Issue No. 13 April 1998
Issue No. 13 April 1998
This year, Valley Hot Rodders "Cruise On" was held on the weekend of January 16th-18th. Once again, in the picturesque Barossa Valley of South Australia. And, once again, we based our Run from the pleasant surrounds of the Tanunda Caravan Park. The majority of entrants arrived on the Friday evening, and took advantage of the free sausage sizzle, and free beer and wine, plus the Super 8 Movie Show, courtesy of an old-time Rodder, whom many may remember, Brian (Gus) Gursansky.
Saturday part one of our Observation Run commenced at 11 am. This is always an ideal way for our entrants to see different parts of the Valley. This year we ended at the Weintal Hotel Motel for lunch, and in the 40� heat, it was welcome relief to relax in air-con comfort in the newly refurbished surrounds. The meal at the Weintal was nothing short of excellent, a smorgasbord lunch of soups, pasta, salads, meats & dessert. No complaints from any of our entrants that department! After lunch many headed towards the swimming pool, while some of the more resilient joined a small group that toured a local air museum. Others were free to go wine tasting, or just take in the various other tourist attractions of the Valley.
Saturday night in the Tanunda main street was once again a great success. For two years we have now provided a live rock 'n roll band and dance floor to add to the atmosphere. One way cruising of the street was full on for most of the evening, with more Rods coming up from Adelaide for the night. Hundreds of visitors flocked into the street to partake of the event. So far, we have always enjoyed fantastic weather for the evening, and rodders are free to amble around the street, eating at their leisure, and catching up with fellow rodders, and perhaps taking the opportunity to cruise.
The street had been closed from 5pm, but at 11pm it was time to open it up to the general traffic again, but there was still action after this time nonetheless. After midnight, Steve and Tony from Valley Hot Rodders, along with Bernie Rudolph from Harrow, were invited to the local radio station to give a "post-mortem" on the night. Shades of American Graffiti here. A tiny little concern, with a couple of announcers in this case. This took until about 2am, in between songs. Yawn! Probably nobody listening but the local drunks, but the guys sure had a good time anyway!
Pancakes are the usual brekkie treat on the Sunday morning, prior to hitting the road again for part 2 of the Observation Run. A couple of lost people gave a tongue lashing to the Run organiser, but they all made it back to the right spot for lunch, namely Greenock Oval. We always try and facilitate a playground for the junior rodders, you know the saying, if the kids are happy, the little woman is happy, which in turn means the guys are happy. A ham steak and salad lunch was provided, with the proviso that the "Slick 6" voting form was handed in. No voting form, no lunch. Well, we're not quite so tough, providing there is a good excuse, but we have found it is a good idea. Votes are fairly distributed when you get the majority of entrants to vote. The no. 13 didn't live up to it's name, just ask our lucky pre-entrant, Shaun Bryant, who won our fabulous 10L Keg (full of port), kindly donated by local business, Heinrich Cooperage.
Valley Hot Rodders would like to thank all their sponsors and entrants for helping to make their Run a success. Our Run grows a little larger each year, and next year we will be hosting the Run over the January weekend 22nd-24th. Bookings at the Tanunda Caravan Park are actually filling already, so, if you are considering coming along, and wish to be located where a lot of the action is, it would be wise to give them a call on (08) 8563 2784 ASAP. Mention of course that you are booking for the Run!
Anne Kuchel
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