2012 Entry Update
Well we’ve passed the 800 vehicle mark in record time - and we thought the economy was supposed to be slowing down! This means we have room for just 200 more cars at the festival. And the trends are continuing – lots of cars we haven’t seen at the Festival before, including some major winners from the recent NZHRA National Hot Rod Show in Hawera. What a thrill it will be to see these stunning cars cruising the streets during the event. Nearly 70 cars from the South Island have entered, and another new trend we’ve notice is the number of vehicles entered by females appears to be on the rise! If you haven’t entered yet, then we suggest you do ASAP as the festival will sell out – that is a fact. You can enter online at our website http://www.beachhop.co.nz

Great Prize To Be Won Next Month!

All vehicles entered by December 15 will be in the draw to win a great new book – the “Kiwi Hot Rodders Guide to Life” written by Steve Holmes. Well be making the announcement of the winner just in time for Christmas. The book goes behind the scenes of 28 New Zealand hot rod garages and workshops, as the author pokes around at owners car and automobilia collections, and the hot rod related private worlds they create for themselves behind their garage doors. If hot rodders build cars for others to enjoy as much as themselves, their garages are far more personal, and for the majority, are not open to the public. The Kiwi Hot Rodders Guide To Life swings the doors open to reveal these amazing worlds, and the people who create them. And many are regularly seen at the Beach Hop! The book is priced at just $40 and is available from all good book sellers nationwide (we spotted it in our local Take Note shop!), plus from Hot Rodding shops such as Rocket Speed Equipment in Hamilton.

Project Cars Update
Rapid Radio are making great progress installing the Sony Xplod sound system in the “Black Car”. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updated photos http://www.facebook.com/BeachHopCars#!/BeachHopCars Next up, the “Black Car” will be heading to Sterling Brake & Clutch to ensure the car stops on a dime.

The “Yellow Car” is in 3 different parts of the country at the moment. The body is currently getting the finishing touches on the panel work at CR Panel Shop in Henderson. A recent visitor to the shop asked if it was a new body – that shows the quality of work that the team (Simon, Carolyn, Tony, John & Jody) produce – a very high standard. There is a feature on the shop in the latest edition of the NZ Hot Rod Magazine, so you can get a look at what they get up to. We fired the engine up in the chassis last week and it got the big thumbs up from the team. The engine and chassis are currently at Wenzlick Automotive in Thames for a new drive shaft. The transmission is getting a once over from Automatic Transmissions in Tauranga. Rosco sure knows his sutf and we can be certain the “Yellow Car” will be a pleasure to drive. We’ll keep you updated as the project progresses.

Best Car Audio Prize at Sony Xplod Beach Hop 12
Our major sponsor, Sony Xplod, are putting up a Sony prize pack for the best sound system in a vehicle officially entered for the festival. And this isn’t all about who as spent the most money – it is how the sound system fits in with the overall look and feel of the car. It is about the design – not the wallet! Music and cruising go together, so make sure you have a quality sound system installed and you may just take home the trophy and prizes.

60s Style Hot Rod For Sale

Are you looking for a beautiful new Hot Rod to buy so you can be part of NZ’s biggest 50s & 60s nostalgia event? House of Hot Rods have just finished this 60s style 1934 Ford Coupe and it could be yours. Check out the latest edition of NZ Hot Rod Magazine for a full feature or email Tony at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Coming Events
World’s 1st Car & Bike Show – Jan 1st 2012

Whangamata is not only world famous for the Beach Hop, it is also home to the very first Car & Bike Show held anywhere in the world each year! Last New Years Day over 150 vehicles went on show at the Whangamata Club car park. What better way to kick off 2012 than attending a cool Car Show at one of New Zealand’s most popular beach resorts. Special interest cars can park up from 8-10am so the owners can spend the day at the beach, check out the excellent local shops, and wonderful hospitality of the Whangamata Club. There a lots of trophies up for grabs and entry is just $5 per vehicle with proceeds to the Whangamata Youth Group.

Jalopy Dust Up

4 years ago the Jalopy Dust Up broke all the rules and was responsible for the current interest in Hot Rods etc back racing on the Dirt Track. Jalopy Dust Up #4 will be held at the Waihi Beach Dirt Track on Saturday January 7th and once again promises to be a fun filled day at the most beautiful race track on the planet. Traditional Hot Rods, pre 65 Sedans plus vintage stock cars and speedway racers will be racing “cat & mouse” style through out the day. On Friday 6th January at the Waihi Beach Hotel there is a concert not to be missed – Jimmy Barnes, Dragon and Hello Sailor! What a weekend this promises to be. More info at www.hotrodpromo.co.nz and to enter please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kiwis On Route 66

Our team member Noddy Watts recently told us they already have 2x sold out USA tours next year, however there is still room on the May/June Route 66 Tour and Jul/Aug Cars & Blues Tour. The Route 66 tour concludes with the one of the best Hot Rod Shows on the planet – the LA Roadster Show at the Pomona Fairplex. Noddy has been to dozens of car shows across the USA and rates the Roadster Show ahead of events such as the West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton. The Cars & Blues Tour is based around the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky where more than 12,000 cars will be on show. Can you get your head around that???!!!! More tour details can be found at www.kiwisonroute66.com

Sony Special Offer to Beach Hop Supporters!
Our wonderful sponsors Sony have come up with another SIZZLING deal for our supporters. Please remember a percentage of the sales goes to the Beach Hop to help us run the festival, so not only are you saving money, but you are also helping us run the event. Click on the image below to see the current special deal....