April 28-29 saw the running again of this event. Jeff Whitten and his team entertained the masses for the weekend around North East Victoria. The event remains a primarily navigational event with a few motorkhanas thrown in to remind at least half the competitors we do have a use. For Peter Jacobs and myself the weekend started on Friday evening in Wangaratta enjoying a wonderful Brown Bros. Graciano 1997. The meal was OK as well. Off to the motel, (included in the entry) car off trailer, time to rest.

7am Saturday. Have you ever heard an Alfa with fouled plugs in a motel courtyard on a cold still morning? Judging by one guest at the motel, he hadn’t either. Even I heard words I’d never heard before. By the time we got to the briefing it had cleared.

45 cars started the event with a vast array of cars from a Chev Impala to 2 VWs’ 2 Alfa Berlinas’, Lancer Evo 6, Porsches’ BMWs’, all in all a great variety. The navigation on this event is not easy, and the times are tight, but judging by the entry, there obviously is a demand for events to test the real navigator. And there are obviously some very good navigators.

A total of 16 Sections, 9 on Saturday, 7 on Sunday were sent to test us. The roads are delightful in this area, and with numerous realignments especially around the Hume Freeway, there was never a dull moment.

Ken Harper/Nick Wright won the event, in the trusty Mustang, Beb Fox/Jenny Cole, Alfa Berlina equal second with Rob Knight/Pam Knight in a Subaru Liberty. Six cars competed in the touring section which was fully route charted. Jason Ingram/Terry Ingram won that section in an Escort Twin Cam. If you want to know where we came in the field, ask somebody else. Although we did very well on one motorkhana.

An event I would highly recommend if you enjoy the challenge of navigation. Very well run, we will be back next year.

Philip Meiklejohn