The monThly magazine of The mazda mX-5 Club of ViCToria inC.

11/2011 www.mx5vic.org.au

Print Post Publication: PP381712/2306

Not bad for hairdressers’ cars! ... at Winton

In this edition:The Great Ocean Road

Tassie Chapters: in and out of control It’s a long way to the shop if you want ... an ice cream

We live and breathe Mazda

•PricesincludeGST.Pricesdonotincludefittingorpainting(ifrequired)

Call Max Kirwan Mazda and get with the Mazda Partner Program.120 BELL STREET, PRESTONph 03 9480 3555 fax 03 9496 0657Get Genuine Parts. Get Genuine Zoom-Zoom.

Genuine Discount

for Genuine Members

10% discount off parts and service for financial members on presentation of membership card before purchase. Discount not valid for Monthly Specials.

As a Mazda Dealer only we can service your Mazda using the MMDS (Mazda Modular Diagnostic System) - developed for Mazda vehicles by Mazda. The MMDS is the only means by which the computer system in your Mazda can be periodically updated.

3

Your CommitteePresident / Website > MurrayFinlay | (03)95882868(ah)e:president@mx5vic.org.au

Vice President / editor >DonNicoll | (03)94372787(ah) e:editor@mx5vic.org.auSecretary / Public officer > PeterDannock | 0408522093(ah) e:secretary@mx5vic.org.auTreasurer > JohnTodd | (03)87469529(ah)e:treasurer@mx5vic.org.auClub Captain – motor Sport >RobertDownes | (03)95682761(ah)e:captain@mx5vic.org.auassistant Club Captain – motor Sport > DanielWhite | 0400304006e:captain2@mx5vic.org.auassistant Club Captain – Social > JanetteTodd | (03)87469529(ah)e:social2@mx5vic.org.au membership > WillCampbell | (03)52614816(ah) e:membership@mx5vic.org.aumerchandise > SteveDunlop | (03)98429065(ah)e:merchandise@mx5vic.org.auPoints > CoralCampbell | (03)52614816(ah)e:points@mx5vic.org.audepartment of youth / Social media >BenSale | 0434906673(ah)––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– northern Victoria Convenor (Corowa) > RonGillick | (02)60330253(ah)e:north-region@mx5vic.org.auballarat & Western Victoria Convenor > JohnGleeson | (03)53331113(ah)e:ballarat@mx5vic.org.augippsland Convenor > GrantButler | (03)56254718(ah)e:gippsland@mx5vic.org.auhobart Co-convenors > JohnHadrill | (03)62287670(ah)> JohnWaldock | (03)62481319(ah)e:hobart@mx5vic.org.aunorthern Tasmania Co-convenors > KenBeaton | 0408245229> BruceHarvey | 0427656074e:northtas@mx5vic.org.au

design/publishing > AlyssaFinlay | (03)95882868(ah)

features8 Man (or woman) and machine as one ... on the GO Road

11 Getting regular ... a first-timer at the Winton 6-Hour

13 The (old) boy in the bubble

23 Scene about ... in Frankfurt

24 MX-5’s pre-war heritage?

25 Fitting a baby seat to an MX-5

25 Embroidering your favourite logo to your favourite car ...

25 Did you know ... more from Ron Macdonald

Chapter news:14 Ballarat: It’s a long way west if you want an ice cream

18 Northern Tassie: On the skids

19 Northern Tassie: the Last-minute run

20 Hobart: Mazdas and mayhem in Maydena

22 Gippsland kicks off

regulars4 President's corner 5 Motor Sport Torque

6 Membership 6 Social-lights

7 Scene About ... what we’ve been up to

17 MX-5 Club Grill ... meet Christine Boak, girl racer

26 Market Place | Merchandise

Cover image:

The Fly’n Miatas – Noel Heritage, Stephen Downes, Peter Phillips, Robert Downes and Teruo Delacroix – celebrate their second-place finish (of 41 teams) in the 2011 AROCA Winton 6-Hour. Photos: Joan Read

isthemonthlynewsletteroftheMazdaMX-5ClubofVictoriaInc(#A0021659A)POBox7438,BeaumarisVIC3193.RegisteredforPrintPost:PP381712/2306

Allcontributionswelcome:pleasesendarticlesandphotostotheeditor,don nicoll:• e-mail: editor@mx5vic.org.au • post: mxtra, Mazda MX-5 Club of Victoria Inc., PO Box 7438, Beaumaris VIC 3193

DISCLAIMERTheMazdaMX-5ClubofVictoriaInc.,itsOfficersandCommitteecannotbeheldliableforanyerrorsand/oromissionsinarticles,reports,notices,advertisements,commentandadviceofeventsthatarepublishedin ingoodfaith.Itshouldbenotedthatthepublicationofanadvertisement,orexpressionofviewsinarticlesandreports,doesnotnecessarilyimplyendorsementbytheCluboftheadvertisedproductorserviceortheviewsexpressedinanyarticlesorreportspublishedin .

contents

11/2011

Findusat:mX-5 Club of

Victoria

4

Murray’s Corner ...■ murray finlay – President■ murray finlay – President

For your diary …See the full calendar for details

November12-13 N-E Vic Chapter >

Snowy Mountains run

19-20 North Tassie Chapter > East Coast trip

26 Hobart Chapter > Twilight run

27 Melbourne > Christmas party

December4 Breakfast by the Bay

N-E Vic Chapter > Christmas run

11 Ballarat > Christmas party

Hobart > Christmas run

North Tassie > Christmas BBQ

2012January8 Twilight in the Trees,

Dandenong Ranges

22 (TBC) Gippsland Chapter

G’day all!you know what it’s like ... lovely sunny Saturday, 30 degrees outside, so what do i do?

IgoalongtoaCAMS“clubdevelopmentseminar”(heldinside,ofcourse)toseeifIcanpickupsometipsonhowwemightdothingsbetter.

Thereweresessionsonclubmanagement,grantsandfunding,communicationsandsocialmarketing.

Apartfromthesocialmediasideofthings,whichmanyoftheover-50sintheroomwereobviouslystrugglingwith,itseemswe’redoingalotright.

Someoftheclubsrepresentedcomplainedoflownumbers(like,35),andwerelookingforwaystopromotetheirclubtoattractnewblood.Beingsmall,however,tendedtotranslateintohomogeneousness(yes,it’saword...Ilookeditup!):everyonewasinterestedinthesamethingatthesametime.

Wetendtohavetheoppositeissue:wehaveenviablyhighnumbersbutoftenweseemtohaveto“pullteeth”togetpeopletocomealongtothings.

I’msurepartofthatisduetothediverserangeofinterestsandthebroadagerangeofClubmembers;we’rejustnotgoingtogeteveryoneinterestedineverything.

ItoccurredtomeasIlistenedthatwealmosthavefourclubsinone:

» wehavethepredominantsocialside,includingthoseinthe“bigsmoke”andinthefiveChapters

» wehavethemotorsportteam

» wehaveagroupwhomeetregularlyoutsideofthestructuredclubandorganisetheirowninformalruns,and

» wehaveagreatmany“readers”:membersweneversee,butwhorejoinyearafteryear...weassumetheyjustlikegettingthemagazineandplantogettosomething,someday.

Andthere’snothingwrongwithanyofthat...peoplejoin,getinvolved(ornot)andstayinvolvedfortheirownreasons,manyandvaried.

Wetrytoofferabroadrangeofactivitiesinthehopethateveryonewillfindatleastsomeeventseachyearthatappealtothem.

Ourtaskasacommitteeistotrytorefineourunderstandingofwhatourvarious“targetmarkets”arelookingfor,andtailorourofferingstosuit.

Socialmediawillplayanincreasinglylargeroleinthat.FromthefactsandfiguresquotedtousattheCAMSseminar,evenIhavetoadmitthatit’shere,it’shugeandwehavetojumponorgetleftatthestation.(I’m even about to get my first iPhone!)

