Run Report ....
Toranafest, Newcastle, 15 September 2013 ....
Meeting at the usual venue of Maccas Thornleigh saw the Farnsworth, Hennessy, Muller, Wilson, Byrnes and Holland cars ready to steam up their favourite northbound road and mix it with P-platers and overloaded Hiluxes.
Arrived at the Sir Francis Drake (SFD) in time to tune into the V8 race preliminaries, clean the cars and seek rehydration. Seizing the moment, the committee held a meeting to discuss topical issues including future runs.
Dinner at the SFD was fine if not a tad exxy but was preceeded by an unfortunate incident of our hardworking runs co-ordinator (Bob), perhaps thinking he was an Italian soccer player, taking a dive on a poorly maintained piece of roadway within the SFD and injuring himself. Fortunately, his head took the brunt of the fall, thereby minimising damage to the rest of his body. An ambulance appeared within minutes and Bob got 1st class treatment from these great people. With Bob's head swathed in bandage, jokes abounded all night about this and sympathy was thin on the ground. Nurse Holland took over and assisted with medication into the night.
Sunday was action day and we motored-off to the beautiful Newcastle foreshore as early as possible and just as well as we were comfortably sited before the big rush started. The Hunter Valley Torana Club (HVTC) team did a superb job of handling the stream of cars, who's number was to exceed 350 causing them to close the gates at 1000hrs to any more entries.
Club Members joining us on the day were Mike Velo, debuting his fabulous, newly finished LX hatchback painted in an original yellow of which only one was done! Also Peter Macken with his wildly painted LC and Rob Shaw sporting two mean looking LX hatchbacks. New Member Peter Hews brought his UC sedan and to that we added a couple of guests in the form of Ken Scorer's blue LX A9X and Sue and Rick's black LX hatchback. Steve Axisa had his competition LJ parked elsewhere for the day.
Another welcome visitor was Larry Sullivan with his ride just down a bit on power but his enthusiasm for Toranas as strong as ever. The usual suspects repaired to the Paymasters for lunch in company with Larry and a most enjoyable repast it was.
Things were happening in the centre ring:- A bucketload of stars were present at Toranafest, obviously a guide to it's stature, lead by the always gracious Bev Brock and a tribute to the late Des West was played out along with the announcement that Toranafest will not be conducted next year but a similar execise called Toranarama will be held in QLD in 2014.
The NSW Torana Club punched above it's weight in the trophy department with 3 x 2nd place awards. Peter Macken's LC, Steve Axisa's competition LJ and Mike Holland's LX.
Speedy exit from the show was again slickly executed by the HVTC members and the show day was done.
For the evening, our wounded compatriot had organised a (big) bus in concert with the Canberra Torana Club (CTC), for a total of 57 pax and we were chauffered in great spirit and good humour to the Raymond Terrace Bowling Club for excellent value meals served promptly and hot. Not easy to do when so many turn-up at once! We enjoyed the company of the CTC members immensely and believe the situation was mutual, after all it's about the Torries, isn't it?
Back at the SFD further rehydration was undertaken to assuage the effects of Newcastle's evening heat and following a review of the day, it was voted one of our best.
Monday AM was parting company time and all were pleased to see Bob's wound appearing less angry, though bruising was setting in.
In recognition of the great family roll-up and tremendous camaraderie demonstrated by the Hennessy horde, father John, a spritely octogenarian, was awarded an honorary membership of the NSW Torana Club.
We believe son Mark (Steve's brother) is now harbouring Torana thoughts!
Big thanks from the committee:
To all the Club Members that attended. To Bob for all his hard work in organising the weekend for us. The Hunter Valley Torana Club for staging this fine event.
Attendees: Bob Byrnes, Liz and Les, Steve and Tina, Mike and Denise, Rob Shaw and Rory, Rob Farnsworth, Kimmy and Nevaeh, Peter Hews (new member) and Tash, Steve Hennessy, Mark Hennessy, John Hennessy (new Honorary Member) and cousin Steve, Peter Macken and Angie, Mike V and Mike H.
Apologies: Lance H.
Great Cars, Great Runs, Great People, Great Times ....