MX5 Club QLD Gold Coast 20 years
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Ragtop Review<br />
<strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> MX-5 <strong>Club</strong><br />
<strong>20</strong>th Anniversary
First things first...<br />
As the new Ragtop Review Editor, I’d like to say thanks to Kevin and Suzanne<br />
Barnes for their tireless efforts creating a quality magazne for three <strong>years</strong>.<br />
Oh, and if anyone has access to bulk paracetamol, please get in touch.<br />
Welcome to our first online<br />
edition.<br />
As this edition is all about the <strong>Club</strong> turning <strong>20</strong>, in terms of frequency and<br />
number of pages, my wheels are still spinning but like all things, time will<br />
tell.<br />
Bottom line this is OUR online magazine.<br />
I’m open to your ideas so anything you’d like to contribute or see, come on<br />
down. One great idea was to incorporate links to interesting videos.<br />
The fineprint...<br />
Re contributions: Views expressed in Ragtop Review by contributors and<br />
advertisers are not necessarily those of the MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> of Qld.<br />
Re copyright: No part of this online publication may be reproduced without<br />
written permission of the publisher.<br />
Re advertising: All advertisments are the responsibility of the advertiser.<br />
Advertisments are accepted on the understanding they do not contravene<br />
the Competition and Consumer Act. Responsibilty is not accepted by the<br />
Ragtop Review or The MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> of Qld for statements made or failure of<br />
any product or service to give satisfaction. Inclusion of an advertisment<br />
should not be construed as endorsement by the MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> of Qld.
In the beginning...<br />
In the early 80’s, Mazdas Californian design studio with their rear<br />
wheel drive concept, won an inhouse sportscar design competition<br />
over the Japanese design with a more cost effective front wheel drive.<br />
The result was named with two letters and a number that spelt fun and<br />
reliability. It would go on to be the best selling sportscar on the planet.<br />
The NA was unveiled on Feb 10, 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show and for<br />
$14,000US, just under your nose, a smile got welded on.<br />
The 14” wheels were off a Mazda 323, it had a 5 speed box and a 1.6 litre<br />
that took you from 0-60mph in 8.6 seconds. With headlights that still<br />
demand attention, the NA had a lightened flywheel and crankshaft in a<br />
compact, light weight 940kg with an impressive chassis.
Meanwhile in Australia...<br />
To get the wind in your hair before the NA, red blooded males suffered<br />
decades of depression with carboard interiors, dodgy electricals, oil<br />
leaks, water leaks, rattles, dated engineering and brand closures.<br />
So when Mazda sent a compact, rear wheel drive convertible with 50/50<br />
balance and a good gearbox, grown men wept and the NA flew out of<br />
showrooms faster than a toupee at 100kph.<br />
Mazda Australia was instrumental in starting MX-5 clubs around<br />
Australia and in August 1990, the Victorian <strong>Club</strong> was formed. Today it<br />
has over 1,000 members.<br />
In Qld, Paul McNeil from Mazda was member #1 of the Queensland<br />
MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> and his assistant Joan Tuite was the 2nd on Nov 25, 1990.<br />
The first 5 <strong>years</strong> of our <strong>Club</strong> are well documented on our website,<br />
listing the Committee with Colin Jones as the Foundation President.<br />
By 1991 there were 61 members in Brisbane that enjoyed monthly events<br />
including hunts, weekends away as well as dinner and breakfast runs.<br />
In 1993, the State President’s met in Daylesford Victoria and with Sue<br />
Ranson from Mazda Australia, created the MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> of Australia which<br />
today (covid period aside) still runs the Natmeet every two <strong>years</strong>.
