Spyder Automobiles Weblog

Point Lonsdale for the Weekend

Spyder Automobiles — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:12:25 +0000

We went to Point Lonsdale for the week end and stayed with my Aunt Beth.
As has been the case with her for as long as I can remember nothing was too much trouble. It was a great opportunity to catch up with my cousins Sue and Margie along with some of their families.
We had a very relaxing time going sight seeing, the boys went Fishing with Sue’s Husband Roger and caught dinner. Sunday afternoon we went into Queenscliff and met some friends who were also down for the week end. Michelle and Duane have a house there and were able to spend an hour or so with us which was alot of fun, Tom, Charlotte and Billy by that stage were in fine form and throwing one liners in every direction for about 1/2 an hour solid!
By this stage they were ready for the beach so we went off so they could paddle, body board or what ever it was late in the day so it was great for photos.
Tom spent some of the time building up ‘L’ plate hours and did a good job of it.
Saturday and Sunday nights were spent at Point Lonsdale and Monday night at friends in Werribee.
Monday night was another fun night of each of them telling stories to Don and Caroline and generally full of good conversation. Tuesday we went home via Costco doing a big stock up and filled the ute. As usual it was good to be home again!

Billy Mustangs and GoKarts

Spyder Automobiles — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:06:06 +0000

Billy and I took Charlotte and some friends to Chadstone for some shopping today. While they were there we left them to a day of shopping bliss.
Billy and I had some jobs to do and when they were done we took a detour past a Mustang Shelby GT500E on the way to an indoor GoKart centre.
Billy being a huge mustang fan had to stop, have a look and take some photos.
Well Billy has not spent very much time in GoKarts at all in fact probably 2 maybe 3 times before today. He was able to spend some time watching and studying some people before we had our turn. I was able to talk him around the track he obviously listened and studied well! At the end of his 25 laps there was only about 2 seconds between our best times and he was quite consistant (check the result sheet). Just goes to prove it is in the genes. I had just done my best times at this centre which is about .5 second behind Tom.

Christmas Day 2011

Spyder Automobiles — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:00:48 +0000

Well this was our first Christmas without Lisa.
We all had our moments especially the kids. We were very supportive of each other, this is something that has got us all through the past 2 months!
We spent Christmas day as always with Lisa’s cousins. This year we went to Richard and Sally’s house.
A very special part of this year was that Alice, Peter, David and Pauline all came down from Queensland. They normally don’t make the trip so it really was special, as Alice is 98 and fighting fit! She is just fantasic for her age and looks no more than a very fit 80!
As usual the kids had a ball with their cousins playing cricket, trampolining and swimming.
Of course their was also the rest of the family we normally only see at Christmas and Easter in the main so it is always a day to remember!

Billy’s Primary School Graduation

Spyder Automobiles — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:47:46 +0000

Well Billy has finally completed his primary school years this week. It’s a great shame Lisa just missed out on seeing his graduation from primary school.
He spent these years at 3 primary schools, Black Rock, St Pauls, and Warragul North. At each of these schools he had been lucky enough to have some fabulous teachers, and has had the opportunity to be in some sensational activities. Next year he will be going to Trafalgar High with Charlotte. They will catch the train together which will be a new experience amongst many for him! This will be the beginning of a new era in his life’s path
Good luck with it Billy you can handle it just concentrate and apply yourself!!

What a Sunday

Spyder Automobiles — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:41:17 +0000

Well Billy and I started the day off at Breakfast club until 10.30. The numbers were down on the last months gathering as the weather was wet and miserable. After Breakfast Club it was off home to pick Charlotte up, and take her to work, she started working at Jinks creek winery as a waitress. Billy and I then continued to Gembrook for lunch with Lyn Rockman, who was one of Lisa’s bridesmaids. we took direction from Aby and ended up doing a tour of the Bunyip State Forest and had to get directions from some helpful trail bike riders!
Lunch was great we all had a good time with many laughs and fond memeories. Billy had a ball hearding cattle and getting them up to the holding yard so they could be loaded to go to another farm.
At 5.00p.m. we left to pick up Charlotte and then make our way down to Janette and Jeremy’s in Mont Albert for dinner another great time with many good memories and great company! It was a veery full day covering approximately 350 km over a variety of roads from highways to firetracks and good smooth dirt roads. By the time we returned home it was after 11.00 p.m. Billy and I had, had a day full of adventure and fun! With Charlotte working most Sundays now this will be the first of many I am sure!

