Undie 500 Car Rally

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Decorated Undie 500 vehicle (there is a van behind the facade).
Decorated Undie 500 vehicle (there is a van behind the facade).
2006 Undie 500 entry "Noah's Ark", winner best overall
2006 Undie 500 entry "Noah's Ark", winner best overall

The Undie 500 is an annual car rally between Christchurch and Dunedin, New Zealand, held on the last Friday of the third term. Student members of the Engineering Society purchase used vehicles, spend weeks decorating themselves and their cars and drive the twelve hour journey south. The vehicles are individually themed and occupants pub crawl over the entire day of driving. The event is characterised by the high level of work performed on entrants cars transforming them from normal motor vehicles into something special.

Cars are understood to meet at least the following:

  • Have a cost of under NZ$500 (hence the name Undie (under) 500)
  • Stop at nominated pubs and bars on the drive south
  • Have a current Warrant of Fitness and Vehicle Registration
  • Be driven by a sober driver

The New Zealand Police accompany the convoy throughout the trip to ensure both the safety of participants and other road users.

Since 2003 the number of vehicles have been limited to 150 in number due to the pubs enroute being unable to handle the burgeoning number of patrons. The annual event continues to attract more than 1,000 participants and thousands of spectators. It is widely reported, attracting national TV news coverage, newspaper, radio and has even featured in Ralph magazine.

Before embarking for Dunedin prizes are awarded for outstanding entries. These include:

  • Best Car
  • Best Dressed Team
  • Most Un-Politically Correct
  • Best Overall

Prizes go some way to recovering the cost of the vehicle and keeping participants throat's wetted enroute. Pictured are 2005 and 2006 winning entries.

Contents

[edit] Trivia

In 2006, the Boozeballah "Fighting the War on Sobriety" vehicle was recognised as one of the more un-PC cars in the event, due to the recent Israel-Lebanon conflict. Christchurch Police contacted the owner of the vehicle, requesting that it be taken off the roads as it was deemed to have breached the standards of good taste and decency. (Auckland Star, 24th August 2006)

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    [edit] External links

    [edit] See also


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