Moorabbin Motorkhana
On Sunday August 13th a warmer than usual winters morning, seven sprite club members arrived at Moorabbin Airport at 9am, for an anticipated fun filled day of Motorkhana Mayhem. When we arrived there were a few competitors doing their paper work and lining up to have their vehicles scrutineered. The crowd kept growing and growing. At the paper work check in Huntingdale Auto Club (HAC) officials were still astounded by the response to their 38th Annual Club Challenge Motorkhana. They had received entries from 80 competitors prior to the day and reluctantly took 10 entries which they placed on their standby list.
Fortunately all of the 6 Sprite Club members had been vigilant and arranged early entries. The 6 competitors (I had elected to enjoy myself as mum and eager passenger with Tom) from AHSDC were a great cross section of members. There were the old, Karen Postill and Chris Crombie who were there to fight out Granny class (class A) in their respective sprites, the new, Jason Styles who arrived in his beautiful black mini for his initiation into the wonderful world of motorkhanas to compete in class A.
Tom Gardiner represented the younger set in the Brice Racing Burgundy BMW 325e in Junior class and silently competed with the oldies. Peter Brice ( Tom offered him a drive in the Beema!) and the tenacious Owen Crombie in his yellow Leyland Marina were both in class C. It was nice to catch up with Barry Hamilton and Barb and Derek Pickard who dropped by just to have a look and see how everyone was going.
The day was a little late in starting due to the huge numbers of competitors. However, by 10.30am competition numbers had been allocated, 3 courses set up and walked by drivers, starting sequences advised and driver briefing held where it was unanimously agreed by all the 80 registered competitors to allow the 10 stand by entrants to compete.
The day ran extremely efficiently despite the large field and
everyone completed 9 runs by 4.30 pm. The HAC should be commended for their
efforts. Everything including their catering was pushed to the limits as they
calmly and confidently ran the event.
The results were not available today but will be collated and
available early next week, too late for this edition of Goblins Gazette. The
results on the day were extremely pleasing and everyone should have headed home
feeling very pleased with their efforts.
Jason drove the courses well with his brother as passenger and
every time I caught sight of them they had big grins on their faces. Kaz and
Chris were competitive in Granny Class. They even managed to finish before
anyone else on the day! Tom drove very well considering it was only his 3rd
Motorkhana. He appears to have a much better understanding of clutch and
acceleration techniques. He has the bonus of an alert young memory, and he is
not afraid to put the boot in! When Pete wasn’t having a senior moment, Tom
was only 1.5-2 seconds slower. Owen as usual drove consistently in the Marina
and should do well in Class C if not overall.
The day was great fun and reinforces what a
great entrance into club competition these events are for all ages. If you are
wondering what you can do with your car that’s a little more than driving on
the black stuff, come and join us at a Motorkhana. I can guarantee you will not
be sorry and one day you may be able to watch someone else develop the passion
through your participation and encouragement.
Photos also provided by Sue Brice. 1 The "Grannies" Chris Crombie & Karen Postill,
2. Chris at speed, 3. Tom Gardiner in the BMW and 4. Owen Crombie’s Marina at rest?