Darling Harbour was another recent high water mark on the CAVOA calendar. The show was a big success with plenty of cars on display. The PT Cruiser club was out in force and it was good to see them in numbers. Daimler Chrysler supplied a 300c for the day and I believed it opened the minds of “Joe Public” as they realized that this car was not priced as high as its distinguished shape may have had you thinking. And it is not something you could mistake for a Camry or such!  Thank you to Daimler Chrysler for your continued support and to all the other sponsors who help support the day and ultimately the Barnardos Children’s Charity.

            The drag day has come and gone and was another huge success. Firstly a big pat on the back to Ray Jnr who after much adversity was able to get SHY225 into the 12’s and show most of us the way home. Nice tail lights mate and well done! Also there were a couple of newbie’s on the day. Fletch found out how hard the sport can be and was seen sporting beachwear complete with towel in Camp CAVOA. Well done and regardless of what you ran it was good to see you have a go and enjoying yourself. It is very easy for absolutely anyone to sit on the side lines and criticise, until you have a go. Well done in having confidence in your car and then driving back home to the Southern Highlands. The champion of the day for me was John Stavic in his E48. Sporting a healthy new engine I watched him on his maiden pass of 17 seconds. Don’t laugh. At the end of the day he was running consistently low 13 seconds passes with a PB of 13.2. At the end of the day he was doing numerous passes back to back and was defiantly the last man standing. He somehow was immune to the heat that seemed to be afflicting the rest of us!  Joe Anzini saw us have a mini club meeting on the return road as the unlucky Centura didn’t appreciate the slicks Joe had fitted for his maiden pass. As those who watched the DVD witnessed Joe and his loss of traction last year, Joe was back on a mission. Unfortunately the rear uni called it quits and put Joe out for the rest of the day. Hard luck buddy. Also Nik’s fan belt could not stand the heat and tried to leave the kitchen. George in the mighty Challenger split the engine mount and was also an early spectator. Hugh was having a go in a real car at last and was giving the VG what-for. I was horrified by the axle tramp but jubilant to see the mild 265 see off a stock 289 mustang. Some people who shall remain nameless tried different sorts of motion potion, to no avail! (Yes dear, I know – I told you so! But what great paint-stripper!) A big thanks to all who participated on the day and made it a success. Thanks to those who also put the big effort in to travel fair distances to make the day. I believe another day is being scheduled for June next year but this needs to be confirmed as this goes to print.

            Also don’t forget the 7th of May is the Mopar Dyno day.

            Congratulations to Michael, Rachel and Paul Gionfriddio on the birth of Alexander Hayden. Also Michael recently had a good write up, in the Victorian Charger Club magazine, of how he had first experienced Chrysler products and it was certainly a colourful read.

            That’s enough from me for now. I look forward to having a glass of your favorite poison with you all at Albury.

Till next time safe motoring,

Gerry