PlansarealreadyafoottorevamptheClubwebsitetotakeadvantageFacetubeandYouBook(as“TopGear’s”Captain Slowcallsthem)etc,sothatourcommunicationbecomesevenbetter.Inthewordsoftheshampoocommercial,itwon’thappenovernight,butitwillhappen!

Nowwejustneedsomeclubrooms...

Until next time, look up, stay back!

MurrayNatMeet 2012

The next national gathering of mX-5 Club members is in Canberra over easter next year.

AnyonewhohasbeentoaNatMeetbeforeknowshowmuchfunitisandwillbekeentogetalongtothisone.

AtrulymemorablehighlightwillbeagaladinnerinsidetheAustralianWarMemorial,underthewingsofagiantLancasterbomber.

Ifyouhaven’tbeentoNatMeetbefore,pleaseconsiderthisone.NatMeetisfivedaysoffun,andaperfectchancetospendtimewithlike-mindedenthusiastswhoshareyourloveofthewonderfulMazdaMX-5.Beinginvolvedisanexperienceyouwillneverforget.

FulldetailscanbefoundviatheNSWClub’swebsiteatwww.mx5.com.au/nsw.

registrations and deposits are due now!

NATMEET X

CA

NB E R R A 2 0 12

Jinba Ittai award presented

TheNorthernTasmanianChapterwasverypleasedtowitnessthepresentationoftheJinba Ittai awardtoourfirstTasmanianrecipient,BruceHarvey.

BrucereceivedhisawardfromChapterConvenorKenBeatonandmemberKeithTillack.

Jinba IttaiisMazda’stermfor“riderandhorseasone”,andthisannualawardgoestothepersonthePresidentdeemstobemost“atone”withtheClub.■

~ photo: Sandra Tillack

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Motor Sport Torque■ robert downes – Club Captain - motor Sport

Motor sport calendar See the full calendar for details

December11 Rd 5: Sprints, Phillip Island

2012

February4 Rd 6: Sprints, Phillip Island

March3 Racecraft/Driver training,

Winton (motor sport participants only)

4 Rd 7: Sprints, Winton

April27 Rd 8: Sprints, Sandown

MayTBC Rd 9: Event/venue TBC

2011 Motorkhana Championship

Rd 9: 27 November > AvalonRd 4: 11 December > Pakenham

October has been a tremendous month for motor sport in our Club with both the AROCA Winton 6-Hour and the MX-5 Club “Interstate Challenge” taking place.

MX-5 Club Victoria/NSW “Interstate Challenge” – Wakefield Park, NSW on 23 October“We Won” –168pointsto143points...thefirsttimethatthevisitingteamhasbeensuccessfulindefendingtheCup.

CraigHealyhaspreparedaseparatereportonthiseventwhichwillappearintheDecembereditionofmxtra.

Itwasafabulousdaywithgreatweather,closecompetitionandnewClublaprecordsset.TheNSWClubistobecomplimentedonthesmoothrunningoftheeventwithcompetitorsgettinginsixrunsand35laps.

ThecamaraderieintheVictoriamotorsportteamwashighlightedwhenover30peopleattendedtheTeamdinnerontheSaturdaynight.

AROCA Winton 6 hour – 15-16 Octoberfor the second year in a row we had two teams finish in the top 10 from a field of 41 teams.

TheeventwaswonbytheTeamE30BMWs.KenReadandGrahamWilsonhavepreparedseparatereports.

TheFly’n Miatas teamofteammanagerTeruoDelacroixanddriversStephenandRobertDownes,NoelHeritageandPeterPhillipsfinishedsecondoverall.Stephenputinanabsolutestandoutdriveinhisfirstyearofmotorsport,drivingfornearlytwohoursandachieving34lapsinthe“bonuszone”withonlythree“breakout”laps.ThankyoutoTeruoforhisattentiontodetailandtoPamPhillipswhowasourofficialteamvolunteer.

OurCity Mazda Motorsport teamofmanagerScottGouldanddriversBrendanBeavis,KimCole,MikeKirby,GregMcPhersonandDanielWhitefinishedaveryimpressivesixth.

Ourthirdteam,theClean Sweeps,finished32ndbutseveraldriverswereundertakingthiseventforthefirsttime.

“SPECIAL” Motor Sport Meetinga meeting of themotorsportteamisscheduledfortheeveningofFriday,18NovemberatCityMazdainSouthMelbourne.Itistoaddresssomeissuesconcerningdrivingstandards,etiquetteandbehavior,inadditiontoplanningfora“DriverTrainingDay”(notRacecraft),aDECAdayin2012,andadynoday.

Club Christmas Function. Sunday, 27 NovemberPlease take the opportunitytosocialisewithotherClubmembersatthisspecialeventwhichistobeheldattheKingswoodGolfClub,CentreDandenongRoad,Dingley.RSVPandpaymentisdueby13November,andcanbemadethroughtheClubwebsiteorbycheque/moneyorder.

Phillip Island on 11 December“earlybird” entriesarenowbeingacceptedandthiseventusuallygets“bookedout”–youhavebeenwarned!

2012 motor sport calendararoCa Victoriahavegivenmethedatesfortheir2012calendar.Thedatesfortheremainderofour2011-2012Championshipappearatright,andeventsuptoDecembernextyeararenowonthemotorsportpageoftheClubwebsite;please put them in your diary nowtoavoidclasheswithother,less important functions!

Special thoughts!our best wishestoMaxLloydandLindyAndersonwhoarebothinrehabfollowingminorsurgeryandtoTonyHarperwhosufferedacriticalcardiaceventimmediatelyafterthepresentationatWakefieldParkon23October.Thankfully“LuckyTony”isupandaboutathomeagainaftersurgeryatCanberraHospital.

Until next month ... “drive responsibly at all times”

Robert #26

Motorkhana update

Bob de Bont #632

WetweathersawthecancellationofRound8on23October.VMC Round 9 on 13 November, scheduled for Werribee, has been postponed as the area is unlikely to be usable. This event will now be held on 27 November (same day as our Club Christmas lunch) at Avalon.

The rescheduled VMC 4 is to be held on 11 December (same day as Phillip Island) at Pakenham.

We have also released a motorkhana promotional video which features a couple of our members and was filmed and edited by Club member and Committeeman ben Sale(through his company Other Side Productions). Check it out here: http://youtu.be/p8ORHxwCMyg

6

Membership■ Will Campbell – membership officer

G’day all ...The surge continues with 11 new members this month, and on your behalf, i extend a hearty welcome to the following:

Jean-Paul blaquiere 1999 Silver nb

ross Crayford 1998 blue nb

giuliano di marco 1990 White na

Christine galbraith 2011 aluminium nC

gosia glinka 1990 neo green na

Karen holland 2000 Classic red nb

Paul, margaret, david and bonnie Koopmans 1993 black na

bruce marsh 1989 Classic red na

Current membership

count: 456

DuringmytimeastheClub’sMembershipOfficer,theaverageattritionratefromoneyeartothenexthasbeenaround30%.Thisyear,thatfigureisdownto16%.

It’sverypleasingthatmorememberscontinuewiththeClub,butitwouldappearthatmuchofthisimprovementiscomingfromourCountryChapters.

ThedevelopmentoftheChaptersisapriorityforthecommittee,butmuchcreditbelongstoChapterConvenors.Welldonetothemall!

See you out and about ...

Will

Mazda MX-5 Miata - The Essential Buyer’s GuideNewfromVeloce Publishingisabuyer’sguideappforiPhoneandiPad!

Theysay:“Having this app is just like having a marque expert by your side. Benefit from the author’s years of real ownership experience, learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a true professional. Get the right car at the right price.”

It’savailablefromtheiTunesAppStoreforaround$4.00.

7

Scene about ... ■ Photos:RonMacdonald,BrendanBeavis,JoanRead

Ian & Val Bruce (left) receive their 5-year badges from Ron Gillick

Above: former Club Treasurer Chris Biffin earned his 15-year badge

88

Man (or woman) and machine as one ...

This was a run that I had waited for since I joined the Club at the start of this year.

