Well, here we are into the last quarter of 2022 – who’d a thunk it? Where has the year gone so far?

It’s certainly been a bit up and down, both weather-wise (and sadly I gather we are heading into the third La Nina cycle) and emotionally. We have lost some close friends, and had our share of disappointments, but also some highs.

On which subject, the crew currently galavanting around Tasmania appear to be having an absolute ball, with fantastic roads, loads to stop and see, and by all accounts some great food and lots of drink being consumed. And all with the sun shining on them.

And of course we’ve actually managed to string together the bulk of the CSCA series, although the closing (possibly permanently) of Wakefield Park would be a terrible shame. If you haven’t signed the petition online, and would like to see Wakefield re-open, please lend your voice to the conversation. It is a complicated situation, and probably not that easy to recover from what has been said in the past, but we can but hope that good sense can prevail and we can go back to enjoying the weekends in Goulburn.

In the meantime, Motorsport Australia has re-categorised the Pheasants Wood circuit resulting in the track densities being increased, so potentially this will allow for slightly larger fields and more frequent meets there, which may help alleviate the loss of Wakefield if our hopes don’t eventuate.

While we had the very successful Shannons Classic in fine weather, and with a very strong showing across the board, we weren’t able to hold the All British Day at Kings School. So, we are busy planning for a get together over the Christmas season to try to compensate a little for the lack of social events outside our Tyre Kicks, which have, it must be said, continued with enthusiasm.

If you fancy a proper Christmas gathering (and can face joining us for the AGM), please join us on Saturday 10th at the Hydro Majestic – tickets available through the Member Jungle app or through this booking link.

Just in case you haven’t already booked in for the Elan’s 60th birthday weekend in the Hunter, details for this are also on the website, including the gala dinner booking – get in fast as there’s a lot of interest!

Looking slightly further out, we are also getting our skates on for a celebratory weekend in recognition of our 50th Anniversary in June 2023; pencil it into the diary (the weekend of Friday 23rd-Sunday 25th June) and we’ll start getting some details circulated shortly.

And right now, I need to get a bit of focus on the imminent Perth to Sydney Marathon rally, leaving from Perth on 28th October and arriving into Warwick Farm (just like the original London-Sydney Marathon which this is replicating the last leg of) on Sunday 6th November. There is parking for car clubs near the finish, and I would be very grateful for any support at the finish line if you fancy a drive down!

On the previous day (Saturday 5th) we will be in Cooma, coincidentally at the same time as the Motorfest which I gather we are participating in. So if you fancy joining us down in Cooma, that would also be lovely. The car is almost ready to go on the transporter on Friday (it was supposed to be going by boat, but shipping is all thrown up in the air currently) and having spent some time in her over the weekend, I am quietly hopeful we have solved all the issues Gidget had when she returned from Paris. Wish me luck!

With that, I need to get this over to Tom, so to all those reading this from the Tour of Tassie, I’m not really jealous at all!

Take care, stay safe, and keep it mostly on the blackstuff.

Pip pip,
Ashton