Stats...<br />
There were 6,123 NA's sold in Australia from 1989.<br />
The NB was released in 1997, there were 5,037 sold in Australia and the<br />
average age of NA and NB buyers was 59.<br />
The NC came in <strong>20</strong>05 and 5,761 were sold with 80% of buyers over 45.<br />
In <strong>20</strong>14 the ND came out and since then, 60% of drivers are over 45 and<br />
40% of buyers have been women.<br />
In <strong>20</strong>16, the millionth MX-5 was sold.<br />
In Sept <strong>20</strong>22, 707 passionate MX-5 drivers from across Europe met at<br />
The Modena Autodrome in Italy and drove around it for 3 hours to set<br />
the latest MX-5 record in the Guinness Book.<br />
Re the NE?<br />
Those that dare to dream scour the internet for clues as to where<br />
Mazda will go. I've read it wiĺl have an ICE with some electric support -<br />
but who knows!
Motorsport...<br />
It seems MX-5 drivers refuse to act their age because when two or more<br />
get together, some aspect of modifying inevitably comes up.<br />
In 1998, Alan Horsley from Mazda Australia decided the NB needed<br />
a bit more pep and with a host of modifications (and a water cooled<br />
Garrett GT2560R turbo at 8psi boost), he got 33% more power and 55%<br />
more torque out of it. It got to 100kph in a very tasty 6 seconds.<br />
Murray Coote put the NB to the test and thrashed the Australian made<br />
hottie into <strong>20</strong>th place at the 7 day, <strong>20</strong>01 Targa Tasmania.<br />
He beat many more fancied rivals and Horsleys success inspired Mazda<br />
to build 100 Special Performance NBs. The MazdaSpeed turbo was only<br />
sold in <strong>20</strong>04-5 and though not as fast as Horsleys, its still a favorite<br />
with enthusiasts.<br />
There have been MX-5s running around Australian race tracks<br />
since 1990. MX-5 Qld <strong>Club</strong> racer Loch Stewart designed and built an<br />
improved air box and headers for his NA. They're still available today<br />
for the NA and NB, offering 15%+ more fun with an exhaust.
Since 1993, those that fancy the smell of competition can attend our<br />
<strong>Club</strong> track days which offer the "regularity" and sprints at Lakeside.<br />
To compete you need a race (or roadworthy) car, a long sleeve top, long<br />
pants, shoes and a helmet that meets AS1698.<br />
Fire extinguishers aren't required - but are recommended and if<br />
Motorsport Australia are conducting the event, you’ll need a firex suit<br />
and in some cases, a roll bar that meets their specs.<br />
If you’re a newby fear not, the depth of knowledge that rev heads like<br />
Alan Hitchcock and John Tait can offer is vast! John has been awarded<br />
the <strong>Club</strong> Champion Trophy on 3 occasions and as the many involved in<br />
motorsport can tell you, it’s addictive!<br />
You might innocently start getting a new radio head unit and a stumpy<br />
aerial, but beware, catless headers, a better sounding muffler, different<br />
shocks, a tune, heavier sway bars and stickier tyres can easily follow.<br />
In the early <strong>20</strong>00’s, one of our drivers became addicted to the taste of<br />
brake fluid, but he says he can stop anytime.
Did I hear someone shout "and what good is a helmet without a GoPro"?<br />
There’s a solid YouTube community letting their inner Spielberg out as<br />
they race their car, fix roof rattles and maintain their secret love.<br />
As well as <strong>Club</strong> track days, Inter-<strong>Club</strong> Challenges with other car brands<br />
have become popular and <strong>Club</strong> members can attend events including<br />
hill climbs, sprints, economy runs and auto cross around Brisbane.<br />
These are hosted by <strong>Club</strong>s including Holden, BMW, Triumph, Porsche,<br />
Lotus, MG, BRZ, Z Cars and the MR2 <strong>Club</strong>.<br />
Of course some aren’t interested in competition. They enjoy their car<br />
for it’s unique feel while others enjoy it as their art project. Bottom line,<br />
owners are the winners, whichever way you like expressing yourself.
