I thought I'd give everyone an update with this. Hymee, Jambos and myself met a couple of weeks ago to discuss the prospect of having the 2008 Nationals at Morgan Park in Queensland.

We decided to do some preliminary research before contacting other members and moving forward on the option.

I contacted Bill from Morgan Park who said he was not in a position to commit any dates for us, and they needed to fine tune their own calendar with other championships before making any committments. He said to ring back after their meeting to find out the dates on offer.

I rung them back after their meeting and was told we would still have to wait for other clubs to get back to him on their championship events. It would only be then that he would be in a position to tell us whats on offer. (I suspect one of the dates will be the Bathurst weekend in 2008.)

Since then we've also contacted Lakeside. Whilst they have some more hoops to jump through, they are heading in the right direction to re-open sometime in 2008.

Once we secure a date we're going to need every bit of help to start ramping this up. We've contacted Ltd and skc to jump on board, and we would be very happy to hear from others who would like to put their hand up as well.

Please don't hesitate to contact Hymee, Jambos or myself if you can be part of the organising committee.

I'll post up as soon as I know more....

 

Hi all
Er Lakeside ain't real user-friendly from a run off/safety point of view,re the capability/experience of most of the people that attend the Nats...
Whilst it's an interesting track,I think it may be a bit too interesting for the majority of entrants.
Cheers
Len

 

And it's about an extra 160+kilometres further north...

 

You can breath easy Macca. Unless Morgan Park falls over...(which it shouldn't) we are still aiming to go there.

The Lakeside inquiries are part of our consideration of other options, and latest information suggests it's a bit further away from re-opening than we first thought. The publicity officer from Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts, Inc. is keeping us up to date with the future of the track.

Back to Morgan Park....when we firm up a date we intend to do a 'wreckie' to Warwick and talk to the key players face to face. We also intend on having a look at the track, accomodation, eateries etc, so if anyone who wants to form part of the organising committee wants to tag along, you will be more than welcome.

Theres a lot more planning still to be done, and with a bit of luck we'll be able to nail down a date soon and start working forward...

 

All good, Trevor. Bill sounds like he's more willing to cater for those less organised than you are , so perhaps you might subtley point that out to him next time you speak. It is unfortunately the case that we probably need to lock a date in sooner rather than later to get the necessary level of commitment from people.

 

Wow sarge, it looks like youre going all out! Any chance of a HWP motorcade or anything of the sorts? You can also get the boys to set up shop just outside the Morgan Park entry to defect cars of the way in and out just like they do in VIC and NSW!

 

You've read it well Timbo. I reinforced the message (subtly) last night that I was posting our progress with Morgan Park on the internet....and our interstaters were very keen to learn of a date etc. and he then remembered Andrews conversation early in the piece. It was like someone turned the light on....

Don (Ltd) has made contact and is ready willing and able, and we're just waiting to hear back from skc.

When we nail this thing down....things will be a lot clearer to everyone and we'll start ramping up on this.....

 

Looks to me like Morgan Park is run by a club...and they are dealing with a lot of other clubs...all good, honest well-intentioned folk, but as we know, to make a decision means holding a meeting which means getting the committee together,......, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

 

Having missed this years Nationals, there's no way I want to miss next years So depending on the dates I am more than happy to drive to Qld.

Look forward to hearing more.

Cheers

 

Any developments?

 

What is going on? I have found my tow truck...!

 

Everyone...I'm afraid I don't have any good news (yet).

Since day 1 of pulling this gig together, the organisers from Morgan Park said they were having a meeting tonight, and I've just rung the main organiser to find out how the meeting went and if there were any developments.

I was told the meeting was postponed to next Wednesday night, where they'll then sort out the local and other race calendars. I was told they are in no position to provide any dates or time frame at all.

I was then told he was taking two weeks leave after the meeting, and not to call back until the third week in November. He said we might know something by then.

Whilst I appreciate we all might not be happy with the progress, I can assure you I have pulled out all stops to get an idea of a rough time frame to work towards, but unfortunatley can't get a committment. (He's aware of the sponsorship factor, people from interstate needing to know asap etc)

I've booked the beginning of the third week in November to ring him and try and get a firm date for us to work towards.

I'm also making sure I progress the negotiations one step at a time without pissing off the organisers...and whilst our patience is being tested here...it is the key on moving forward on this.

 

Thanks for the update Trev.

Let us know how you go later in the month...

 

(groan!) Trevor...you poor bugger....they really are a club....dealing with other clubs and all the efficiency that involves (not).

Thanks for your persistence...and your need for continuing persistence. It WILL all come together

 

Trevor, dont stress to much mate, this is why you started early. If nothing went wrong we would think you were using some unfair advantages

 

Good point Andrew! Whilst we have a timing set back...all that means is that we just have to wait a bit longer - and as Hymee pointed out we still have heaps of time and our planning time frames just have to be tightened up a lttle bit.

Timbo - you're right. Warwick Farm is a club run by other clubs, and it sounds like they are being dictated to. He also said the meeting this Wednesday night was being held in Brisbane and it going until midnight, so he is probably under the pump and in need of a break after that.

And thanks also Kall and Dave.I'm confident things will be fine when I make contact back with him. I've penciled in 19/11/07 as the next appointment date....

 

They're long gone Kal...the Seniors card is the way to get discounts and special services these days!

 

Hey Kal, By the time you become a senior they will have found a way to take them away from you (LOL)

 

Youve done a top job so far sarge and were all really appreciating it!

cant wait for a solid date! it gives us somehting to really look forward to!

 

I agree, good work Trev!

 

I think we're getting closer.

As agreed, I rung to find out if they had some dates for next years Nats...and was told they were still waiting on the Cairns club to get back to them. (This was the reason for the delay in the first place)

I was a bit more to the point and said a lot of people were getting anxious on a date, and I needed to know something sooner than later. I was told to ring again tomorrow night and he should have answer.

Fingers crossed I'll be able to post one or more options tomorrow night....