The Great Ocean Road is my favourite stretch of road and the MX-5 is now my favourite sports car. I could not wait to put the two together.Ihadtriedconvincingmywifetojoinbuthadnoluck.WhenIwokeinthemorningat4.30,Iaskedmydarlingwifeagain,justtomakesure.“Areyoucominghoney?”“Iamnotnuts,”wasthereplyandshewentbacktosleep.

FilledwithanticipationIlefthomeattenpastfive.Ihadtheroofupbecauseofalightdrizzleandtoallowtheheatertimetowarmup.Iknow,Iamsuchawuss.Anyway,Ialwaysloveearlymorningdrives,theairissofreshandthereisakindofhusharound.Itallowsmetosmellandhearmycarbetter...andtheabsenceoftrafficontheroadmeansIdon’tneedtokeeponslowingforpeoplewhoareeitherfallingasleepbehindthewheelorarenotfittobebehindthewheel.

Imadegoodprogressandgottothemeetingpointwithplentyoftimetospare.Mostpeoplewerealreadythere.ObviouslyMX-5ownersanddriversareakeenbunch.Wewouldlaterfindoutthat,intotal,53carshadjoinedtheevent.WehadseveralinterstatevisitorsandevenonefromasfarawayasCanada!

Afteraquicksnackandabriefingweallsetoff.Thistimemostofus,includingyourstruly,hadtheroofdown.

AsdawnbrokewewereontheGeelongbypass,whichisactuallyquiteaniceroad,especiallywhenitisfreeoftrafficofthetin-roofvariety.Thesunwasactuallypeekingthroughthecloudcover.Thewindhaddieddownanditappearedlikeitwasbeginningtowarmup.Maybedespitetheforecastswemighthaveasunnyrun,afterall.ItseemedthatmaybetherewasaGodafterall,possiblyonethatdroveanMX-5.

AswetooktheturnofftoAnglesea,afewdropscamedownbutsoontheywentaway.Theroadswerestilllargelyemptyofeverythingexceptforourconvoyaswezoomedourwaytowardsthestartofoneofthetrulygreatroadsinourcornerofthegalaxy,theGreatOceanRoad.

Thisbeautifulstretchoftarmacwasbuiltintheearlypartofthe20thCenturyby3000soldierswhohadreturnedfromtheFirstWorldWar.Overtheyearsithaschangedastrafficonithasincreased.Firstspeedlimitswereimposed.Thentheygraduallystartedcreepingdown.Therewasatimewhenallsportscardriverscouldenjoythisroad.Speedlimitsandtechnologies,suchastractioncontrolandstabilitycontrolandextragrippytyres,meansthatthisroadhaslostsomeofthefunfactorfordriversofmostmoderncars.Sadly,safetyandfunareincreasinglybecomingmutuallyexclusive.Thesedaysittakesanincreasinglyrareanduniquevehicletofullyenjoyit.Thankfully,thismorningwehadbroughtjustthecarsforthejob.

Thegoingwasgood’tilwegottoAireysInletandthentherainstartedpeltingdown.Eachdropwasabucketful.Noamountofspeedwasgoingtokeepusfromgettingsoaked.EverycarIsawstoppedtoputtheirroofup.

ThenextfewkilometresitcouldhavebeentheWildGreatOceanRoad,astherainandthewindcreatedanawe-inspiringweathersystemthatourconvoyofMX-5sdrovethrough.Whilethedrivebecamemorechallenging,itactuallybecamemoreenjoyable.Astheroadbecamemoreslipperyandcoveredinfallentwigsandleavesandtheoccasionaldebrisfromminorrockslides,theneedtoconcentratebecamegreaterandtheathleticismandprofoundbalanceoftheMX-5cametothefore.It was man (or woman) and machine as one.

AsweapproachedLorne,theraineasedandthenstopped.Manyinthegrouphadaquickpitstopandtookphotographsofthecarsandthebeautifulsunrise.Iammentioningthesunbecauseitwasnowoutagain,atleastafewraysofitwere.Maybetherainwouldstayawaythistime.

Therewasenoughgeneraloptimismaroundforseveraltopstocomedownagain,includingmine.ThistimeIswitchedonthe$10EbayvideocameraIhadbroughtalongandvelcroedittomyrollbar.

Wesetoffagainbutassoonasthefirsttwistybitsstartedsodidtherain.Thankfullyitwaslighterthistimeandwiththe

99

9/10/11

■ run organisers: Joni&ChrisCondos

■ Words: SalmanShami■ Photos: SalmanShami,RonMacdonald,WendyClark

10

The Wild Ocean Road (cont)

higherspeedIwasabletokeeptheroofdownalmostuntilApolloBay.Thewindhadsettledabit,buttheroadwasjustaschallengingandenjoyable.Forpassengersandthosenotpayingattentiontodriving,therewasthespectacleofthewavespoundingtherockycoastline.

BythetimewegottoApolloBayIwasextremelyhungry.Obviouslyeveryoneelsewasaswell.Everyonehadmadeabeelinetooneofthemanynicebakeriesoreateriesthatlinethemainroad.

Idecidedtogosimpleandchoseacroissantwithcoffeefromabakery.IwastemptedwiththebaconandeggsandwichesbutIwaslookingforwardtothedrivehomeanddidnotwantanythingstandinginthewayofsomeinevitableGforcesonthewayhome.

AfterafewpleasantconversationswithotherfellowClubmembers,Isetoffforhome.Manypeople,itseems,didthesame.

Myrouteofchoicewasthroughthestunningroadthatgoesinlandover

theforestedhillsoftheOtwayRangesNationalPark.Thisroadstartsabout500metersoutsideApolloBay,onthewaybacktoLorne.Forthekeendriver,thisroadisinmanywaysabetterdrivethantheGreatOceanRoad.Thespeedlimitis100andithasfarlesstraffic.

Thatmorningthedrivewaschallengingtosaytheleastbecause,apartfromsomestrangecamberchanges,Ihadtocontendwithwaterontheroadonafewcornersandleafandbarklitteronothers.Thisofcourseaddedtothefun.

Astheforestgavewaytolushgreen,grass-coveredhills,theroadstraightenedout.TheMX-5showeditselftobeaverycomfortabletouringmachineforBroads.Quitepredictably,astheroadstraightenedoutthesuncameoutanditstayedthatwayallthewayhome.■

These days it takes an increasingly rare and unique vehicle to fully enjoy it.

Thankfully, this morning we had brought just the cars for the job.

11

AROCA Winton 6-Hour regularity 15-16/10/11Are we having fun yet?

■ Words: KenRead ■ Photos: JoanRead,BrendanBeavis,MurrayAnderson

TheWinton6-Hourisatwo-daymeetthatisaverydifferentmeetfromtheusualsprintdaysheldthroughouttheyear.

Firstlyitisateamrelayevent,withuptosixdriversineachteam.Eachdriveristimedforlapsbut,unlikesprintevents,notforquickesttimebutforregularity.

Whatdoesregularitymean?No,itisnothingtodowiththecompetitors’digestivesystems!Thedriverusespracticedaytoestablishthetargetlaptime(withindefinedlimits)thatheorshewillbenominatefortheevent.Lapsarethencreditedtotheteamforeachlapeachdrivercompleteswithintheirnominatedtime.Abonuslapisawardedifthetimedlapiswithin0.99secondoverthenominatedtime.Nolapisrecordedifthelapisunderthenominatedtime(ie,toofast).Thewinnerisdeterminedusingafairlycomplicatedformulathatrewardstheteamforthehighestpercentageoflapsachievedfromthosepossible,giventhedrivers’nominatedtimes.

Sounds too easy, doesn’t it?

However,anotherdifferenceaboutthismeetwasthesheernumberofcompetitors–around200!Therewere41teamscompeting,soatanytimetherewere40othercarsonthetrackwithyou,allofdifferentmakes,modelsandcapability.Itisthisamountoftrafficthatmakesitdifficulttoachieveyournominatedtimeonaconsistentbasisasyouareconstantlybeinghelduponcorners,overtaking,orbeingovertaken.

