Canberra Chapter News : MX-5 Club of NSW

Check our hot new item: the Stadium Seat

15 April 2016 / Alan & Claudine Townsley

Our brand new regalia item is hot off the press! Meet the MX-5 Club of NSW Stadium Seat / Carry Bag. Get it quick while stocks last!

NSWRRC Ladies Development Program

12 April 2016 / Words by Steph Katz

Steph Katz jumped at the chance to have a go at the Lady’s Motorsport Development Program run by NSWRRC and sponsored by CAMS. Read on for her story of how it went.

Aerial photograph of Southern Highland Wines

Is there a woman in your life who deserves pampering?

08 April 2016 / Words by Julie Farquhar

Do you need to assure your "Better Half" that she is just that ... The Better Half? Then why not surprise her with a semi-romantic assignation at a bijou winery in the Southern Highlands. AND support a great cause at the same time - CareFlight. Not only will you be creating harmony and scoring bonus points but also making a feel-good-moment.

The Snowy Mountains Loop - Another Good Weekend Away

02 April 2016 / Ken Keeling

To foster inter-Chapter fraternization, our original plans were changed to coincide with Illawarra’s “Anti-Freeze Weekend” in Jindabyne. The weather co-operated and 10 cars departed from our Hall rendezvous on time for Jugiong.

Mazda MX-5 Retractable Fastback unveiled

23 March 2016 / Mazda

Mazda MX-5 RF is coming. This Retractable Fastback brings a stunning new level of design and excitement with an innovative hardtop.

Nature and Telescopes Run

14 March 2016 / Barry Matson

Canberra is famed for its many short-sighted politicians, but how many Australians know that it also has international recognition for its far-sighted scientists.

NatMeet Theme Night - photo by Tom Wilde

Team NSW does NatMeet

13 March 2016 / Words by Bryan Shedden, Photos by Peter Hilkmann, Tom Wilde, Josh Fitzgerald & Grant Webber

NatMeet XII at Launceston, Tasmania on 13-18 February 2016 attracted a record participation of 184 people and 106 MX-5s. Read on for the story of how 63 of our Club members ticked a few boxes on their bucket list.

NatMeet bus ride to Team NSW dinner - photo by Bryan Shedden

NatMeet - Team NSW Dinner

13 March 2016 / Words by Maree & Steve Ecclestone, Photos by Bryan Shedden & Helen Green

After two days of wonderful MX-5 drives around the Launceston countryside, NatMeet lunches and dinners, it was time for the NSW members to have their own function and see the city lights of Launceston.

NatMeet - Gowrie Park run - photo by Grant Webber

NatMeet - Targa Roads Touring

13 March 2016 / Words by Peter Hilkmann, Photos by Peter Hilkmann, Josh Fitzgerald, Grant Webber & Tom Wilde

The theme for NatMeet XII was "It’s all about the Car", and for us MX-5ers ... Tasmania is all about the "Targa Tasmania Roads". And let me tell you right from the word GO ... we were not disappointed with plenty of Targa Roads to explore, before, during and after NatMeet.

NatMeet - Concours at Josef Chromy Winery

13 March 2016 / Words by Craig Morrison, Photos by Peter Hilkmann, Grant Webber, Josh Fitzgerald & Tom Wilde.

Under threatening skies, the first day of NatMeet XII kicked off with a brisk top-down drive from Launceston Country Club through lively, twisting roads to the picturesque grounds of the Josef Chromy Winery - our venue for Concours d'Elegance, Show & Shine and a superb lunch.

On the marshalling grid at Baskerville - photo by Josh Fitzgerald

NatMeet - Baskerville track day

13 March 2016 / Words by Phil Donnelley, Photos by Grant Webber & Josh Fitzgerald

The 2016 NatMeet in Launceston was a very special week of activities for everyone. However, at the top of my list was the track day at Baskerville, just north of Hobart. It is pure MX-5 heaven! Valentines Day was a perfect date to fall in love with this place after the straight-line blast at Symmons Plains the day before.

NatMeet - Symmons Plains track day

13 March 2016 / Words by Peter Barnwell, Photos by Grant Webber & Josh Fitzgerald

Symmons Plains Raceway in Tasmania was the venue for the NatMeet track day on Saturday 13 February. Our club was strongly represented on the day, making up half of the entire field of drivers!

Date change for Tech Day at Spinning Wheel

08 March 2016 / Michael Soulos

The wheel alignment day has been moved to Saturday 2 April 2016. Places are still available for a discounted wheel alignment.

Wear A Silly Hat to Brunch Run

16 February 2016 / BreakFast Club

Change of lunch venue to Nerriga Pub on Sunday 28 February for the "Wear A Silly Hat to Brunch Run".

Five Hills Run

02 February 2016 / Leaders Norm and Roz Barker, Photos Roz Barker

This was the first run for 2016, our annual Five Hills Run, on an overcast but warm day. Good conditions for the tops down on a cruise around Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, going up and down five of the hills.

CareFlight Donation Presentation

27 January 2016 / Words by Glenn Thomas, Photos by Bryan Shedden

A donation cheque of $2715 was presented recently to CareFlight by Glenn Thomas (Vice President) and Bryan Shedden (President), on behalf of the MX-5 Club of NSW. Thank you to all members and sponsors who contributed to the various charity fundraising activities held throughout 2015, and made this generous donation possible.

Mazda MX-5 is the 2016 Wheels Car of the Year

22 January 2016 / Wheels magazine

On Wednesday night at a gala ceremony in Melbourne, and followed enthusiastically via social media, the Mazda MX-5 ND was declared as the 2016 Wheels Car of the Year. It is the third win for the popular sports car, with previous generations having won the prestigious award in 1989 and 2005.

2015 - A Year of Membership Records

15 January 2016 / Bryan Shedden

Our 25th Anniversary year broke all records for Club membership. A couple of graphs tell the story.

Bryan Shedden being presented with Honorary Life Membership by Vice President Glenn Thomas on 27 September 2015 at the Club 25th Anniversary celebration

New Life Member - Bryan Shedden

12 January 2016 / Words by Glenn Thomas & Mel Keller, Photo by Mel Keller

To spring a surprise on our famously well-organised President is no mean feat and so the presentation of Bryan’s Honorary Life Membership at the Club’s 25th Anniversary celebration was planned in the deepest secrecy.

ND Day 2.0

29 December 2015 / Story by Bryan Shedden, Photos by Mel Keller

The latest arrival of the 2.0L version provided another opportunity for a launch event for MX-5 Club members and visitors. Sutherland Mazda hosted the event in their brand new showroom at Kirrawee. And I hear that at least a couple NDs were sold on the day!