A9X Tasmania Nationals Oct 2006

Preliminary report: by Mike Smith

More Added Feb 07

What a trip it was, it was my first time on the ferry from Melbourne to Devonport so there was some nervousness and anticipation because the queue to board was slow and I was concerned that my car would overheat but luck was on my side and I travelled reasonably quickly in to the Ferry. It was huge inside very impressive.

I gathered up my bags and had a quick look around the ship, found my seat and unloaded. I then checked out the ship, Bars, Restaurants, Bistro Movie Deck it has the works. Soon after I went down to see if I knew any faces (at this stage I had only met a few people in the club) and was pleased to see Wayne and his family, Mike and Caroline, Chris and Kylie, Mike and Anna and family all sitting at a table in the restaurant so I was invited to join in and we finally all met each other over a great meal and chatted until about 10.00pm. I was pretty tired and went up to catch some sleep of sorts (not rapt in sitting up to sleep)

We arrived in Devonport about 7.00am and were off the ship about 7.30am and after everyone was together parked just outside the ferry yard and pushed in a welcome Breakfast while waiting for our escort.

From Devonport we travelled to Longford via a short stop at Deloraine and then Lunch in the Historic Longford Pub which is full of racing memorabilia from the races that were held there in the 1960's, the pub was on the last corner leading on to the main straight.

From Longford we travelled to Launceston to our accommodation, some at the Riverside Motel and some to Glen Donnellan's.
Glen put on a welcoming BBQ that night.

On Thursday we all travelled to Hobart in what was later to become extremely windy weather that fanned big fires in and around Hobart. We arrived at Bellrive Yacht club had a few drinks then, due to the fires, the power went off and the local traffic went in to gridlock, so we all put on a brave face and continued to enjoy drinks at the Bellerive Yacht club and wait out the fires and the traffic.

On Friday we all went to Cadbury's for a factory tour. After an introduction and safety meeting we were all required to put on hair nets, what a sight we were! Sorry Darryl.

 The A9X Nationals on the Lawns of Parliament House.

After the show we went to Joe's Garage to check out the memorabilia

On Sunday it was  off to the Shannons Kangaroo Bay car  expo.

then later on that night a cruise of  Hobart Harbour with dinner and the guest speaker was Garth Wigston.

And on Monday it was off to Baskerville Raceway, the last track the A9X raced on before the Commodore took over.

I unfortunately broke my input shaft at this event and would like to personally thank Wayne, Leigh and David for their assistance with attempts to help fix, find parts and just help, thanks to Wayne who towed my car from Hobart to Devonport so I could make the Ferry.

Cheers from Mike.