Ragtop Review - February to April 2024

Ragtop Review
Feb to March 2024
Proud sponsors of the Qld MX-5 Club...

Welcome to our second online publication.
We were all saddened by the recent passing of past President and Ragtop
Review Editor, Peter Phillips. Our thoughts go out to Brenda and his
family. Peters charm, friendship, knowledge, sense of humour and
contribution to our club will be missed. A life well lived.
Besides sadness and rain, early 2024 has brought great conributions
from members. I trust you enjoy it.
Bottom line this is OUR online magazine. I’m open to your ideas so
anything you’d like to contribute or see, send it to Scoop:
magazine@mx5clubqld.com.au
The fine print...
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. Responsibility 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.

Gold Coast Feb 26 run to Springbrook
My first look outside didn't make me feel too good. Grey skies and a wet
driveway said the TV weather guy last night was right.
Nah...he never is.
I turned back to the coffee machine as it performed its ritual.
I got my radio, clip board, water bottle, nut bar and halfway through my
cup of optimism, I went for the sunblock.
The rain free drive to Mudgeeraba Market Shopping Centre was more
like it and there, we joined 46 people living their convertible lives. We
chatted till Carl Eksteen (as acting Chapter Leader in the Dixons absence)
began his address. The news was Rick Olive, Helen and Trevor
Dixon all had that miserable Covid and would not be on todays run.
After welcoming six prospective and or new club members and
introducing the Group Leaders, Carl announced that he and Billee
Olive would be leading group 1 out of the car park.

Engines started, radios tuned and roofs came down as the weather Gods
smiled through light grey clouds. Twenty six cars across four groups
wound their way southwest, passing lush paddocks, rolling hills and my
favorite, cruising topless under a canopy of trees.
The road was dry as we zoomed on. Seems the weather gods drive MX-5s.
Yes, there were safety cars, cyclists, giving way at a single lane bridge,
more single lane bridges, works done to stop future landslides, road
widening works and roadworks done for technical reasons. Normal
comes in many forms.
The road surface was 99% good and the corners 100% fun.

Springbrook is a stunningly beautiful area so to ignore the “Best of all
Lookouts” turnoff was tough. Pulling up at the morning tea spot at Goomoolahra
Picnic Area came almost too soon. Walking along the path,
the creek looked beautiful and many took the time to take in distant
views of coastal high rises and to admire the impressive Bilbrough Falls
as it tumbles 60m.
A fine spot for a cuppa. It’s beauty inspired further exploration along an
inviting walking track - but I realised restraint and a little more focus
(some of the issues I’m working on) was required. So after another good
chat we saddled up and got topless for the run to the Bearded Dragon.
The weather was holding, the road good, the countryside magnificent
and the car a delight. A good place to be, it’s hard to imagine anything
better.
There were interesting signs announcing more waterfalls, a Skywalk
and Mouse House that triggered a “I should come back and explore”
response. But today we were following the leader.

We drove past huge tree ferns, big old trees and clumps of palms as we
headed to the Goat Track and climbed to Mt Tamborine.
There were around 30 people at hang glider hill waiting - but no hang
gliders! There were no paragliders either but the pic talked to me.
Maybe the high fliers were on holidays with the Council guys that are
supposed to be mowing the meter high grass beside the roads?
Now behind a safety car and stealing glimpses of the views, we rolled
down the other side of the mountain. We went around a corner and ten
meters above the road, a surreal looking upright piano appeared!
Whoever painted 88 keys on that massive rock has a nutty sense of
humour and an outstanding ability to resist gravity!

Driving down the mountain, it took a while to realise we'd left the greener
Springbrook and Mt Tamborine rain forests behind. Dryer countryside
became the norm as the road straightened out and 72.8ks from
morning tea, we pulled into the Bearded Dragon carpark.
The Dragon folk had allocated an indoor area to use and we made good
use of the bar and ordered our meals. After several hours of chatting,
pondering meal choices, chewing, explaining, comparing and consuming,
all too soon it was time to go.
Only the drive home remained of the first 2024 run for most of us.
But the fun certainly wasn’t over for Carl and Billee....

