September Run Report
Social Run ~ Bilpin
Saturday 8th September
This was a first for the club ~ a Saturday social run and we all thought it was to be a disaster. The weather had closed in and on meeting at Maccas M4 all members were making comments about the bad weather at their various homes when they left. Fortunately the rain stopped and by 1.00pm, the designated leaving time, we had 6 Toranas and 3 others. Of the group it was good to see Tony in his Green SLR 5000 with his family on their first run and Darren who came along for a look and to meet the members.
With David in the lead we set off up the mountains and into the dreaded wet weather again and by the time we turned off at Springwood it was a steady rainfall. Rain showers continued most of the time as we wound our way through the lower blue mountains to eventually end up at Bilpin Fruit Bowl.
Although a little cold it had finally stopped raining and everyone enjoyed a cuppa with apple pie and cream.
With enough calories to last for a while and the stories (read as tall tales) exhausted ot was time for a photo and departure.
Although starting out in poor weather the run really turned out to be another enjoyable day out with friends and their families.
Toranafest ~ Newcastle
Sunday 16th September
After an early start in the dark for most, a hot cup of coffee at our meeting point, Thornleigh Maccas was most welcome.
7.00am was our starting time and with 14 Toranas and 1 Statesman with the club trailer in tow our convoy headed out. It wasn't long before our line of torries was separated by traffic lights and other drivers but with careful guidance David our run leader soon has us all together on the freeway.
Just after the twin servos at Warnervale we passed Howard and Litre 8 on the side of the road in some distress and while Alan and Denise stopped to offer assistance (and following later, Peter and grandson) the rest of the group headed to Newcastle to set up the display.
Howard's problem was a broken axle shackle on the trailer and after some difficulty the tow car was separated from the trailer and Howard headed off to get parts while Alan & Denise waited with Howard's wife to guard the car. By approx 10.00am we had the problem fixed but Howard decided to call it a day and go home to fix the trailer and survey the minor damage to Litre 8.
Back at Newcastle the display was set up and wasn't it a good one! We had what could only be considered a prime position with everyone entering the site passing our club. Quite a few information packs were handed out and one new member signed up on the day.
The 130 or so Toranas on display were excellent. All types of Toranas were there, from standard daily drivers to full on show cars and race cars.
During the day there was ample time to enjoy the cars, participate in several auctions for car parts and memorabilia and talk to Harry Firth who was also signing anything you wanted (for $20.00 a time). Tim scored well with a new rear bob tail at auction.
Time for the presentations and trophies and two in our display were rewarded by the judges. David's LJ received two trophies and Rob's LJ one as well. The club was also awarded a trophy for Best Display. So one the day the club and it's members were all winners. Well done to everyone!
People and cars started to head home soon after 3.00pm and after the tidy up the last of our group headed out at 5.00pm only to meet up with Steve Axisa and his family at Warnervale. They had a diff problem and the car was not going anywhere! Fortunately for Steve he had friends travelling south and were able to get a lift and with the organising of a tow for the Torry they should have made it home OK - albeit a lot later than they would have anticipated.
On the day it was congratulations (and commiserations to the breakdowns) to all who attended and enjoyed the day. Thanks everyone.
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| Our group ~ All winners on the day! |
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| Dave and Big Rob ~ Individual winners | | |
EH Anniversary Car Show ~ Silverwater Park
Sunday 23rd September
This was the rescheduled show for the EH Club after the rained out event in August. Fortunately the day was warm and sunny but because of the reschedulling, there were fewer cars this year than in previous years.
Our club turned out with 10 Toranas and Dave's Statesman. Being early at the site gave us a chance to design the layout of our display and spend some time lining up the cars to present them in the best way.
Not only did we have a good turn out of cars but club members and their families took the opportunity of the warm weather to join us for the day. It was quite an effort to feed us all on the small gas BBQs, but Sandy being the excellent cook he is, managed well.
The day was spent looking at and judging the quality cars on display, socialising or just enjoying the sun. By mid afternoon it was time for presentations and the drawing of the raffles. A couple of members were successful in the raffle draws but those with Blue D tickets seemed to the best.
Various trophies were awarded for paint, engine bay, coupes, sedans, etc etc. Once again our members quality cars were rewarded with trophies. These included:
Sydney Torana Club - Best club display
Ken Scorer - 1st Place Best interior (White Hatchback)
David Ball - 1st Place Best engine bay (Red LJ Sedan)
Daniel Dupavillion - 1st Place Best modified coupe (Chateau Mauve LJ )
Ralph Falcone - 2nd Place Best sedan - (Aquarius LX sedan)
and
Tim Leggett - 1st Place Best Sedan (1978 LX Sedan)
Well done to all the winners on their awards and to all of the members of the club in their efforts to make another successful day for the club. All should be proud. Thanks also to all those who helped out with child minding, cooking, display set-up and to AJ for handing out McHappy Day fliers to all cars on the site.
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| Club Members and Display |
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| Daniel | | David | | Ken |
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| Ralph & Alex | | Tim | | AJ & Daniel |
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Tim & the best sedan
of the day | | Ken | | Ralph |
