Western Sydney Historical Truck Club

Berrima Rally at Bong Bong Picnic Race Club - 9 February 2013

Details

Hits: 4476

Lunch time on the hill at

Bong Bong Picnic Race Club 

Saturday morning, 9^th February 2013 was bright, warm and sunny.  This was the 38th rally for the Berrima District Historic Vehicle Club. It celebrated 150 years of transport in the Berrima-Bowral-Mossvale district. 

We arrived at the Bong Bong Picnic Race Club around 11am. The temperature had already risen to a such high level, that finding a cool place in the shade was almost impossible. Some enterprising individuals drove their vintage vehicles up the hill in the middle of the race track and parked under the spreading branches of a large tree before anyone else could. But the view before the spectator at the entry with 172 antique and classic exhibits for all to see was one to take your breath away.

The numbers of motor vehicles spanned over 100 years. Two of the very oldest cars were a “Schacht” known by people of the era as a ‘motorised horseless carriage’ or ‘high wheeler’, the other car was a 1908 coal scuttle nosed Renault. Both cars were excellent examples their marques. There was also a fine example of a 1901 'Locomobile' with tiller steering and pneumatic tyres.

Other exhibits were stationary engines, tractors, trucks, cars and bikes.   There were ‘speed’ cars and hotrods too. Several merchants had set up their stalls facing the line of motor vehicles along the entry avenue.

WSHTC Club members’ trucks on view on the day were Dave & Noelene West’s Diamond-T, Garry Schroder’s Dodge, Bruce Brown’s Toyota, Andy’s Chevrolet NRMA tow truck and Herbie Bugs ‘boat manoeuvring tow-truck’. Dennis Brooks was also there. He put his Mack B61 prime mover up for a chance at the ‘Show ‘n Shine’ awards. If there was an award for the shiniest Mack B61, Dennis would have easily won it.

Bruce Brown didn't win any trophys for his Toyota but won one for his military exhibit - his little jeep.  Rod Lovell was involved in organising of the event and ran out of time to get his Mack B61 truck there. However, he turned up on the Sunday with his Jaguar and won a trophy for it.

There was some excitement after Andy’s newest Hino tilt-tray had off-loaded the Chev tow-truck, the 'Quarter Pounder' and trailer. Apparently, the drive axle was left suspended over a dip in the ground by the lazy axle and had no traction. Clever thinking used the winch on the tilt tray to anchor to Bruce Brown’s Toyota truck and winch the Hino out of the problem. Photos of the event have been banned by all those involved because it might give the wrong impression, so I've been told.

All entrants were treated to very friendly country hospitality with plenty of food for Saturday and Sunday morning teas and lunches as well as Saturday night dinner & dance.  Andy Nash informs me that he now needs to go on that diet.

All in all the weekend was a success.  We are all looking forward to the next rally.