Expo 2008
The Expo started with the guys building the test track on the Saturday before the expo and they did a wonderful job. A very big thank you to Tony Vaughan for all of his work organising the construction of the track and thank you to all of the people that helped.
On the Thursday we set up the marque and the barricades in the rain and the cold but it didn’t stop everyone from helping. Again, another thank you to all those people.
Friday also started out wet and cold, so we fired up the vehicles for the test track and got them circulating around to attract the public, to come over and have a ride and buy some raffle tickets. Due to the wet conditions the track broke up quickly and it turned to slop, but as the day ticked over and the weather started to clear and the track dried out a bit so we were able to get some traction on the mud. Mick was running his comp truck around and this attracted more people to come over and have a look.
Saturday saw a clear blue sky and no rain but up at Kariong it was still very cold. Mick fired up his truck and started to do laps around the track along with 4 or 5 other trucks, and the crowds soon arrived to see what was going on. As the day unfolded the line of passengers for a ride on the track was constant and then Paul (Stumpy) turned up with his Suzuki comp truck, the tough trucks were a great crowd puller, and the standard vehicles worked well for the people who owned 4WD’s and had never taken them off road. (They don’t know what they are missing)
During the days we did some demonstrations with the snatch straps, some were at a specific time of the day, and others were by accident as some of us were getting stuck in the large holes in the sand pit. The tent was kept busy all through the day and the trailer from the Association was set up outside our tent showing our DVD’s on a large screen. Raffle ticket sales were down from last year, but that was to be expected due to increased cost of fuel and everything else.
Sunday was our best day as usual for the test track and ticket sales. Everyone was kept busy, with large crowds coming through the gates right up to about lunchtime. Geoff arrived with his buggy with the big V8 and along with Mick and Paul running around it kept the donations flowing. Unfortunately a storm rolled through the Expo at about 2 – 2.30 and it cleared out most of the show goers.
At 3pm it was time to draw the raffle and the winners from the raffle are: 1st Prize: A Smith from Raymond Terrace (Steve and Karen delivered the prize on their way home). Ticket was sold at the show.
2nd Prize: Jason Bidwell (Sue Maginnity’s son) but I think he might have to borrow it out of her Prado.
3rd Prize: Michael Edwards from Castle Hill (Brian and I delivered it to him the following weekend). Ticket was sold at the show.
4th Prize: Tania Young from West Wallsend (Ross Sayer delivered the prize). Ross sold this ticket.
5th Prize: Betty Parker from Buff Point (I posted the voucher to her). Ticket was sold at the show.
6th Prize: Carol Turton from Long Jetty (I posted the voucher to her). Ticket was sold at the show.
7th Prize: Andrew Carlin took the voucher with him.
8th Prize: Paul Luteru from Woodbury (I posted the voucher to him). Steve Solovieff sold this ticket.
9th Prize: Lisa Williams (Wendy took her voucher).
Now before you all say that was rigged, as we had 3 of the 9 prizes won by club members, we had non-members draw the winning tickets.
Just walking around the Expo and seeing what was on display, I felt that having our club with the test track and tent display there, really made the Expo worth attending.
Once again a big thankyou to all of the members that gave up their time to help with the Expo, either by donating the use of their vehicles or helping out with the tent and selling raffle tickets. Unfortunately it looks like there will be no Expo next year at this point in time, so we will have to wait and see.
Greg Redfern the President from Four Wheel Drive NSW/ ACT Association was very impressed with our Track and Tent set-up, he also enjoyed a ride around the track. Robert Kelly from the National 4WD Council also came and paid us a visit and liked what he saw.