Run Report ....
Toranafest, 20 September 2015 ....
For most of us, Toranafest preparations started after Toranarama last year. This year everyone pre-entered, so we knew how many spaces we had to park in. The run started for some on Friday, notably Lance, who drove 16 hours to come to this weekend away, Rob Shaw and Rose and Harold. Rob, Peter and Tash, Peter and Angie, Mike Muller and Mick Velo met us at the show.
A few of our members left early Saturday morning, so they could be on the afternoon cruise, but the rest met-up at McDonalds, Thornleigh for an afternoon departure. The group left right on time, heading-out into the school holiday traffic. Once on the motorway we just cruised along and in what seemed no time at all, we were at our motel at Heatherbrae (it was just a one-hour drive).
Seeing as it rained on the way to Heatherbrae, some members took the advantage to wash their cars while some just kicked back. By about 4:30pm, those of the group who had gone on the cruise had returned, so as we always do, it was time for some nibbles and a few drinks.
Dinner time and it was pizza night; more drinking and solving the problems of the world. This is very tiring, so by 9:30-10:00, it was off to bed for most of us. Up early Sunday morning for breakfast, give the cars a wipe down (it rained most of the night) and by about 7:45am, we were rolling-out of the motel driveway and heading for Maitland Showgrounds.
A good run and lots of Toranas on the road, at one point I counted 36 Toranas in a line. Once we arrived and the venue there was a bit of a traffic jam which made it slow going getting into the show and we were directed to our allocated space and parked-up.
All-up there were 339 Toranas of every make and model. I even got to see, for the second time, a UC Turbo (factory car). There were more out in the car park. The weather Gods were not smiling on the show at one stage for it rained for about an hour, fairly heavily, but it was soon gone and it was just a case of wiping-off the water, again.
As is always the case, these shows seem to go so fast, and by 2:45pm, it was trophy time. Before this we had packed-up and were ready to go straight after the presentations. One of our members got a trophy; congratulations to Peter Macken.
We headed-back to the motel, arriving at different times. Some had car troubles (will remain nameless) but by 6:00pm we were off to dinner. As we have done in the past, dinner was a big group effort, NSW Torana Club and the Canberra Torana Club, plus visitors and guests. Our bus picked us up at the motels and we were off to the Raymond Terrace Bowling Club. Food service was great and in a short while everyone was eating dinner, a few drinks and by 9:15pm, we were all back on the bus and back to our motels. Goodbyes said on the bus to all our friends from Canberra and we were off the bus.
A special thanks to the organizers on the venue, also special guest and visitors. Another great weekend for our club members. We hope everyone enjoyed another Toranafest weekend.
Those who attended: Lance (16 hour drive to attend), Mike (Five hours on the road), Les and Liz, Rob Farnsworth (down from Lithgow), Peter (a local), Tash and the kids, Rose and Harold, Peter and Angie, Mike Muller, Rob Shaw and Dean, Steve and Annie, John and Val, Mark, Heather, Ria and Jack, Michael Velo, Gary and Kerry, Ron Gaily, Robyn and Jim, Rick and Sue, Bob and Joe.
Bob Byrnes
Run Coordinator
Great Cars, Great Runs, Great People, Great Times ....