Rag Top Review July to Sept 2024

Ragtop Review
July to Sept 2024

Welcome to our July to Sept publication.
I’m sure most of us go everywhere topless - but while driving to Macs
Bridge at 5am in the dark of winter, I was surprised at how much more
comfortable my cocoon immediately became with the windows wound
up...and I’m still jealous of those heated seats in Allans black NA...
I trust you’re enjoying the online editions of Ragtop, files on our website
and Facebook Members page are under 2 meg.
Thanks Bill for all your work and the great pic on the cover!
Bottom line this is OUR magazine. I’m open to 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.

Macs Bridge Show, July 14
at Caboolture Airfield
The alarm rang at 3.30 for this Gold Coaster and I wondered if Bill from
NSW had bothered with bed! Thanks Trevor for organising the run up.
Being on the road before the crack of dawn was a little chilly, but the
six of us and the other 30 odd MX5ers that attended the event agreed
that the hundreds of cars and aircraft on display were fabulous. How
focussed must the driver of the Studebaker (below) have been at 85mph
with its wooden wheels without brakes on the front?

Winter Wanderings
by Ura Auckland, Brisbane, June
On a mildly cool early Winter June Sunday morning, the club members
gathered in the Repco Car Park by McDonalds Goodna, filling every
available spot with our 32 MX5s.
The first Brisbane Chapter run of the winter is traditionally Winter
Wanderings and this year it was the 17th running under this theme, a
hallmark offering of Denise Peck & Neville Fair.
We had a great multi-chapter turnout, from the Gold Coast in the South,
Darling Downs in the West, and with Terry and Marilyn Cutler from
Maryborough able to join us while visiting Brisbane.
We also had a young MX5 enthusiast guest attending in 12 year old
Ahleah, joining with Brucey Scarborough who works with her mum.
Ahleah was thrilled to be attending an MX5 run, surrounded by 31
other MX5s, and got a big send off by her lovely mum and dad.
As always Denise & Neville put together not just a run, but an education
on the country we were travelling through, following the Cobb & Co
Stage Coach Route through the Lockyer Valley to our Morning Tea Stop.

At our Morning Tea stop at Apex Lake, the sun was out and a little baking
in the sun seemed appropriate, with the coffee addicts and sweet
tooths popping in next door to the Transport Museum Café. Fuelling up
the humans at half time turned out to be a prescient move.
The drive from Gatton to Rudd’s Pub at Nobby was via the wonderful
MaMa Creek Gatton to Clifton Road. Google Maps had us a bit
confused at the start of the day as the road was closed through the night,
and navigation before its opening time was showing it closed. Thankfully
it was wide open when we got there.
It is very scenic road, wonderfully winding, and little used, so that we
didn’t have too much problem with pace cars. There are however quite a
few big dips and bumps, and I owe my co-driver Dave Reynolds a new
cap, after we went about a foot in the air out of our seats and his cap kept
going when the seat belts slowed our ascent.
I do also love the wide open sweeping sections of road through Pilton
and past the Darling Downs Zoo, which did encourage my right leg to
stretch out a little, with the Waze App playing a metaphorical ‘lookout’
to my ‘kid in the toilet having a smoke’, not that I ever was a kid in the
toilet having a smoke. My Dad’s smoking in the car cured me of any
desire to smoke for life.

At Rudds Pub there was plenty of parking down the road beside it, and
our large contingent of now 33 MX5s as we were joined by Allan and
Rachel from Toowoomba made quite a sight.
The Pub was named in honour of Steele Rudd, the pen name of Arthur
Hoey Davis, who wrote the book that the run theme borrowed from ‘On
our selection’, creating the infamous Australian characters Dad & Dave.
It’s a wonderful historic pub, and the club got the wonderful barn behind
it as our private venue. Or large numbers did test the small team at
the pub, and consequently we had a longer lunch than usual, and a late
departure for those who got their meals last. Thankfully we’d put most
of the Gold Coaster’s in Group 1 at Denise’s suggestion, so they got to
begin their long journey home at a reasonable time.

