NatMeet 2012 - Canberra ACT

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon May 30, 2011 10:09 am

We went that way going back from NatMeet 2010. The road through Trunkey Ck, Crookwell, Gunning and Gundaroo looks different. What's it like?

MX5-SP · Postby **MX5-SP** » Mon May 30, 2011 11:50 am

Davex3 wrote:
JBT wrote:Okay Andrew, looking forward to it.

I'm thinking the less travelled route via Warwick, Texas, Warialda and Lake Keepit to Gunnedah on day one and then Mudgee, Bathurst and Crookwell to Canberra on day two. I'll work on it.

I'm totally coming along with you olds, route sounds awesome so far!

Suggested Route

(Added Dubbo to get the correctish route?)

I did a similar route coming back (solo) from Canberra about 5 years ago, except I picked up the New England Highway at Tamworth, where I overnighted. From (my fading) memory the roads were pretty quiet and devoid of trucks for the most part. But that was 5-years ago.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon May 30, 2011 12:37 pm

Davex3 wrote:...(Added Dubbo to get the correctish route?)

Nope, you need to read my post again. I carefully avoided Dubbo by going via Mudgee and Bathurst. Getting to Mudgee via Coolah. See here: http://tiny.cc/rvfbx

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Mon May 30, 2011 3:17 pm

JBT wrote:We went that way going back from NatMeet 2010. The road through Trunkey Ck, Crookwell, Gunning and Gundaroo looks different. What's it like?

Some sections between Bathurst and Crookwell are really nice but there are almost as many sections that are either still dirt or really dodgy tarmac. Would not recommend.
Crookwell - Gunning - Gundaroo - The Federal is nothing to write home about. It's in good condition but isn't particularly exciting.

The main road from Bathurst to Canberra would be through Corwa - Boorowa - Yass (bypass). I did that route only a month or so ago and there were a fair few sections of roadworks. The rest of the road is in decent condition, but again, it isn't anything special.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon May 30, 2011 4:26 pm

That's a pity about the Bathurst-Crookwell leg Jeo. Bathurst-Cowra-Yass was boring the last time I drove it...about 35 years ago and I imagine nothing much has changed in the meantime.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Mon May 30, 2011 7:38 pm

Don't panic about the Bathurst-Trunkey-Crookwell option. Joe's suggestion of Bathurst-Oberon-Taralga-Goulburn is an awesome drive and virtually the same distance. The road is fully sealed, features some lovely flowing roads and a few nice twisty sections too. We did this as part of the MX500 last year.
viewtopic.php?f=63&t=43006

Postby **Okibi** » Mon May 30, 2011 7:51 pm

Make sure you chat to previous Natmeet entrants as it's pretty cliquey, if you want to compete or your club wants you to compete for points there's lots of little things you need to know like bringing your car's log book and OEM tool kit for concourse.

Also it seems that some clubs persist with the dangerous practise of "convoy rules", so please be careful around those drivers.

MINX · Postby **MINX** » Mon May 30, 2011 8:17 pm

Also it seems that some clubs persist with the dangerous practise of "convoy rules", so please be careful around those drivers.

Bit OT, but can you elaborate on this comment?

Stu

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Mon May 30, 2011 8:36 pm

MINX wrote:
Also it seems that some clubs persist with the dangerous practise of "convoy rules", so please be careful around those drivers.

Bit OT, but can you elaborate on this comment?

Stu

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon May 30, 2011 8:38 pm

Guran wrote:Don't panic about the Bathurst-Trunkey-Crookwell option. Joe's suggestion of Bathurst-Oberon-Taralga-Goulburn is an awesome drive and virtually the same distance.

I'm not panicking about anything. We drove that Bathurst-Goulburn route last year going northwards. It was pretty good but I was hoping for something different and interesting next year.

Okibi wrote:...there's lots of little things you need to know like bringing your car's log book and OEM tool kit for concourse.

All standard concours d'elegance stuff that's been around forever. The guidelines will be published in due course according to the website http://www.mx5.com.au/Natmeet2012/Program.htm

Postby **Okibi** » Mon May 30, 2011 10:11 pm

1red5 wrote:Bit OT, but can you elaborate on this comment?

Stu

http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=47320

Postby **Okibi** » Mon May 30, 2011 10:26 pm

JBT wrote:All standard concours d'elegance stuff that's been around forever. The guidelines will be published in due course according to the website...

It's assumptions like this that end up souring Natmeet.

An MX-5 club is more about enthusiasts than concourses, it's not obvious to our club members who consistently vote they'd rather a "show n shine" than a concourse, it's something that people attending need to be aware of, I only knew about it for the Victorian Natmeet because another club member had missed out on winning their category at the Queensland event for that very reason.

It makes sense to publish everything before the event, this is something that has involved a lot of discussion amongst the state Presidents, it means you can assess if you want to attend the event and don't end up feeling like you've been roshambo'd when you turn up to find the rules have changed.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Mon May 30, 2011 10:52 pm

Yeah, I just realised initial deposits are due in two days and the costs involved really have sunk in. Best of luck to all involved, hopefully I'll meet some of you out of towners while spectating.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon May 30, 2011 11:17 pm

It's assumptions like this that end up souring Natmeet.

Only if you want it to. I would have thought any car enthusiast would know what's required to prepare for such an event or would take the trouble to enquire in advance if there was any doubt. Did you roll up to your first track event without being prepared?

Concours d'Elegance has been around before the MX-5 was even dreamed about. The aim of a concours event is for the displayed car to be as complete (with all the accessories, books and tools) and sparkling everywhere inside and outside as the day it left the showroom. It's a show and shine plus.