2025 PARKES CORVETTE NATIONALS

The ’25 Corvette Nationals was the turn of the NSW Corvettes Unlimited Club, who made the decision to hold the event at the regional town of Parkes due to the recent floods causing some economic devastation. It was hoped that the Nationals would in some small way give a boost to the town.

A couple of club members headed off early, the McBride’s to Sydney and Alan and Dale heading off early so as not to tax the C3 or themselves.

6 cars met up at Tailem Bend on the Thursday morning, Prez/1st Lady, the McPhee’s, Tim, Val and Hans, the Wombats and a W.A. member that we managed to find somewhere. Yes we were running a little behind, but that drive diagonally across Adelaide in the morning traffic was a giant pain, we don’t want to do that again.

Our first segment was to Ouyen, Victoria for lunch stop. This was our go to lunch stop last year for the Canberra run. We decided to top up fuel at the self serve

(i.e. no shop or attendant) servo on the corner near the café. Well, bugger me, the pumps were on a ‘go slow’, maybe they were CFMEU members who hadn’t been paid off. After a considerable amount of time I managed to get 7 litres into McGarrett and the others didn’t fare much better. Time to get out of there.

We were off to Hay, New South Wales for our overnight stop. We rumbled into town, found our motel and proceeded to have a staff meeting with refreshments. We were recommended the Hotel across the road for meals and off we went. I had the pork ribs and they were fantastic, as good as any ribs I have had in the States. Everyone who had a meat dish was impressed, and suitable feedback was given to the publican.

In the morning we fuelled up and had breaky at the café next door. When I got fuel the Indian console operator commented on the impressive Corvettes and asked if we “were all friends” I told him we were when we left Adelaide, but it’s a long trip to Parkes ! 

The plan was to stop at West Wyalong for lunch, but we had an unscheduled stop at Rankine Springs when the C7 bottomed out on a dip. It sounded like the whole diff whacked the ground. We found a little stop that allowed everyone to stretch the legs and use the toilet. I checked under the car and found it was an exhaust U bolt that had hit the ground, it had a noticeable rub mark on it.

After a lunch stop at West Wyalong bakery, we headed north and were suddenly met by a herd of cows across the roadway. As we all know, a 500 kg cow is the

natural enemy of a fibreglass Corvette, so we proceeded slowly and with great

caution. It was a sound decision as we then came across 600 kg horses grazing as well.

We eventually rolled into Forbes and it was only a short drive onto Parkes, getting there mid afternoon. After checking in I was asked if I knew there was a

Presidents meeting at 4 pm – no I did not know that. So, everyone else was off to the bar, and I was off to the meeting. After the meeting I had to walk past

everyone at the bar and wash the C7 to get rid of the bugs and roadworks. It was about then, it decided to start raining. The show and shine was first thing in the morning so I had no choice.

The Friday night meet and greet was an interesting affair. Once everyone packed in, they offered a period of free drinks the noise level went to about 120 decibels. We ended up in Peter and Lynda’s room for drinks, and apparently Tim was the last to leave.

Saturday morning came with dark skies, but the predicted 70mm of rain didn’t

happen. So, it was only a chamois of the cars and we were off on the cruise through the main street of Parkes, then off to the showground. I counted 103 cars, everything from C1 to C8 Z06 and Eray. Wombat and Allan graciously offered to help with judging on the day. The girls went off on the Parkes mystery bus tour, including the Elvis museum.

The Saturday night show was at the golf club, and the bus picked us up from across the motel across from us, it was a bit late, but we got there. There were raffle prizes, a roast meal and some singing chicks. The bus to take us home was a bit late, but we got there.

 Sunday morning saw the cars assemble along the highway between the motels, half to head to the dish, the other half to the Forbes auto museum. The plan was to meet at Forbes for photoshoot and lunch. After the museum our half headed on down to the reserve for lunch, but were waved away, apparently, we had to go across to the rugby oval for the photoshoot. We had to wait for the Dish cars and

eventually the photo was done and we could drive back for Pizza. After pizza, we headed back thru Parkes and out to the Dish for a well-deserved golden gay time. Then everyone was back for refreshments and watching the Crows game with Gary and Cathy.

Sunday night gala dinner was at the Parkes Services Club. The bus was late picking us up again. It was even later than Saturday, but we got there eventually. A black and white theme for the night and alternate drop, and the meal was quite good. There was a number of mix ups with the trophy presentation but at the end Tim picked up best C5 trophy and Gary picked up best C8 trophy. Wombat did win the C4 trophy with his C6, but graciously declined the offer. When we went to catch the bus back, it actually left early with an empty bus, and some unhappy punters coming out the door. I don’t know what the story was with that bus guy. We went to plan B and called a cab and somehow squeezed in with the giant framed C7 racing photo Kirsty won in the auction.

Monday morning saw a parting of the ways, with us, McBrides and Tim going back via Swan Hill, and the rest heading off towards Bathurst, Canberra, Victoria and home.

With Peter leading the charge it was going to be interesting, he had already dropped the disclaimer that he was going to “take the roads less travelled” but eventually we made it to Swan Hill safe and sound. We had dinner at the Swan Hill RSL.

On the Tuesday we were heading towards the B12 and Tailem Bend, the hotel being our lunch time destination. Again, Peter had us on some ‘interesting roads less

travelled’ and I could definitely hear banjos playing in the background at one point on that single lane road, but eventually we found our way out. Peter reckons he was always confident. After lunch we headed off down the freeway and back to

Adelaide, 6 days in the Corvettes at an end.

Sean.