Dave (san’s cap) and I had a ride back to Brisbane with my NC playing
up, as it had been a bit through the day, and I ended up dropping it to
Autoworks at Salisbury and finishing my ride home in an Uber to Bribie.
My issue turned out to be an ignition lead on cylinder one hanging on
by a thread. All ignition leads, and coils were replaced to head off future
issues. I do appreciate knowing that most failure points in my car have
had preventative maintenance.
As always, Denise and Neville outdid themselves in perpetuating the
Winter Wanderings institution. They put on a great drive with meaning
and value in the theme and I really appreciated experiencing the historic
Rudd’s Pub - where the lamb cutlets are delightful!
Thanks to everyone that joined us on our 17th Winter Wandering, see
you all soon!

Historical Blackjack Buggy Run
by Mark and Sophie McConville Gold Coast July
The Gold Coast’s July run had a genuine point of difference. 30 cars and
their owners came together to celebrate a perfect morning and to be
part of the inaugural Historical Blackjack Buggy Run.
We assembled at the Oxenford Square Shopping Centre for the morning
briefing where drivers choose their first playing card for the day.
Some disputed the rules when they turned their card and saw a two or
a four and were told “5 under” wasn’t going to be a winning hand today.
So we smiled and instead of hitting the bottle, we hit the road.

We headed
off for morning
tea at the
beautiful
Wyaralong
Dam picnic
area.
There we
parked in
perfect
formation and
then, chose
our second
playing card.
The second
leg took in the
picturesque
Mount
Alford, before
skirting past
Moogerah
Dam and
taking in
some amazing
views on
the way to our
final
destination,
the historic
Royal Hotel at
Harrisville.

With both the picturesque front of hotel parking and a huge grassed
area complete with old railway carriages out the back, it was a photo opportunity
not to be missed. Then we enjoyed a wonderful lunch!

During lunch we announced
that Debbie
Bryant was the Black
Jack WINNER with
both a King and Ace
of spades.
Nice work Debbie,
hope you enjoyed
the bottle of port.
As always, another
fantastic day out enjoying
our beautiful
part of the world, our
fun little cars and our
friends.
The food was pretty
good too, thanks to
Jade and Cath from
the Royal for looking
after us.

Museum Mystery Tour
by Di Kelly, Brisbane, August
On a fine but cloudy Sunday morning, 23 cars with 42 willing drivers
and navigators were gathering at the start our August run.
Ura our Chapter Leader welcomed everyone and Robert Howlett, (our
run organiser) gave details on the days run before we left in four groups,
five minutes apart.
With very detailed instructions from our run organisers, no one had any
problem sticking to the designated route. Yes there were many roadworks
and one lane bridges, but these were all clearly listed on the Run
Sheet.
All eyes were on the lookout for any museums which was the point of
todays run. The morning tea stop was in Kalbar with the good weather
continuing.

We continued on through the Boonah area with more one lane bridges
to navigate. Everyone enjoyed the magnificent scenery and country
back roads and there were many roads we hadn’t been on before - good
job Robert!
We took the road to Mt Tamborine to arrive at our lunch stop at the
Fortitude Brewery. There was live Sunday music which was a bit loud for
some seniors who were seated closer to the band.
We all enjoyed our lunch selections and catching up with members from
other groups.

After due consideration of the Museum Mystery Tour answer sheets,
there were only 3 correct entrants. Our Chapter Leader Ura drew the
winners of the life changing prize, the winners were Marion and John
Tait.
It was interesting that one keen team listed five sites, one more than the
nominated four required.
The correct Museums were....
- Harrisville and District Historical Museum
- Panorama Motorcycle Museum
- Templin Historical Museum
- Beaudesert Museum
The winning Taits at the recent Pink Concert
Our thanks to Robert and Alita Howlett for organising our mystery run
which was a lot of fun and enjoyed by everyone.

Yamba Dabba Dooo 2
by Eric McColough, Gold Coast, August
After last years Yamba success, our second four day getaway was highly
anticipated - again, skillfully organised by Helen and Trevor Dixon and
again, assisted on runs from two local Stephens, Carter and Hawthorn.
41 people in 22 cars left from Jubilee Park, Beaudesert.
Split into three groups led by Trevor, Kevin and Richard, we went south
to Casino. All too soon the 10k “speed hump challenge” on the road to
Kyogle was behind us (good job Qld Roads lol) and we drove towards
the sunshine and warmer temperatures predicted for the days ahead.