OurClubenteredthreeteamsandwesharedagaragethatusuallyhousesonlytwoteams.Thismadeitabit

squeezy,butthebigbonuswasthehumour,supportandcamaraderiealldriversandassistantsgaveeachotheroverthetwodaystoovercomeanydisadvantage.Wewereprovidedwithvests,coats,shirtsandhatsthathelpedusfeelpartoftheevent,andthanksgotooursponsors (Elements, Peninsula Safety and Workwear, City Mazda) who generouslydonatedthisapparel.

TheClubdidverywellinthefinalrankings,rememberingtherewere41teams:

fly’n miatas 2nd

City mazda motorsport 6th

The Clean Sweeps 32nd

Congratulationstoeveryoneandapersonalthankyoutoallthatassistedmeontheday.ThanksalsotoChristineBoak,TeamManagerandotherteammembersandassistantsofThe Clean Sweeps.

Finally,wasitfun?

You bet!■

12

Success at the Winton 6-Hour …

Left:Waiting...waiting...fortheresultstobeannound.Then,right,thatgloriousfeeling!Fly’n Miatas’ RobertDownes,NoelHeritage,PeterPhillips,StephenDownesandTeruoDelacroixcelebratesecondplace.

13

15-16/10/11

What a fantastic weekend, having just competed in my first 6-hour. for those who don’t know me, i am owen boak’s dad (that’s Owen pictured left, manning the lap board) and he and Chris urged me to take part after one member of their team had to pull out.

SowerousedthemotorkhanaMazda121andfitteditwithsomeR-spectyres[thanksTracksidetyres]andheadedofftoWinton.Ihadneverdoneatimedlapofthelongcircuitbefore,andthenreadintheSuppRegsthatwehadtoatleastgetdowntoa2min10seclap.

HereIaminabog-standardMazda“bubble’,albeitstrippedoutabitandwithnicetyres.

ImustsayIwastreatedsowellbyeverybodyfromscrutineerstoothercompetitorsandallinbetween.

MyheartwasinmymouthabitwhenIfirstwentontothetrack,knowingImighthaveachanceofdrivingreasonably,buthavingneverdrivenwithsomanyfastercarsaroundme.Howevertheyalltreatedmewithduerespect(asonlyaMazda121cancommand)andIhadaball,eventuallygettingdowntoa1min59sec,whichisn’ttoobadbearinginmindIwasinastock1.3litreshoppingcart.

Apartfromforgettingtonominatemytargettime,whichOwendidforme,SundaydawnedbrightandhopefulandeventuallymyturncamearoundandIwasoutthere.

didfinditquitedifficulttopacemyselfwithtryingtobeawareofallthefastercars,whiletryingtomaintainatargettime.Ididn’tdomuchfortheteameffort(sorryguys)butIdidhaveoneofthebestweekendsofmylife.I’llhavetogetmymechanictofindanextra500hpsomewhere.

i think the highlight was when a car of sporting nature and italian background, with a gTV badge on it, was given the blue light* when being approached from behind by a disability pensioner in a shopping cart. i had to look in my mirror to check if the light was also for me, but there was no-one behind me.

Ididhaveenormousfuninthat,althoughIwasslowonthestraights,Iwasn’ttoobadinthebends,andhadquitesomefungivingothersabitofahurryupthroughthetwistybits.

it was interesting to note that there were three mX-5 teams and they were the only ones to finish with all cars still working!!!

Imustthankourteamforputtingupwithmyamateureffortsandeveryoneelsewhotookthetimeandefforttopassonencouragingremarksandgoodwishes.

Amazingly,Iwasn’teventheslowestonethereeither!HopefullyIcancompeteagainnextyearandgetthetechniquesrightthen.Iwouldstronglyencourageanyonewhoisthinkingoftakingparttohaveago.Theonlypainfulpartwasthelongwaitforscrutineering,butoncethatwasoverallwentOK.

IamnotsureiftherumouristruethatOwenisthinkingofgettinga“bubble’toreplacehisMX-5turbowiththeaimofgettingmore“speedthrills”…I’llhavetomakeaphonecall.

Finally,agreatvoteofthankstoalltheotherMX-5ersforthecamaraderieshowntothisOldiewhoshouldknowbetterthantoplaywithmotorsport.IreallyenjoyedgettingtoknowmoreoftheClubmembersandsharingthemealonSaturdaynightwasagreatbonus.Alsoaspecialthankstothemanwhosuppliedthejackets;Ihaven’tcaughtupwithyouyetbutwouldliketoexpressmyappreciation.

AmazingwhateventheseoldMazdascando!!■

[* Ed ~ the blue light is shown to a driver who is about to be overtaken, or who is holding up the vehicle behind ...]

■ Words: GrahamWilson■ “Shopping cart” photo: OwenBoak

14

■ run organisers: IanandKarenBradshaw■ Words: RonMacdonald ■ Photos:RonMacdonald&WendyClark

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream

Having the need for another MX-5 fix after the Great Ocean Road run, I contacted John Gleeson of the Ballarat Chapter regarding the opportunity to “play” with the country folk.

SoitwasonSundaymorningwerolledGracieoutofthegarageandby7:30shewasbreathingthecoolmorningaironthefreewayaswemadethe160kmjourneyfromFrankstontothestartingpointatSabastopol(verynearlyaruninitself!).

WearrivedatthemeetingpointafewminutesearlytofindJeffWoolfalreadythereand,aftertheobligatoryintroductions,weproceededto“perve”ateachother’scars(bothGraceGreenNBs)anddiscussallthingsMX-5.

JohnandNoelleneGleesonwerethenexttoarrive,followedshortlyafterbythefamous“Molly”(LachlanStory).Thosewhoareregularreadersofthisfinepublicationwillknowthat“Molly”seemstobeabitofaKangaroomagnet(havingdancedwithfourofthebeasts).Lockiehasdecidedtocelebrate(orcommiserate)thisfactinaWWIfighterpilotstyle,with“Molly”nowsportingfoursilhouettesonherdriver’ssidefrontguard.

BythistimewehadsevencarspresentandJohnannouncedthatallhewasexpectingwerenowheresoheproceededwiththerunbriefing.OnemajorthingthatdidcatchmyearduringJohn’stalkwasthefactthatweweremakingourwaytoPortCampbell(some244kmaway)tobuyanicecream(mustbedamngoodicecreamdownthere)!Afewminuteslater7x4cylenginessprangtolifeandweallfollowedJohnforthe47kmjourneytooursecondmeetingpointattheWallinduc“FireShed”.ThiswasapleasantthoughuneventfulrunexceptforJeffhavingtogobackandpickupthecapthathadgoneflyingoffhishead.

15

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream 23/10/11

ThesecountryfolkdefinitelyknowhowtoorganiseacivilisedClubrun.Onarrivalatthe“FireShed”wefoundtwocarsalreadythere,thekettleonandaselectionofcakesandbikkies.Abitofchitchatandarefuel(ofus,notthecars)followed,withofcoursetheobligatoryinspectionofthecarslinedupoutside.

NownumberingnineMX-5s,wetookoffalonganarrowroad(withtheoddpotholeor20)withIanandKarenintheleadcaroncourseforournumberthreepick-uppoint.Againalovelydrivewithsomefantasticscenery,especiallythroughthelakesdistrictwithheapsofpelicansandthosebigblacklong-necked“ducks”enjoyingtheabundantwater.ArrivingatBirragurrawecaughtupwithourfinalcarforthe“assault”onPortCampbell,sonowtherewere10.HavinghadanotherchatwithafewoftheBallaratgang(ohandapuff),timecametoheadofftowardsourlunchstop.AlineofmulticolouredMX-5sfollowedIan’sblackNBoutontothehighwayandintosomequitedifferentcountrythanwehadseenearlier.Asweheadedsouththeterrainchangedfromgrasslandstowoodlands,anicecontrastfortheday.

