MX5 Club QLD Gold Coast 20 years

Ragtop Review
Gold Coast MX-5 Club
20th Anniversary

First things first...
As the new Ragtop Review Editor, I’d like to say thanks to Kevin and Suzanne
Barnes for their tireless efforts creating a quality magazne for three years.
Oh, and if anyone has access to bulk paracetamol, please get in touch.
Welcome to our first online
edition.
As this edition is all about the Club turning 20, in terms of frequency and
number of pages, my wheels are still spinning but like all things, time will
tell.
Bottom line this is OUR online magazine.
I’m open to your ideas so anything you’d like to contribute or see, come on
down. One great idea was to incorporate links to interesting videos.
The fineprint...
Re contributions: Views expressed in Ragtop Review by contributors and
advertisers are not necessarily those of the MX-5 Club of Qld.
Re copyright: No part of this online publication may be reproduced without
written permission of the publisher.
Re advertising: All advertisments are the responsibility of the advertiser.
Advertisments are accepted on the understanding they do not contravene
the Competition and Consumer Act. Responsibilty is not accepted by the
Ragtop Review or The MX-5 Club of Qld for statements made or failure of
any product or service to give satisfaction. Inclusion of an advertisment
should not be construed as endorsement by the MX-5 Club of Qld.

In the beginning...
In the early 80’s, Mazdas Californian design studio with their rear
wheel drive concept, won an inhouse sportscar design competition
over the Japanese design with a more cost effective front wheel drive.
The result was named with two letters and a number that spelt fun and
reliability. It would go on to be the best selling sportscar on the planet.
The NA was unveiled on Feb 10, 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show and for
$14,000US, just under your nose, a smile got welded on.
The 14” wheels were off a Mazda 323, it had a 5 speed box and a 1.6 litre
that took you from 0-60mph in 8.6 seconds. With headlights that still
demand attention, the NA had a lightened flywheel and crankshaft in a
compact, light weight 940kg with an impressive chassis.

Meanwhile in Australia...
To get the wind in your hair before the NA, red blooded males suffered
decades of depression with carboard interiors, dodgy electricals, oil
leaks, water leaks, rattles, dated engineering and brand closures.
So when Mazda sent a compact, rear wheel drive convertible with 50/50
balance and a good gearbox, grown men wept and the NA flew out of
showrooms faster than a toupee at 100kph.
Mazda Australia was instrumental in starting MX-5 clubs around
Australia and in August 1990, the Victorian Club was formed. Today it
has over 1,000 members.
In Qld, Paul McNeil from Mazda was member #1 of the Queensland
MX-5 Club and his assistant Joan Tuite was the 2nd on Nov 25, 1990.
The first 5 years of our Club are well documented on our website,
listing the Committee with Colin Jones as the Foundation President.
By 1991 there were 61 members in Brisbane that enjoyed monthly events
including hunts, weekends away as well as dinner and breakfast runs.
In 1993, the State President’s met in Daylesford Victoria and with Sue
Ranson from Mazda Australia, created the MX-5 Club of Australia which
today (covid period aside) still runs the Natmeet every two years.

Stats...
There were 6,123 NA's sold in Australia from 1989.
The NB was released in 1997, there were 5,037 sold in Australia and the
average age of NA and NB buyers was 59.
The NC came in 2005 and 5,761 were sold with 80% of buyers over 45.
In 2014 the ND came out and since then, 60% of drivers are over 45 and
40% of buyers have been women.
In 2016, the millionth MX-5 was sold.
In Sept 2022, 707 passionate MX-5 drivers from across Europe met at
The Modena Autodrome in Italy and drove around it for 3 hours to set
the latest MX-5 record in the Guinness Book.
Re the NE?
Those that dare to dream scour the internet for clues as to where
Mazda will go. I've read it wiĺl have an ICE with some electric support -
but who knows!

