THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE MAZDA MX-5 CLUB OF NSW INC.
NATMEET XI WE WON!
BUMPER MOTORSPORT EDITION! CLUB TRACK DAYS, INTERSTATE CHALLENGE, WAKEFIELD 300, MX-5 CUP AND MORE!!! AUTUMN 2014 Print Post Publication:100006993 THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE MAZDA MX-5 CLUB OF NSW INC. AUTUMN 2014
AUTOMOTIVE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE BREAKFAST 12 CLUB CANBERRA WE PROVIDE THE 15 NATMEET XI HUNTER PROFESSIONAL 16 18 ILLAWARRA SERVICE YOU WANT MID NORTH 24 COAST 6 2wd or 4wd dyno-tuning & power runs RPM Computer diagnosis, upgrades & re-mapping 27 Auto electrical services, overhauls & re-wiring SYDNEY Fuel injection diagnosis, servicing & upgrades 28 MOTORSPORT 10 ECU diagnosis, repairs & upgrades 30 Weight-corrected steering alignments & repairs Suspension testing, repair, overhaul & upgrade Exhaust modification, bending & upgrades Brake testing, overhaul, upgrade & machining
www.acdc.net.au
23 Kemble Court Mitchell ACT 2911 Ph: 02 6262 2680 Mob: 0417 269 325 [email protected]
Cover photo: Peter Hilkmann This page: Jay Flak NSW MEMBERSHIP REPORT CURRENT MEMBERSHIP PRESIDENT’S
TOTAL All members that are un-financial at the BRIEF 31st December 2013 will be made inactive. Please check your membership card. If you are in this category and want to remain a BY BRYAN SHEDDEN member please contact me.
Best regards, NEW NATMEET XI NEW TREASURER RETIRING COMMITTEE MEMBERS 685 -Keith Monaghan Congratulations to the MX-5 Club of Marie Smart has recently resigned Mark Garven will not be renominating [FINANCIAL] MEMBERS Queensland for successfully hosting the as Treasurer as she has begun a new for the role of Secretary at the AGM in national meeting of the MX-5 Clubs interstate adventure. Chris and Marie October. Mark has been a committee of Australia at the Sunshine Coast on have purchased the Wildongoleechie member for the last four years and done 12-15 April. It was the 11th NatMeet Hotel at Hallett, South Australia and a wonderful job as Club Captain and and marked the 25th Anniversary of become fulltime publicans. then Secretary. It has been a pleasure to the Mazda MX-5. And we came home work with Mark over that time, who 55 with the National Championship for our fulfilled his roles with quiet efficiency and Club! We achieved this via ... dedication. Thank you Mark.
NEW MEMBERS • Strength of our attendance. A total of Timothy Heppell has also decided to Welcome! COMMITTEE 50 club members made the long trip to move on from his role of Publications Caloundra, which was a record for us at Officer at the end of the year. Timothy Ann Alexander Dorothy Hodgson President: Bryan Shedden Canberra Convenor: an “away” NatMeet. joined the Torque Team for the Spring Peter Alexander Rodney Hughes [email protected] 0422 340 010 Bricet Klören & Bob Judd • Outstanding presentation in 2012 edition, and has been responsible [email protected] 0422 386 660 Carole Attrill Lyn Lambert Vice President: Pam Estreich Concours. Our club members claimed for producing the magazine since the Tony Badger Jeffrey Lee [email protected] 0459 253 272 Hunter Convenor: Mark Gray six of the 14 trophies on offer, and also They pass on their best wishes to all Winter 2013 edition. Despite never [email protected] 0477 090 538 Nic Beard Ray Legge Treasurer: Brad Robinson finished with several second and third club members and thank you for your having used the InDesign publishing Jordan Boesel Vicki Legge [email protected] 0419 223 003 Illawarra Convenor: Phil & Sandra Reid places. friendship and companionship over the software before, Timothy has taken to [email protected] 0417 260 766 Andrew Bottomley Ian Mash Secretary: Mark Garven • Amazing skill on the track. Seven of past couple of years that they’ve been the task like a duck to water, and ensured Vicki Bottomley Pierce Miller [email protected] 0406 321 554 RPM Convenor: Lesa Bunn the 12 trophies were awarded to our club members. Marie and Chris are already that Club Torque has maintained a high [email protected] 0423 276 152 Bruce Campbell Susan Miller Club Captain: Michael Soulos members. looking forward to getting involved with standard of publication. Thank you Diane Carey Brenton Mooney [email protected] 0413 113 399 Mid North Coast Convenor: Peter • Willingness to volunteer. Many of the MX-5 Club of South Australia, and Timothy. Rodgers [email protected] Antony Carpentieri Dean Morgan Membership Database: Keith Monaghan 0422 237 588 our members assisted with running of the hosting visits from us in the future. Please [email protected] 0418 976 279 Concours, track and funkhana events. join me in thanking Marie and Chris Fellow Torque Team member Andrew John Casey Rowan Morgan Sydney Convenor: Guy Coles Peter Clunne Marty Mulholland Membership: Ken & Maggie Liston [email protected] 0419 914 443 for their help with running our club and Lord has also decided to step down as 02 9872 1639 Kimberley Clunne Andrew Mulyk But all the point scoring, trophies and wishing them good luck for their exciting the magazine Editor, having fulfilled Scott Collinge Brian Noffke Competition: David Lawler interclub rivalry was a mere side show. future. Good luck to Jay too, who I hear this role since the Spring 2012 edition. [email protected] 0403 070 644 Jamie Collins Stephen O’donoghue Most of all, NatMeet was a fabulous has a new job as Barman. Andrew spun some great yarns in the - Wayne Cooper Danny Ryke Publications: Timothy Heppell EX OFFICIO REPRESENTATIVES time to talk, laugh, drink, eat, play, editor’s column and compiled several [email protected] 0403 079 018 Harrison Cooper Duncan Savage Competition/Event Secretary: dance, shop, explore and relax with Finding a new Treasurer is a daunting wonderful Driver Torque interviews and Ben Curtis David Sharp Website Coordinator: Greg Perry Zan Menzel [email protected] friends old and new, near and far. Not proposition, but I’m very pleased to say photographic features. We won’t lose [email protected] 0414 431 055 Ph/Fax 02 6558 4190 Kathleen Demant John Sharrock just at Caloundra, but also on the that we have the situation covered. Julie Andrew’s input though, as he continues Regalia: Lesa Bunn [email protected] Breakfast Club Assistant: Andrew Lord trip there and back again. It was an Sando has volunteered to be our new assisting Reggie with organising Peter Demant Suzanne Stone 0423 276 152 0414 323 726 Ryan Eldridge James Taylor absolutely wonderful experience and I’m Treasurer and will start in September BreakFast Club events. Thank you Breakfast Club Coordinator: Club Historian: Elaine Caldwell 02 9451 already looking forward to NatMeet XII once her current commitments are Andrew. Simon Farquhar Alexander Trethewy Adam Walker 1432 Daniel Gardner Michael Willoughby [email protected] 0403 161 544 in two years. wrapped up. In the meantime, former Graham Grover Treasurer Brad Robinson has stepped in With these retirements, we need your Michelle Wong Bachar Haj younes James Woods Mazda MX-5 Club of NSW Inc. to fill the gap. Thank you Julie and Brad! help to fill the vacant committee Keith Harvey Joyce Woods PO Box 402, Beecroft NSW 2119 positions. Please see the advertisements Sandra Harvey nsw.mx5.com.au on page 27!
4 Club Torque Club Torque 5 Head honcho, John Tait welcomed us all NATMEET and talked through a few formalities. The NATMEET XI buffet eventually found its way back inside and everyone tucked in after their hard day’s work. Once the music started, Team CALOUNDRA, QLD Hunter launched into what would become a familiar theme by hitting the dance floor 12-5 APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY BRYAN SHEDDEN and being the last to leave the party. PHOTOS BY GREG BUNN, GUY COLES, PETER HILKMANN & BRYAN SHEDDEN
For those who came in late, NatMeet is the Tamworth and then Fiona, Alex and I in a replacement window from Automotive Plus biannual national meeting of the MX-5 our two MX-5s at Warwick, making a total and detoured to Brisbane to pick it up. Many DAY TWO - SUNDAY Clubs of Australia. The 2014 event was of ten cars for the final leg. We avoided the hands (and supervisors) made light work of Concours d’Elegance at NatMeet is a hosted by the MX-5 Club of Queensland final commute through Brisbane suburbs by fitting the new window in the resort carpark. massive event, and one that is very resource at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. It was seeking out the twisty roads to Gatton, Esk, intensive. A selection of attendees were the 11th NatMeet and marked the 25th Lake Somerset and Peachester before finally roped into judging the cars, working in Anniversary of the Mazda MX-5. arriving at Oaks Oasis Resort, our home pairs to assess each aspect of presentation. for the next four nights. Then there were the DAY ONE - SATURDAY The cars were displayed in generations With over 1000km of travel for most of our “Ladies of MX-5” who opted for the jet set NatMeet commenced with the traditional club members, there were a variety of options and were chauffeured by their husbands from frenzy of car preparation for the Concours time NatMeeter, lifted the covers off his for the long journey north. Some arrived Maroochydore Airport. d’Elegance. Hoses, buckets and vacuum supercharged NC with customised leather several days ahead of time and enjoyed a were available in the resort carpark and seats, carpets and flocked glovebox and boot. The organisers also put on an optional pre-NatMeet holiday on the Sunshine Coast With such a distance to travel, it was the queue was endless. Mark Gray worked Stunning! waypoint run to see the local beaches of or visiting with friends and family. Most of inevitable that there would be the odd car tirelessly to help all of Team Hunter with Caloundra. A handful took up the offer, Team Hunter arrived on the Friday via the casualty along the way. Jean Cook and Lesa their final preparations, and then shared the By mid afternoon, it was time to register for but most preferred not to risk sullying their dreaded Pacific Highway, which gave them Bunn arrived with cracked windscreens. love with other New South Welshmen who NatMeet and collect our welcome packs. carefully detailed cars and packed them away plenty of time to settle in and prepare their Lesa managed to have hers fixed at a local thought they were “finished”. Colin & Elaine What a haul! Mazda chipped in a picnic for the night. cars for Concours. A convoy of seven MX-5s repairer, but Jean’s was beyond repair. Keith Caldwell’s REV851 looked immaculate as blanket and cooler bag from their branded (one on a trailer!) opted for the inland route & Sue Monaghan’s NB suffered a smashed always, and Dave & Amy Perin’s blue NA merchandise range - very handy. The special The formalities kicked off in the early on the New England Highway. Along the quarter glass in the door thanks to a stone with matching trailer was already gathering NatMeet items included a polo shirt (in evening with a Welcome BBQ & Poolside way, they picked up Stephen Carter from impact. A few phone calls later, Keith lined up an admiring crowd. Trevor Griffiths, a first golden yellow to match the local sunshine Party. Sarongs were de rigueur and they on the grounds of the resort, and the mass - more on that later), MX-5 cap, event clashed colourfully with those saffron display was an amazing sight to behold. The program, metal badges, and lanyard with polo shirts. The bar opened and the chit myriad photos of shiny MX-5s speak for name tags. We were also given a colourful chat had only just commenced when the themselves. While the judges moved from beach bag with a sarong (uh-oh!), some unthinkable happened ... it started raining! car to car and debated the merits of each, the Meguiars sample packs (in case we needed A decision was quickly made to shift all rest of us were left to wander around, admire MORE cleaning products!), pen, stubby and sundry to the dining room. So off we the cars and chat amongst ourselves. It was a holder, keyring, stickers, an assortment of shuffled, desperately clutching our sarongs nice relaxing morning for the majority who nibblies, and a wad of tourist information. to avoid an embarassing display of flesh. weren’t involved in judging.