Another25kmdowntheroad,weturnedintotheBarwonReservoir(Ed ~ not literally one hopes, could have been a bit wet)andlinedthe“girls”upreadyforustoputthefeedbagon.Notlongafterwepulledup,agaggleofmotorcyclesarrivedalldeckedoutinpink(somesportingpinkbrasacrosstheirfairings)...oneassumesinsupportofbreastcancerawarenessmonth.Averypleasantpicniclunchunderthetrees,thenawalkacrossthedamwallcompletedthelunchbreak.

Oh,nottobeforgotten:apeekatGay’sbirthdaygiftpicturebookwhichfeaturesherbluebeastcompetingintheBathurst1000!

Afterlunchthefunreallybegan,notingthatIandidn’tmindgoingfora“squirt”,wepositionedourselvesonhisrearbumperforthisstage(aspermyarticleintheOctobermxtra).Leavingthereservoirweturnedleftandsqueezedtheloudpedal,thatisuntilourprogresswasimpededbyaslow-movingtradie’stray,wellforacoupleofkilometresanyway.Wasn’tlongbeforeIansawhischanceandwefollowedclosebehind.Wethenenjoyedsomelovely100kmhwindingroad,however(asIhadbeentoldearlier)thebestwasyettocome.

TurningrightintoTurtonsTrackwepulleduptowaitfortheothers.Forthosewhohavenottravelledthisroadbefore,imagineacoupleofdozenw’salljoinedtogether,thatwouldgiveyouaprettyaccuratemapofthisverynarrowwindingroad.Soonafterstartingdownthetrackwemetourfirstslowdriver,buttotheircredit(andtheotherthreewemet)theypulledoverassoonastheycouldtoletuspast.ThisgaveustheperfectopportunitytoreallyenjoywhatisdefinitelyoneofthetopMX-5roadsinthestate.IhavenotedinpreviousarticlesthatawindingroadandanMX-5isthemostfunyoucanhavewithyourpantson,thisroadhoweverisdefinitelyinthetoptwo,pantsonornot!IanbuiltafireunderhisNBandwestuckrightonhisrearbumperfortheentirelengthofthetrack,sensationalstuff.Youwouldnegotiatearighthandhairpinonlytofindalefthandhairpinontheotherside(videoonmysite).Iamtold

thescenery,withitstalltimbersandfernunderstory,isawesome,thoughIhavetoadmitIwasatadtoobusyatthetimetonoticemuchofit.

StillbuzzingfromourmeetingwithTurtonsTrackwefollowedIanandKarenintotheBeechforestpicnicareatoawaittheothers.Threehandsofcardslater(notquite)wewerejoinedbytheothereightcarsand,aftera“reststop”,headedofftowardstheicecream.

OntotheGreatOceanRoad(whichImightaddisnowhereneartheocean)andagainwewereslowedbythosewhofeeltheneedtotravelathalfthespeedlimit(andhavenointerestinusingthepulloffzones).Onthatsubject,itwasstrangebut90%oftheveryslowcarsweencounteredwerewhite,mustbesomethingaboutwhitecardrivers(sorryDon).Ianpulledovertoletthesecarsgetabitaheadandallowourbandtoregroup.Offagainandallgoodforthefirstthreecorners,justafterthefourthcornerIsawIan’scarjump,butitwastoolate,wefellintoapotholethesizeoftheGrandCanyonandwereairbornewhenwecameouttheotherside.Astheysayintheclassics:“stuff”happens.WewoundourwaydowntoPortCampbell(dodgingthesnailset)andpulledupinasidestreet.Ashortwalkintotownanditwasicecreamsallround(mmm,rumandraisin).Icecreamsconsumed,awalkdowntotheportcompletedourPortCampbellvisit.

40-oddkmlaterwewereinCamperdownandtimeforustoradioourfarewellsandthanksforwhathadproventobeanexcellentday.Onthejourneyhomewereflectedontheday’sevents.Ithadbeenthebiggestrunwehadbeenonbydistance,butthesmallestrunbynumberofcars.Thesmallernumberofcarsplusthe“countryflavour”didmakeforamoreintimaterunandIwaspleasedtonotetheywerenotshyaboutmakinggooduseoftheradios.

Graciewasfinallyreturnedtohergarageat7:30pm,alittleover12hoursand705km(that’sMelbournetoAdelaide!)later.WealightedfromthecarverytiredbutwiththatunmistakeableMX-5“glow”.Ithadbeenalongbutverypleasantday.

ManythanksgotoIanandKarenBradshawandalltheBallaratcrewforawell-organisedandveryenjoyablerun.Iamsurewewillcrosspathsagaininthenearfuture.■

16

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17

The MX-5 Club GrillIntroducing ...

Christine Boak Girl Racer

name? Christine Boak

age? 45

born? Preston

Current abode? Langwarrin

Profession? Company director

Partner? Married to Owen

Pets? Penny , a Springer spaniel and Tina, a Greyhound (both spoilt)

fave food? Home made gnocchi

Can you cook? Yes, but I’d rather eat out!

favourite tipple? Merlot

first drive? About 10 years old, I drove a Suzuki 4WD into the dam to use as a diving board; I learnt young what these cars were good for!

first car? XB Falcon

first fender bender? In 2000 after nearly 20 years of driving, some wally in Ballarat made a right hand turn in to me

everyday driver? FPV GTP

Current mX-5(s)? » Classic Red NA6 – Hers » Supreme Blue SP – Hers » Velocity Red SE – His » SE Race car – Hers » SP Race car – His

mX-5 improvements? How much time have you got???

mX-5 dislikes? Nothing to dislike, I love them!

Why an mX-5? Vicky Butler Henderson told me I needed one ... I just couldn’t stop there!

fluffy dice? Does a lap timer count?

Passions besides the mX-5? My family and motor sport

favourite book? “The Art of Racing in the Rain” – Garth Stein: a great story about a dog, a family and beating the odds!

dream wheels (money no object)? More MX5s ... what else? I don’t have an NC yet!

Would you drive a daewoo or SSangyong? A what?

favourite other mazda? RX7 SP

if not a mazda (gasp!) what? OK, I have to admit a Porsche GT3 would be cool

how long in the Club? three years

how many mX-5 Club runs? Just the one so far, though I do get to most of the motor sport rounds

favourite Club run? Gippsland ... had a great day with great people!

done deCa? Yes

if yes, how many times? Once

ford vs holden? ‘Ford of course!!’

What’s playing in your mX-5? Queen Live

footy team (afl/nrl/Soccer)? Does that have wheels?

final comments? “Believe You Can”

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Being a dawn raider isn’t one of my characteristics. Asolidstreakoffriendlycompetitivenessishowever!ThetemptationofdoingcontrolledslidesinourredNA,Mixxie,aroundaslippery,wetcementbowlwasdefinitelyworthgettingupat4am.Carl,thekidsandI(inourRenaultMeganeCupaswellasMixxie)joinedtheLauncestoncrewforthelongdrivedowntoRokebyPoliceAcademyinHobart.Thesundidn’tevenriseuntilwegottoPerthandthetemperaturegotaslowas-2°inplaces,butitpromisedtobeanicesunnyday.

WejoinedsomeoftheHobartChapteraswellasanassortmentfromtheMGclubandafewothers.Itwasaninterestingmixofcars,butofcourseourMX-5slookedthebest–alllinedupintheirprettycolours,sparklingcleanandshiny.Mostoftheladiesclaimedthehilltopwithpicnicblanketstowatchtheactionwhiletheblokeshoveredaroundthestartpointtalkingshop.

Thewitches’hatsweresetupinafigure8,thetracksprinklerswereon,vegetableoilwasapplied(allveryenvironmentallyfriendly!)andeveryonehadsignedtheirnameonthedottedline...firstthree-minutesession...ready...set...GO!

