Brisbane AutoSpeed Cruise #5
Since forming the AutoSpeed car club there have been a few memorable cruises: Mt Tamborine (Cruise #3) Mt Mee via Mt Nebo (Cruise #4), and now this one. The Mt Nebo/Glorious Rd has always been a favourite road of the Brisbane cruise scene. Kevin Annfield suggested this route originally for a cruise a few months ago, so on Sunday 12th Dec, five members of the club met at Mt Cootha for a mid-morning cruise into the mountains via The Gap. We figured that a few people might miss this cruise due to the previous night of downpours and thunder; all we have to say is you missed one of the best.
For those who do not know the D'Aguilar Ranges, they have some of the best views, smoothest roads and tightest turns in Southeast Queensland. With Peter leading the way in his manual Toyota Soarer, staying behind was not a problem, until he hit a wet spot at the bottom and accidentally choked the rest of us. Chris found that too little air in the tyres causes oversteering: he only did it once. The problem was soon fixed after a stop at a service station and 20 lbs of air was added to the tyres (he drives on dirt most of the time and usually has 20lbs of air in them instead of 40). For the rest of us it was a fuel and drink stop. He took the lead from there taking us to Jolly's lookout and Mt Nebo where we met Henry Krutil and his Citroen GTI.
After a 10 minute break (read: cool down period) we were on our way to Mt Glorious, only to meet up with an old Datto 120Y that was having trouble driving up the mountain. A quick flash of the lights and the Datto pulled over, let us past and we were on our way again. Coming into Mt Glorious we slowed to take in the views and to let our engines have a bit of a rest. Crossing Into Esk Shire, we started to unwind and take things casually as this was the steep side of the mountain and any clowning would have caused trouble for us. About half way down, we came upon a Landcruiser that was having brake problems. James was having them too, as Sean later pointed out. Peter and Chris were just getting theirs warmed up (lucky bastards have metal compound pads) for the downhill run into the Esk Valley. After that, all of us had a break at Wivenhoe dam to allow the brakes to cool and to take a few pictures.
From there it was onto Fernvale for lunch at one of Australia's famous pieshops, the Fernvale Bakery. Henry left from there for the run back to Ferny Hills via Mt Glorious (he did it twice!!) while the rest of us ate pies and told jokes then went home ourselves. Thanks to all who attended.
If you are interested in a cruise or the club feel free to email: Chris Rogers - chrroger@hypermax.net.au OR show up on the day of the next cruise (check the Shootouts forum for more details).
Xsara Christmas
From Citroën PR, as befits the season, comes a pic with plenty of snow, mountains and a bright red form of transport. In this case a Citroën Xsara 4x4 rally car ice racing in the Alps!
Quickies
- Ford Racing has announced a single make kart series named the Ford Rotax Challenge. A logical extension of Ford Australia's commitment to fostering local motorsport, the series has been confirmed for an initial three years beginning in 2000. It will be operated in conjunction with leading Australian kart manufacturer, Drew Price Engineering.
- Worldwide tyre maker Michelin has announced that it is entering Formula One racing with the teams of BMW/Williams and Toyota. The announcement complements the company's outstanding record in racing activities: World Rallying, GT, Motorbike Grand Prix 500, Superbike, and Endurance.
- Ford Australia has become the first car manufacturer in Australia to require all manufacturing suppliers to achieve ISO 14001 certification.
- American entrepreneur Don Panoz believes "Adelaide's Race of a 1000 Years" scheduled for new years eve, 2000, will become one of the jewels in the crown of the American Le Mans Series which he founded this year. "The series attracts a huge following in the U.S. and that is spreading all the time," Don Panoz said. "I have walked the circuit yesterday and I believe these cars are going to put on an amazing spectacle. Until you have stood on a corner at Le Mans at night and seen the glowing brakes and flame coming out of the exhaust, it is hard to image what it is going to be like." Adelaide will host the final round of the year 2000 American Le Mans Series, a new unique championship which captures the mystique, the spectacle, the speed and the passion of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Holden has extended its range of specially tailored iD Series body kits and styling options to include the popular Astra five-door compact. Customers can now individualise their new Astra with a well-integrated iD Series package, highlighted by a sporty rear spoiler, bold new front bumper treatment, body coloured side skirts, rear bumper skirt, chrome exhaust, striking 16x 6-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels and 205/55 tyres.
