Hawke’s Bay’s Thunder Park re-enactment to draw hot rodders from way back

Doug Laing

Multimedia Journalist·Hawkes Bay Today·

1 May, 2026 02:39 AM2 mins to read

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Napier mechanic and hot rod builder Glenn Munro and one of his latest pieces of work, a 1938 Chev Coupe dragster that will be part of the Marineland Rod and Custom Club’s Thunder Park re-enactment and Sunday morning show at Meeanee. Photo / Doug Laing

As many as 50 cars, trucks and other prized automobiles are expected on Saturday at a re-enactment of the good old days of now bygone, world-class Hawke’s Bay drag strip Thunder Park, marking 50 years since it opened in 1976.

It’s part of the Marineland Rod and Custom Club’s annual
weekend, the big feature of which will be the public charity showing of about 100 gleamers and thunder-makers at the club’s Meeanee headquarters from 9am to midday on Sunday.

Donations at the gate will support Hohepa Hawke’s Bay.

Secretary Richard Palmer said there’ll be “about a dozen” iconic race cars, and among them will be a 620hp 1938 Chev Coupe, with a history of a 9.35-seconds standing-quarter at Meremere, part of the collection of Napier mechanic, hot rod stalwart and engine builder Glenn Munro.

The Saturday re-enactment, with some enthusiasts dating back more than 50 of the club’s 67 years, will take place near the entrance to the Gimblett Gravels, the area transformed from drag strip to vineyards after the drag-racing venue closed in 1997.