With Concours judging completed and lunch consumed, the heavy overcast skies decided that we’d had our fun and it began to lightly rain... and rain.... and rain. Sunshine Coast? Yeah right. Still, there was a drive into the hinterland to be had, so off we went in small groups, peering through the mist and marvelling at the views we couldn’t see. Our route took us around the Glass House Mountains and up to Maleny for a break. It would have made for a wonderful drive, but the rain put a dampener (no pun intended!) on the enjoyment.
Preparations for the evening fancy dress night were rudely interrupted by a fire alarm that forced an evacuation of the accomodation
6 Club Torque Club Torque 7 NATMEET
blocks. While we were waiting for the firies to first time in decades. It was a fun night and DAY FOUR - TUESDAY attend we got our first glances at the efforts again we partied on until they kicked us out. After all the tension of Concours and thrills many of the attendeeds had made with their of the track day, it was time to relax with a costumes. And then there were those who cruise in the hills, finally with dry skies and DAY THREE - MONDAY came out in hastily thrown together clothing even a little sunshine too. Our waypoint - fresh from the shower! And still it rains. Phil and Greg have written run took us on some great twisty roads to about the track day in another report, while Kenilworth for morning tea. The various After this exciting interval, preparations Bob has covered the funkhana. Suffice to say coffee shops were well attended and the were completed and it was off to the that despite the passing showers, treacherous cheese shop proved to be a popular choice. 1920s Speakeasy ... for dinner, drinks and track conditions, and scary nature of the The young and young at heart enjoyed a bit much merriment. We had an assortment of Lakeside circuit ... I had an absolute ball out of exercise in the playground. Then it was off gangsters and molls, flappers, film directors, there. Lakeside is now my firm favourite and again on some more twisty roads to Flaxton barbershop singers, and a pair of Blackpool I sincerely hope I can return for another go in Gardens for lunch in the sunshine with a bathers. The costumes were fantastic and the the not too distant future. superb vista. (NB8B Standard), Jen Boyko (NB8B Mark Seville won the overall Individual Our club has been National Champion at room buzzed with excitement and laughter. Modified), Annie Taylor (NC RC Standard), Champion for Queensland, with Mark Gray three previous NatMeets but this is our first Musical entertainment was provided by a Returning to Caloundra after a brilliant day The Presentation Evening and Gala Dinner and Trevor Griffiths (NC RC Modified). The and David Rigby tied as our highest scoring ever away win. It was an incredible effort by local performer who did his best Pavarotti at the track, we had the night all to ourselves. was held in the dining room at the resort, People’s Choice award went to Dave Perin, representatives. all our attending club members who helped impersonation. Once again, Team Hunter Many of the NSW crew gathered at a local and proved to be an incredibly successful one tied with Mark Seville from Queensland. Our accumulate a total of 1352 points, to pip the were the life of the party and hounded Thai restaurant ... while others opted for for the MX-5 Club of NSW. In Concours motorsport winners were myself (Standard The level of excitement, cheering and Queenslanders on 1333 points. Thank you! many to join them on the dance floor. I even takeaway. d’Elegance, trophies were awarded to Mark NA6A), Keith Monaghan (Standard NB), interstate competitiveness escalated as each shocked my wife and danced with her for the Gray (NB8A Standard), Peter Hilkmann Phil Mayo (Modified NA6A), and Peter NSW award winner was announced ... The event was closed and the Queenslanders Feutrill (Modified NC). I also won the until finally, after many many trophies had were applauded for hosting a successful Regularity and in accepting the trophy, been awarded, it was time to announce the event. As we departed, we were already gave thanks to a certain Queenslander National Champion. looking forward to the next great NatMeet - who convinced me to nominate a faster Tasmania 2016. time than I initially noted. In the funkhana, And the winner is ... New South Wales! The Rachel Crawford was the winning driver crowd goes wild - woo hoo! and Mark Gray the winning co-driver.
8 Club Torque Club Torque 9 first timers to stay behind so he could run us presentation of wrecked cars and driver through correct track position and corners briefing notes was sitting firmly in the front lines. When finished he asked if anyone had of our minds. The briefing worked as we all any questions. At this point Jean put her hand had a great time driving a very challenging up and asked for her money back! track and we all drove home with no damage and big smiles. We should thank the I spoke to someone who had driven at the Queenslanders for being great hosts to all us track many years ago and he commented that first timers to Lakeside. NATMEET the bridge that crosses the back of the circuit was known as Dunlop Bridge. Instructions The event ended with the NSW scoring four were given to pass under the ‘L’ in Dunlop. class wins and 5 second places and Bryan He asked why and was told, “L stands for taking out first place in the Regularity event. live, go under the ‘D’ and you’re dead.” You RESULTS TRACK DAY really need to respect this circuit because if REPORT BY PHIL ASHTON & PHOTOS BY TRACKPHOTOS.COM.AU you don’t, it can bite- hard. CLASS NSW PLACINGS A - STD NA6A 1ST BRYAN SHEDDEN (1:08.8749) Thank goodness the first session had a mostly B - STD NA8 & NB 1ST KEITH MONAGHAN (1:11.3781) The drivers for the Natmeet Track Day chatter started over the CB radios about the over 40 years experience in motor sport with dry track for us to negotiate our way around 2ND DAVID RIGBY (1:11.9315) awoke early on Monday morning to be rain with word filtering through that it wasn’t more recent years having been spent in Sports without incident. As the day progressed, the C - STD NC 2ND JEAN COOK (1:19.4821) greeted with heavy skies, drizzly rain and a raining in Brisbane. Maybe there was a slim Cars, with many Championship wins and conditions varied from dry to rain on half the D - MODIFIED NA6A 1ST PHIL MAYO (1:10.7339) BOM radar image that didn’t look good. chance that the track would be dry and rain places. Doug owned and drove a NA 1600 circuit, to full wet. This made it very testing E - MODIFIED NB 2ND GREG BUNN (1:08.7340) Not the best conditions for racing around free; yeah and pigs fly. for many years at Lakeside. for all and in a funny way, very exhilarating (CLASS J) 4TH LESA BUNN (1:20.6170) Lakeside Park that’s developed a name as one as drivers battled to go fast yet stay away F - MODIFIED NC 1ST PETER FEUTRILL (1:09.4266) of the most dangerous tracks in Australia. By the time we arrived at the track the rain Doug’s brief talked about Lakeside being a from the walls ringing the circuit. G - NB FORCED INDUCTION 2ND RAY ESTREICH (1:09.4266) had stopped, the track was damp but drying. historic track (which actually means it has H - NC INCREASED 2ND PHIL ASHTON (1.05.7711) After an early breakfast, we headed off in a We all file off for the drivers briefing to be very limited run off areas or gravel traps). He The first few runs were taken very CAPACITY convoy south from Caloundra to Lakeside, greeted with a slideshow presentation of talked about the blind crests, highest average conservatively as the power point 70 kilometres away. It didn’t take long wrecked cars that had come to grief on the track speed in Australia, changes in elevation, before our convoy fragmented as the skies track, six at the previous meeting. That put off camber sections, cars appear in your opened with torrential rain (Think Cyclone the wind up us because none of the NSW mirrors out of nowhere so keep checking NATMEET Ita) pelting down and our speed dropped drivers had seen the track before. Doug them and then mentioned that the last death from the 110kph limit to just 30kph. A lot of Chapple gave the drivers briefing and he has at the track was in Feb 2013. Doug asked the MOTORKHANA REPORT BY BOB QUINLAN
After breakfast Monday morning we left watch, I was told I would have to make do in 30 to 50 seconds, then there were the odd in small groups for Lakeside Raceway. with the stop watch. few where the calendar was needed. The end For me this was the third time I had been result: one badly damaged witch’s hat and there- the first time was 1972 and not much After laughing and joking, the MX-5s lined a lot of laughs. After the funkhana, the skid has changed. Upon arrival, we parked our up. They had to leave a garage made of pan was set up for a motorkhana and a few MX-5s and got together for the briefing. witch’s hats, weave around 3 witch’s hats and had a go at that. I didn’t; I went over to see Officials were called for, so I volunteered and stop inside another garage. The catch was the what those at the track were doing. At 12.30 was given a stop watch. Then a car gave a driver had a blindfold on and the passenger pm we all rolled out on to the track for the demo of what you had to do. After another had to give instructions. Some were great Natmeet photo and a lap of Lakeside.This in-depth participants meeting where I asked at taking instructions and they got the job would have to be one of the best tracks in the if I could have a calendar as well as the stop done in 15 to 20 seconds; others were OK world for an MX-5.