Open country roads gave some the opportunity to work their throttles
a little harder and in Casino, everyone enjoyed the shade, a drink and a
good chat at Tattersalls Hotel where we had a hearty lunch.
Our second leg to Yamba included a ferry across the Clarence River,
great roads and more fabulous countryside to enjoy.

The
Clarence
River is
big, but the
flood plain
affects a
massive
800sq ks
of farms &
towns in
north east
NSW.
Day 1
dinner was at
Yamba Bowls
Club where we
enjoyed the
atmosphere,
tasty meals,
cool drinks
and the odd
tall tale...

Day 2
Google predicted another sunny day of 32 and for a change, it was right.
Kevin took our group photo and after pondering the pollen on the cars,
we were off on a 90 minute drive to the Laurence Hotel for lunch.
The character of the region was on display on a busy Saturday morning.
Maclean town centre was full of people, there’s beautifully renovated
country homes and buildings for various purposes as well as decrepit
old farmhouses built almost on the edge of the road. Also outside of
town there’s very modern (and unexpected) rooflines beside sheds!
There’s also 200 eye-catching and artfully
painted tartan powerpoles around
Maclean township. Painted in 2000,
they’re a reminder of the Olympic Torch
being carried through the most Scottish
town in NSW. While editing this, I’ve
read this paragraph many times and I
swear, there’s a Glaswegian inside, wanting
me to sound like William Wallace...
Lunch at the Laurence Hotel was great. I listened to Stephen Carter (one
of the local run organisers) who said the chicken with bacon and camembert
was great last year. We both went there as did Suzanne Barnes
and we can all say, hand on heart, its a massive winner this year too!

The half kilo of prawns was popular and Peter Cook found new love in
his 500g tomahawk steak. His grin said “I had what she had - but mine
was better”. Seasoned carnivores were jealous. Stephen Carter tells me
the Laurence is less than a five hour round trip for Gold Coasters...hm-

Day 2 dinner was a BBQ at the Aston by the pool
Day 3 - Sunday - HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!
We assembled at 8.30 and drove to the Crown Hotel in Grafton to dine
on their impressive Riverfront Terrace. The run was planned by our pair
of NSW Stephens who enroute, took us to a lookout over Yamba and
after lunch, to the Tree Walk and fabulous lookout over Coffs Harbour.
The Clarence floods again, this time in 1928.

Day 3 dinner was at the Yamba Golf Club which we thought was great!

Yep, it’s outrageous what
the editor gets away
with...
I’m certain I got everybodys
photo, but I do
apologise about not
getting all the couples
in pairs. Some things
are just too technical...

Day 4 - DEPARTURE...
We came, we drove, we left.
Two groups said goodbye to old friends before heading to Lismore for
morning tea, then getting back into Qld for lunch at the Cabarita Beach
Hotel.
Lismore 2022 Lismore 1883
The run from Lismore to Qld had a lot going on, fabulous twisty roads
with shade trees, roadworks, one or two potholes and a sweet hill that
ran down to a sweeping left hander and the most magnificent scenery.
But as good as that hill and corner were, we were all looking forward to
a cool drink and lunch at the Cabarita Beach Hotel, where more tales
were told, more goodbyes were said and the ocean looks like this....
BIG THANKS TO THE ORGANISERS,
WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK!!

The Falls Drive
by Ura Auckland, Brisbane, September
It was a quite lovely Saturday that saw 18 MX5s gather at the Park Ridge
Tavern for the ‘Fall Drive Run’. There was excitement with the welcome
return of Steve and Erika in their Red NC, after an absence for some
months while Steve was kicking the ass of some health challenges. Steve
was in better spirits than ever, living life large, there were many hugs.
The group was also graced with several new members, Connor Riza in a
great, nicely set up Red NA who had his Dad along to share in the ride,
George Cristoffis in a Winning Blue NC, Stuart McVicar in his White
ND, and Jackie Hermanns in her White ND.
The three groups were ably led by Shane and Lori Davis in Maxi their
NB, Steve & Julie Hodgson turning out in a beautiful newly acquired
True Red NC2 PRHT, and John & Marion Tait in their trusty True Red
NC. My thanks go to those who serve in this way.
Your writer (whose MX5 was in at the Bump Shop following an incident
with a Kangaroo in July) was playing photographer for the day, setting
up at a couple of spots on the roadside to get some photos and video
footage with his new camera. Everyone went home with a photo, or at
least once they logged on to Facebook later.

