(Vic Club) - NO FRILLS challenging run to Kinglake Nov 25

[joni]

Early start, early finish - challenging run around Kinglake. Definitely NOT a beginners run .... meet Pines Shopping Centre Carpark 6.30am for a 7am start

NO rsvp required - just show up ...

Joni

[Alf]

Bugger, I think I'll be sampling the hot mud in Rotorua at that time.

Cheers,
Alf

[RRdstr]

I'm negotiating to be there . . .

[Fatty]

continuing on with the \"MX PISTOLS\" theme from the previous run. The title of this run is apt, seeing as Al and Rodney are organising it again...

This should be great fun but i won't be able to get to this run unfortunately. . i have a wedding to attend this weekend.

[Stu]

Would love to, but don't consider myself advanced enough to keep up with the SP

[Juffa]

Another great run organised by Al, Rodney and the club. Sometimes I forget that there are some fantastic MX-5 roads within 45min of the CBD.

J

ps. see ya at the Club Christmas function next Sunday.

[fredbareoz]

Hey there

Thanks to all that made the effort to attend, it was a brilliant mornings drive even i i dare say so myself. James, that Porker is insane, horn but insane. The noise it makes when i was behind you was sex for a petrol heads ears.
Thanks again to those that make it worthwhile dragging my sorry butt out of bed at that hour of the morning.
Hope to see you all at the midnight Reefton run in January.
Al & Roady

[RRdstr]

BRILLIANT . . . was the word I had in mind too . . . well done again, Al and Rodney . . . I was going to say . . . \"nearly as good as Sunday morning sex\" . . . OOOOPS, I did . . .

[Fatty]

i spent all of sunday lying in bed watching tv after getting WAAAAAY too drunk at the wedding on saturday. spewing i missed this run

[fredbareoz]

Looks like a complaint has been made to the president....
Some people dont understand the idea of a challenging run...
Seems all we did was speed and be a general menace to society.
With me being the leader, i was target because he could not keep up.
But what wasn't taken in to consideration was that from when we left the start point to out side of Eltham we pretty much stuck to the limits. I wonder if he knows an MX5 can go around corners quickly?

[Fatty]

these runs are clearly indicated by the club to be \"challenging\" and not for the novice driver.

if that is a problem for you, why even show up to the run ?

there are plenty of \"social\" type runs on the club calender for the less adventurous mx5 owner. it would be a shame if some fuddy duddy spoilt the fun, as there is still plenty of fun to be had at safe / legal speeds for those wishing to partake in a bit more of a spirited run !

[fattima]

Please don't let this put you or the club off organising these types of runs. It is one of the things that I find great about the club. I think once the idea of what the different types of runs means gets known within the club these problems will go away.

Sorry I didn't make it on Sunday, I got up at 6 am ready to rock then realised it was about 4 hours since my last beer (big night) and was probably still over .05

[Okibi]

With my MX-5 club committee member hat on ...

You run into dangerous territory if you split groups or runs into \"spirited driving/slow\" or \"advanced/novice\". If anything were to go wrong then a lawyer could argue that you were encouraging fast and therefore potentially unsafe driving.

While we all pray this situation never arises it is a potential threat.

For this reason our club cruises do not have \"convoys\" but each member is encouraged to drive at their own safe pace to regroup points.

People who prefer to drive closer to the speed limit aren't frustrated because they're stuck in a convoy slowed down by the slowest club member. The most important thing is that no club member is pushed to drive faster than they're comfortable with. The don't feel they need to \"keep up\" to maintain a convoy.

We also made sure that every cruise has a driver briefing before hand where everyone is asked to drive within all road rules and be courteous to other drivers.

What members choose to do it up to them and they have to wear any consequences. The club has done made every effort within its power for our members to drive safely.

[pcmx5]

With my MX-5 club committee member hat on ...

t.

For this reason our club cruises do not have "convoys" but each member is encouraged to drive at their own safe pace to regroup points.

People who prefer to drive closer to the speed limit aren't frustrated because they're stuck in a convoy slowed down by the slowest club member. The most important thing is that no club member is pushed to drive faster than they're comfortable with. The don't feel they need to "keep up" to maintain a convoy.