10 Club Torque Club Torque 11 BREAKFASTCLUB MAD MX-5 hire from HATTER’S $95 a day! Finding an affordable BERRY RUN sports car to hire in Sydney can be difficult. TH 16 FEBRUARY 2014 // REPORT BY ADAM WALKER There are plenty of PHOTOS BY BRYAN SHEDDEN car rental companies with people movers, hatchbacks, sedans and SUV’s on offer, but what if you want something fun and affordable?
That’s exactly what we’re here for. We have sports cars to hire that are practical, affordable and most importantly, a joy to drive. Feburary’s BreakFast Club run has come and Feeling peckish we all jumped back in the gone. cars, through Robertson and then dropped down and along the famous Kangaroo Valley Situated just 1 hours 14 members in 12 cars turned up at Bridge, and up and over Berry Mountain. Heathcote McDonalds at 6am for a early drive from the Sydney wake up coffee before we hit the road. Gary Breakfast/Brunch was served at the newly CBD, Windsor is the Nobrega leading his first club run had us renovated Hedgehogs cafe where everyone blasting with the tops down along the Old demolished a big breakfast while myself and perfect starting point Princes Highway, through Appin and down Rob ate some bird seed and a kids meal. for your weekend away the great Broughton Pass and up to Douglas Park. A quick stop and video shoot with the Awesome time was had by all attendees. in the Blue Mountains, drone had us heading down South. Hunter Valley or trip to Big thanks to all that managed to climb out We had an unexpected stop through of bed and to Gary for leading the tour of the the coast. Tahmoor as the skies finally opened up South Coast. and started dropping rain in rather large quantities, forcing the canvas (or plastic for Why not explore and those NC2 owners) to be raised for the rest experience some of the of the day. best that New South Gary had us headed over the escarpment via Wales has to offer in the Old South Road, Range Road and through the forest along Tourist Road to our next and best way possible.. in very short stop at Robertson Pie Shop. an MX-5!
12 BreakFast Club Club Torque 13 BREAKFASTCLUB SATURDAY GOULBURN AND BEYOND TH RIVER RUN 30 MARCH 2014 // REPORT BY ADAM WALKER
15TH MARCH 2014 // REPORT BY MICHAEL SOULOS PHOTOS BY DANNY RYKE
It had been a long time since the BreakFast continued to Sackville on the opposite side of Club held a short Saturday Run for members the river on the rarely driven West Portland and the Ides of March was an auspicious day Road that casually winds its way for 12kms; to hold this event. On relatively short notice, then a sharp right turn up Bull Ridge Road to 9 MX-5s headed off from Maccas at Waitara meet up with the Putty Road. The run stayed Wow. A 350km run turned out to be a A quick blast down the highway had us Canberra crew at Bungonia as we made our for run across to Dural where we meet up on the Putty Road for a few kilometres 500+km run. at Marulan where we met up with some way back north to Marulan. with 3 more fives for a run up the Northern before turning left onto an old favourite, the members from Canberra. Continuing south Road. Blaxland Ridge Road, for 16km to head back 6.30am came around and the roadsters along Jerrara Road and Mountain Ash Getting back on the highway was slightly towards Kurrajong on Slopes Road. Slopes started pulling into the meet point at Road had us in some pretty thick fog. The boring, so a right turn at Highland Way had Short Saturday runs start later than a Road winds its way down to Kurmond Pheasants Nest service station. Some other fog made for an interesting obstacle course us running parallel to the highway through traditional BreakFast Club Run resulting Road for the run to Freemans Reach, has not car clubs had the same idea, as they were as we were dodging road kill and cyclists Penrose and Bundanoon. Lordie took over in more traffic on the road than usual. previously been used in a BreakFast Club heading to the Auto Italia festival down in with no lights on. We made it to Braidwood from here and had us zig zagging our way Notwithstanding the time of day, a morning Run and is worth a look. Canberra. Some fancy Italian classics were Road where the fog cleared to a nice sunny north, through Robertson, Tourist Road drive up the Northern Road from Dural is popping in, filling up and continuing on day after Wakefield Park just in time for and up and over the escarpment. We all always fun with its variety of curves and The pleasant run past the grass farms their journey. The most noticeable car was Breakfast at Roselea Café at Lake Bathurst. pulled up and bid our farewells at Bargo straights until the tight twisting descent into and through the Hawkesbury River flood a ‘92 Maserati Barchetta (one of only 17 in The big plates of food had us all satisfied and before jumping on the mighty Hume for the Wisemans Ferry. The run was conducted plain is well known and took us into the the world). The sound from the exhaust was ready to hit up the “Wakefield Long Circuit”. remainder of the run. under the Club’s Waypoint Rules and as Windsor heritage town centre and its old pure automotive porn. This took us down through Tarago before usual all the drivers stayed within sight of colonial hotel’s car park for brekkie in a heading east along Cullulla Road and Sandy Great day was had by everyone. The Roselea their lead and following car making the run local café. Everyone had a great morning Anyways back to the BreakFast Club. Point Road. It was quite amusing watching Café is highly recommended and worth a leader’s job easy. drive, a breakfast of their choice, and home We had 5 cars meet up at Pheasants Nest, a motorhome tackle the twisties down stop if you are in the area. by midday. All in all, a great way to start the brimmed the tanks and got underway. around Bungonia. We waved goodbye to the A run along the south bank of the weekend. Hawkesbury River from Wisemans Ferry to Lower Portland is one of the best MX-5 roads on the periphery of the Sydney urban PETER’S sprawl. It does not matter how relaxed or CANBERRA aggressively you choose to run along the OUT OF AFRICA SAFARI riverbank, the River Road presents the driver 16TH FEBRUARY 2014 // REPORT BY LIA BATTISON with challenging and laid back sections to please everyone’s driving preferences. Ten cars met at our favourite gathering place We had morning tea at the Superb Bakery in Turkish café in Cooma we said our goodbyes in Russell for an 8am start to our trip which Boorowa and stopped briefly in Harden to and arrived home in Canberra at 7:45 pm. The challenges range from tight blind corners vaguely followed the outline of the map of say hello to Russell Battisson who now lives requiring drivers to adopt a cautious line by Africa, hence the name,’ Out of Africa Run’. there. Staff at the Long Track Pantry looked Another very pleasant Sunday spent in good hugging the nearside edge of the roadway, Of course that only applied to those who after us as always and we had a leisurely company. to long meandering straights with exposed travelled home down the highway. For those lunch before breaking into two groups for sandstone walls overhanging the passenger’s who joined Peter and Lia for the long way the journey home. seat with the river adjacent to the driver’s home, the map was very distorted! door. The River Road is very scenic as it Travelling home via Tumut, Adaminaby and passes through bush, past farms and water Seventeen of us travelled to Jugiong for lunch Cooma took us over some more very nice ski parks, plus a great drive that costs nothing at the Long Track Café, going via Wamboin, roads. We encountered some wet weather more than a few litres of fuel and a bit of Crookwell, Boorowa and Harden. Some but we stopped to put the tops up just in your time. very nice windy roads through there and time. A good proportion of the road through some members had never travelled on some the mountains has recently been resealed and From the Lower Portland Ferry, the route sections. is in very good condition. After dinner at the
14 BreakFast Club BreakFast Club 15 HUNTER PHIL’S HUNTER BRUCE’S BIRTHDAY BASH FRAZER PARK RUN 23RD MARCH 2014 // REPORT BY BRUCE & GILL BETTINSON 16TH FEBRUARY 2014 // REPORT & PHOTOS BY PHIL MAYO PHOTOS BY BRUCE BETTINSON & MARK GRAY This run had previously been done 3 attached, so everyone had a browse. top down to take in the natural bushland. A beautiful morning saw 18 cars and 31 years ago, lead by Helen Mayo when I Some were even keen to start morning Members gathered for a day’s drive. attended a Club Track day, and it was tea but were encouraged to wait until the The scenery changes from open enjoyed by everyone who attended. So next stop only 5km down the road. bushland with Banksias, Scribbly Gums, We were off, out into the country to it was planned again when a picnic at Bloodwoods and Angophora, into closed enjoy the rural theme and the occasional the beach was the right idea for the Morning tea was in the Norah Head bushland with Cabbage Tree Palms, Lilli country smells. hot February weather we had been Bush Street Reserve which has views up Pilli and Ti Trees, and finally opens out experiencing. However my last run broke the coast towards Bird Island. It is also with Coastal Heath land followed by the Heading for our morning tea destination, the last long dry spell and the weather opposite the Rock Pool Retreat Cafe who vista of the headlands, enclosed surfing we went the long way round via forecast heralded another wet Sunday. were able to be a backup in case it was beaches and a lagoon. historical Morpeth, Seaham onto the My red NA was out of action as a new raining, and supplied coffee and cake to Bucket’s Way via Stroud, into Dungog. clutch was not working as it should, so those who weren’t picnicking. Unfortunately some of the roads could have been in better condition, however we carried on regardless.
After our break we headed towards Branxton which provided some beautiful views of the country side after some much needed rain.
Driving through the vineyards, we headed for a park just outside Kurri Kurri for our picnic lunch.
To encourage some exercise after sitting down all morning, we had a friendly knock out competition of quoits.
After our normal goodbyes some of our chapter headed off to check out the new freeway back to Newcastle.
