright@ Nigel Gamble, Big Iron Photography NZ, 2024, All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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