MX5ClubQLD Rag Top Review Feb to April 2025

Ragtop Review
Feb to April 2025

Welcome to our February to April Ragtop Review
AND TO 2025!
Lunches across the south-east corner
Photo Credits: various
In the final 2024 edition there was
a mistake.
I put the wrong pic with the story
about Bruce Scarborough being
named 2024 Club Champion.
Sorry about that Brucey.
For those that might not have met
Bruce from the Darling Downs
Chapter, here he is, doing what he
loves....
All the best for 2025, enjoy the
Perpetual Trophy and your new
True Red NC.
So far the new year has kicked off with everything from motorsports with
Henri, online iRacing, monthly runs, lunches, even a movie! Best club ever!
Bottom line, this is OUR magazine. I’m open to ideas so
anything you’d like to contribute or see, just send it to Scoop:
magazine@mx5clubqld.com.au
Re contributions:
Views expressed in Ragtop Review by contributors and advertisers are not
necessarily those of the MX-5 Club of Qld.

Sunshine Coast Winding to Woombye
Story by Evangeline Joyce, Sunshine Coast Chapter, Feb 2025
What a fantastic way to kick off the year! The Sunshine Coast Chapter's first
run was an absolute blast, with perfect weather and breathtaking views along
the way.
The route from
Landsborough
to Conondale to
Woombye was
simply stunning,
with the scenic
roads and
picturesque
landscapes.

Gold Coasters go to the 19th Hole
Story by Helen Dixon, Gold Coast Chapter, Feb 2025
Extra extra, read all about it,
we were expecting 28 cars to
roll up to the Gold Coast the
19th Hole Run on Sunday, but
we got a few extra’s and ended
up with 33 cars & 54 members!
Trevor & I were scrambling to
get the additional signatures
and groups reorganised within
the 30-minute period before
our departure.

Fortunately, we had a bright and sunny day with all participants in a happy
and eager mood to get started.
We kicked off from the Mudgeeraba Market Shopping Centre, the first of
our 4 groups headed off promptly at 8.30 followed by the next 3 groups at 5
minutes intervals.
We turned quite a few heads as our little cars wound up and down the hinterland
roads. The first leg took up towards Springbrook, then down Pine
Creek Road and through Advancetown to our morning tea stop at Bochow
Park where we took over the carpark.
Our second leg
took us through
Numinbah Valley,
over the
border, though
Chillingham,
past Tumbulgum
and Terranora
before arriving.
There was plenty
of room at the park
to mingle before
heading off on our
second leg to the
Coolangatta and
Tweed Golf Club
for lunch.
The Golf Club
crew looked after
us with parking,
plenty of tables
and lots of meal
choices. The run,
the company and
food was first
class and a good
day was had by
all. Cheers!

Big thanks goes
to all those who
joined in the fun.
We had members
from the
Brisbane and
Darling Downs
Chapters and I
must give special
mention to
Steven and Leon,
our Queensland
members from
Tamworth NSW.
Thanks also goes
to the group
leaders and tail
end Charlies, we
love your work!
The Merry Go Round
Story by Suzanne and Kevin Barnes, Gold Coast Chapter, March 2025
After a few prayers (or
was it my lucky dance)
the weather held. It
was a bit muggy as we
gathered at Metro
Coffee in Burleigh
Heads.
Attendance increased
rapidly in the last week,
and I commend the
Burleigh Tavern lunch
venue for accommodating
the growing
numbers.

After the introductions
by Trevor, we acknowledged
the Brisbane
members who
attended.
Trevor helped integrate
the single drivers
into the groups to ensure
they could follow
the run sheet.
Soon we were ready to proceed, with two groups of 9 + cars each (larger than
normal). We departed at 9am.
Weaving our way out of the carpark and onto the highway for a short section
before turning onto the smaller road.
Like always we had some sections of the run that put our cars at pace,
and other sections where we were behind a pace car, this is all part of the
experience.
We did have a traffic light control section for roadworks which now also
seems to be the norm on most runs.
Syd Duncan Park was the planned location for morning tea. Upon arrival,
parking was somewhat limited due to the improved facilities which now
include a club room available for hire; it was being used for a yoga session.
Andrew assembled his drone for some aerial photographs and while one
hour was initially reserved for this stop, it was shortened by ten minutes as
approaching clouds were observed. Yes I was tempted, but didn’t think a
dance at this time was wise.
Considering we were just recovering from ex cyclone Alfred, I was amazed
how good the condition of the roads was and how with this number of cars
we all managed to all stay together as a group.

As we descended the mountain, there were a few instances of rain. Had it
intensified, there would have been a flurry of activity to put up tops at the T
intersection at the base of the hill.
The roads leading back to The Burleigh Tavern were in good condition, and
no one reported the need for any U-turns, which is typically expected on the
Gold Coast.
There were several large potholes in the car park of the tavern. Lunch included
a variety of options and prices. The conversation around the tables
was positive, with everyone enjoying their day.
On a last note, both the Dixon’s and ourselves chose to leave topless and after
turning onto the highway you guessed it, we saw the band of rain coming
towards us and at 100k and nowhere to stop its suck it up time, the rain was
only for a short time but it was very heavy. We did re engage the tops for the
final few kilometres home.
Thanks to our tail end Charlie’s who performed exceptionally well in keeping
us updated on the group's progress, particularly given the large number
of cars where it is impossible to keep everyone in view.
We trust you enjoyed that Merry-Go-Round feeling, thanks to all and see
you at the next run.
Another great pic by Carl, how lucky are we?