Hope a good day was had by all. we were lucky to be able to borrow Jen Historic Norah Head lighthouse is only Unfortunately the rain had increased & George Boyko’s black NB. Thank You 500m down the road so after morning so we did not get out of the cars- just Jen & George. tea we all headed to the busy carpark driving the loop past the beach. The rain and proceeded to walk down to the did not stop a local surfing contest at Despite the forecast and grey skies, lighthouse with it’s lovely lighthouse Frazer Beach. 15 cars were at the meeting place at keeper’s cottage. Unfortunately the rain Beresfield with picnic essentials in their decided to settle in for the day, so the From the park we headed east to the boots. After a briefing we headed south inspection was hurried and the decision Pacific Highway and then to the “Doylo” towards the Central Coast via Kurri was taken to have lunch at a club. Doyalson RSL to have lunch in the Bistro Kurri, The Gap, Cooranbong then along and then make our own way home into the Hue Hue Road and along Sparkes From the lighthouse we travelled north a heavy deluge making its way up the Road to Toukley. to Budgewoi turning off before the town coast. to enter the Munmorah State Recreation Our first pit stop was at the Toukley Area. This beautiful area is crossed by a Maybe I should plan a run out to Information Centre on the shores of network of bitumen roads with lots of Western NSW and up through Western Tuggerah Lakes. It also has an art gallery MX-5 corners, best experienced with the Qld to break their drought!
16 Hunter Hunter 17 ILLAWARRA TONY’S What a great turnout for my first attempt VALLEY & VINES DRIVE as run leader. 17 gorgeous MX-5s with a 23RD FEBRUARY 2014 // REPORT BY TONY HEATHWOOD total of 31 occupants. PHOTOS BY TONY HEATHWOOD The convoy departed Hungry Jacks at Haywards bay right on time at 9:30 and headed south towards Jamberoo under a fine but slightly cloudy sky.
A great drive up the smooth, recently resurfaced Jamberoo Pass was marred by a couple of non MX-5 (slow) vehicles, but the scenery was magnificent GRAHAM LORD’S as always. The sight of seventeen consecutive MX-5s heading up the long hill into Robertson was a sight to behold. WORKSHOP VISIT ND Some folks were not happy that we 22 MARCH 2014 // REPORT & PHOTOS BY BRENDAN BARR weren’t stopping at the famous Robbo Pie Shop but we pressed on via the Tourist Austin 1800, ‘the floating lounge room’ Rd, past Wingecarribee Reservoir and on as it was once called. Not many people to morning tea at the Sailing club reserve have an Austin 1800 ute, naturally at Fitzroy Falls reservoir. Thanks to Graeme did. Morning tea was greatly Bryan for suggesting this beautiful spot. enjoyed by all and Phil expressed our Covered seating, hot water, beautiful thanks and presented some bottles of leafy reserve with a breathtaking view wine to show our appreciation. Twenty four interested people turned of the reservoir. If you have not had a up to marvel at the skills involved in picnic at this spot it is a must see for the We then headed to Burrawang Pub for properly renovating Jaguar cars. Getting Southern Highlands. Don’t forget to take lunch and a good chat fest. Mark thought these classic Mark V, E-type or XJS back a jacket as it is always cooler up there. that all his birthdays had come at once, to pristine condition is Graeme’s passion, however one proved to be enough! or as he puts it, ‘getting paid to do what Drivers and vehicles then enjoyed the I enjoy.’ winding drive down into Kangaroo Valley Our visit to Graeme Lord’s workshop and back out again and on to Berry. convinced all club members that having Nuts, bolts, suspension parts, engines Unfortunately, Kangaroo Valley Road a passion for a Japanese sport car and differentials were all inspected while had to be shared with a large number of versus an English sport car is a far more we listened to Graeme’s wonderful tales Sunday (slow) drivers. Probably a good economically sound (dare I say …. sane) of searching worldwide for parts and thing given the poor condition of the decision! materials. A favourite was a beautiful road surface in places. XJS, painted in John Player Special Our thanks go to Graeme for happily colours with a twin turbo V12 engine, Getting back on to the highway at sharing his ‘hobby’ with us. The expertise reputedly once owned by Kerry Packer. Berry in Sunday traffic was a challenge displayed, coupled with his enthusiasm yet we were able to drive into the and hospitality, show why his business is Some of us even noticed the good old finish at Coolangatta in a conga line of so successful. convertibles. The girls at the Mountain Ridge Wines restaurant were most impressed with our entrance.
For me the best part of the day was the food, wine and fellowship with all the MX-5ers following our journey.
Thank you to all the attendees for making this such a great day.
18 Illawarra Illawarra 19 At 5:30 we regrouped for a game of ILLAWARRA trivia with teams competing for some CAPITAL COUNTRY very big prizes. We had 4 teams in all and in the end it was very close with only 1 point separating 1st & 2nd. A good time was had by all and any protesting fell on deaf ears. Dinner was at the Woodworks CRUISE Cafe across the road and we were joined 29-30TH MARCH 2014 // REPORT BY JULIE SANDO by a few members of the Canberra Chapter. PHOTOS BY BRENDAN BARR, TONY HEATHWOOD & BRYAN SHEDDEN We woke on Sunday to a bit of misty drizzle, but after breakfast at the Blind Meeting up at Haywards Bay on a Duck (where the meals were huge and beautiful Saturday morning, we looked good value) and much chamoising of fantastic with most of us in the red & cars, we were again briefed by Peter and white of the Illawarra, all ready to have left to meet up with a group of 7 MX-5s a great weekend away. Peter & Jill (our from the Canberra Chapter members. fearless leaders) gave a brief rundown The weather cleared very quickly and it of what was expected over the coming was sunny within half an hour. days. We then split into two groups and headed off over the beautiful mountains Again another great drive through lots via Macquarie Pass. It was tops down the of Capital Country back roads, all well whole way! sealed, no dirt in sight, before we arrived at Gunning, where it was market day. I The 13 MX-5s were a sight as we passed think everyone bought some homemade through Robertson then twisted and cakes or pies and as we were ready to turned through some great back roads leave Hella & Pam decided they needed until we got to Bundanoon, no stopping some farm fresh apples ... waiting ... though, and then a left, left, left, right, waiting. left to Badgerys Lookout; a place that it seemed no one had been to before. Both Weather now quite hot and with some groups met up here again and Bryan led changing from jeans to shorts in the us on a bushwalk (?) and of course the street, it was time for us to leave ... just group photo was taken from the lookout. another 53km into Goulburn where We then all got back into the cars for we stopped for lunch at the Bakehouse the 2nd part of the morning, more great Cafe and officially finished the trip. Two driving before arriving at the Meridan MX-5s headed for petrol … the owner Cafe, Marulan for lunch. of the SE model noticed that it took five more litres to fill up than Mark’s car. A Most of us rolled out of the cafe after a look at the air-con switch confirmed one huge meal. Some of the ladies found a reason for this. Much applause greeted craft shop and the cafe owner wanted the final arrival of the last five cars, who a photo, so ensued much shuffling of apparently took an unplanned detour cars (getting the non-MX-5s out of the with a left turn instead of right, sending way) and more picture taking. We were them towards Crookwell instead of finally on our way again heading down Goulburn. No names will be mentioned, roads with names like: Mountain Ash, but let’s just say that Mrs President is Windellama, Sandy Point, Cullulla and directionally challenged! A quick chat my favourite Werai (because I had no with a farmer in a paddock had the idea). We finally arrived at Bungendore stragglers back on the right path and a where the owner of the Carrington late lunch. Inn was very welcoming and helpful. With cars parked for the night and bags Approximately 400km in total over unpacked most went for a walk around the two days. Great company, fantastic the town of Bungendore before some driving and a good time had by all. decided that the pub was where they needed to be!!
20 Illawarra Illawarra 21 ILLAWARRA COFFEE & LIES 5 TH APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY PHIL REID PHOTOS BY BARRY POPE GORGEOUS GORGES RUN 13TH APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY BRENDAN BARR AND PHOTOS BY BRENDAN BARR, BARRY POPE AND JOE CABELLO The first call at 6.50am asked the The perfect weather allowed ‘tops down’ motorway bridge that spanned this question in everyone’s mind, ‘are we as we swept up Mt Kembla and on gorge. A quick twist and turn and we going?’ Why should 48 hours of near towards Picton, where we turned into were heading down into Gorgeous Gorge continuous rain put us off? Barkers Lodge Road for a beautiful drive 3 – Broughton Pass and over the Cataract past lush, green horse studs up to the River towards Appin. So we all met at Hungry Jacks with blue lookout. Morning tea was consumed in On setting out for Coffee ‘n Lies the We were early to arrive and enjoyed our Conversation was full, rowdy and skies threatening to burst through the the chilly air as we took in the fantastic We headed over to Bald Hill lookout weather tempted us for a top down first cup of coffee while watching as our engaging. We made no attempt to police clouds and force the obligatory donning vista of Gorgeous Gorge 1 – Lake via our last Gorgeous Gorge - Lawrence drive, but with ominous clouds in the numbers grew to 16. There were a few the lies. Perhaps we will have no need at of sunglasses. We welcomed two brand Burragorang, Sydney’s water supply, at Hargrave Drive, to Bald Hill lookout to distance we opted for tops up. Framing new faces amongst us, one couple from future meet ups to look out for lies, as we new members, Andy and Vicki who were 94% capacity. Jan’s slice was a hit with watch some people risk life and limb at Macquarie Pass was a fantastic rainbow Cronulla and another from Albion Park. may change to name of the get together on their first run, and Joe and Azi who all as we sipped our BYO morning tea. hang gliding. beckoning us towards Robinson. We Both couples are considering joining our to Chat at Chats. were testing the waters. encountered a fair amount of wind great club. We hope that we made a good Then we were off through The Oaks, to Down our last gorge we emerged to cross blown debris and rain on the pass. Far impression and that they enjoyed our One by one, people went on their After the route was explained and Cawdor and cutting across upmarket the beautiful Seacliff Bridge and gain from acting as a deterrent this only company as much as we enjoyed theirs. way. Some headed for the pie shop at safety procedures checked, 20 people farms to Douglas Park and under huge easy parking opposite Austi Beach Café, enhanced the effect of driving through a Robinson, some for home and others in 10 MX-5s and a Mitsubishi, (Peter’s overhanging sandstone rocks into where we finished off a great run with a rain forest. Others who made their way We were well looked after at Chats. off on other weekend adventures. It MX-5 refused to start, so he came in Gorgeous Gorge 2 – formed by the tasty lunch and a good chat. via Jambaroo Mountain were able to The proprietor was only too happy would seem that fun was had by all. We the backup) headed off for Burragorang Nepean River. As we drove over the enjoy a top down run until they arrived to accommodate us by allowing us to would like to thank all who came for lookout at Nattai. Mark, ‘the enforcer’ causeway, it was hard to decide whether Thanks to Joe and Barry for the extra at Robinson. rearrange the room to suit our group. such a successful first Coffee ‘n Lies and was Tail End Charlie, ensuring that we all to enjoy the water view or gaze up in photos, to Mark and Hella for the radios Coffee, tea, toast and other goodies we hope it will continue to be as well kept a correct distance from the leader. awe at the towering mass of the M1 and also to the weather for holding out Arriving at Chats, we had to dash from were enjoyed by all. We have arranged attended. for so long! the car to the cafe as the rain continued with the owners of Chats for future get to fall. togethers on the second Saturday of the month.