As Carl recalled the drive home...
Billee's and my day had a postscript.
Leaving the Bearded Dragon we faced the eternal debate in
view of the threatening clouds; roof up or down? Being hardy
MX-5'ers we exercised the down option and set off for the Coast
via Canungra, followed by the Varley's in a similar
topless state.
Not too many minutes in, the first drops arrived, soon joined
by many, many of their mates.
"It's just a shower" we reassured each other, but it wasn't. It
was more like a monsoonal downpour and we were reduced to
a crawl on the rapidly flooding road, peering through fogged
specs and windscreen trying to find somewhere to pull over and
get the roof up, and completely missing the Canungra turnoff
in the process.
We joined a trio of drenched bikers in a layby and then suffered
the final indignity of dumping the water pooled in the soft top,
down our necks as I pulled it up!
Thanks to our feat of mis-navigation, we were treated to a
bonus round tour of Bidabbada and Wonglepong, before
rejoining the road to Canungra.
And no, there are no photos of Billee in her white, cotton shirt
following the drenching.
Thankyou Carl for your generous contribution, it’s tragically familiar,
hilarious and well written!
Billie may never talk to you again but Rick will enjoy reading it.

Whiteline Sway bars dramatically improve the grip, handling and
performance of your vehicle.
Cornering loads are spread more evenly across the tires delivering more
grip and frankly, that’s what it’s all about.
www.whiteline.com.au

Ian Mayberry recently joined the Gold Coast Chapter, you might
have met him at the Ferrari movie.
His background is a little unusual in that his father owned a panel shop
in East Bentleigh Melbourne, and as you could imagine, Ian was
informally apprenticed at a very young age.
After rubbing back old panels, at 12 he graduated to spraying undercoat
and guiding older first year apprentices during school holidays.
It was the late 50’s when his uncle, Bill Mayberry and Ted Grey (the
driver) built an open wheel racing car fitted with Chevy Corvette V8
known as the “Tornado” utilizing home made fuel injection. The car is
now owned by Frank Moore and still resides at Pullenvale in QLD. Ians
father painted it blue and yachtie Lou Abrahams picked up the bill.
It was the fastest race car in Australia, setting an Australian Land speed
record of 157.57mph as an each way average over a flying mile on a
section of closed public Road near Coonabarabran in September 1957.
Ian saw the car race at Phillip Island, Fisherman’s Bend and Albert Park.
Pic L>R, in red: Driver Ted Grey, Lou Abrahams & Bill. Re the Tornado:
https://autoaction.com.au/2020/12/13/feature-yachties-tornado

As Ian grew older his interest in Motorsport also grew. He joined the
Phillip Island car club in 1969, competed in rally’s and motorkhana’s
raced a Formula Vee in 1972 and in 1974 move to a Wren Formula Ford
which he still owns today, albeit in need of restoration.
In January 76 the car was all but destroyed at Phillip Island when he
came over the Lukey Heights crest and went off the track to hit a farm
fence, the type of fencepost that’s 4’ high, 10” round and buried 2’ in the
ground. The hay bales were added to make future “offs” safer.
Luckily only the chassis and suspension were written off and though
his broken rib was a reminder, it didn’t slow him down. The car was repaired
and returned to the track 15 months later.
In 1984 he purchased an Elfin 620B Formula Ford from the Bob Jane
and Frank Gardener driving school. Without a formal sponsor, he was
lucky to have the support of mates in the car game which meant access
to a workshop and occasional paid entry fees.
During this period Ian had continued as an official having started at
Sandown in 1969 and attended every Australian Grand Prix from 1980.
at Calder to 2020 at Albert Park as a Senior Official.

In 1985 he started driving to Adelaide to volunteer at the Grand Prix
where he was a Sector Marshal. Arriving lunch time Wednesday for a
Senior Officials briefing at 6.00pm, he’d start work at 6am Thursday and
finish at about 9.00 pm each day and after the end of the after party
Sunday. Then he’d drive back to Melbourne Monday morning.
Around 1,100 volunteers were involved for 10 years in Adelaide (until
the SA Govt failed to commit to a new contract) and then Jeff Kennet
had the race moved to Victoria.
In 1988 Ian drove a Group A BMW touring car at Winton in the
Australian Touring Car Championship and also in the sprint Round at
Sandown. The car was owned by friend Brian Bolwell who generously
loaned the car and transporter to Ian.
After ten more years and a move north later, he was driving in the Qld
Sports car Championship in a SECA Sports 1300.
In 1973 Ian was offered a drive at Bathurst, the first 1000km race, in a
Valiant Charger owned by a PIARC member Brian Ovenden but had to
decline the offer due to a lack of finances.

