HRA part of the Mexican team to defend Interstate Trophy at the Black Stump Tour

Posted on by SteveH

Interstate Challenge Trophy
As you know, there are very few competitive navigational events on the calendar these days.  So, the opportunity to head north for the Black Stump Tour in Central West of NSW is one that should not be missed. The event is put on by the Historic Rally Club of NSW & ACT – see an overview and more info on The Black Stump Tour page.

The HRA will be join the team to defend the Interstate Trophy for the Black Stump Tour. Continue reading HRA part of the Mexican team to defend Interstate Trophy at the Black Stump Tour

Tour de Fleurieu

The “Tour de Fleurieu”, taking place over the weekend of 1st and 2nd September 2018 Fleurieu Coast logowill be an old-fashioned Road Rally, some might even use the word trial, with a chance for the Drivers to have a go and Navigators to prove their worth.

The Driving Tests will take place on Private Property. The Touring sections have been surveyed in a normal car so we expect that those interested will be able to join in the Event in road cars. Driving Tests will require helmets for Driver / Navigators. Other than that, car preparation and equipment required is minimal.

Saturday night will feature a chance to socialise over a meal (included in entry fee) at the Wirrina Woolshed before restarting the Event on Sunday (breakfast available at Wirrina café) with some more touring and a final driving test before finishing back at Wirrina.

The idea for this Event, and possibly Events in the future, will work if competing Crews stick to touring speeds while obeying traffic regulations and do not treat the traversing of the roads as the usual race against the clock. The experienced Navigators will tell you that if you go too quickly you will miss many turns and information. Times for the overall touring sections will be generous and will only be provided to ensure the officials don’t have to stay out until the next week. Road conditions are challenging and fun with the majority well-formed gravel surfaces.

We look forward to receiving your entry no matter which club you are a member of or what sort of car you drive!

Good times!
Geoff Ninnes

Event Summary

Scrutiny in Normanville from 9.30am Saturday morning.

Saturday 1st September-­‐ Leave Normanville early afternoon on a transport section for the first khanacross driving test followed by a long navigational touring section plus a khanacross driving test to finish.

Wirrina Woolshed (located in the caravan park) for the evening meal and general socialising.

There are accommodation options at the caravan park as well as the adjacent motel. See list at end of the Regs.

Sunday 2nd September -­‐ Morning starts with a short average speed test followed by one touring section to return to Wirrina for the finish early afternoon. Comprises some of the best roads of the Event with spectacular views over the ocean.

If there are any questions re the Event, please contact the Clerk of the Course.

The Grand Autocross Tour

Fancy a weekend of Grand Touring on great roads through interesting parts of Victoria, with 5 competitive stages (of up to 5km) mainly at Victorian Autocross venues each day?

We’ll throw in a social night on Saturday to review the day’s proceedings and check who won the AFL Grand Final while you were all out having a ball. Then get up and do it all again on Sunday.

Details are:

  • Total distance is 700km.
  • First stage at Kyneton at 0800 Saturday the 29th of September.
  • 5 closed road sections per day on private property, in most cases different to the autocross courses normally run at these venues.
  • 1 or 2 autocross runs per day.
  • Saturday Night in Swan Hill with social dinner at the Murray Downs Country Club, across the river in NSW.
  • Finish at Mooroopna on Sunday, with a get together at the Royal Mail Hotel, from 5 pm

The touring sections will be very straightforward i.e.: No manned controls, with questions to be answered along the way.  The route is excellent, great roads and plenty of interesting areas to visit. All non 4wd and non Turbo cars will be eligible to enter and, after a bit of discussion with a couple of venues, rally tyres are allowed.

Entry fee will be $275, a little higher than some other touring events, but there are significant costs with venue hire.

David and Kate Officer driving a Gallant on an autocross track.
David and Kate Officer on the autocross on the Rich River. Pic by William Davies

An update on The Shortest Day Tour of the Dandenongs

Posted on by SteveH

The course check for the Tour of the Dandenongs was completed last week with Checker Mike Novak being chauffeured by Tom Latta with Simon Brown observing from the back seat. Peter Fraser still on convalescence leave recovering from a recent ankle opp – an old football injury he says. Continue reading An update on The Shortest Day Tour of the Dandenongs

The Shortest Day tour of the Dandenongs

The Tour of the Dandenongs organising team have been out touring these surrounds and have just about completed finding an interesting and – in places – testing route.

The information for participants is now available.

In true Shortest Day Team style an interesting tour is now on paper.

Interesting Places, Interesting Roads, Interesting Directions ….

… now just waiting for Interested People!

The brief plan is …

The start is at Bruce Wilsons Calypso Campers in Ringwood; Book In from 8.30 for a 9.30 start.

Section One is from Ringwood to Melba Park, Lilydale and is laid out as a Novice style Introductory Tour of approx 40 kms.  Here you have a  45 min Coffee stop which includes plotting and thinking time for Section 2.

Ken Cusack will be on hand; as he has with just about ever motoring activity I have organised since 1977, to compile a record of your participation for all to see!

Section Two; Lilydale to Seville Centenary Gardens. 55 kms of old style HRA Touring Assembly route and navigation. Starting with a run straight over the top of the Dandenongs to Kalorama – just for the view  – then down again wandering through Mt Evelyn to the Wandin(s) locale before finding Seville.

The Centenary Gardens are right next to the famous Seville Bakery and a 20 min refreshment has been allowed before you turn South for Section Three.

This section is set out as a Driving Tour of eastern side of the Ranges – giving the driver a stress free run and the crew the chance to watch the scenery of Yellingbo, Macclesfield, Emerald, Menzies Creek, Selby to Belgrave.  A bit like a old fashioned Sunday drive around the Dandenongs and you might even see – and even stop for – Puffing Billy along the way. Just the thing for our Train Spotting members to enjoy on a Sunday morning! There will be a few easy Via points along the 50 kms to find just to keep the crew awake.

From the Belgrave we pick up the Melbourne suburban rail network for the 30 km run back to Bruce Wilsons establishment in Ringwood.  Upwey, Upper Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Bayswater and East Ringwood areas are visited, with the sands of time – read Melbourne development – meaning  Mr Broadbent will let you down here or there.

First car is back at Ringwood at around 2.30 where Tom and Carol Latta will book you in – and offer you the opportunity to accept the challenge of Toms Experts Lap – a 20 km jaunt around Tom’s backyard.  With your new found, or re-antiquated navigating skills it will be a breeze!

Ken Cusack will once again pull out the Texta and big sheet of paper to display the record of your day whilst you enjoy the best of catering that our Club BBQ legend Frase has prepared for you.

See you on the 1st of July.

The HRA Shortest Day Team
Simon Brown, Mike Novak, Peter Fraser, Ken Cusack, Tom & Carol Latta and Marg Davington.