Star Torque Issue 244 Winter 2016

National Rally 2016
A great evening with Sydney at its best
Some of the MBCNSW Rally team members
Don Bradman Oval at Bowral: Pagoda display
A terrific turnout of cars for the Rally
girl who shamelessly rejoices in her own startling beauty -
that shimmering harbour and those imposing sites!” Two
hundred and one rally goers got to experience what all
the fuss is about and I am honoured to have presented my
home city for you to enjoy, in all her splendour.
Bowral, Monday 14th March 2016- Luke Vrettos
Leaving directly from home it felt like a Sunday morning
drive as I had to arrive at the Don Bradman Oval and
Museum in Bowral NSW, well before our Rally-goers
and fellow members to meet up with Geoff Hosey, Vince
Thompson and Bill Dawes to check arrangements were in
place, ready to corral the cars as they arrived.
A quick pit stop along the way at Pheasants Nest service
centre for a coffee and muffin with no other Mercedes-Benz
in sight, yet. On leaving, fellow member Peter Nazarenko,
pulled up next to me in the car park and we headed off
towards Bowral. The weather looked pretty average but
hoped it would improve later, which thankfully, it did.
Arriving at Bradman Oval I found some early birds had
beaten me there, so I got busy getting ready for a lot of
cars to turn up. As the car park could only hold so many
cars it was a case of first in best dressed although plenty of
street parking was available nearby for the balance.
From 10:00am onwards more cars started arriving.
Bill Dawes and I guided the cars to their positions.
We chose the right hand side of the parking area for the
more unusual vehicles including the beautiful red 300SL,
Pagoda’s, Fintails, a Pontoon, a 300D and other great cars,
including Big Jim’s 560SEC.
Morning tea and coffee was served and the social part
of the event kicked off. To officially open the event, the
Mayor of Bowral, Larry Whipper and local member for
Wollondilly, Jai Rowell MP, both welcomed members. By
this stage the weather was improving.
With the sun shining, our cricket game got underway
and was enjoyed by all who had a go. Players of
note included our local MP, Jai Rowell (who didn’t want
to leave!) and our big hitting US base baller, ring-in, Steve
Dierks. Elsewhere there was more socialising, car gazing
and a walk through the museum as lunch approached.
With the buffet lunch over, cricket and chatting with our
interstate and overseas visitors continued and some locals
dropped in to see us. The Museum organisers, staff and
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