Great Cars, Great Runs, Great People, Great Times ....

Run Report ....

Toranafest, Maitland, 16-17 September 2017 ....

Friday, 15th September 2017. The run to Toranafest commenced for some of us at Thornleigh McDonalds where we chatted over lunch before heading-up the motorway to East Maitland. By departure time all were keen and ready to get started for a great weekend.

Thornleigh Maccas was exceptionally busy and finding a park was quite a challenge as was the departure. Getting onto Pennant Hills Road seemed to take forever as the lights were certainly not favouring us, hence splitting the group. Pennant Hills Road was wall-to-wall traffic but once onto the motorway it was essentially smooth sailing.

Brooklyn was decided upon as a regroup stop, and following a 10-minute stop there, it was time to roll. There is nothing like seeing a line of Torana’s, in vibrant colours, cruising-up the motorway together. A sight to behold. The run up to East Maitland was good with little traffic, probably due to the fact it was the middle of the day and in the non-peak period.

As Lance’s home supply of Dr Jurd’s Jungle Juice needed replenishing, he left the group at the Peats Ridge Road exit and travelled on to Wollombi and re-joined at the motel later in the day. By 1:45pm we were pulling into the Molly Morgan Motel, and after checking-in, most chose to put the feet up and rest for a bit. 4:00pm arrived and time for happy hour and to wash-down the dust from the trip up. It was about then that Lance arrived, and the following morning, Rose and Harold.

It was decided that we would have Friday night’s dinner at the George Tavern which was within walking distance from the motel. The service and food at the George was great. A few more refreshments and it was time to call it a night and meander back to the motel (some, of course, stayed a bit later).

Saturday, 16th September 2017. Saturday morning was a lazy one with nothing much to do apart from cleaning the cars. After lunch, we head-off to the Toranafest cruise which commenced at the shopping centre carpark adjacent the Maitland City Motel. By the time we arrived at the start point (1:45pm), it was chockers with all the parking bays taken. We were left to park in the access lanes. Not a problem, though.

Following a mingle and a chat with some of the other participants, we attended the cruise briefing and then we were on our way to the Heddon Greta Drive-In theatre, the terminus for the cruise. In all, there were about 250 Toranas on the cruise which made getting into the drive-in a bit slow. Drive-In management opened the shop (mad if they didn’t) so choc-tops, food and drinks were the go. Vanilla choc-tops were the most popular which quickly ran out, but plenty of other flavours.

Not a great length of time was spent at the drive-in and we headed back to the motel arriving at about 3:45pm. Diner was in the motel’s restaurant and the service and food was excellent. Once dinner was finished, it was time for an early night (a big day tomorrow).

Sunday 17th September 2017. An early rise to give the cars a wipe over, and by 7:55am, we were pulling-out of the motel driveway and on our way to the show which was held in Maitland Park. No hold-ups in and parked-up by 8:15am. Well done Hunter Valley Torana Club. Following a little sorting-out of car placements, and marquees up, we ready for the day ahead.

Mario Santilli and his friend soon arrived which completed the Club display. In all, there were over 400 Toranas on show. It was pretty-much a full-on day trying to get to see them all. By 2:15pm it was trophy time, however no trophies for the Club this time. But what a great day and a great weekend it was.

A big thank you to all our members who attended which made the weekend such a success. Unfortunately, due to illness, Mike couldn’t attend. We hope you are on the mend, Mike. In closing, our gratitude to the Hunter Valley Torana Club for putting-on such a great and successful event. Thanks also to Lance who travelled all the way from Delaneys Creek in Queensland to join us.

Attendees: Steve and Annie, Rose and Harold, John and Val, Mark, Heather, Jack and Ria, Ron and partner, Robyn, Gary and Kerrie, Rob, Pete, Tash and family, Julie and Mark, Peter, Mario and friend, Ian, Colin, Bob and Lance.

Apoligies: Greg and Lexa, Mike and Gabby, Rob and Sharon.

Bob Byrnes
Run Coordinator

Photographs (by Mark Hennessy).