Angie Belcher: Nonna's Big Day Out at the Rotary REunion

I’m feeling somewhat out of place. It’s the 2019 Rotary REunion at the Bruce McLaren Raceway in Taupo and I’ve been invited along by my son, a rotary head from way back. Invited, not so much for mother/son bonding or that I have an interest in cars, but because he has a beautiful wife who is equally as passionate about this type of transport and wanted a chance to drive... someone had to help with the three wee children.

I’m older than nearly everyone there and I’m wearing a red dress. I should have worn a black tee shirt and some cut off denim shorts. My legs are too short, too fat and too dimply to have considered it. The women are all young and beautiful. Many are mothers with their own tribes of junior rotary enthusiasts in tow.

There is also a bit of a theme going with the men: super bushy beards, tattoos and black tee shirts. They all look a bit like clones of ZZ Tops but they probably wouldn’t even know who ZZ Tops are! Why would they?

This is a generation who have grown up with this high octane, adrenaline laced excitement. Many may once have been boy racers but rather than it being a fad, they have developed a love for the Wankel engine, revolutionary in its development. It's a love affair that has exceeded their teenage years. I have no doubt it will be these same participants who attend the event in twenty or even 40 year's time. By then, being in my age bracket will be the norm at these events.

I arrived separate from my family, and was surprised to be stopped at the entry and have my electric Nissan Leaf nonna mobile searched for alcohol. I must have a particular “look”. It’s the same when I go through customs. I’m always the one to be searched.

The noise is deafening and they haven’t even begun the drifting or donuts. The donuts actually caused some confusion. When my seven year old grandson asked if I liked them, I happily dragged him to the cart to buy some. “Nonna!” he said, rolling his eyes. I can see there is a vocabulary that I need to brush up on.

I’m so impressed by the atmosphere at the event. It is a family affair. Children from a few months old and up wear protective ear muffs, cars are everywhere but saying, “watch out for the cars” isn’t necessary, the drivers automatically watch out for the kids.

With 402 cars at the event one would expect chaos, there was none. Spectators and participants cruised between the drag strip, the burnout pitch, grandstands and workshops with ease and a camaraderie that was admirable.

As families piled into the cars for the Grand Parade; a cruise around the 3.km track my three year old granddaughter fell asleep in the pushchair, oblivious to the thumping, popping, growling of exhausts.

My son and the rest of his family pile into the Mazda RX3 and joined the cavalcade. I hunt for shade but the only thing I can find is an alleyway that has a breeze coming through it, is shady, provides some noise protection, and leads to the toilets. Not ideal but it’s the best I can do. So, there I stand, she sleeps and 402 cars roll passed. Gleaming paintwork, dazzling hubs and personalized plates like ToyRX3, Mentil, Bz8rk and others which my tiny brain couldn’t decipher.

It wasn't the usual Nonna outing, but it was one of the best!