emile Posted 9April, 2013 Report Share Posted 9April, 2013 Once upon a time the Porsche Clubs of Australia used to meet at Easter and play. After a couple of weekends away with NSW, VIC and SA in 1979 and 1980, NSW decided to mount a "proper" National Meeting based on the American model: tests of skill, tests of speed and a concours - and, of course, tests of member stamina with food and drink. I had the privilege of organising 1981 and 1988 and, I believe a good time was had by most. Unfortunately the Nationals petered out soon after that for some reason, possibly connected with the increased commercialisation and corporatisation of the "brand" which saw uniformity of image imposed from a great height. Anyway, that was a long time ago ... Emile Jansen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vas Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 Thanks, Emile. Yes, it's a shame that never worked out over the long run. Bathurst at Easter would make for a nice national meet. A four day event would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 The recession "we had to have" may be part of the reason !! Sounds like it would have been a hoot nevertheless. Cheers Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caver Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 Well....not so long ago we had a meeting of Forum members from VIC, NSW & ACT....seemed to work well and everyone who went said "lets do this again". Why don't we arrange something around Broken Hill? That's equidistant from Sydney, Melbourne & Adelaide. Bit of a hike for the Queenslanders though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 yeah, I see the PCA meetings and wonder why it couldn't work here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 rennsport is doing a bit of this but far from an informal gathering...and perhaps more about the brand than the people? the idea of meeting up would be a good one.Caver where was this last meet? On a connected issue I thought that if the Gearbox clinic can get up in the new year (2014) and as it is proposed to occur over a week the end weekend could be give over to driving and merriment.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caver Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 Michel, We met up in Canberra in early February this year. There were 6 guys from Melbourne and 4 from Sydney. Plus about 11 of the Canberra lads turned up for a big photo shoot in front of Old Parliament House. We stayed at the Mercure Hotel in Braddon. Don't see why we can't do this again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD911S Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 Why the nationals died was Porsche Australia asked the clubs to skip the 1998 or 1999 nationals because they would conflict with the 50th anniversary of Porsche The carrot was they would put money in to the clubs to restart the nationals again but it never happened A few of the other older club presidents may know, remember more Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 DOH! of course...I was there... thought by the post that there was a larger event that had occurred. it would be good to get a bit more happening and certainly alot of good roads found between canbra syd alot of good roads through bombala corryong etc we have been discussing a coast mountain trip and have the option in the off season of using a lodge up in thredbo for accommodation. would be interestting to know whether P have any carrots left to dangle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caver Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 Well, keep me posted and I'll stir things from the Sydney end. Definitely interested in anything around the Snowy Mountains, southern NSW coast etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydr Posted 10April, 2013 Report Share Posted 10April, 2013 This is a good idea although Easter weekend competes with lots of other action - like the Bathurst weekend. Lots of other marques have a National meeting, Club Lotus has theirs in Canbrrrrr in two weeks' time. It will include a concours d'elegance, track day, some fun events, some girl events for the wives and a black tie dinner with a famous speaker. Happens every 2 years in the case of Lotus and is hosted by a different region each time. Always good to catch up with each other and usually a good time is had by all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel Posted 11April, 2013 Report Share Posted 11April, 2013 Would owning a 62 '7' basket case qualify for entry... All for setting up a cross country run in Canberra we've ot about 35 early p owners in regular contact..many would be up for a run...doesnt ave to be Easter... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydr Posted 11April, 2013 Report Share Posted 11April, 2013 Would owning a 62 '7' basket case qualify for entry... Absolutely The Club Lotus guys are a great bunch, v enthusiastic and would make you and yours welcome The National get together is a hoot. Tempted to leave the Lotus and arrive in the P Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel Posted 14April, 2013 Report Share Posted 14April, 2013 SYDR let us know if you are coming along if I am about will say hi . will organise a run for any Lotus and P drivers if there is interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydr Posted 14April, 2013 Report Share Posted 14April, 2013 Details for Lotus Nationals coming up at the end of this month are here, if you are about just ask for me and say hi, (Syd) if you would like to join the club I'll be delighted to introduce you Wakefield day - see the program - is worth a visit - except for experiencing first hand the reality that a tiny plastic under 2L toy will be faster than a P-car of nearly twice the cc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emile Posted 6May, 2013 Author Report Share Posted 6May, 2013 From the sound of it, there could be an appetite for reviving the Nationals. The problem is that once upon a time it was the state clubs who hosted in rotation, now they are all in thrall to Porsche Cars Aust, what entity would or could be the host? Make no mistake, it is a huge thing to host a National Meeting: the workload alone is crippling and will become a six day a week job as the event draws near. I know, because it all but sent me broke in 1988 (literally). To make it financially viable, you have to have enough people to pay for track hire, motorkhana ground hire, concours park hire, plus all the other venues and things. The budget in 2013 dollars would probably be north of $25k, all to be recouped from attendees and sponsors - who will also have to pay hotel etc costs. I think I just talked myself out of it ... ah, well ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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