Thatwasthepatternfortherestoftheday,withbriefpausesforare-applicationofvegetableoil,orforaquickfix-upoftheconesthathadbeenknockedover(orstuckdraggingunderthefrontwheelarch!).Itwasasmuchfunwatchingasitwasdriving(well,nearly!)asnearlyeveryonetookoutaleastonehatontheirfirstgoaround.Somewentflying,somejustgotbumped,andtwoorthreeactuallygotstuckandhadtobepulledout.Alltheguyslookedliketheywerehavingagreattimeandtherewerethreeofusgirlsoutonthetracktoo–KarendidagreatjobandIhadmassivefun.

Chapter news ...

On the skids ... ~ 2/10/11 | Northern Tassie Chapter ■ Words & photos: KellyBerggren■ run organiser: BruceHarvey

Carltookourfour-year-olddaughter,Stasi,outasapassengerinourNA.Shepretendedtosteerherownwheelandscreamedwithjoyateachfuriouscorner!Herby(DennisBurgess)hadorganisedanexcellentdaywhilealsomanagingthestopwatch,chequeredflagandheevenfedussnagsforlunch.Overall,engineswerethrashed,waterwassprayedeverywhereandtailswereslidingsidewaysmoreoftenthannot.Itwasablast!!!:).Can’twaitforanotherdayjustlikeit!

Afterhavingcompletedfourdaysofdefensivedrivinglessonsyearsago,Ireallyenjoyedgettingoutonatrickytrackagain.Notonlyisitarealbuzztopushmyselfand

Mixxietotheedge,recoverandthenmaintainacontrolledslidethroughthecones-itsimmenselyimportanttohave

experienceandthusknowhowtoreact,inthatsplitsecondwhensomethinggoeswrongonarealroad,whetheritisfromblackice,badroadsorinattentivedrivers.

ThatwaswhywetooktheMeganeaswell,sinceitisouteverydaydriver.TheMeganewasn’tanywherenearasfunonthecourseasMixxie–toocivilised,andfrontwheeldrivejustisn’tthesame.ItwasgoodtofindthatshehassomuchgripthatIcouldn’tgetherbackoutevenwhentrying.Thathands-onknowledgewillcomeinhandyoneday!

ThankstoBrucefororganisingourChapter.ThankstoHerbyfororganisingthespecificsandrunningagreatday.ThankstoRokebyPoliceAcademyforsharingtheir

facilitiesandmakingitallhappen!Muchappreciatedandlookingforwardtodoingitallagain!■

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Last-minute run ... ~ 23/10/11 | Northern Tassie Chapter ■ Words & photos: KellyBerggren■ run organisers: BruceHarvey&KeanBeaton

Bruce had ordered perfect weather for our last-minute run to George Town ... and it was delivered. TheDevonportcrewmetupinourusualcarparkthenheadedofftoGeorgeTownviaaverytwistybackroadbehindthemainhighway.AtonepointitwasasurprisetopopupnexttothehugeNicholsFarmwindturbine–thatcameoutofnowhere!Ilovecuttingthroughthepatchworkcountryside,seeingtheperfectlyplougheddarkfieldsnexttoalushgreenpaddock.Allthedoglegsbetweenthemjustmakeitmorefun,ofcourse!AfewmoreturnsandwestarteduptheoldhighwaytoExeter,acrosstheBatmanBridgeandthroughwinecountrytoGeorgeTown.

ItwasmyfirsttriptoGeorgeTownandIwassurprisedathowbigitwas,andhowmuchindustryisthere.ThefirststopwasatBruceandCheryl’snewIGA(veryimpressive,andtheircoffeemachinemakes

excellenthazelnutcoffee!)topickuptherestofthechapterandthenofftolunchatthePierHoteloverlookingYorkCove.

Wehadayummyalfrescolunch–Ihadanexcellentgourmetpizza–andanicechatwiththehotelowner,whohashisownMX-5.TheMX-5salsohadanicebreak-theyhadprimeparkingonthelawnoverlookingthebay,andtheNAsjustHADtopoptheireyesuptoenjoytheview:).

Offagainafterlunchforafunspinbackaround,overtheriverviatheBatmanBridge,andthroughBeaconsfield,endingupattheBlueBarnCafeinFrankford.ThesunwashotandIhadtoputacapon–foralloftwominutesasitturnedoutasIforgottoholdontoitwhiletakinganotherpic!Swoosh!Justaflashofred

shootingouttheback!SandraandKeithdidaquickretrievalforme...thanksguys!

TheroadfromtheBatmantoBeaconsfieldviatheKayenaregionisreallyexcellent.Roadingoodcondition,niceviews,lotsofturnsandenough

hillsanddipstomakeitfun.Itriedtakingsomepicsovermydoor,showingourwheel/noseandatleastonecarinfront(thinkIfreakedSandraandKeithoutalittleatimeortwo!)andgotacoupleofnicepicsofKenandRuth’sNA.ThroughBeaconsfieldanddownthebackroads.Morecurvesandbush,andsomesteephillswithexcellentviewsoflittlefarmvalleys.

Tassiereallyisanexcellentplacetohaveaconvertible.WehadanotherNAinBrisbaneforyearsbeforewemoveddownand,fromexperience,IcansaythatI’dratherhavethetopupoccasionallyinwinterwhenitrainshere,thanhavetohaveitupallthetimeinsummer–becausedrivingwithoutaroofforshade(orwithoutaircon)inBrisbanereallyturnsyouintoapuddleofyuck!

Weallknow,too,thatifyoudrivefastenoughintherain,youdon’tevenneedthetopup:).

TherunfinishedwithagoodchatovercoffeeandcakeattheBlueBarnbeforeeveryonebrokeuptoheadhome.Thankstoeveryoneforagreatrun,goodcompanyandexcellentconversation!SpecialthankstoKenandBruceforthegreatlast-minuteorganisation!■

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Chapter news ...Mazdas and mayhem in Maydena ...

The Official Report a convoy of nine mX-5s headed out of hobart on the way to Strathgordon, which is situated 150km west of hobart and is famous for its dam and the stunning scenery on the way.

Mostofushadoptimisticallyfoldeddownourhoods.Theweatherforecastwaspromisingandhardysoulstriedtoignorethesmatteringofraindropsonthewindscreenandthecolddraughtsroundthebackoftheears.

LeaddriverJohnWaldocktookiteasytoallowforthedamproadconditionsandtoallowtail-enddriverJohnHadrilltocatchupafterapassengerpitstop.FinallypastNewNorfolktheroadgotcurvybuttheweatherdeterioratedsohoodshadtogoup.It pelted down.

Itwasalongday,soreallytherewasnotimeforalltheseminorholdups,butMaydenaofferedthelastopportunityfortoilets,coffeeandfuelforthenexthoweverlong.SowepulledinandchattedoutsidethecaféaswegottoknownewmembersRossandIngerintheir1998blueNB.

But,it’swhenyouhaveyourguarddownthattroubleraisesitshand.Amoment’sinattentiononthepartofonepassengerresultedinacoupleofcarswaitingbehindastherestoftheconvoytookoff,(moreofthislater)forthepicnicspotatthedamwall.

SurprisinglytheywereallswoopingbackintothecarparkoftheMaydenaAdventureHubwithin10minutes.Snowdrifts!!Fivemilesuptheroadtheyhadencounteredsnowtoodeeptotackleunlessyouhada4WDornobrains.

Sothedaywasspentsittingaroundthelogfire,munchingchocolateorsavouringthelunchmenu.Thehotchocolateistoberecommended,notonlyyummybuthot too.Plentytotalkaboutofcourse,butalsotoreadtheliteratureabouttheadventurestobehadinthearea.Along-establishedcentreforforestryandlogging,ithasturnedtotourism.Wefoundoutaboutbushwalksandgourmetlunches,varioustargetsports,andtheamazingRailRiderwhichweplantotryoutonafuturerun.Meanwhileoutsidetherainfellinsheetsandtorrentswithonlyshortsunnyspellswhenwecouldseethemountaintopsglisteningwithsnow.

Graduallycarsdepartedaspeopleneededtogetbackhome.Justafewhardyandkindsoulsremainedtotryandsortoutthemess–whichIreallydon’twanttotalkaboutbuthereitis…

The Mayhem» no cars were damaged in this scenario(though it was a

close thing for a while).