22 Illawarra Illawarra 23
MIDCOAST NORTH APRIL RUN TO GLOUCESTER 12TH APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY GREG COX
Due to a number of Mid North Coast After removing Keiran from the recliner members attending NatMeet XI in chair he had adopted, we all proceeded and hiking through the rainforest. Queensland, it was a smaller than usual south to join The Bucketts Way, and contingent of two cars that departed Port travel through to Gloucester. We We all enjoyed a tasty lunch over good Macquarie bound for Gloucester. encountered little traffic to slow our conversation, and also discussed plans progress, and enjoyed the winding road for future runs. Travelling south down the Pacific and scenery of this picturesque mountain Highway, we turned off at Coopernook region. We then departed just prior to the rain and travelled the more drivable MX-5 arriving, so a quick stop to close the roof, back roads via Lansdowne to meet We soon arrived at Gloucester, and and then back to Taree where we parted Carole and Kevin at their home in thanks to Peter’s trusty GPS, found company with our Wingham friends. Wingham. the Barrington General Store, where Then on to Port Macquarie. we stopped for lunch. An interesting After Kevin showed off his new silver business; selling everything from postal An enjoyable day was had by all, with NC, we enjoyed a delicious morning services to petrol, groceries, camping gear, good company, food, and our Mazda tea with more food than we could eat. and a fully licensed restaurant. Being MX-5s. Thanks to Carole and Kevin for their close to the Barrington Tops National hospitality. Park, this is a popular area for camping PICNIC ND MX-5 CHASSIS TO SEAL ROCKS You will need to stretch your improved handling that comes from all 8 TH FEBRUARY 2014 // REPORT BY PETER RODGERS imagination, but what you see here is the of that. Scuttlebutt has it that the official AND PHOTOS BY ALISON KENNEDY important bits of the ND. Revealed at the reveal of the ND might be in September New York International Auto Show in or October 2014. Bring it on! April, this bare chassis gives some hints A small but very select group of MX-5 vehicle continued north along the Lakes Lunch was a very pleasant affair with about what we can expect from the next enthusiasts set out in glorious summer Way rather than turning east towards Jodie Carty being presented with her generation MX-5: substantially reduced weather for our picnic run to Seal Rocks. Seal Rocks. Our relief was short lived trophy as runner up to New Member kerb weight, lower unsprung mass, lower once we found ourselves on the unsealed of the Year - congratulations Jodie! centre of gravity, lower yaw moment, and We drove south by our usual route, section of the Seal Rocks Road - see the Following lunch we aided our digestion which took us through Moorland and picture! by walking to the lighthouse before Landsdowne, stopping for refreshments heading home. at Maccas just south of Taree. Being suitably refreshed we then headed south for the Nurbushring, which we had all to ourselves. Stopping at the southern end of the Nurbushring, we were entertained by a local lad on his BMX bike.
Then off to Seal Rocks for our picnic, though being required to drive somewhat sedately through the bends by a car in front that not only disregarded all of the slow vehicle laybys but that also sped up at every opportunity to overtake! So it was with some relief for us that this
24 Mid North Coast Mid North Coast 25 RPM ALL CLUB HELP GHOSTBUSTERS WANTED! TOUR I’m sure you are enjoying your membership of the MX-5 Club of NSW, 14TH FEBRUARY 2014 // REPORT & PHOTOS BY LESA BUNN and now here is your chance to share the love by contributing to the management of this great club. A brief description of each vacant role is provided below. Committee members should be prepared to attend committee meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at Ryde- Eastwood Leagues Club from 7:30pm. However, meeting attendance is essential only for the Secretary position, so don’t discount yourself if you live far away. SEATTLE TO Please contact Bryan Shedden at Following a beautiful run from the [email protected] or 0422 340 010 Mountains to the Big Smoke, RPM for expressions of interest in these or any members joined Sydney members at other committee position. SEACLIFF Balgowlah RSL for dinner. 6 TH APRIL 2014 // REPORT & PHOTOS BY LESA BUNN As darkness fell, Guy and Steph led a SECRETARY A truly beautiful place even in the dark, group of 22 wannabe parapsychologists • Issue notices of all meetings. the Quarantine Station tour left many • Keep minutes of all committee meet- A gorgeous RPM country morning NB with a white hardtop who happened through some great little back roads to with questions looming - Why was it ings and general meetings. greeted a large contingent of MX-5s and along the way. I’m sure they were the North Head Quarantine Station for so cold in some rooms, what was that • Organise the procedural part of the their owners us at the Peppercorn Café surprised to stumble across us all. the start of our Ghost Tour. strange smell, did Paul Byers really think Annual General Meeting. at Mulgoa, for the start of the Seattle Di wouldn’t know it was him trying to Crazy hats were donned in an attempt • Attend to all correspondence to and to Seacliff run. Some members who At Loftus Oval we were joined by take advantage of her fear in the dark, to ward off evil sprits and excitement from the Association. had travelled from other Chapter areas another 16 MX-5 members from Sydney and did the ghost Mr Slimy, known for abound as we boarded the bus for the arrived early to sample the wonderful Chapter and a lovely couple Vicki and his amorous advances on women, really short trip from the Visitors Centre to the breakfast on offer at the café, which will Andy who had just purchased their NC touch Sandie in the dark? PUBLICATIONS OFFICER be the location of the MX-5 Charity “Mango” a couple of days before. start of the tour. Would we or wouldn’t • Plan the content of each edition of we see a ghost tonight? brunch on 25th May. A fun night was had by all, and at the Club Torque The run headed off towards the National end those brave enough to attend can say • Obtain articles and photos from Home to migrants of all classes arriving Visiting all the way from Seattle, Karen Park just as the rain started and as we - We came, we saw, we kicked it’s ???. members and other sources for inclusion Burkhart and David Ivancich were very travelled further South it became obvious in Sydney between 1830 and 1984 in Club Torque. impressed with the turnout. that lunch in the park was not an option. suspected of carrying contagious disease, • Produce the layout and design of The National Park can be hard work the quarantine station has an interesting Club Torque every three months. As the run of 28 MX-5ers left Mulgoa in the rain and the fog. A quick change but often sad history, as our lovely guide • Liaise with the printer to arrange and headed off to collect our Sydney of plans was needed, and Kim Ranger informed us. printing and fulfilment of the magazine mates, we were surprised to find we were came to the rescue with the suggestion (bagging, mail merge, post office being trailed by another MX-5, a red of Thirroul Bowling Club, which was Renowned as one of the most haunted lodgement). locations in Australia, our guide built a perfect for our large crowd. picture of the various spirits that have been seen, felt and even smelt at various CLUB TORQUE EDITOR Thankfully, Jean and Dave and Amy locations, and entertained us with stories • Assist the Publications Officer with Perin headed off towards the coast of living souls still running from their obtaining articles and photos for Club allowing Karen and David to see some encounter with the “residents” of North Torque. of the beautiful coastline before the rain Head. • Write the editor’s column and set in. compile other articles of interest eg. By lamp light we were led from building Driver Torque. A big thankyou to all those that attended. to building, learning about the history of • Subedit all articles to improve the Karen and David were very impressed the place, and in particular, the ghosts of formatting, style, and accuracy of text. with the strength of the Club and very many that continue to haunt the place • Proofread all articles to detect and appreciative that people took the time to today. correct errors of text or art. make them feel welcome. • This is not a committee position
26 Club Torque RPM 27 SYDNEY
On the 24 April, some of us who had decided to exercise our annual leave between Easter and ANZAC Day, embarked on a MIDWEEK journey we called the “Mid Week Mountain Run”. MOUNTAIN RUN While it was only a small group (5 in total) JAMBEROO we were joined by a member of the Porsche 24TH APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY GUY COLES Club who had heard about the quality of the AND PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE KATZ runs that the MX-5 Club of NSW holds. He PUB RUN was equally impressed with the organization 9 TH MARCH 2014 // REPORT & PHOTOS BY JAY FLAK and attention to detail provided to each driver around the run sheet, code of conduct Jamberoo Pub Run. That name still runs me involving one of Japan’s best road my wrist and hold on to it so it didn’t and incident sheet handed out, and said that through my head and always puts a big cars kept me going. fall out of my hands. Even with the Porsche club runs could well learn from this. grin on my face. It was by far one of the description that you see here, I still can’t best runs I’ve ever been on in a long time I had no idea about the roads that we find a way to better way to describe how We headed out from McGraths Hill up the and I’ll never forget it. were going to drive on, the moment we fantastic that day was. Bell’s Line Of Road through heavy road started going through backroads with works and a reduced speed limit of 60 Me and my dad woke up at around 7am bends, dips, crests, it made waking up It was filled with good chats, good cars, km/h. Taking a quick break at Bilpin, we and I felt like going back to sleep, but early definitely worth the effort! I had to fantastic roads, and in the end..plenty of proceeded along Bells to Lithgow, heading knowing that I had a big day ahead of keep the camera strap wrapped around photos! up to Blackheath for a relaxed lunch where we exchanged track day stories and talked about all things MX-5 (and a little bit of Porsche).