He arranged for one of his Formula Vee mates, Max McGinley, to take
the drive and Ian became the Team Manager. On a shoestring budget
and after starting 63rd and last, being first reserve, they finished 11th
outright.
Ian has also been Race Director for the Aussie Racing Car series for 23
years until 2022, Clerk of the Course at a number of Supercar Events
including Gold Coast, QLD Raceway, Townsville, Darwin etc.
He’s been member of the CAMS Motor Racing Commission for 5 years
and is the current Chairman of the QLD Motor Racing Advisory Panel
and attends a number of state and club level events around QLD
Clearly focussed and able to make his own luck, today he drives (all be it
a bit slower) his black NB turbo.
Ian is certainly up for a chat so if you’ve wondered about driving open
wheelers, have questions about spray painting or dodging fence posts,
Ian’s going to be able to give you some tips.

BAYSIDE BURBLE BANG BANG
The first Brisbane run of the year was great!
Firstly because it was an afternoon evening run with dinner instead of
lunch. The weather was cooler, and the UV factor lower.
We met at a potholed park which was fine until the Mr Whippy van
pulled up and started playing Greensleeves just as our beloved leader
was doing the briefing, but did that put him off? Not a bit.
We were in the first group headed by our aforementioned beloved leader
and headed toward West Mt Cotton Road. A quick blast over the hill toward
Vicky Point went past numerous chook farms. It’s a pity there was
no parking at the point as the view across to Coochie looked great and
reminded me of the days we sailed our catamaran in those waters. We
also picked up Robert Howlett there in his yellow and seriously low NC.
ESTABLISHED 1976

Next off to Cleveland point and the promised wee stop. As expected, no
parks there either, cars and wandering people everywhere. Now the nice
thing about loops at the points is you get to see the other groups going
the other way. Lots of waves!
The promised wee stop didn’t happen !! It seems our beloved leader
asked those on the radios if they wanted to stop (they didn’t), and those
without a radio had to cross our legs. The writer has since bought a radio.
Next to Wellington point and the group sticking together pretty well despite
traffic lights and errant SUV’s. Wellington point is nice, even with
the tide out however when the tide is out the walk to the little island, the
name of which I can’t remember is very popular. Don’t get caught when
the tide comes in. Again, another loop and more waves.

We made our way to the Wynnum Manly leagues club by a somewhat
circuitous route but it was worth it. They were expecting us, reserved
tables, and good food. It’s called being organised.
Well done beloved leader.
Now the burble, bang bang thing. We were one car behind Ura and Ashleigh
in their BBR tuned red beauty. Every roundabout required at least
two heel and toe change downs with the accompanying burble burble
bang bang and then of course the acceleration out.
Each traffic light at least three to pull up. Marilyn and I just looked at
each other and motored through in the automatic.
I think I got old. Thanks to all the organisers and group leaders. See you
on the next run.
Brian Ferrabee

A quick snap of something sweet....

Sunshine Coast Coffee and Cars by Peter Rogers
On the 20th of March, 13 members met up at the Cooroy RSL for a
truly delicious morning coffee and
nibbles including such delights as low calorie creme brûlée (well, that’s
what they said).
Cream cakes, death by chocolate etc and a good natter about all things
zoom-zoom.
Particularly welcome were Peter and Doreen Briggs from Palmwoods,
who want to be part of our great club. They have a head-turning bright
yellow NC, with matching yellow and black interior leather.
Hopefully we will see a lot more of them in future events. Thanks to Leanne
and the very friendly and happy staff at the RSL.

After a good catch-up with everybody, we went as a group to a
hidden treasure - the 4Cs Motor Museum at Lake MacDonald.
It’s a small but really interesting collection of mostly British (with a few
American and French) vehicles, most are beautifully restored, with a few
in various stages of completion.
There are hundreds of artefacts, badges and artwork including some
with a nautical theme. An added bonus was a simultaneous visit by a car
club with about a dozen Australian and American cars from the 40s and
50s.
A great morning out! Thanks to Colin and Maxine for the very interesting
and knowledgeable conducted tour of the museum.

Photo credits...
1 Natmeet NA in full flight: mx5unleashed.com
2 4 MX-5s: Hotcars.com
3 Wet street: Hafhidh Satyanto
4 Shady lane: Austin Neill
5 Looking down waterfall: Sebastian Hans
6 Looking up at waterfall: FreeTwoRoam.com
7 Paraglider: Pavel Anoshin
8 Meal: Bearded Dragon
9 Orange NA: Tim Bernhard
10 Team Tornado: Primotipo.com
11-14 Various cars: Ian Mayberry
15 Mr Whippy van pic: Facebook, WIN News Toowoomba
16 and on MX5 Club
To see more zoom:
www.whiteline.com.au