Here’s the link if you’d like to check photos from Ura out....
https://www.flickr.com/gp/200513903@N08/t14A94n6NH
Sadly the return of Steve & Erika to the fold was short-lived on the day,
with one of their tyres deciding it was throwing in the towel, and as
we know, MX-5s mostly don’t have a spare. A text from Steve later on
advised they had got a brand new set of 4 tyres and will be back with us
in their well shod NC next month.
It was a great run through some backroads, and just near Teviotville the
groups found the writer in a ditch to the right of the road, to capture
each MX5 zooming by a farmer’s dam, making quite a nice shot.
Note from the
Editor:
There were a few
technical difficulties
using Uras pics from
Flicker, but here’s
a farmers dam pic
from Bartholomew
& Co, and here’s the
zooming MX5...

The groups made their way
through Kalbar, and on to the
always beautiful Moogerah
Dam for morning tea, where
was lots of interest in Connor’s
NA, and where David
Cookson got his new drone
in the air to capture some of
the beauty.
Your writer didn’t spend
much time there, running
ahead of the pack to set up
for the second group of photos
on ‘Falls Drive’.
The drive up ‘Falls Drive’ towards
Queen Mary Falls was
a stunningly beautiful drive,
and a test of cooling systems,
with Connor’s NA appreciating
a break at the top of the
climb to Carrs Lookout.
At Carr’s Lookout the Writer
awaited the gaggles of MX5s,
capturing some video of the
cars winding along a beautiful
set of esses coming out of
the forest. I just wished I had
the 100 to 400 lens that I have
since bought to get some
better zoom.
Queen Mary Falls
by Nicky Clark

The beauty of the drive seemed not to be lost on anyone, and there were
lots of wonderful adjectives shared by those new to this road.
Lunch at the Killarney
Hotel was an
absolute joy, with
good food served
quickly and the
club having its own
space that more
than adequately accommodated
our
group.
The invite was there for those who felt inspired to do so, to visit Queen
Mary Falls on the way home, and as I went past in my Mitsubishi AX
rental car I spotted Tim and Nicky’s NDs in the carpark there.
A good day was had by all, and our new members seemed quite chuffed
with the experience, and looking forward to the next one.
Ura P Auckland
Brisbane Chapter Leader &
Strange man in a ditch with camera and thanks Nicky for your photos.

Gold Coast Meet and Eat
by Eric McColough September
Peter and Alison Cook came up with a first for the monthly Meet and
Eat, they hosted a BBQ by the Coomera river and even old mate on his
bicycle dropped in for a chat. A local that lived 3 doors away, he liked
our cars and camaraderie and when leaving, said he’d get one!
As well as a great location,
our hosts generously supplied
some fine snags, bread, onions
and sauces - and Peter did a
fine job cooking them as well!
Many said it was a great idea,
(the location even had a tap
for hot water) and to top it off,
after the BBQ we enjoyed the
3 sensational cakes, cream and
cookies Fran Moore made!

Time to tuck in....

Fathers Day Run
by Tony Unsworth, Sunshine Coast, September
The first of September was “Fathers Day” and 22 drivers and navigators
were taking full advantage of the perfect weather as a dozen majestic
MX-5s gathered at Pioneer Park, Nambour.
After working through the finer points of the run, we got back to
enjoying the beautiful countryside of the Sunshine Coast and once
more, our fabulous cars.

Another perfect Sunshine Coast day...
The route planner did an excellent job, mapping winding roads through
lovely countryside with driveable surfaces and after 1.5 hours, we were
at Isaac Moore Park, Kenilworth for our coffee break.
The rest rooms where a talking point. They were inspired by aboriginal
fishing baskets, sponsored by the local community wishing to create a
bush “dunny” with a difference.

