Meeting place - Hungry Jacks, Glynburn Road, Firle. As per usual there were the odd late runner, but by the time the run started at 9:00am, there were from memory about 10-15 corvettes of various models, plus about 4 other makes. Being in a Prado, I opted to be "Tail end Charlie". After making our way along a couple of back streets, we made out way up Magill Road, and onto Old Norton Summit Road. From there we wound our way along some wonderful windy road, which gave the Corvettes a great chance to test out their handling and the skill of the driver's. Of course, it also saw how good the drivers of the non-corvettes were at keeping up with the corvettes. Because of an elderly couple in a small white vehicle being out for a Sunday drive, a member in a Falcon and I were held up for quite a while. They FINALLY turned off and it didn't take long for us to catch up with the rest of the group. Shortly after, the windy roads took it's first casualty, a female passenger in a black C3 was overcome with motion sickness. Peter in his Falcon and I again stopped to assist but were not required, they stated they would catch up later. We again raced off to catch up. Upon arriving in Meadows, the first planned rest stop, we couldn't see the rest of the group, so thinking they had already left, we headed for Myponga, unbeknown to us, that put us ahead of the main group.
That also meant we missed the next major event. Apparently two white C4's had a coming together at the junction of Meadows Road and Victor Harbour Road, where one C4 kissed the ass of the other after failing to stop in time. This resulting in the first being taken away on a flatbed tow truck with a broken wishbone, its passengers riding the rest of the way in a noisy Commodore. The other, with a little help from a lot of duct tape was able to continue. The 3 of us in Meadows took a short time out to explore the local market (very interesting place, lots of old-style bric-a-brac, books and clothing) before heading up to the Myponga Dam look-out to wait for the main group. Eventually they did a U-turn in the carpark and continued, driving over the dam wall, and onwards to Victor. A few kilometres down the road another black C4 pulled over, followed again by the Falcon and me. We again left them to wait for their son to arrive with a new fan belt. The Falcon and I again played catch-up, missed a turn-off in the process which turned out to our advantage in the end. We travelled a few kilometres of metal road {which I thought the Corvettes would NOT have travelled), we were approached a T junction only to see the Corvettes pass in front of us. This allowed us to join the tail of the procession for the rest of the journey to McCracken's Resort for lunch.
Lunch at McCracken Resort was wonderful, I heard only rave reviews. The black C4, new fan belt fitted arrived while the rest of us were already tucking into our meals, so they were also able to enjoy the food. AJ finishing the afternoon off with a birthday present for a lovely lady, and a couple of quiz questions about the Myponga Dam, bottles of wine the prizes for the lucky winners.
Not to be outdone, the Z06 ran out of clutch, and had to be flat bedded home as well after lunch.
I have now been on several day runs with the Club but cannot remember such a large attrition rate ever before. Apart from that I'm sure everyone had a good time.
Write up by Sean
Well, what an eventful day this middle of winter club cruise was. Normally a cruise on a rainy mid winters day only brings out the hardiest of souls.
I'm not sure if it was AJ's majestic organizing or the promise of a free lunch, but they turned out in their droves for this one. There was about 15 Vettes and a gaggle of daily drivers as the caravan weaved its way out of Hungry Jacks and into the foothills.
After a sprint through the hills, first stop was Meadows where we picked up more freel, sorry, enthusiastic club members. Time to start heading towards Victor after a dam visit.
As the mob got to Victor Harbor road intersection at the top of Willunga Hill the question of who would win a fight between a C4 and a C5 was finally answered. It appears that a C4 is the toughest.
It took some time and a tow truck to sort out the situation whilst the remainder of the crew headed out to the dam for some pics.
Now its time for the lunch time destination of McCracken Country Club Bistro in Victor. As Jack the C6 rolls into the carpark (with Kirsty at the helm) the clutch pedal goes bang to the floor and stays there. The dreaded clutch master cylinder recall strikes, except this car missed the recall.
Anyway over 40 club members enjoyed an enjoyable meal at the expense of the club. It was Kirsty's birthday and she was presented with a pair of baby Jacks by AJ, and then a surprise birthday cake. I missed the cake coz I was outside waiting for the RAA, who were going to be there "very soon".
As was noted later, never a dull moment when the Corvette Club get together.
Sean.