General News
11 March, 2024
Power and the pedal: first run success
CARS and trucks - veteran, classic and contemporary - streamed into Newbridge Recreation Reserve on Saturday as more than 1000 people bolstered coffers of the town’s social club. The first Run to Newbridge was pulled together by the committee in...
CARS and trucks - veteran, classic and contemporary - streamed into Newbridge Recreation Reserve on Saturday as more than 1000 people bolstered coffers of the town’s social club.
The first Run to Newbridge was pulled together by the committee in just two months.
“The gates were to open at 9.30 ... there were already 15 cars waiting to come in at 7.30am,” said one of the organisers Phil Latter. “We had good networks in car and vehicle clubs that have helped us spread the word quickly.
“We hope all the car, truck and motorcycle owners are having a great day and will want to come back again next year.”
More than 300 vehicles had filled the oval my midday as Goldfields Music Club members belted out tunes from the verandah.
Among late morning arrivals was Woodend’s Andy Scicluna. He said the trip north in his 1934 Ford Roadster had taken longer than expected, pointing to tufts of gypsy grass caught in the fender.
“The weeds were everywhere and I couldn’t see the road ... I didn’t want to drive too fast in case there were potholes,” he said.
Phil was among locals who alternated between marshalling at the gates and talking to the crowd about their automotive prides and joys.
He had a 1972 HQ Holden ute on display while Brendan Sheen was showing off his 1969 Parisian, one of the last Canadian imports of the model.
Bendigo’s Matt and Maree Hourigan had their Sunbeam Alpine neatly parked in one of the rows of vehicles.
A Sunbeam owner since he was 18, Matt’s Series 5 model has been in the spotlight at the Australian Grand Prix, carrying Mark Weber around the Albert Park Melbourne circuit in the 2012 drivers’ parade.
Phil said Run to Newbridge, raising money for the club’s community projects, had been well supported by the town and visitors. “We’ve had quite a few camping here for the weekend too,” he said.