Ariel President Steve Barker with a VA 550 De Luxe side valve
A
chance encounter with the Ariel Owners ’ Rally co-organiser , Shorty Cole , saw me invited along to do a few pics and a story for Kiwi Rider , an opportunity I was not going to turn down . My late dad , Joe , had owned and ridden three Ariel Red Hunter singles in his time , a 350 in Hong Kong plus a pair of 500s , one in Maitland NSW and a 1952 model in Wellington . So , Shorty put me in touch with Steve Barker the NZ Register President , and it turned out we had last spoken in the late 1970s as BSA B50 riders . So , here are a few words on the rally from Steve .
IT FINALLY HAPPENED After all the Covid related cancellations , startstops and hold-ups , our Ariel Owners ’ Rally finally got out of the starting blocks . Based at Massey University ’ s Rugby Institute in Palmerston North , keen Ariel riders gathered from noon to check in and have a quick catch up . They received the keys for their accommodation , along with a rally pack / bag full of goodies , books , sweets , pen , cleaning cloths , handle bar / lever gaiters and much more .
Typical backyard jet engine
Smart 1951 VH Red Hunter 500
KIWI RIDER 29