Illawarra Run to 25th Anniversary of Motorsport

26 October 2022 / Words Jeff Rowe; Photos Bill Short

See all the car and driver action here at Rob Wilko's Flickr Photos

At our October chapter meeting it was suggested that we should do a run to Marulan to join in the fun of the day celebrating this milestone for our club. After all there was a free lunch on offer together with a cap, key ring and the chance to win a ‘Hot Lap’ in a raffle with the proceeds going to Careflight.

We were thinking about going so we offered to lead a group.

At Haywards Bay we said that because this was a run to the main event, we would not bother arranging for a story to be written about the run. It should be straightforward and simple. We thought the story about the day at Marulan would be written by someone else. We did ask Bill to take a few ‘happy snaps’ just in case and arranged for Kerry to be ‘Tail end Charlie’

Run notes were given to drivers, some had not been to Pheasant Wood before, reminders for CB Radios to be on channel 13 and a few questions answered. At our departure time of 9.30am our group of thirteen members in eight cars set off.It was agreed that some would run with the roof off. This turned out to be a 50/50 decision.

So, out through Marshall Mount, Calderwood and onto the Illawarra Highway towards Robertson. Our first glitch soon became apparent. Kerry was letting us know, over the radio, that everyone was following but he wasn’t getting any response on his radio. A quick chat with Pam over the phone and they sorted out a way of getting over this.

We headed up Macquarie Pass in convoy all going well. Then over the radio a message from Barry and Robyn to say their car had just stopped running. Kerry being the dutiful Tail End Charlie stopped with them to offer help and support. Kerry called Pam to tell us what was happening. Barry contacted his insurance company who told him it would be a three hour wait before a tow truck would get to them. As luck had it a police officer on a motorbike came down the pass and parked behind them to direct the traffic around. The officer also suggested contacting the RMS Emergency Response Team, which he did, to come and move their car to a safe spot. While this was all happening Barry and Kerry had a look under the bonnet. While Kerry will admit he is no mechanic he did discover a 30 amp fuse that was blown on the fuel system. They took one from the headlights, who needs them in the daytime? Insert into the fuel system and bob’s your uncle, the car started. Off up the pass they continued with the police officer in tow to make sure they got up safely. Which they did and gave the officer a friendly wave good day. Thank you, Mr. Policeman.

While those guys were dealing with their little drama the rest of us continued on toward Robertson. This is where the decision to leave the roof down became a little 50/50. Jan came over the radio saying that we were really Mazdas in the Mist. Low wet clouds made for a very wet windscreen and droplets of water getting in on the car occupants. Precious as we are.

Hey, we all journeyed on and arrived at the track with cars running around and lots of people. A bee line was made for the coffee van where the coffee also came with a lovely muffin. It was all smiles and clapping about half an hour later when Barry and Robyn arrived.

There were lots of catch up and chat watching the cars race and then time for lunch. Well, this was no humble sausage sizzle. There was the usual roll with sausage and onion together with a selection of nice salads. Cold drinks were also available. Great lunch.

Time for the raffle. We wouldn’t say anything about this except two members of our group won Hot Laps.  Robyn and Bridget came back after their time out on the track smiling from ear to ear like Cheshire Cats.

A parade lap was then organized with a large number of the cars there taking part. The cars were formed up for a photo shoot and another lap before clearing the track. Jeff went on the lap but Pam wasn’t interested so Wally took her place. Wally made two observations, one he still has found memories of his white NC and secondly, he was reminded of why he bought his Merc with the cabin space in the NC being so much smaller. It was a great parade lap.

This just shows you that what you may expect to be a straightforward run can turn out to be quite different.

All in all, we think us Illawarra REDERS had a great day.

As a footnote Barry and Robyn got home safe with Barry buying two new fuses. One as a spare just in case.