Run Report ....
Toranafest, Newcastle, 16 September, 2012 ....
Saturday we met at the Warnervale Twin Servos.
Liz and myself were the first to arrive about 12 noon, had lunch then waited. Scott and Greg then Shaun and Monica and the kids arrived. While they had a bite to eat I had a chat with Bob Skelton, a retired race car driver. Time to cruise up to the motel, Steve and Tina had sent an SMS to let us know that there was a police presence on the F3 and we did see a few being booked.
Arrived at the motel most of the rooms allocated at the back, as per request, Bob and Lance were there to greet us, so we proceeded to unpack and have a quick committee meeting, met one of Lance’s friends (Andrew Beaumont) from QLD Torana Club, then sat down for nibbles and drinks and watch the V8’s.
Arrangements were made for dinner in the restaurant for 6:30pm, some went to Motto Farm for the auction. Dinner over and off to bed for an early start the following morning.
Up early for a 7:15am departure, we were greeted with fog, could hardly see across the car park to the horses, looks like a great day ahead. Time for cruzin to the Toranafest venue in Newcastle. Bob took us on a scenic tour of the streets. Arrived at the foreshore park, quite a lot of cars already there, we were directed to our ‘spot’ and Bob arranged the cars to suit the day. We had 10 cars 5 LH/LX facing out and the LC/LJ’s facing in.
Mike Velo came to have a look, Rob Farnsworth’s family arrived and a new member Mario joined-up under the shade structure. It was hot and sunny, lots of people looked at our cars, about 288 in total. The auction at the end of the day raised around $4000 dollars for Ronald McDonald House.
First to leave was Scott and Greg back to the motel, then Peter and Angie in V6 supercharged LC and then the next name to be called out for runner-up for best in show, Peter Macken. Bob collected his trophy for him. We rang him, he wanted to come back, but he picked it up from Bob later.
After quickly packing up with the presentations over Liz and I left as the car doesn’t like sitting the traffic, and there was a lot of it. Back at the motel more drinks and nibbles and V8’s after a hot day.
Arrangements for dinner were at The Junction Inn, Raymond Terrace, 16 members for dinner so the cab made a few trips, lots of talk about the day, everyone looked happy. Left at a reasonable time to get a good nights sleep for the early leavers, Steve and Tina 1st to go at about 6:00am, then Lance to Queensland and Rob wasn’t far behind them.
The rest of us left at 9:00am. Rose, still in her jamas, was having an easy day. Shaun and the gang had to do some Torana shopping so we left them too. We followed Bob most of the way and arrived home at 11:15am.
It was a great weekend, I hope everyone enjoyed themselves, it was good to see members who haven’t been before and new members. Congratulations to Peter and all the other trophy winners. Next year it’s 20year anniversary.
Some feedback from Lance to say that he had had an uneventful run to his home at Delaneys Creek via the New England Highway however he copped the edges of several thunderstorms from Glen Innis on. The Torrie was in quite a mess when he got home.
Attendees: Les and Liz, Bob, Lance, Steve and Tina, Peter and Angie, Shaun, Monica, Jarvis and Kobi, Mike and Denise, Rose and Harold, Rob Farnsworth, Scott, Greg, Rick and Sue and a visitor in a very nice yellow hatchback.
Les.
President.
Great Cars, Great Runs, Great People, Great Times ....