» no people were harmed(also a close thing).

it could have happened in an isolated layby miles from help and phone coverage and not outside a cosy café.

Itcouldhavebeenmuchworse.Butitwasawful.

IhadcadgedaliftwithJohnWaldockinFeisty.Iamhavingagaragebuiltatmyplace(carcost$11K,garageandsubsequentalterations$65K).Lolita(my2000ClassicRed

Or: How we didn’t make it to Strathgordon (subtitled “It wasn’t all my fault”)

~ 15/10/11 | Hobart Chapter

■ Words:CazTimbrell ■ Photos: JohnWaldock&RossCrayford ■ run organiser: JohnWaldock

note from John W:

WhileCazhasbeenveryhonestinherstory,thedaywasinnowayahassleoradisappointment.Thepartyfeelingoftheafternoon,plusknowingthatsomewayoranotherwewouldsolvetheproblem,meantthatno-onewasannoyedatallaboutthe“Key Incident”.AllanPryorandIhadagreatdrivethereandbacktocollectthesparekey;wedidn’tmissoutonStrathgordonasitwassnowedoutanyway.

IhadthechancetohangoutwiththeChapterandhaveajokearoundtoo.Cazgenerouslyhadanothersparekeycutformeandgavemetwobottlesofwine,whichwillgointothewinekittyforourChapterChristmaslunch.Anditmadeforadaythatwasprettymemorabletoo!

Ed: For what it’s worth, Caz, you can lock keys in the boot of an NC and be unable to retrieve them if the hood is up and the car is locked. Did it recently while on holiday in Queensland. You are not alone. But I am now an expert (=dripunderpressure)at getting into a locked NC without damaging the car.

And at our Federation Square display in Melbourne last year, Ballarat Convenor John Gleeson slammed the boot of his NB on his keys, with no remote release. He was looking at a long walk home to Ballarat to get his spare while his car remained on show for the world to see on the Fed Square forecourt. Fortunately his clever wife, Noellene, had put the spare key in her handbag that morning and brought it with her ... the first time she had ever done that!

21

NBwithgoldwheels)isabitofaprincess,soshe’sgonetostaywithafrienduntilallthenoiseandmessandscarymachineryhasgone.

Iwaslookingforwardtowatchingamasteratwork(don’t know where Caz got that idea ~ John)anddiscussingdrivingtechniques.I’mstalling,notwantingtogettothefiascoIcaused.Buthereitis.

WhenwestoppedatMaydenaIgotmydrinkoutoftheboot.Feisty,beingalovely1989NA,hasnointernalbootlatchandIgotthekeys,openedup,gotmydrinkandwanderedaboutchattingandsipping’tilitwastimetomoveon.Putmydrinkinthebootandshutthelid.

Where was the key???Itsoondawnedthatthekeysmustbeinthebootandtherewasnowaytoopenit.AlthoughJohnusuallykeptaspareinthecentreconsoleitwasn’tthere.

Ninedriverswaitedasflailingarms,foullanguageandhowlsofdespairfailedtosolvetheproblem.Remembertherewasn’talotoftimetospareonthisdrive,soitwasagreedthatJohnandIwouldwaitforassistanceorinspirationastherestcarriedon.Allanstayedtooformoralsupportandbackup.Johnranghiswifetoseeifshecouldbringsparekeysbutshecouldn’tfindthem.Thekindpeopleinthecafécalledthelocalpoliceofficer(itbeingjudgedthathemighthaveanideahowtobreakintoalockedboot).Intherainandwindheadmittedtobeingbaffled.Bythistimetherestofthecarswerebackfromthesnowfieldsandapartyatmospheredeveloped.TheRACTwascalled.Ittookanhourandhalfforthetowtrucktoarriveandstillthebootstayedclosed.Towingandsimplybashingthelockinwerebothrejected.

IntheenditwasdecidedthatJohnwouldgetalifthometoLauderdale(amere150kmandtwohoursaway)tofindthesparekeyandcomeback.Alltheothercarshadpassengers,unusually,soIgotaliftinthetowtruckasfarasNewNorfolk(amere60km)tofindmyownwayhomebybusortofindafriendwhocouldcomeandcollectme.

Soitwas.IsatintheBushInnfor50minutes’tilmyliftarrived.JohngotbacktoFeisty,openedthebootandguesswhat!No keys!

HedrovetomyplacesoIcouldcheckmyownbags,stillinhisbootbutstillnosign.AtthispointIstartedtogetaglimmerofamemoryofplacingmydrinkonawallwhileIpouredit.Could the keys be there, could they have been there on the wall all the time, was the whole drama pretty well unnecessary? Could the keys possibly still be there, on the main road in full view? Surely I would have noticed them? Surely I couldn’t be so stupid?

Ohyes...Icould!

Aphonecallnextmorningtothelovelypeopleatthecaféandthekeyswerelocated,driedoutandkeptsafeforreturn.ThroughoutJohnwaspatienceandkindnessitself.Ididn’tdeserveit.Heevenboughtmylunch.

IthoughtImightfeelbetterafterwritingitalldown...hasn’thappenedyet.I’dlovetohearotherpeople’sstoriesofembarrassingmistakesandsoon.

Please!SoIdon’tfeelsoalone. ■

Before ...

After ... ’O sole mio

22

Chapter news ...

Gippsland Chapter kicks off ... ~ 30/10/11■ Photo: WillCampbell

The Club’s newest “offspring”, the gippsland Chapter, kicked off at maffra on Sunday, 30 october.

TheplannedBBQturnedintoapubmealafterthe“Gippslandsunshine”(ie,rain)forcedachangeofplans.

ButplansforthenewChapterarefarfromdamp.ChapterConvenorGrantButler(picturedatleftwithhiswifeSaeko)hasmanyideasuphissleeve,andTraralgonSouthmemberAlanLainehasalreadymappedoutseveralrunsonsomeofhisfavouriteroads.

Grant,aLifeMemberand10-yearmemberoftheClub,servedontheClub’scommitteeforsevenyearsandwasChairmanoftheNatMeet2008planningcommittee.He’salsoanavidmotorcyclerider,andheknowsGippslandlikethebackofhishand.

Butyourideasarealsowelcome.Grantcanbecontactedviae-mailon<gippsland@mx5vic.org.au>orbyphoneon56254718(home)or0403929315(mobile).■

23

Scene about ... in Frankfurt■ Photos:SalmanShami

Club member Salman Shami was at the Frankfurt motorshow and took these photos of MX-5s on display. He thought we might enjoy the interesting colour schemes.

24

■ fromGlendaWise

MX-5’s pre-war pedigree?

Napier-Ralton Special

Daimler Double-Six 50 Corsica Drophead Coupé

1939 Inline 8 cylinder

1931 Inline 6 cylinder

Mercedes-Benz 710 SSK Trossi Roadster

One-off 1933 Napier-Ralton ... 600HP, 24-litre, 12 cylinder aircraft engine

Bugatti Tipo 57C Van Vooren Cabriolet

1931 7.2 litre V12

252525

■ Words & research: RonMacdonaldNB8Aron@gracies-place.net / www.gracies-place.net

Who’s your Daddy?The mX-5, or lightweight Sports Car as it was first known during the development phase, caused a retro revolution in car manufacture, but, did you know that the man credited as the biological father of the mX-5 was not an employee of mazda?

BobHallwasamotoringwriterwhospecialisedinJapanesecarsandhadalsobeenasportscarenthusiastsincehefirstbegantodrive.OnavisittoMazdaheadquartersinthespringof1979,Bobcaughtupwithlong-timefriendKenichiYamamoto,thentheheadofR&DatMazda.Yamamoto-sanaskedBob“WhatkindofcarsdoyouthinkMazdashouldbuildinthefuture?”BobHall’sreplywastochangetheworldofmotoring:“thesimple,bugs-in-the-teeth,wind-in-the-hair,classically-Britishsportscardoesn’texistanymoresosomebodyshouldbuildone”.Healsoadded,“TheMazda(Familia)323[atthetimerear-wheeldrive]wouldmaketheperfectplatformforaninexpensiveroadster”.