We also made sure that every cruise has a driver briefing before hand where everyone is asked to drive within all road rules and be courteous to other drivers.

What members choose to do it up to them and they have to wear any consequences. The club has done made every effort within its power for our members to drive safely.

Couldn't agree more.I have been on MX5 convoy runs(you know the picnic Variety) and they have been SLOW but very dangerous because of the convoy rules;regrouping in dangerous spots opposite double lines, close to corners etc.In this day and age a decent set of route instructions is not hard to produce and distribute,then find your own way!!

Another group I am in runs as per OKIBI's suggestion except the regroup is the END and everyone is happy,they drive at their own speed.

Don't be discouraged Al, we need to have these sort of runs. I tried to do an all day run on the GOR/Otways a few years ago but it was considered"too long".

If we promote it ok then no-one is going to be surprised and as adults(most of the time) we can make our own decision.

I will happpily volunteer to run an on-line survey for the club to find out what type of events people want, when they want them etc.

I would have been there but am nursing 3 cracked ribs and cracked bones in each elbow after a mountain bike crash! Only discovered the elbows 3 weeks aftee the event.great medical system!!

Al's type of run fill a void between the track activities and the picnic runs and should be encouraged.

Peter

[Grumpy]

I can't tell a lie. It was me that sent the following to the president.

Murray,

I have had an MX5 as a daily driver for almost 2 years, and have entered various events, with the Mini Car Club, of which I am a member. I recently joined the MX5 club as I intend to compete in club events against other MX5's, rather than be an \"outsider\" in another club.

I'm 56 years old, and at the risk of sounding like a \"grumpy old bastard\", I felt I must share my comments.

My wife and I had the \"pleasure\" of attending a club run this morning, and must admit, we were not ready for what transpired.
We had a briefing and were handed the standard convoy rules, and being new to the club, thought this was great, and set of for what we thought would be a pleasant drive through the hills.
After 15 minutes, we found some of the rules should be deleted or altered.
1. All road rules are to be stringently followed. DELETE Substitute: All road laws to be disobeyed at every opportunity.

2. All other road users are to be extended every courtesy at all times.

3. Indicate early; ie: 30 metres before changing lane or direction.

4. The leader is not to be passed at any time. NOT SURE, COULD'NT CATCH HIM

5. No passing while you're in convoy (except as outlined in 6, below). DELETE

6. At traffic lights, use more than one lane if available to allow more of our cars to get through on each sequence.
Once through the lights, assume a position back in the convoy. You may change your position in the convoy at this time if you wish (indicate your intentions clearly to anyone you're overtaking in the convoy).



7. Keep a 2-3 second safety margin between all cars; ie: your required braking distance at 100km/h. REFER COMMENTS ITEM 4

8. This one's important for keeping the convoy together: Keep the car behind you in sight at all times; ie: don't race off and leave them behind and, when turning, wait at the intersection until the car behind you has taken your place. DELETE

9. The run organiser may use his/her discretion to break the convoy into smaller groups to enable better management of a large group of cars.

10. The run organiser will nominate at least one car to follow the convoy and ensure no-one is left behind. DELETE, Maybe it did happen. Not sure.

The constitution of the club states:
The purposes of the incorporated association (the \"Club\") are:

1. to encourage the coming together of owners and drivers (and their respective families and friends) of Mazda MX-5 automobiles (the \"Car\") by actively promoting membership of the Club to all who own and/or drive the Car;

2. to promote and further the practical, sporting and social aspects of motoring within the membership of the Club and, where necessary or desirable, to join with other persons, clubs or associations in Australia and overseas for those purposes;

3. to encourage social interaction between, and participation by, members and generally to afford to them all the usual privileges and advantages of membership of the Club; and to encourage courtesy, good driving and safety on the roads of Australia.


During the run, we found if the speed limit was 60, 75 to 80k was required just to keep other cars in sight, an 80k limit really meant 100 minimum, and 100k was, well we really don't know what it was, as we would not try to keep up. One comment was heard at the coffee stop from a driver about doing 170 outside of Healesville though.

Yes the cars are great to drive on twisty roads, and I admit I like to do it as well, but always within the posted speed limit. I save my speeding for the various sprints, hillclimbs and motorkhanas I have entered, and will enter next year.