A relaxed trip back down the mountains had us with the roof down and making our way home through the traffic with a number of NSW Police ensuring we maintained a legal speed limit. It was also great to see some RPMers come and join us (even if it was in their back yard). All in all, a fantastic day that was enjoyed by all who came along.
28 Sydney Sydney 29 MOTORSPORT WAKEFIELD PARK SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK
CLUBND TRACK DAY CLUB TRACK DAY 27 APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY DAVID LAWLER PHOTOS BY MARK PALMER 2 ND FEBRUARY 2014 // REPORT BY DAVID LAWLER Wow, what a great day! Not too hot, not PHOTOS BY BILL FORDHAM too cold, no rain, friendly competition, The forecasts predicted hot weather in possible, and an extra special thanks to 8 runs, lots of PBs, and even the weather the week leading up to the 2nd Feb track Phil Roberts, Lindsay Burke, Joe Kovacic co-operated. Did I mention 8 runs, how day at Wakefield Park, and contrary and James Cook who spent the day good is that! to common perceptions about weather outside in the sun and the heat on the forecasting, they really got it right! dummy grid, start/finish line flags and Sunday greeted 65 starters in 6 run Temperatures were over 30 degrees circuit entry. groups, including 5 drivers participating all day, reaching around 38 in the mid at their first club track day. Predictions afternoon- and these conditions affected of showers later in the day made it drivers, cars and officials. important for those keen about their lap times to get in some fast times early. There were 67 starters, including 12 first timers. It was good to see Tony Williams Patrick Bramston set the fastest time of back after a break away from the track the day with a 1:02.63, narrowly beating of more than a year whilst he built his new home. Thanks and congratulations to all the officials who helped in preparing and The battle between Mark Hellmund and running the track day and contributed to Cameron Macarthur for fastest time of its success. There are always too many the day was close, with Mark coming people to name, but on this occasion I out on top by a mere 0.15 seconds with want to make a special mention of the a best lap of 1:07.60 in the 2nd run of flag marshals Andrew Johnson, Anthony the day. Carpenter, Bill Fordham, Craig Adams, Heather Koorey, James Cook, Judith Even with the unfavourable conditions, Hilling, Peter Carpenter, Phil Abrahams, new class records were established by: Robert Kai and Suzanne Stone. They diligently monitored the on track action • Tammie Hotz in ladies class 2 all day from their posts around the • Tony Williams in class 5 (the break circuit, and without them a track day certainly didn’t slow him down) at Sydney Motor Sport Park would not • Phil Munnings in class 6 have been possible. Thanks gals and guys. • Ralph Thompson in class 9 • Keith Bridgement in class 11 Ralph Thompson with 1:02.86. Patrick’s A special mention is deserved by first- quick white NA is still out of service after timer Baden West for his impressive a major failure at Winton last month, so time of 1.12.02, which I believe is the he was driving his other car, a red NA fastest first-timer lap at Wakefield Park. which he describes as the “wife’s car”. although he did have to be extracted Bryan Shedden made his first appearance from the turn 2 gravel trap later in the at a NSW club track day is his as yet day. unnamed blue NB, and managed to I had the pleasure of driving Baden’s beat his previous PB set in Little Reddy. turbo NA8 during the first-timers session, From my occasional vantage point at and can attest to it’s speed. the start-finish line, I was entertained by his regular drifting through the last few A big thanks to all the officials whose corners. contributions make the track day
30 Competition Competition 31 Call it a mid-life crisis if you will, but competitive on the track. But that’s a So next track day it will be driven there, buying an MX-5 at my age was more work in progress especially after the have the spare and other unnecessary than that. recent super sprint track day at SMP on stuff deposited in a pile behind the pit April 27. space, and onto the track with it – just MOTORKHANA I had been looking at a ‘67 Mustang like most other members do. muscle car ,however that would only be The wick has been lit. useful as a cruiser- a weekend special. The car is in ``road’’ condition with PRACTICE DAY And they aren’t that flash to actually It was trailered down from Newcastle street tyres, standard pads, relatively TH drive. because I didn’t have enough faith in quiet exhaust, open diff and… creature 16 MARCH 2014 // REPORT BY PETER RODGERS the car’s resilience. I didn’t want to be comforts like air conditioning, leather, PHOTOS BY BRYAN SHEDDEN I knew the MX-5 was a good thing stranded at SMP with no wheels to get audio upgrade and other stuff. having driven all series and many home. variants since they came out 25 years It’s great to drive on the street, great to ago. The thing is, with an MX-5 you Needn’t have worried because, as you all take for a spin after work to clear out the get a few bites of the cherry – top down cobwebs and…. great fun on the track, cruising, general driving, city runabout, even with the open diff that makes it sporty Sunday social driving and, if you behave a little like a drift car. join the MX-5 Club, motorsport. Who cares, you’ve gotta run what you It opens up a whole range of motoring brung and that was one of the more fun and everyone in the family can have appealing features of the recent track day. a crack. So I got an NB8C one owner Classic. It was surprising for a newcomer to turn up Sunday morning and see more than Was it worth the 850 kilometre round Lovely car, looks great but I wanted more 70 MX-5s ready to `race.’ And even trip from Port Macquarie to Eastern get-go, and so started the performance Creek for the Motorkhana Practice Day? Absolutely! Not only was the day brilliant, but we also got to have a great drive in the MX-5 both ways with the TRACKIN RIGHT roof down. FIRST TIMER’S STORY Never having done a motorkhana or been on a skid pan before, I was REPORT BY PETER BARNWELL // PHOTOS BY TOM BARNWELL somewhat apprehensive prior to my first modification saga that saw a turbo fitted, know, the rudely robust MX-5 is a tough more surprising was the depth of talent run, but I needn’t have worried with coil overs, front sway bar, Haltech ECU, little customer up for any challenge. demonstrated by many of the drivers/ the pre-run driver briefing and with an braided lines – all the usual stuff many owners. I obviously need to spend more instructor on board, the only concern MX-5 owners put on their car. It was first time out for me and the time in the car and especially on the was facial damage from the ear to ear MX-5, and as it turned out, was a truly track. It’s character building when you grin. In fact that grin was permanently It goes great now, the only thing is the engaging and satisfying event brilliantly get rounded up by a near stock NA with attached to my face all day as can be driver has run out of talent to make it run buy the club. half the power. attested from some of Bryan’s photos.
But it’s not all about the power after However it wasn’t just the fun that made all…. the day such a success for me as I learned new handling skills and discovered even So, the next track day beckons, this time more proof of the wonderful handling at Wakefield in cold old Goulburn. After our little cars have. the first taste the second will be that much sweeter and the MX-5 is sitting in I do however have a complaint – the garage waiting to be let loose. someone obviously adjusted all of the clocks and watches as it seemed as New oil, bleed the brakes, check the pads, though the day ended not long after it put a spanner over it, change the gearbox started :-) oil and we’re ready to go. A big thank you to all of the officials, Can’t wait. without whom the day would not have happened, nor been such a success.
32 Competition Competition 33 from Modified to Super Modified.
The NSW competitors were Gustavo 2014 NSW/VIC Elias, Bryan Shedden & John Karayannis in the Clubman class, Peter Battisson and Peter Browning in the Modified class, Mel Keller & Russell Maxwell in INTERSTATE CHALLENGE the Super Modified class, David Lawler in the Restricted Open class, and Ralph Thompson in the Open class. 23RD MARCH 2014 // REPORT BY DAVID LAWLER PHOTOS BY NEIL CHOI Then it was on! An untimed practice run followed by 2 timed runs on the Winton and tyres pressures over the day, never A group of 10 drivers from the MX-5 our first visit to Winton, which provides Thanks to the Vics and particularly short circuit in the morning, then 3 timed quite found his usual form. Club of NSW ventured to Winton to short and long track variations, both Tim Emery, the Deputy Motorsport runs on the Winton long circuit in the defend the Interstate Challenge title, with a challenging combination of tight Captain of the MX-5 Club of Victoria afternoon. The track is quite tight, twisty Also in the clubman class, Gus Elias which had been won from the Victorians corners, a fast sweeper, some bumpy & Tasmania, for their efforts in making and bumpy, and I am amazed that a field was easily the best of the NSW drivers, at Wakefield Park last November. areas, and a few walls disconcertingly us feel welcome, with a drinks and of V8 taxis, .... erm supercars, can get however he was still outclassed by the close to the track. socialising session followed by dinner at around it without taking each other out. best of the Vics unfortunately. Most of us arrived at Winton on a local hotel. We of course received lots Saturday, some doing the AROCA circuit A few tentative laps by the first timers, of “useful” advice on the best way to Bryan Shedden was running his NB for Ralph Thompson drove skilfully to win training day, others the open practice a few slides and the odd spin, and we drive around Winton, like go through the the first time, and found a few teething the Open class, and was glad of his bump session in the afternoon. For many it was gradually got to grips with the track. On sweeper in 2nd gear at 60km/hr, hugging problems, with an overheating engine, up from Super Modified where his best the last lap of Saturday practice, Patrick the kerb. Yes, very useful, ... for making it non-functioning ABS, and a major lack time would have scored a 2nd. Bramston suffered a major oil leak which easy for them to pass us! It was all light of grip from 4 year old rock hard tyres Thanks again to AROCA and the MX-5 he assumed was due to a blown turbo. hearted and a lot of fun. which lead to a few off track excursions. The rest of us did our best, but in the end Club of Victoria & Tasmania for their Once his car had been brought back to I loaned him my old set of KU36s which the Vics won 4 of the 5 contested classes, roles in hosting the event. I look forward the pits, and while he was out helping Sunday morning dawned clear, which Bryan fitted to his car and immediately and came out winners with 69 points to to visiting Winton again. clean up the oil, the rest of the NSW was a relief after the predictions of rain improved by 2.5 seconds around the our 56 points. To make it worse, I had MX-5 crew checked out his car, and in the lead up to the event. However, short circuit. Mojo restored! forgotten to take the Interstate Challenge pronounced a blown oil pipe, and not the what was not so good was that Patrick trophy to the event, and had to endure turbo, as the cause. His car was left at found the problem with his car was John Karayannis was suffering from a lot of good natured stirring from both the circuit, in readiness for repairs next much more serious than we had thought. a lack of rear-end grip, and despite a sides as a result. Lesson learned. morning. A sizeable hole in the sump of his engine number of changes to suspension settings indicated there had been a major failure in the bottom end. That was the end of the event for him, and it made the task for the rest of us in defending the Interstate Challenge title a bit harder.