Therestastheysayishistory.BobwasinvitedtojoinMazda’sproductplanningdepartmentwhereheworkedonthedevelopmentoftheMX-5[whichhadthecatchycode-name P729],nurturinghis“baby”untilitsworldlaunchattheChicagoMotorShow.

Perhapshewasinspiredinpartbythemagnificentconvert-iblesandroadstersofthepast,likethoseopposite. ■

* The Club owns the only authorised copy in existence of Bob Hall’s original proposal to Mazda ... ask President Murray if you’d like to see it.

CarsThose members who have children or grandchildren may know of the award-winning 2006 animated film Cars.

TheplotofthismoviecentresaroundanobnoxiousNASCARcalledLightningMcQueen,butdidyounoticethathistwobiggestfansareMX-5s?ThetwinsMia(voicedbyLindseyCollins)andTia(ElissaKnight)arered1992NAMiatas(MX-5s);thenameswerepickedasaplayonMiata.Likemanyfilmsofthisgenrethereissomesubliminal“adult”content...whenthetwinsfirstmeetLightningtheyflashtheirpop-upheadlightsathim,saidtobeatakeongroupiespullinguptheirshirtstoflashcelebritiestheir“headlights”.

SoifyouhappentoownaredNA,nexttimeyouwatchCarswiththeweeonesyoucanpointoutthatgrandpa’s(orgrandma’s)carisinthemovie. ■

Sitting pretty ...Jenni, a non-Club member, e-mailed us many months ago about how to fit a baby car seat in an mX-5. We gave her some ideas, and now she’s reported back:

...IwantedtoletyouknowwedidsucceedinfittingababyseattomyMX-5.

WegotthecarseatfromtheRACV,aGoSafeconvertiblechildcarseatforuse0to18kg.Cost$219/$199memberprice.

WegotitfittedbyNunawadingToyotaRestraintFittingStation,StationSt,Nunawadingatacostof$328.Theworkwasstatedas:Establishcorrectlocationforanchoragepoint,drillanchoragepoint,installanchorbolt,fitchildcarseat.

Ittookalongtime,manyphonecallsandvisitstovariousfittingstationsbeforewegotontoNunawadingwhosaidtheycoulddoit.

OurbabyGeorginawasbornon11JulyandasyoucanseeisreasonablyhappyaboutdrivingaroundinanMX-5.Haven’thadheroutwiththetopdownyetthough!! ■

Embroidered logoshere’s a tip from Club member Perry Tountsios that might interest other owners the iconic “SP” edition mX-5.

Perrytookaphotoofthe“SP”logoandsentittoanembroidererwhouploadeditontohismachine.Nowthatthe“SP”logobasearthasbeensetup,thecosttoothersisalotcheaperat$40fortwosigns.Thiscanbeembroidedontothecarseatsthroughanautotrimmer(atadditionalcost).

ContactWinsonatQualityEmbroideryServicesinThomastownon94603077or0415286821.PerrydealtwithautotrimmerGregatDoylesinThomastownandrecommendshimforallyourrepairsandre-upholstering–tel:94605188. ■

26

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Club library ...

Workshop manuals:

»1.6NA»1.8NA»1990-2009

miata mazda mX-5

»original19892-bookset

random orbital polisher, ideal formachinepolishingyourcar.Consumablesavailable(atyourowncost)throughtheClub.

bushing tool, for servicing or replacing your suspension bushes.

Contactpresident@mx5vic.org.au

Books

Tools

Toarrangeashort-termloan,pleasecontactpresident@mx5vic.org.au

Contactmerchandise@mx5vic.org.au

“20 Roads” booklooking for the ideal birthday or Christmas gift for the mX-5 enthusiast in your life?

This is the perfect companion for the mX-5 glove box.

Put together by Club members for Club members to celebrate our 20th anniversary, this book profiles some great drivers’ roads in Victoria and Tasmania.

»Costis$20+postage.ContactSteveDunlop,merchandise@mx5vic.org.au.

20 roads for 20 yearsV I C T O R I A | T A S M A N I A

C E L E B R A T I N G T H E 2 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F T H E M A Z D A M X - 5 C L U B O F V I C T O R I A

Club number plate frames

» 6-digit Slimline or Standard size » White text on black plastic

»Costis$10/pair($17.30posted)

AskatyournextClubrunorcontactMurrayFinlay,

president@mx5vic.org.au.

help promote the Club with one of our new windscreen stickers.

»300mmwidex15mmhigh

»availableinblackorwhitelettering

»Costis$2+postage.

ContactSteveDunlop,merchandise@mx5vic.org.au.

Sew-on cloth patches

Winding roads make mX-5 drivers very happy.

Weallknowthat,orcourse,butGippslandChaptermemberAlanLainehascomeupwithagreatwaytoshowit...withaclothbadgetosewonyourfavouriteMX-5drivingjacket.

Thebadgesare4cmx11cm,100%polyesterfabricandthreads,andcommerciallydrycleanable.

»Thecostis$15,includingpostage.

ContactAlanon51955375(ah)orviae-mailonoobah4@aussiebb.com.au.

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autObarn Eltham …is proud to offer all members of the Mazda MX-5 Club of Victoria a big discount (up to 15%) off their full range of merchandise.

For info or orders, contact Peter Rutherford at:

autobarn-enquiries@mx5vic.org.auphone: 0414 630 024 or 9439 1466 (ah)

Please ensure that you identify yourself as a member of the MX-5 Club to get your discount.This offer is exclusive to Autobarn Eltham.

Autobarn Eltham9/256 Bolton St

(corner Brougham St)Eltham 3095

(NB: Only Peter Rutherford or Hayden Dally are authorised to

give club discounts in-store.)

autObarn Eltham …is proud to offer all members of the Mazda MX-5 Club of Victoria a big discount (up to 15%) off their full range of merchandise.

For info or orders, contact Peter Rutherford at:

autobarn-enquiries@mx5vic.org.auphone: 0414 630 024 or 9439 1466 (ah)

Please ensure that you identify yourself as a member of the MX-5 Club to get your discount.This offer is exclusive to Autobarn Eltham.

Autobarn Eltham9/256 Bolton St

(corner Brougham St)Eltham 3095

(NB: Only Peter Rutherford or Hayden Dally are authorised to

give club discounts in-store.)

... is proud to offer all members of the Mazda MX-5 Club of Victoria a big discount

(up to 15%) off their full range of merchandise.

For info or orders, contact Peter Rutherford at: autobarn-enquiries@mx5vic.org.au

Phone: 0414 630 024 or 9439 1466 (ah)

Please ensure that you identify yourself as a member of the Mazda MX-5 Club to get your discount.

This offer is exclusive to Autobarn Eltham.

Autobarn Eltham9/256 Bolton St (cnr Brougham St) Eltham 3095

(NB: only Peter Rutherford or Hayden Dally are authorised to give Club discounts in-store.)

A new option for the MX-5 ownerOven Baked Enamel Services have taken the next step forward in service for MX-5 Owners, Lovers and Club Members.

We can offer a full mechanical and service department with specialist MX-5 mechanics and accident repairers working to factory specifications.

◆ Full range of second hand mechanical body and trim panels available ◆ Suspension, exhaust and performance kits ◆ Fully equipped workshop facility ◆ Competitive rates on all work ◆ FREE towing for mechanical breakdown and collision ◆ Special rates to Club Members - Free loan car available to Members ◆ Contact Dick to discuss your mechanical needs

Oven Baked Enamel Services are a factory approved repairer with 20 years of experience on Mazda, your smash repair specialist

◆ Chassis alignment specialists◆ Air conditioning and detailing ◆ Insurance claims, advice service ◆ Lifetime work guarantee ◆ All spray work in Seetal Low Bake oven

Contact - Dick Richey FREE no obligation quote.

34 Molan Street, Ringwood 3134Tel 03 9870 0520 / Fax 03 9879 6545

Quality EndorsedCompany