[Donunder]

Now now boys……

I attend the Nationals purely as a spectator. I’ve always loved Cobras but for some reason, probably my frame being too large and my bank balance too small, I’ve never owned one although my son has owned two RMCs. So if I may be permitted my .02 cents worth….

For many years I owned a variety of Austin Healeys. I lost interest in them, or perhaps the local club, because of the “originality” mentality. Any track work was frowned upon especially if it meant upgrading performance specs, improving braking, ditching those fragile wire wheels, installing roll bars etc.

The arrival of the Cobra was like a dream come true. A muscle-bound Healey shape, a V8, made for racing---everything the Healey should have evolved into before it was killed off by US safety legislation. I used to buy the UK car mags purely to read Rod Leach’s Nostalgia ads and lust over the Cobras listed there.

Today, although sadly still not a Cobra owner, I derive huge pleasure from watching the modern day Cobras on the track, and of course seeing the Queensland guys take out more than their fair share of the goodies at the Nationals! We’ve moved on from the wild West Wyalong days but I wonder if now we’re spending too much time on the support events, the hill climb and the go to whoa. Should these now be consigned to the old car club days along with the spear a spud and blindfold gymkhana events, or at least reduce the time available for them?

Again, I’m only a spectator, so I don’t have the financial and emotional commitment of the competitors, and additionally let me say that I fully appreciate and understand the huge amount of planning that goes into organising a programme for the Nationals that will appeal to the majority of entrants and others attending. However if I had built a car that was track or performance biased and had taken a week off work to travel to Goulburn, I’d rather forego the hill climb in return for being assured of more than a handful of sprint laps to justify my efforts in attending the event.

From a non-competitor’s point of view, I applaud the idea of the “Cruise” this year, but it’s on the same day as the sprints, the highlight of the meeting! Not that I’d go on the cruise, for me the on-track stuff is why I come to the Nats, but I walk around the pits and take the opportunity to examine and admire the many beautiful cars when the non-sprint events are on I must admit.

It seems likely that the Nationals’ most exciting car, the Walther Wakefield weapon will not be there this year. Could this be because of the limited track time? I haven’t spoken to Gary so I don’t know. I realise it’s a delicate balancing act but has the time now come to cut some of the froth and bubble stuff and give some of the big boys, some of the track-specific machinery, more exposure? Again, from a spectator’s viewpoint, I know darn well what I’d rather watch!

OK so having said all that, I’ll be there again this year--wouldn’t miss it! It’s a terrific opportunity to get away from the everyday, and meet up with like-minded enthusiasts.
I hope the organisers don’t take this as undeserved criticism of their sterling efforts, it’s most definitely not meant that way. It’s maybe just a little something to mull over for the coming years.