Karting at Kingston Park
Story by Henri, Motor Sport Leader, March 2025
Well what a blast at Kingston Park today
24 members (of whom 8 have been members for 12 months or less competed
in the ICC round one challenge. I am busy working out scores at the
moment.
But the really top news is that 3 of our members were in the top 4 of best
laps of the day, only eclipsed by Jack Kiesecker of the Porsche Club who is
carrying on from where we finished last year. That will greatly help with
our points in the first round.
Our top three members were second place Ashley
Hoult who only joined the club in April, Matt
Hogson in 3rd and brand new member, and in
4th Martin Connellan who joined us March 24.
Congratulations to these three plus of course to
all the members who competed.
Pic 1 came from Trip Advisor
The pics on this page and the next
are from Go Karting Warwick

NotMeet #12, Glenn Innes
Story by Eric McColough, pics by many, April 18-21
If it wasn’t for the dedication and
hard work of Stephen Carter, I’d
have all been sitting in my lounge
room over Easter.
But instead of wondering about
pollies promises or keto meals,
here was I, cruising New England
with 65 other MX5 owners.
So thankyou Stephen Carter, the
New England Motel and Chapter
Leaders for four days of fun with
the best car ever made.
We of course had a great ladies following as well including a very new
member Michelle Rotheram from the Gold Coats – Michelle tells me she
has a lead foot and her excellent times bears that out.
Well done Michelle and all our ladies!
With such an enthusiastic group I intend having another Kart day (I think
in May when the weather may be a bit cooler) The Raceway has BBQ facilities
so we should make it a lunch as well and enjoy great company.
Thanks again to you all for helping make today great.
If Stephen looks a little sidetracked,
he was eating when I took this pic and
shortly after we congratulated him on
his upcoming wedding.
Instead of writing about our 4 days,
here (in no particular order) are some
of the photos that were taken by Nicky
Clark, Queen Col & Dave, Helen &
Trevor Dixon, Janelle & Ralph O’Reilly,
Kevin & Suzanne Barnes & Eman!
From our Glen Innes base, folk
from NSW & Queensland found a
new affinity with crisp mornings,
the history and fabulous scenery
of the region.

Inter Club 2025 Challenge
Story and pics by Queen Col Ander-
Queen Col Anderson
said “Hey Brucey, I’ve
never done a navigation
run, what ya recon?
I’ll navigate if you
wanna drive”.
Brucey bounced back
“Right tee oh, your
majesty that sounds
like a great idea”.
So I entered the event,
to the next day Brucey
goes “Hey Col, we’re in
strife, Mazda have confiscated
my car and given
me a loaner until the
parts turn up on Tuesday”.
That’s ok Brucey between us we have three cars and two are in the shop, let’s
take Elle, my heritage NB out for a run.
I was up way too early but went off to collect my mate Brucey.
The run in was uneventful thankfully, with the exception that Google didn’t
take us to the start point but rather the Home Centre across the road. It’s ok
I say, I’ve done this mess around once before looking for Pine Rivers Park.

Not the last to arrive, had a cuppa tea, bumped fist with a few friends, while
waiting on the navigation team talk.
Got our paperwork third to leave the park, start time 8.18am.
1st of the mx5 out the gate, aaaaaaannd away we go!!
Time limit of four hours they say.
Arrive around 1.30pm they say.
Not a timed event they say.
Deadline to be returned by 2.30pm they say.
Well guess what?
We didn’t stop at any of the suggested 10 min stops for a cuppa, nor did we
stop for an hour at any of the lunch spots recommended.
We finished at 1.50pm

All our questions were answered, but we don’t know if any are correct!
We added a u-turn to the course as we corrected a navigational issue. I’m
glad we did go the wrong way originally - or else we wouldn’t have known or
seen the name of the bridge and the emergency frequency required for our
answers.
Heading into the spit looking for our crew of volunteers.
Brucey was looking for a marquee, I’m looking for the orange bollards and
in the end it was a white 4wd all the way down the end. Our most stressful
moment of the day.
Onward we continued, almost not stopping at Esk - but the boys in blue had
a breathalizer set up, so Brucey got to blow in the bag. Up over Mt Glorious
almost at our end marker, we’ve driven around Pine Rivers Dam, Somerset
Dam, and Wivenhoe Dam.
Brucey hasn’t driven a manual car for a few years, never an NB, as flash as my
heritage, he is now in love with the woodgrain steering wheel and gearnob.
We found our way to our Finish Zone, we were the third car to arrive at
1.50pm and the first mx5 to check in and followed closely by Brad and
Michelle in their white NC.
Afterwards we went for ice creams and drinks.
Thanks to the Z Car Club for holding the run.
It was a lot of fun, now I’m thinking about
how we can do one for the Downs.
I’m open to ideas, feel free to get in touch.
Queen Col Anderson
0419 789 601