Haunted HillsTwilight Hillclimb

Spyder Automobiles — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 13:10:21 +0000

Well the final (for the year) Hillclimb meeting at Haunted Hills was held today, the 3rd of December. Billy and a friend, Dillon, and I arrived there late in the day, when a lot of the competitors had gone.
There were still quite a few cars there and a good variety too, from Porsches to Hyundais to open wheeler specials. As usual I bumped into many old friends and customers. It was a good day for it, even if the wind was cold, but, at least it was dry! All those competing had a fun day and most came away unscathed the event was run on the full anti-clockwise layout as used at the Australian Championship.

356 Parade and Porsche 60th aniversary down under

Spyder Automobiles — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:50:41 +0000

The Australian 356 Register has traditionally held their 356 Parade at Como Park. This year it was held at Rochfords winery in the Yarra Valley, as Como Park has undergone a lot of work and is getting restricted use at the moment. Porsche Australia also were celebrating their 60th year in Australia this year. As a result these 2 events were run in conjunction with each other this year.
There were approximately 70, 356’s present, from across the country considerably less than previous years! The standard of cars was very good and in general was better than the past. This could have been due to the venue and also due to the later model Porsches in attendance. there was a large display of most Porsche models.
Rochfords is approximately 1 hour from the Melbourne CBD as opposed to Como being about 15 mins. The setting at Rochfords is much better than Como, lending itself to large numbers of people, cars a parking much better.
The number and variety of Porsches was quite a sight, spanning from the early 50’s to current models.
Billy was the only one to come with me today as Charlie and Tom were in Melbourne. We had a good trip over in the van in true Lisa style the tourists were a bit of an issue though. I had almost forgotten how well it handles, but it really is a very well behaved, people mover. (fun!!hehe)
I know it is a conflict of terms (people mover, handling, and fun) but it can be done.

Sunday at Jinks Creek

Spyder Automobiles — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:23:15 +0000

Billy, Charlotte and I went to Jinks Creek winery and B&B for lunch with Lisa’s Cousin Caroline, her husband Pierre, and Mother Samira.
We all had a very enjoyable day at the beautiful setting in Tonimbuk. Located 10 kilometers off the Princes freeway and approximately 80 kilometers East of Melbourne it is an easy and fun drive.
Billy spent most of the afternoon with his mate Charlie, the son of winery owners Andrew and Abi Clarke, running and driving the buggy around the property. While Billy was doing that we were having a relaxing pizza lunch complemented with some lovely red wines.
During the afternoon many friends had also dropped in on their afternoon drive. I was actually surprised as to how many people we knew arrived during the course of the day; it was good to see so many familiar faces.
Caroline, Pierre, and Samira all had a good and relaxing day, they had been visiting friends overnight, and Caroline was helping me get my head around MYOB, while Samira was giving Charlotte some pointers with sewing and dress making.
Much thanks goes to them both.

Jinks Creek Winery can be found here http://www.jinkscreekwinery.com.au

November Breakfast Club

Spyder Automobiles — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 03:40:39 +0000

Well the improved weather certainly brought out the people and cars this morning! The new area where Breakfast club is held was very full, justifying the move to the lower Woolworths car park. This was done to help with safety as there is no longer a problem with people stepping out on the road without looking!
There was an estimated 60-70 cars of many different makes and models, Daimlers, BMW 635, M3 and a JPS 323i, many Minis of all types, Citroen SM, a Lancia Fulvia, Ferrari 308 GT4, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Riley, and the usual MGs, Sprites, US cars and our local Australian cars.
Many spectators were strolling amongst the array of well presented cars from the 1950’s to 1990’s,even a T Model made an appearance! Moving through the display was at times not easy at all, due to the number of people enjoying the morning.
To add to the occasion our youngest, Billy spent the morning collecting donations for the http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/ in memory of Lisa and managed to collect well in excess of $150.00 and still counting! Well done Billy!!

Australian Rally Championship final round

Spyder Automobiles — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:47:44 +0000

This weekend saw Gippsland host the final round of both the Australian and Victorian Rally championships simultaneously. The classes included were for ARC, VRC, Historic Rally, and Hyundai Championships.
Some of the competing cars were Mitsubishi EVOs, Subaru WRX STIs, Hondas, Ford Escorts, Nissans and many others.
This event was based at Lardner Park, where the service, scrutiny areas and also a special stage sprint was held.
This is where the photos below, where taken during the final stage of the event.
Local driver and navigator pair Simon and Sue Evans in their Subaru STI won the event out right, with Geoff Portman and Ross Runnels in their MK2 Escort winning the Historic class.