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WET ‘n WILD
RACQ MOTORING OF YESTERYEAR
ANZAC PARK – 27TH JUNE 1999.
Having assembled at Orleigh Park at West End, our 10 minis tagged onto the end of a very long and colourful line of vintage cars making their way to Davies Park and further to the Car of Yesteryear venue at Anzac park,where we slithered to a stop in the mud and rain, and then went searching for breakfast.
The “chow” line stretched two city blocks as the 20 representatives of the Mini Owners Club of Queensland estimated the time it would take to achieve breakfast on this very wintry and wet Sunday morning. Mark Paget won the bet with a conservative 1 hour 30 minutes, however, the time was gainfully employed by the members who were entertained with a passing parade of Barber Shop Singers, a myriad of enthusiasts in period costume, and of course, the reason for the day, the excellent presentation of the vintage cars waiting to set out for Anzac Park.
Being the last to eat ( but being a patient lot and wishing to make the most impact by driving in last) we tagged onto the back of the field again, and in pouring rain and controlled intersections, we set off for Anzac Park. Unfortunately, the cavalcade ( or our part of it anyway), missed the city and went direct to Toowong via Milton Road. Even then, our closely packed group made a good road impression, particularly on reaching our destination where many people stayed at the park entrance and access roads, to view the arrival of the “Car of the Century”.
We were parked at the top of the hill near the helipad, and many of us wished for 4 Wheel Drive minis as we tried to negotiate the steep slippery hill, many slipping back to the bottom and leaving their cars there, while others made a hurtling run at the hill, being assisted by “mini pushers” coated in green slime from the trajectory of the spinning wheels.
Tony Formosa, with Mark’s help, set up his Mini Owners Club “office” and distributed Mini 40 and club brochures, while the rest of us took time off between the showers to pick up our sample bags, look at the hundreds of other cars on display, catch the Punch and Judy show and watch the RACQ CareFlight helicopter arrive and blow everything to bits as big helicopters do.
We had a great deal of interest shown in our vehicles by the visiting enthusiasts, and it was a great venue to demonstrate our cars and give our Club and the Mini 40 some exposure.
Unfortunately, this will be the last time events like this will be held in a Brisbane City park as it would appear a ban exists on display vehicles. This is a shame judging by the popularity of these events and the enormous cash investment into historical cars by a great number of dedicated people. Perhaps it may be opportune for the Brisbane Car Clubs to lobby for a more dedicated suitable venue for the future.
However, even though the rain caused an early exit, it was an enjoyable outing, but next time, maybe the “great unwashed” on the hill can get their cars and faces on national Nine News -–hey John!
Bob Ward
Day out in the WET!!!
Sunday morning and the alarm went off at 0630. As it had been raining all week, I looked out the window to blue sky over the city, but black sky to the south. So I thought I would take the chance and take my pride and joy out for the RACQ Motoring of Yesterday parade. Like a lot of fanatical Cooper S owners I didn’t want to get it wet. Polishing the underneath is a real pain!
I meet up with the other brave soles at 0800 in West End before heading up the road to the starting point. Twelve Minis were there to show the Club flag (looks like a lot of owners don’t like getting their pride and joy wet). We joined the queue for breakfast, a queue that we would join for about an hour and a quarter. At least we had time to hold a Mini 40 Committee Meeting while we moved slowly up the footpath. “Skip” Summers and his two boys had the right idea, they headed up the road to McDonalds and had their feed before we turned the first corner of the line up. All this time a keen eye was kept on the threatening sky to the south for any sign of rain. Our turn finally arrived at the BBQ table and the breakkie was worth waiting for. Just as we began to eat the rain began to fall. The Minis are about to get wet!!!
About to get wet was the operative word, as the rain came down on and off for most of the remainder of the day. Nearly 500 cars turned out for the parade to Toowong. The police and organisers changed the planned route and decided to forget going over the Story Bridge and through the city and go straight to Anzac Park via Milton Road. The traffic jam on Milton Road was better than any I have seen during peak hour. The range of vehicles was a fantastic site, from T Model Fords to Minis to Leyland P76’s and every make and model in between.
Once at Anzac Park the vehicles were parked in their groups for display to the public, who turned out in great numbers despite the weather. Getting to the parking spot was no easy task for some. I bet Glen wished he had kept his limited slip diff installed and Tom McQuilken wished he had put his rain coat on before helping push Andrew Williams’ hotted up Deluxe up the hill. Well Glen left his car at the bottom of the hill and I am sure Tom’s wife Pat got the mud out of his clothes. I am also pleased to report that Bob Ward got his S there and back without any fuel problems. Well I guess the lack of cattle grids in the park helped!
Tony Formosa set up his card table to display the club propaganda and attracted a lot of interest, but in the end we had to give it away as a bad joke as the rain got the better of us. So we decided to head for home, IN THE RAIN!!!!!!
Yes, I have re-polished the under side of the S, and yes, I guess I would do the same again as we had a great day despite getting wet.
John Heselwood.
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