The next section of hills, rolling paddocks and magnificent scenery took
our group for a further couple of hours to the Cooroy Hotel to again
experience a wonderful lunch and friendly conversation amongst the
group.
Thanks to Kerry Cook and Rod Barwick for organising and managing
another successful MX5 run. Thanks also to visitors from other chapters
and to the first timers. We enjoyed your company and hope to see you
again.
The run had a highlight in that the Cook family was represented three
generations. Kerry, his son and two grandsons. Thank you to the young
navigator Kyle and well-done young Ben for performing his first club
drive.
Another great Sunday had by all!

Wild Goose Chase
by Steve and Annie McKell, Gold Coast, September
This was our first time organizing the Gold Coast Chapter of the MX5
Clubs monthly run and our beautiful climate didn’t disappoint. After
Trevors address we set off from Mudgeeraba with 22 cars and 41 people
on board, heading for Beechmont via The Panorama and boy what a
spectacular view of the Gold Coast, up Beechmont with the fun twisting
road that tends to bring out the enthusiast in a lot of us.

Once on top, the views in all directions proves what a great part of the
country we live in, then we were off down the other side of Beechmont
heading for Henri Robert Drive which takes us up on to Tamborine
Mountain.
Once again more breath taking views as well as many film locations
of some of the numerous movies that have been shot on the mountain
including Beetle Juice, Runt, Scooby Doo, Thor Ragnarok, Kong Skull
Island and Dora Lost City of Gold, just to name a few.
Then we went across the Mountain to our morning tea stop at Geissman
Oval.

After morning tea it was of back across the mountain to head down
the infamous Mystery Road (not that bad really) into the Guanaba area
where there’s lots of horse properties and a couple of good roads as well.
Then past the Gold Coast Motor Museum onto Tamborine Oxenford
road for another climb up the mountain, then down through Gallery
Walk with it’s cafes and boutiques to Geissman Rd to a second mountain
descent on another fun road, towards Tamborine Village.
Then we turned into Vonda Youngman Dr with its tricky blind crest
which can put the unaware dangerously, on the wrong side of the road!
From there it was a pretty straight forward run through Canungra into
Clagiraba Rd for the last run to our lunch stop at “The Beechmont”
hotel, where they really love their smoker and their beef.

It’s in a great location and has very good food as the number in the Sunday
crowd attested to. Many enjoyed their various cuts of smoked meats
(have a look at the size of that smoker) and their unique burger made
with a very generous slice of tender and oh so tasty, smokey brisket.
Thanks to Beechmont management and staff for putting us on their
elevated deck, it gave us all plenty of room. Also, big thanks to Trevor
for the recce, the group leaders, tail end Charlies and those from other
chapters that drove down for the day, it was great to see you all!
We live on Tamborine Mountain and we’re so happy to share just a little
snapshot of this spectacular place.
The positive feedback was nice to hear, we hope you all enjoyed the run.
Steve and Annie McKell
P.S. We didn’t lose anybody.

Photo Credits
Winter Wanderings
Sunrise pic: Hipcamp
Rudds Pub: Trip advisor
Road pic: Britz Campervans
Lamb cutlets: Whats On Mudgee Region
Historic Blackjack Buggy Run
Mount Alford and Moogerah Dam: PSMA Schools
Museum Mystery Tour
MX5s: MX5 Club Qld
Boonah Golf Club Scenic Rim
Fortitude Brewery: Fortitude Brewery
Yamba Dabba Dooo Run
Kyogle countryside: Kyogle Council
Tattersalls Hotel: Australian Rural and Regional News
Clarence floodplain: Research Gate, Peter Rose
Tree Top Walk pics: Coffs Coast
Ocean: CabaBreak
The Falls Drive
Twisty road: Unknown
Queen Mary Falls and distant mountain pics: Nicky Clark
Zooming MX5: Autoweek
Killarney Hotel: Trip Advisor
Fathers Day Run
Tree and Mt Pomona: Countryside Realty Noosa
Cooroy Hotel: Eat Drink Cheap
Steak at Cooroy Hotel: Trip advisor
Wild Goose Chase
Evening view from Panarama Rd: Realestate.com
Daytime distant view to ocean: Booking.com
Beechmont Hotel, burger and their massive smoker: Beechmont Hotel