Motorsport...
It seems MX-5 drivers refuse to act their age because when two or more
get together, some aspect of modifying inevitably comes up.
In 1998, Alan Horsley from Mazda Australia decided the NB needed
a bit more pep and with a host of modifications (and a water cooled
Garrett GT2560R turbo at 8psi boost), he got 33% more power and 55%
more torque out of it. It got to 100kph in a very tasty 6 seconds.
Murray Coote put the NB to the test and thrashed the Australian made
hottie into 20th place at the 7 day, 2001 Targa Tasmania.
He beat many more fancied rivals and Horsleys success inspired Mazda
to build 100 Special Performance NBs. The MazdaSpeed turbo was only
sold in 2004-5 and though not as fast as Horsleys, its still a favorite
with enthusiasts.
There have been MX-5s running around Australian race tracks
since 1990. MX-5 Qld Club racer Loch Stewart designed and built an
improved air box and headers for his NA. They're still available today
for the NA and NB, offering 15%+ more fun with an exhaust.

Since 1993, those that fancy the smell of competition can attend our
Club track days which offer the "regularity" and sprints at Lakeside.
To compete you need a race (or roadworthy) car, a long sleeve top, long
pants, shoes and a helmet that meets AS1698.
Fire extinguishers aren't required - but are recommended and if
Motorsport Australia are conducting the event, you’ll need a firex suit
and in some cases, a roll bar that meets their specs.
If you’re a newby fear not, the depth of knowledge that rev heads like
Alan Hitchcock and John Tait can offer is vast! John has been awarded
the Club Champion Trophy on 3 occasions and as the many involved in
motorsport can tell you, it’s addictive!
You might innocently start getting a new radio head unit and a stumpy
aerial, but beware, catless headers, a better sounding muffler, different
shocks, a tune, heavier sway bars and stickier tyres can easily follow.
In the early 2000’s, one of our drivers became addicted to the taste of
brake fluid, but he says he can stop anytime.

Did I hear someone shout "and what good is a helmet without a GoPro"?
There’s a solid YouTube community letting their inner Spielberg out as
they race their car, fix roof rattles and maintain their secret love.
As well as Club track days, Inter-Club Challenges with other car brands
have become popular and Club members can attend events including
hill climbs, sprints, economy runs and auto cross around Brisbane.
These are hosted by Clubs including Holden, BMW, Triumph, Porsche,
Lotus, MG, BRZ, Z Cars and the MR2 Club.
Of course some aren’t interested in competition. They enjoy their car
for it’s unique feel while others enjoy it as their art project. Bottom line,
owners are the winners, whichever way you like expressing yourself.

Qld MX-5 Club Motorsport
Legend Leaders:
In the 1990’s:
Loch Stewart (made a Life Member in 95), David Verna, Henri van Roden
In the 2000’s:
Ted Looi, Bob Duguid, Ryan Middleton, Tony Doust, Geoff Marsh
2023:
Alan Hitchcock

A total chick magnet:
In 2017, Gordon Cunningham asked the EKKA organisers if the Qld
MX-5 Club could help and since, the Queensland Miss Country Life
Showgirls have enjoyed a ride around the arena.
While the MC introduces the girls to the crowd, I’m told the more
tender swoon at the charm and bravado of MX-5 drivers who are
naturally attracted to exciting curves and beauty.
Of course the girls never want to get out of an MX-5 after only one lap!
Community minded:
As well as the EKKA, the MX-5 Club has been there for the community.
Between 1996 and 2000, the MX-5 Club played a role in the “Welcome
Home Parades” for Olympians, Para Olympians and Commonwealth
Games athletes.

The Gold Coast Chapter:
Due to increasing number of members away from Brisbane, the
original 1990 Queensland Club decided to split into four Chapters:
- 2001: Brisbane Chapter
- 2001: Sunshine Coast Chapter
- 2003: Gold Coast Chapter (Sept)
- 2016: Darling Downs Chapter
Of course, members are free to intermingle and many go on runs or
meet for coffee across SEQ each month.
Over the years runs included Keith and Jo Nelson's Bum Freezer Run to
Stanthorpe and Neville and Denise Pecks' Winter Wanderings.
I’m sure you know a lot of time and effort goes into organising our
monthly runs, our meet and eats, long weekends away and the RagTop
Review.
The dedication of Chapter Leaders, Run Organisers, Committee
Members and Editors over the decades (AND their super supportive
partners who often took on roles) simply can't be praised enough!
Their continued efforts, their consistency, imagination and attention to
detail has made the Gold Coast MX5 Club, truly fantastic!

