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.
On a day when everybody should have been well rested after a extra hour sleep as the clocks went backwards most CCSA members came out with their Corvettes to play.
So down came the roofs on the convertibles for those that could with weather being perfect for a morning cruise through our picturest Adelaide Hills ready to take in that fresh mountain air.
Rounding up the members on the flats at the RAA carpark in town was my wingman Tim Epton fresh from his C5 recognitions at the Corvette Nationals with a real desire to lead the Corvette convoy and so he should through the city and up the freeway to picturesque Stirling.
From here it was onwards and outwards through the winding roads that took us through the leafy treelined townships of Stirling, Aldgate , Mylor, Echunga, Meadows and into Ashbourne all of which were lined with full autumn colour and Im sure a talking point by many.
On arrival at the Greenman Inn carpark most people commented on the route and
how they enjoyed the drive and scenery along the way which was rewarding as this was my plan as the event organiser.
The publican was certainly under pressure on the day at full capacity with 150 persons to be served which included both the Pontiac and Triumph car clubs emphasising this venues populatity
but regardless not without some delays they did present a nice meal in good portions that people enjoyed..
Now this little gem is exposed for all to revisit knowing what to expect especially through our upcoming winter months when the log fire will be burning and friends can catchup in australiana surroundings.
Thanking the 38 members that attended, this event making it a pleasant and memorable club day out ,hope to see you soon at one of our next outings.
Cheers Serge
Rob & Karen’s Run - “Stockwell and Beyond”
Sunday of the long weekend delivered all that was promised – a hot day.
The meeting place was McDonalds Smithfield but the dramas started before we even got to the meeting point.
I had a few cancellations due to health and heat but still had 33 on my list so I replied to the hotels text on the Saturday that we would have 35 attend (just in case I had missed someone).
On the way to the meeting point Andrea passed as we were fuelling the Corvette but we found her parked on the side of the road with the bonnet up just down the road (it’s a Corvette).
A quick look found the wire from the alternator was loose so she may have been running on
battery power only, needless to say her day wasn’t going to plan with the Corvette going home on a truck.
At the meet point most were in the carpark and a select few (lots) were in McDonalds escaping the heat and filling their bellies with food and coffee and required a phone call to get them out.
The briefing completed and maps of the route handed out, we were on our way. Three sets of lights and into the mid north.
Now the plan was to have a run that we could stick to the speed limit and give the cars a good run, until we got just past the Roseworthy College, they were rebuilding the road – no black stuff- crap- I have driven that road hundreds of times no need to do a pre run recy - good thing the speed limit was VERY low as 19 Corvettes and a few daily drivers crawled, what seemed like forever, and then newly surfaced black stuff at the same speed – now at this rapid rate the 60-60 air conditioning doesn’t work real well but you get time to look at the scenery.
The rest of the run went to plan with the whole convoy flowing well. We picked up Rachael and Randall at Saddleworth in their 91 who were picking us up at Wasleys but were there TOO
early so decided to try dresses on at a shop in Saddleworth as we rolled through.
The group actually made the lunch stop (now 20 Corvettes and a few daily drivers and a Hellcat) at the Stockwell Hotel just before midday with a member who shall remain nameless was a little late due to the rate of catchup that was detected by those that must be obeyed.
The hotel catered for my original 30 booked with a long table set but didn’t get or couldn’t read that I had updated it to 35 but they catered for the 38 or 40 that actually turned up.
The food came out in good time and was enjoyed and the beer was cold.
For those at the back of the convoy they had all day Monday to get the dust off the car and for those that travel with the roof off, out of the inside as well.
The run was 144km from meeting point to lunch stop, I think that we covered about 220 km with the Southerners probably getting close to 400km – a nice day out.
Thankyou to all that attended.
What a Sunday our big day turned out to be. As we all watched the hot weather forecast trend downwards during the week, it was with great relief that in the end, it turned out to be such a stunning day. Once again, we were spoilt for help from so many great members that turned up early to help with the set up. Well done Team. Right on cue, the Corvettes started to roll in.
101 Corvettes in total. Amazing. The guys parking the cars started to sweat that we were going to run out of room. The band “Heartbeat” fired up adding to the vibe of the day and we had great foot traffic from the public. A special mention needs to be made to acknowledge the amazing effort of Maelyn and Joy with selling near on a million raffle tickets to raise money for Heartkids. Also, a BIG “Job well done” to Shirelee and her team manning the Merchandise tent. A huge effort.
Trophy time came, and we certainly had some worthy winners.
Public Choice 1st: Sponsored by Ian Gregor. Won by Andrea Woolger.
Public Choice 2nd: Sponsored by Adelaide Security Services. Won by Aaron Skinner.
Public Choice 3rd: Sponsored by Prime Auto Care, Lonsdale. Won by Phil Turnbill.
Entrants Choice 1st: Sponsored by Golden Gem Birds. Won by Shirelee Mourdoukoutas.
Entrants Choice 2nd: Sponsored by DeeBees Garden & Home Maint. Won by Serge Giacomelli.
Entrants Choice 3rd: Sponsored by Gary & Cathy McPhee. Won by Mario Guidance.
Heart Kids Choice: Sponsored by Quantative Occupational Risk Management Services. Won by John Coyne
Best Club Trailer: Won by Peter & Shirelee Mourdoukoutas & Graham & Joy Walker.
This will be the last CRTB organised by Peter & Lynda, Catherine and Stuart & Ruth.
Next year, Peter and Shirelee Mourdoukoutas take over the reins with a whole new team and lets all show them our continued support into the future.
Write up by Stuart van Doorn
Photos by Greg Woods
