The RACQ is involved with eight car rallies to be held in Queensland in 2012. The sponsorship of these events highlights RACQ’s continuing support of the motoring community.
By Cameron McPherson
The RACQ is involved with eight car rallies to be held in Queensland in 2012. The sponsorship of these events highlights RACQ’s continuing support of the motoring community.
Australia Day Rally
It all kicks off on January 26 with the Redland City Australia Day Rally. Over 550 classic and vintage cars will gather at Ormiston State School from 7am. At 10:30 the vehicles will depart on one of three different driving tours throughout the Redland area, before meeting up for lunch at the Alexandra Hills Hotel.
The vehicles will again be on display in the hotel’s car park and there will be raffles held to raise money for charity with the hope of topping the $2000 they raised last year. Members of the public are encouraged to attend, admire the cars and chat with the owners. For more information, click here.
Cadillac tour
Next up is the Cadillac LaSalle Club of Australia’s National Tour, held in Toowoomba from March 8-12. A whole range of unique and classic Cadillacs, including some international vehicles from the USA are expected to attend.
The tour will involve members travelling the area, enjoying the roads and scenery of the Great Dividing Range, exploring the various museums, wineries and unique shops on offer, as well as a visit to the Museum of Army Flying at Oakey. For more information and contact details, visit cadillaclasalleclub.org.
Life of Riley
Just a few weeks later Toowoomba is again treated to a great classic car experience as it hosts the 2012 National Riley Rally, which runs from March 23-25.
Over 100 vehicles are expected to attend, with some from as far away as Western Australia, and Riley enthusiasts from the UK and New Zealand also making the trip.
Rileys are a unique classic British car, the first of which was built in 1899, which have now gained a strong following in Australia among restorers and classic car enthusiasts.
The rally is focused on the social side of things, granting owners the opportunity to get together, admire one another’s cars and share their passions.
Model As
The 22nd National Model A Ford Club National Rally will this year be held in Ipswich from March 26-31. Held once every two years, the event is expecting 150-200 vehicles to attend, as well as international entrants from the USA and New Zealand. The Model A Ford is a very interesting car. Production began in 1927 as the successor to the classic Model T.
Its 200.5 cubic inch (3.3 litre) four-cylinder engine propels the Model A to a brisk top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h). With over 4 million Model A’s built, and thousands still on the road today, the Model A Ford has been described as ‘The world’s most popular collector car.’ During the tour the vehicles will travel the roads around Ipswich, taking in the beautiful scenery the region has to offer. For the public there will be various displays and information workshops. More information on the event is available here.
Austin Healey rally
April will see the Sunshine Coast swarmed by some of the more aesthetically pleasing classic cars as it hosts the 2012 Austin Healey Nationally Rally on the weekend of April 6-9. Anyone seeking more information, or to register for the event can visit austinhealeyqld.com.au
Bundaberg 4WDs
In 2012 RACQ is also sponsoring the 32nd Annual 4WD Queensland Corroboree, hosted by Bundaberg 4WD Club Inc. and held at Mount Perry on the May Day weekend (May 4-7). Members will participate in both scenic and more challenging drives while visiting local attractions such as National Parks and wineries. Visit bundaberg4wdclub.com for more information.
Historic Motoring Council Rally
The June long weekend (June 11-13) will see Maryborough bust into life as it plays host to several events, notably the 2012 Historic Motoring Council Rally. The rally, which has been supported by the RACQ since 2008, is expecting between 100 and 150 vehicle entries, most of which date back to the early 20th Century.
Maryborough will be bursting with activities that weekend, with the Queensland Brass Band Championships and the annual ‘Pubfest’ both taking place alongside the rally. The vehicles will be on display at various times over the weekend, with the public encouraged to view and admire the cars that make up our motoring heritage.
A key part of the rally will be the vehicles touring the roads and surrounding regions.
“Antique cars are not museum pieces to look at in a static museum, but live pieces of machinery that were built to be driven,” Rally co-ordinator Ken Ashford said.
With all that is happening in Maryborough this weekend it is definitely worth making the trip to admire some of the classic cars from yesteryear and partake in the other activities on offer. Visit qhmc.org.au for more information and contact details.
National Veterans
To cap off the year is the National Veteran Tour, a week-long tour organised by the Veteran Car Club of Australia. Held in Ipswich from September 12-19, over 150 vehicles from Australia and New Zealand have already signed up to appear.
‘Veteran’ cars are those which were built before 1919, meaning that many of the vehicles in attendance are over 100 years old. Each day the participants will travel the scenic roads around Ipswich, before returning at night for a bite to eat and ‘social activities.’
Other activities include a visit to Amberley Air Force base and a trip to Willowbank Raceway where the cars will participate in the aptly-named ‘slowest drag race in history.’
For the public there will be a ‘Gas Light Tour’ after sunset on Thursday the 13th, where the cars will light up their carbide head lamps and kerosene side lamps and tour the streets. Those wishing to find more information or contact details can click here.