I hadn’t been in the club a month when I
found myself on a themed run.
The idea for dressing the cars (as well
as the occupants) came from David
Rosenberg when he led the GC Chapter.
His runs include:
- The Cat in the Hat run (the winning hats
in 2019 were on top of Ralph and Janelle).
- The Captains Run (the 20 best dressed
all had the same $2 shop Captains hat and,
ah-harrrrrr matee, we all looked ahrrrr-
MAZING)!
- The Hill Billy run, where men had "Bob"
as a suffix to their name, women had "Mae"
or "Lou" and "Y'alls" were as common as
wheel nuts.
- The Bastille Day run where croissants,
baguettes and striped shirts mattered.
- The Many Happy U-turns run,
celebrating dodgy directions, dead-ends
and a failure to plan that the GC Chapter
was known for. (Not now of course...)
- The Gilligans Island run where you came
as your favorite character.
- The annual Jacaranda Jaunt.
David also came up with the format of the
run sheets used today.
He's clearly a creative guy (lets overlook
the braces and mullet) and in 2011 he took
up the reins of GC Chapter Leader, saving
the Chapter from folding.
On returning from a run in 2021, David and his wife Elaine were first to
arrive on a crash scene. A vehicle was upside down in a meter of water
and his quick response and ability to resuscitate made a difference to a
family in distress.
David was awarded the President's medal for his clear headed actions.

Gold Coast Chapter Heros:
Over the last 20 years, many people have contributed to wellbeing and
growth of the Gold Coast MX-5 Club.
The names of past Treasurers, Secretaries, Regalia officers, Meet and Eat and
Committee members may have faded, but here’s some we do recall...
GC Chapter Leaders:
2001-02 Don Hunter (before the Club was officially formed)
2003-06 Jim Grohn
2007-08 Clive Barnard
2009-10 Wendy Eales
2011-12 David Rosenberg
2013-14 Andrew Darby
2015-16 David Rosenberg
2017-19 Ralph Waddington
2020-24 Trevor & Helen Dixon
2025 (Vacancy to be filled)
What’s a club without a newsletter?
Ragtop Review Editors:
1990-94 Loch Stewart (used his roneo and wrote at least 8 pages in each
edition himself)
1995-96 David Verna
1996-97 Steve & Lyn Kovacs
1998-00 Bob Duguid
2001-02 Steve Wainwright
2003-06 Mike O’Brien
2007-09 Beth Mszanowski
2010-21 Peter and Brenda Phillips (huge)
2022-24 Kevin and Suzanne Barnes
2024 Eric McColough

Bottom line, we’re lucky to be
members of a brilliant club!
We meet interesting people
on fabulous runs and we drive
sensational cars around the
best place on earth!
Our gratitude goes to all
Committee Members,
Chapter Leaders, Editors,
Motorsport Leaders, Regalia
Officers, Meet & Eat and Run
Organisers that have made
the 4th Sunday great fun since
1993.
The club and every member has gained from your efforts.
But lets face it, being grateful and saying thanks really isn’t enough.
OUR club needs help from every member to keep the fun coming.
Please play a part and yes, you’ll have more fun too!
Here’s to another 20 years of the Gold Coast MX-5 Club!
PS: Apologies to those whose names weren't included or if any dates
were out. Many members have contributed their skill and time and
today, the Gold Coast MX-5 Club enjoys a rich heritage because of you!
Eric (Scoop) McColough

Gold Coast MX-5ers having fun...
Photo credits...
Front page NC by Jaromir Kavan from Unsplash
P 3 NA by Joel Gubni from Pexels
P 4 NB by Wassim Chouak from Unsplash
P 5 NC by Michal Robak from Pexels
P 6 NA by Nicolas Peyrol from Unsplash
P 7 NB by John Bearby from Unsplash
P 8 Members by MX-5 Club, NB by Ryno Marais from Unsplash
P 9 NB by Wassim Chouak from Unsplash
P 10 NC by John Bearby from Unsplash, members by MX-5 Club
P 11 Cowgirl by Preston Lane from Unsplash
P 12 NC by Jacob Jensen from Unsplash
P 13 to 16 MX-5 Club, Gold Coast moon from Wallpapercave.com