A few minor adjustments in the placement of NSW MX-5s into their corresponding Vic MX-5 club classes were required, with Ralph Thompson MRA ROUND 1 bumped from Super Modified to Open class due to his car lacking the rear shelf carpet, and Russell Maxwell was moved WAKEFIELD PARK 26TH JANUARY 2014 // REPORT BY BILL KINNANE
This was the first of the 4-round MX-5s comprised 9 of the 14 starters All races involved intensive competition 2014 MRA (Motor Racing Australia (including 4 BMWs and one Toyota 86) in throughout the field with the day only Championship) series to be held at the Modern Sports Cars inaugural sprint spoilt by a spin at turn 2 of lap 1 in the Goulburn’s 2.2km long Wakefield Park format meeting. Outright honours went final race that resulted in the withdrawal Raceway. The meeting ran 5 categories: to Matilda Mravacic who won all 3 races of one of the Queensland-based BMW 5.0L V8 Touring Cars, Modern Sports in her very fast NB Turbo. The next best M-coupes and an MX-5. Cars, Regularity, Minis and Super TT (Tin result for an MX-5 was Rob Hay who Tops). achieved a 3rd place and two 4th places.
34 Competition Competition 35 MX-5 CUP ROUND 1 2 ND MARCH 2014 // REPORT BY STUART MCFADYEN PHOTOS BY JOHN SMITH [email protected]
Watching the in-car video back, it feels like I’m watching someone else. I’m touching the wheel, I grab the gearstick, That brings me back to where I started, adjust the mirror, tighten the belts, fidgeting with my belts and mirror, heart back to the wheel, the gearstick. I don’t pounding. The first few corners were a remember doing any of them, but it’s blinding white blur of spray and brake clear from the video that there’s nothing lights, but after that all those worries I could do to stop it. If I wasn’t siting on about whether I was ready or whether the grid for my first ever race, I’d have I had any right being there disappeared looked very suspicious indeed. as the white mist turned to red. It was in short, the most fun I have ever had in my It’s pouring with rain, I’m in an life. A lap or two in, I got back a couple unfamiliar and purpose built race car of the positions I had lost at the start, and the red lights have just gone on on then set out after the rest of the field. the starters gantry. I bring the revs up Then, apart from being lapped by Daniel to 4000rpm. It’s at that point, over the Deckers (like I was standing still - just angry howl of the engine that I hear in case I was feeling too proud of my myself say: “What the F??K do I do performance) that was it for the wheel to now?!”. wheel action for race 1. I’d survived my first race… and I wanted more. Going racing is something that I had been building up to for several years. I There were three more races and they had done a few years of track days with offered more of the same action. The the MX-5 club (after buying a nicely conditions didn’t let up, but the nerves modded little NA8) and gone on to do did. I had some great little dices, lost a number of supersprints, but like a lot some positions, gained some positions of people had always seen the jump to but had a ball doing it. It was exciting on door to door racing as a jump too far. a ‘kid on Christmas morning’ scale - I’ll Like a lot of people in the club my track definitely be back. But importantly, the car is my other car too and I was a little fun we all had that weekend represented nervous about staking my only transport the tip of an iceberg of hard work that in an overtaking move, where all I stood had been put in by the MX-5 Cup to gain was a position- but stood to lose organising committee. Craig Durrant, my ability to get to the shops. So, despite a little daunting. There are a lot of Round 1 was part of the support races Luke Otten, Daniel Deckers, Chris Quick deciding that I was sure racing was similarities to a normal track day, for the Wakefield 300, so the weekend and others, all put in huge amounts something I wanted to do and because but there are a lot of differences too. was busy, with over 100 cars of all of their own time to try and develop my car fell a little short of the basic Obviously what you don’t want for any makes and types trundling around the something that will help grow the sport requirements of racing, I thought the best day at the track is to turn up and realise pits. There were 3 of us that had never we all love. For me personally, their thing to do would be to rent a fully race you’ve skipped a tiny but show stopping raced before lining up in the 15 car field, efforts were the difference between me prepped car off the guys at Deckspeed detail. This is where the guys organising Russell Maxwell and myself were in seeing this as achievable or not. I can’t to fixing any issues with car or driver. Oh, the other little thing I did that Racing for the first round of the new the MX-5 Cup did such a stellar job. Any cars we hadn’t driven before and David thank them enough. I’d highly recommend hiring a car for weekend was the Wakefield 300. A MX-5 Cup. It was a short-term solution questions we had were quickly answered. Lawler was staring down the barrel of anyone thinking their car isn’t quite 300km televised endurance race. Less and a way of dipping my toe in the water It meant that all of us newbies went into his first ever track session in the wet. It From me a big thank you also to Daniel up to the task. Thanks also to Russell ticking off a life-long dream and more but it turned out to be more affordable the weekend feeling as comfortable as we wasn’t the introduction any of us were and Michael at Deckspeed Racing for and Andy Harris, my assigned mentors knocking it out of the park. But that’s a than I had thought. possibly could. hoping for, but we made it through qualy their help in getting me in a race car for the weekend, offering help and story for another time. If I bump into you unscathed which settled some of our first that weekend. They were a wealth of encouragement in spades. around the paddock somewhere, no need In the weeks leading up to the race Race day. Wake up at 3.30am. No chance timer jitters. help and guidance about all things to ask, I’ll probably already be telling you weekend the whole thing had seemed of getting back to sleep. And it’s raining. racing, from getting the car prepped all about it.
36 Competition Competition 37 MX-5 CUP WAKEFIELD 300 ROUND 2 2 ND MARCH 2014 // REPORT BY CRAIG DURRANT 27TH APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY STEVE GREEN PHOTOS BY JOHN SMITH [email protected] PHOTOS BY SCOTT WALKER
Round 2 of the MX-5 Cup saw a solid David Stone. David’s persistence would Craig Durrant debuted his new race car, The Wakefield 300 continues to be an WAKEFIELD 300 - B MAIN starting failed to finish due to mechanical field of 13 cars take to the track even pay dividends in Race 3 with a first to the getting quicker with every session, and extremely popular endurance car race. problems- a high attrition rate. though a club round was being held flag when Daniel experienced mechanical will be up the pointy end next meeting With regulations ensuring that entry is The first race featuring the second half at the SMP circuit on the same day. problems. no doubt. Bill Kinnane mixed it up with open to a wide variety of amateur racers of qualifiers - in fact covering 280kms The 2014 race attracted a range of Modern Sports Cars holding 2 x 1 hour first time Cup entrants Robert Viner and and their vehicles, the race is quickly fully in order to be of similar duration to the vehicles, which included 11 MX-5s. In Endurance races over the same weekend Chris White really found some speed Cameron Hallam. Great to have them on subscribed. other 300 race – had 9 MX-5s competing the mix were a number of Lotus’s, the also had some Cup runners on different with a P.B and finished in the top 3 in board. in a field of 33 cars. After a gruelling 3 exotic Queensland built Skelta G-Force, duties for the day. all the races. Special mention to Michael Practice and qualifying on Saturday took hours, the race was taken out by Adam alongside Beemers and Mazdas. First, Hall who kept Chris honest for the Ian Caldwell’s run of bad luck continued. place in what was surely some of the Dodd and Terry Nightingale, in a Targa second and third were taken by Loti, No rush for the Cup team to get ready minor placings all day. Michael toughed After qualifying well in 5th place, his wettest conditions ever experienced at Racing MX-5. The Lacey’s, a husband with fourth going to a BMW. The highest in the morning, a scheduled 11:30am it out after receiving a nasty burn to his weekend came to an end off the line in Wakefield Park. With the large numbers and wife team from Queensland, took placed MX-5 came in at 5th, piloted by qualifying kept things pretty relaxed in hand while changing engine oil on the Race 1 with mechanical failure. Tough of entrants, the race was split into two third place- also in an MX-5. Daniel Deckers and Luke Otten in the the pits. A big off at the top of the hill Saturday. to swallow considering Ian travels all the fields, based on qualifying times. Deckspeed car. by one of the Excels pushed this back way from Port Macquarie and has been a The three hour enduro took its toll as further by an hour as well. Luke Otten, Andy Harris, Stuart strong supporter of the Cup. Once starting grid positions were always, with 11 of the 33 starters failing Mcfadyen and Steve Green were locked determined, two 300’s were run on to finish the race. Daniel Deckers showed it was all worth in battle for the 3 races. Awesome to see Two rounds down and the MX-5 Cup Sunday, the first starting at 10am, and the wait with a very quick qualifying the guys going at it. Luke, even in an has certainly delivered competitive good the second just after 2pm. The fields were WAKEFIELD 300 time of 1:06:05 to put the Deckspeed car unfamiliar car, is always quick. Andy gets spirited racing. Any newcomers, now is split based on their qualifying times. on pole. Race 1 set the scene with Daniel more impressive every time he hits the the time to have a go. Fortunately the day remained dry, apart This year’s 300 race witnessed the usual taking out the first 2 wins being pushed track and Stuart is a racer through and from some brief and light showers. level of dropped shoulders, bumps all the way by the very experienced through. Clean close racing at its best. and on-track biffo. 16 of the 36 cars
38 Competition Competition 39 FOSC BATHURST WAKEFIELD PARK RACEWAY MOTOR FESTIVAL 5-6TH APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY BILL KINNANE 19-20TH APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY GLENN THOMAS PHOTOS BY TONY KING
