All articles by Greg Stokes

Get Rounded Up!

Rebel Round Up: Sat 15 Feb 2020

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • February 2020

by Greg Stokes

Time sure flies when you are having fun! It seems like yesterday that we attended the annual Rebel Round Up at Pukekohe Park Raceway and it’s on again Saturday 15th February. The hot rod and custom car themed event tips its hat to the whole culture arou…

Print is Not Dead

Arts & Culture • elocal Digital Edition • January 2020

by Greg Stokes

Speaking from the hot rodding background I know and love so well, I enjoy the history and the collectibles associated with it all. On that note and added to the fact I have written for various national and international publications – I really enjoy read…

Wild Bunch is back!

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • December 2019

by Greg Stokes

Cast your mind back to the late eighties/early nineties at Champion Dragway (now Meremere Dragway), a new class of quarter mile drag racing was sweeping the nation – WILD BUNCH! This class essentially took the street appearing two door saloon car and stu…

Meeting Our Heroes

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • October 2019

by Greg Stokes

At the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California back in January it was an honour for us to meet Jim "Jake" Jacobs who was the other half of Pete & Jakes Hot Rod Parts which GMS Hot Rods are dealers for. Pete & Jakes were founded in 1973 shor…

Road Trippin USA

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • September 2019

by Greg Stokes

50th NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky Four guys from New Zealand recently did a whirlwind trip to the USA in August for the 50th NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Leaving cooler temperatures behind in New Zealand’s winte…

Glitz and Glamour

Teng Tools Grand National Rod and Custom Show

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • August 2019

by Greg Stokes

Due to the 3M sponsored visit of internationally renowned automotive customizer Chip Foose, this year’s CRC Speedshow was set to go off the hook. There were so many attractions to the show which kept the increased public numbers entertained all day. The …

Chip Foose at the CRC Speedshow

Fuel your passion – meet Chip!

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • July 2019

by Greg Stokes

The annual CRC Speedshow has become New Zealand’s premiere automotive event which caters for all things automotive related and everything in between. This year’s event is sure to be a very memorable one with the guest appearance of renowned USA automotiv…

The metal artist

A look into the world of Mike Roberts

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • June 2019

by Greg Stokes

In the automotive world and in particularly in New Zealand, we have our fair share of artists. To be more precise, these artists can work sheetmetal into beautiful art forms as they restore, recreate or design their own automotive fantasy. Allow me to in…

The Endless Summer

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • May 2019

by Greg Stokes

A selection of great events from the 2019 car season. As I write this, we are staring down the deep barrel into winter, day light saving has passed and I’m reflecting on how good the summer car season has been. It seemed like it was never going to end an…

Rebel Round Up Goes Off!

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • April 2019

by Greg Stokes

If it isn’t broke then don’t fix it and that was the formula for this year’s annual Rebel Round Up at Pukekohe Park Raceway back in February. The organisers tweaked and adjusted things for a smooth running event but the recipe was the same. Fun with ol…

As Good As It Gets

The 70th Grand National Roadster Show, Pomona, C.A.

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • March 2019

by Greg Stokes

The world’s longest running indoor show celebrated its 70th birthday over the last weekend of January 2019 in Pomona, California, USA. The Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) didn’t just turn 70; it also enjoyed a very high attendance due to the diver…

And The Winner Is...

Hot Rods

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • February 2019

by Greg Stokes

The automotive hobby is an interesting one with it being a big melting pot of people and so many interesting vehicles. We have featured Bob Neville’s “Lucky 17” Ford Model A boat tail speedster before but it’s worth talking about again. The neat little c…

Rebel Roundup is Back!

Saturday 16 Feb 2019 at Pukekohe Park Raceway

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • January 2019

by Greg Stokes

If last year’s Rebel Round Up event was anything to go by, this year’s one will be equally successful. The hot rod and custom car themed event tips its hat to the whole culture around it celebrating days gone by with live bands, retro fashion and of cour…

Farewell Top Fuel

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • December 2018

by Greg Stokes

In recent years, primarily at Meremere Dragway, New Zealand drag racing fans have been treated to some of the most extraordinary Top Fuel drag racing thanks to Marsh Motorsport and Mount Shop. Top Fuel is the highest ranked form of drag racing with nitro…

Rodfather Rob, R.I.P.

Rob Campbell (17 Jul 1938–17 Sep 2018)

Motoring • elocal Digital Edition • November 2018

by Greg Stokes

New Zealand Hot Rod Magazine’s Rob Campbell passed away 17th of September 2018. Rob Campbell, to me earned his title “Rodfather Rob” due to his influential role in the formation of organised hot rodding in New Zealand. New Zealand Hot Rod Magazine’s Rob …

The Roaring Years

Remembering the Golden Years of Pukekohe Park Raceway

Motoring • elocal Franklin • October 2018

by Greg Stokes

Ask any Pukekohe local and they will have fond memories of the golden years of motor racing at Pukekohe Park Raceway. The venue has hosted many globally renowned motor racing drivers over the years and many local heroes have started out from club level r…

Time Traveller

Bob Neville’s 1928 Model A Ford Boat Tail Racer

Motoring • elocal Franklin • September 2018

by Greg Stokes

Nostalgia is a yearning for the past or an appreciation for all thing’s old. Bob Neville’s “Lucky 17” 1928 Model A Ford Boat Tail racer is all of that and so much more. For anyone with the slightest interest in all things automotive, Bob’s tribute to the…