Qld MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> Motorsport<br />
Legend Leaders:<br />
In the 1990’s:<br />
Loch Stewart (made a Life Member in 95), David Verna, Henri van Roden<br />
In the <strong>20</strong>00’s:<br />
Ted Looi, Bob Duguid, Ryan Middleton, Tony Doust, Geoff Marsh<br />
<strong>20</strong>23:<br />
Alan Hitchcock
A total chick magnet:<br />
In <strong>20</strong>17, Gordon Cunningham asked the EKKA organisers if the Qld<br />
MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> could help and since, the Queensland Miss Country Life<br />
Showgirls have enjoyed a ride around the arena.<br />
While the MC introduces the girls to the crowd, I’m told the more<br />
tender swoon at the charm and bravado of MX-5 drivers who are<br />
naturally attracted to exciting curves and beauty.<br />
Of course the girls never want to get out of an MX-5 after only one lap!<br />
Community minded:<br />
As well as the EKKA, the MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> has been there for the community.<br />
Between 1996 and <strong>20</strong>00, the MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> played a role in the “Welcome<br />
Home Parades” for Olympians, Para Olympians and Commonwealth<br />
Games athletes.
The <strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> Chapter:<br />
Due to increasing number of members away from Brisbane, the<br />
original 1990 Queensland <strong>Club</strong> decided to split into four Chapters:<br />
- <strong>20</strong>01: Brisbane Chapter<br />
- <strong>20</strong>01: Sunshine <strong>Coast</strong> Chapter<br />
- <strong>20</strong>03: <strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> Chapter (Sept)<br />
- <strong>20</strong>16: Darling Downs Chapter<br />
Of course, members are free to intermingle and many go on runs or<br />
meet for coffee across SEQ each month.<br />
Over the <strong>years</strong> runs included Keith and Jo Nelson's Bum Freezer Run to<br />
Stanthorpe and Neville and Denise Pecks' Winter Wanderings.<br />
I’m sure you know a lot of time and effort goes into organising our<br />
monthly runs, our meet and eats, long weekends away and the RagTop<br />
Review.<br />
The dedication of Chapter Leaders, Run Organisers, Committee<br />
Members and Editors over the decades (AND their super supportive<br />
partners who often took on roles) simply can't be praised enough!<br />
Their continued efforts, their consistency, imagination and attention to<br />
detail has made the <strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> <strong>MX5</strong> <strong>Club</strong>, truly fantastic!
I hadn’t been in the club a month when I<br />
found myself on a themed run.<br />
The idea for dressing the cars (as well<br />
as the occupants) came from David<br />
Rosenberg when he led the GC Chapter.<br />
His runs include:<br />
- The Cat in the Hat run (the winning hats<br />
in <strong>20</strong>19 were on top of Ralph and Janelle).<br />
- The Captains Run (the <strong>20</strong> best dressed<br />
all had the same $2 shop Captains hat and,<br />
ah-harrrrrr matee, we all looked ahrrrr-<br />
MAZING)!<br />
- The Hill Billy run, where men had "Bob"<br />
as a suffix to their name, women had "Mae"<br />
or "Lou" and "Y'alls" were as common as<br />
wheel nuts.<br />
- The Bastille Day run where croissants,<br />
baguettes and striped shirts mattered.<br />
- The Many Happy U-turns run,<br />
celebrating dodgy directions, dead-ends<br />
and a failure to plan that the GC Chapter<br />
was known for. (Not now of course...)<br />
- The Gilligans Island run where you came<br />
as your favorite character.<br />
- The annual Jacaranda Jaunt.<br />
David also came up with the format of the<br />
run sheets used today.<br />
He's clearly a creative guy (lets overlook<br />
the braces and mullet) and in <strong>20</strong>11 he took<br />
up the reins of GC Chapter Leader, saving<br />
the Chapter from folding.<br />
On returning from a run in <strong>20</strong>21, David and his wife Elaine were first to<br />
arrive on a crash scene. A vehicle was upside down in a meter of water<br />
and his quick response and ability to resuscitate made a difference to a<br />
family in distress.<br />
David was awarded the President's medal for his clear headed actions.
<strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> Chapter Heros:<br />
Over the last <strong>20</strong> <strong>years</strong>, many people have contributed to wellbeing and<br />
growth of the <strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> MX-5 <strong>Club</strong>.<br />
The names of past Treasurers, Secretaries, Regalia officers, Meet and Eat and<br />
Committee members may have faded, but here’s some we do recall...<br />
GC Chapter Leaders:<br />
<strong>20</strong>01-02 Don Hunter (before the <strong>Club</strong> was officially formed)<br />
<strong>20</strong>03-06 Jim Grohn<br />
<strong>20</strong>07-08 Clive Barnard<br />
<strong>20</strong>09-10 Wendy Eales<br />
<strong>20</strong>11-12 David Rosenberg<br />
<strong>20</strong>13-14 Andrew Darby<br />
<strong>20</strong>15-16 David Rosenberg<br />
<strong>20</strong>17-19 Ralph Waddington<br />
<strong>20</strong><strong>20</strong>-24 Trevor & Helen Dixon<br />
<strong>20</strong>25 (Vacancy to be filled)<br />
What’s a club without a newsletter?<br />
Ragtop Review Editors:<br />
1990-94 Loch Stewart (used his roneo and wrote at least 8 pages in each<br />
edition himself)<br />
1995-96 David Verna<br />
1996-97 Steve & Lyn Kovacs<br />
1998-00 Bob Duguid<br />
<strong>20</strong>01-02 Steve Wainwright<br />
<strong>20</strong>03-06 Mike O’Brien<br />
<strong>20</strong>07-09 Beth Mszanowski<br />
<strong>20</strong>10-21 Peter and Brenda Phillips (huge)<br />
<strong>20</strong>22-24 Kevin and Suzanne Barnes<br />
<strong>20</strong>24 Eric McColough
Bottom line, we’re lucky to be<br />
members of a brilliant club!<br />
We meet interesting people<br />
on fabulous runs and we drive<br />
sensational cars around the<br />
best place on earth!<br />
Our gratitude goes to all<br />
Committee Members,<br />
Chapter Leaders, Editors,<br />
Motorsport Leaders, Regalia<br />
Officers, Meet & Eat and Run<br />
Organisers that have made<br />
the 4th Sunday great fun since<br />
1993.<br />
The club and every member has gained from your efforts.<br />
But lets face it, being grateful and saying thanks really isn’t enough.<br />
OUR club needs help from every member to keep the fun coming.<br />
Please play a part and yes, you’ll have more fun too!<br />
Here’s to another <strong>20</strong> <strong>years</strong> of the <strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> MX-5 <strong>Club</strong>!<br />
PS: Apologies to those whose names weren't included or if any dates<br />
were out. Many members have contributed their skill and time and<br />
today, the <strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> MX-5 <strong>Club</strong> enjoys a rich heritage because of you!<br />
Eric (Scoop) McColough
<strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> MX-5ers having fun...<br />
Photo credits...<br />
Front page NC by Jaromir Kavan from Unsplash<br />
P 3 NA by Joel Gubni from Pexels<br />
P 4 NB by Wassim Chouak from Unsplash<br />
P 5 NC by Michal Robak from Pexels<br />
P 6 NA by Nicolas Peyrol from Unsplash<br />
P 7 NB by John Bearby from Unsplash<br />
P 8 Members by MX-5 <strong>Club</strong>, NB by Ryno Marais from Unsplash<br />
P 9 NB by Wassim Chouak from Unsplash<br />
P 10 NC by John Bearby from Unsplash, members by MX-5 <strong>Club</strong><br />
P 11 Cowgirl by Preston Lane from Unsplash<br />
P 12 NC by Jacob Jensen from Unsplash<br />
P 13 to 16 MX-5 <strong>Club</strong>, <strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> moon from Wallpapercave.com