The Bathurst Motor Festival 2014 and McPhillamy Parks. Sulman Park has FOSC (Festival of Sporting Cars) hosted Saturday’s qualifying and two races were some of the field to improve times was held over the Easter long weekend the highest point of the track, topping a two day meeting with categories run in inclement weather and the slippery dramatically compared to the previous and wow, what a lineup of cars – out at 862m above sea level and the historic racing cars, sports cars and conditions were not helped by an Alfa day, but David Stone put on a mighty Formula 3, Production Sports, Group skylines and the close concrete walls hide touring cars, plus sidecar motorcycles dropping either oil or coolant down the effort to finish the weekend with five N, Production Touring, Porsche and the correct line of the corners and stand and regularity events. Four MX-5s entire length of the main straight. Those 2nd places behind the V8 Skyline; truly NSWRR Regularities. It was in the last ready to punish any errors! Fortunately I competed in a field called Historic & that had the misfortune to occupy even- a giant-killing David and Godzilla battle. Group that Graham Fletcher, Tony King had Tony King’s expert advice on how to Invited Sports/Touring Cars even though numbered grid positions in the second Bill Kinnane finished with three 3rd and I went to play in. This event was too drive here and his voice was in my mind true historic sports and touring cars race of the day had to start on a wet places after the 1999 Honda Civic Type expensive, provided too little time on every time the Blue Ant (my car) travelled had their own separate events this time. layer of sawdust that covered the left half R took two 3rd places on the second the track but... it was one of the most through this area. Sulman merges to The field included Ron Goodman’s very of the main straight! day. The MX-5s of Tim Brown and Bill exciting and satisfying events that I have McPhillamy, and through to Brock’s fast (and valuable) 1956 Porsche 356, a Shipton put in solid performances. ever participated in. The experience was Skyline providing breath-taking views 1977 Nola Chev Sports Car, a Mustang, Sunday brought fine weather conditions made even better because both Graham over the Bathurst Region. Unfortunately 7 Alfas, an SR20 powered 1985 Nissan and a clean track thanks to the mighty & Tony provided brilliant expert I only see these in the photographs but Bluebird, and a V8-powered 1993 Nissan overnight efforts of Wakefield Park’s mentoring and support throughout the was otherwise distracted when driving! Skyline. maintenance crew. The better grip helped whole long weekend – Thank you both! Club members Stewart Temesvary, Guy Skyline ends with a steep right hand Coles, Stephanie Katz and Tammie and corner and the entry into the Esses Warren Hotz (plus their entire family) provides a unique experience for drivers also provided support. descending the Mountain. Mount Panorama demands drivers use the Flag The experience of driving Mount Marshals as the line of sight coming off Panorama can never be fully conveyed by Skyline, and many other parts of this NSW the images. The anticipation of entering circuit, is slim to none. the kink at over 215 Kph, the thrill of the car sliding at these speeds, close concrete The Dipper is the third sharp corner in walls always in the mind and eye, the Esses and, like the cutting, makes SUPERSPRINTS feeling the car hammering down on the drivers vary aware that this track is on suspension through corners and under the side of a mountain! It is a steep, brakes - it’s a real buzz! sharp left-hand turn. Forrest’s Elbow ROUND 1 is a critical corner that requires a late We enter Pit Straight via Murray’s corner turn-in in order to make the most of and make our way to Hell corner; the Conrod Straight. Conrod straight is the 10TH NOVEMBER 2013 // REPORT BY DAVID LAWLER first of 23 bends! Climbing Mountain fastest section of the Mount Panorama Straight leaves me praying for more track, with V8 Supercars touching the The first round of the 2014 NSW themselves well, although there were points, followed by the MX-5 Club with power as a V8 passes by but the MX-5 magical 300km/h limit. Given BlueAnt Supersprint Championship was run at two whose cars called it quits early, mine 340 points. comes into its element as, at about tops out at about 215kph, we really need Wakefield Park on Sunday 13th April by being one of those, with a split power 170kph, we do a late tap of the brake, to keep a close eye on the mirrors for the Mini Car Club of NSW. steering line. The next NSW Supersprint down to third and hard on the throttle faster cars. And once more we slide into Championship round is at Sydney Motor into Griffins Bend - this part often puts the Kink with no lifting the pedal and The MX-5 Club of NSW was represented Tony Williams made a great return to Sport Park on Saturday 10th May, and the V8 back in the MX-5’s mirrors! no braking – what a thrill! The car again by 15 members, slightly down on typical supersprints by winning class 2A, with with more MX-5 Club members expected shudders under the brake pedal entering numbers due to many of the club’s 5 club members taking class 2nds, and to be running, we hope to see some good Now we are off into “The Cutting” – a the Chase once more as we wash off over supersprint regulars being away at the another 5 with 3rds. results and to pull back the ARDC lead 1:6 gradient cut into the rock of the 100kph at the 80 metre mark. The only MX-5 Natmeet in QLD. in the championship. mountain surrounded by very close other thing I can say about this track is... After this first round, the ARDC is concrete walls. It is imposing but the you’ve got to try it The MX-5 Club drivers acquitted leading the championship with 395 MX-5 loves it! Now off to Reid, Sulman
40 Competition Competition 41 anticipation of the day to come. Being part of the old highway, the course itself was three lanes wide and included five NULON NATIONALS corners, with two additional chicanes. An Armco railing ran along most of the left hand side of the course, while a rock face ROUND 1:BULADELAH HILLCLIMB ran along most of the right hand side. While the course wasn’t very technical, it 5 TH APRIL 2014 // REPORT BY TONY KING was potentially very fast with little room for error. PHOTOS BY JASMYNNE & ASHLEY OF STILL MOTION MEDIA AND BY TARA ALLEN OF TAZPHOTOGRAPHY The main concern however, related to the level of grip that would be available. Large Eucalypt trees now overhung the road, filtering out direct sunlight and dropping their leaves onto the pavement. In the shade next to the rock embankments on the shoulder of the road, moss was growing 20mm high in some places! The organisers did a great job cleaning most of the debris off the course, however moisture, dust and oils from the leaves remained trapped in the pavement surface. Showers of rain on Saturday evening combined to make a very slick track surface. Needless to say, the plan was to take it easy for the first couple of runs, allowing drivers to work out where all the corners went and to test out the available grip.
As Lady Luck would have it, the first run of the day was delayed due to issues with the timing gear and while it was fine and sunny, the humidity was rising and the clouds building. At around 10:45am Glenn Thomas led the team away with The Nulon Nationals series has been suited to each discipline, however three Glenn Thomas, Verne Johnson and Tony his first run up the course. The rest of the designed to get clubs from across the out of the five cars must back up to the King; with Keith Monaghan (in absentia) team completed their first (sighting) run eastern seaboard together to share their next round at each stage in the series. as Team Manager. without incident, but were all looking love of motorsport. The MX-5 Club of forward to getting serious on the second NSW has been invited to participate in Winners of each round will receive Scrutineering took place at the Buladelah run. this series, along with teams representing product and cash as well as points Showground on Saturday afternoon and Skylines Australia, Toyota 86/BRZ Club towards their club. After three rounds, as teams begun to arrive, news filtered Alas, it was not to be. Not long after of NSW, EvolutionOz, Team BYP Racing the 2014 Nulon Nationals winning through about cars being pulled over the second run got underway, it began (predominantly Hondas), Fords and HSV club will receive a huge prize including and defected on the run up the Highway. raining lightly and by the time the MX-5s Owners Club, plus a team made up of $10,000 in product support from Nulon A number of cars were turned around approached the start line, a competitor Nulon sponsored drivers (in mostly drift Oils which is available to each and every by the Highway Patrol and sent back to had also managed to spray the entire and time attack cars). club member, as well as a cash donation Sydney, while a few hardy souls elected course with power steering fluid. The to the club to support their local events. to proceed to Buladelah and then to third run was held on a drying track, Each team comprises five cars, with trailer their cars home after the event. however it would be fair to say that drivers collecting points for their club in Round 1 was held on Sunday 6 April It was certainly not the “Welcome to conditions remained challenging and a range of disciplines including a 1200m 2014 at the Buladelah hillclimb, which Buladelah” that the organisers or the grip was still difficult to find. Heavy hillclimb at Buladelah, a full track day utilises a closed portion of the old Pacific local Chamber of Commerce had in rain started falling as competitors lined to be held at Wakefield Park and a Highway (now the Wootton Way) for the mind. up for their fourth run, and conditions 500m-600m high-speed airport run at the event. The MX-5 Club team comprised soon deteriorated to the point where the Cootamundra Airport. Teams have some Patrick Bramston (a Buladelah local and Team MX-5 arrived at the course organisers suspended competition for the flexibility to select cars and drivers most veteran of this hillclimb), Steve Green, early on Sunday morning and set up in day.
42 Competition Competition 43 AROUND THE WORLD
MAJOR SPONSORS
23 Kemble Court 113 Fairford Rd Mitchell ACT Padstow NSW (02) 6262 2680 1 300 669 620
CHAPTER SPONSORS David Battisson Unit 6 Carco Centre 1 Park Street Unit 6/1 ParkBelconnen Street ACT 2617 24-26 Hollywood Drive 42 Great Western Hwy 02 6253 1396 Belconnen0407 ACT 278 984 Lansvale NSW Medlow Bath NSW [email protected] (02) 6253www.carco.com.au 1396 (02) 9727 6788 (02) 4788 1018