MR2 NATIONALS 2015 - QUEENSLAND - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

 
MR2 NATIONALS 2015 - QUEENSLAND - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
 
With just under 6 months to go before the Nationals in Queensland we have started two new threads to help everyone who plans to attend. This "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) thread will provide as many answers as we can to questions being asked. The thread has been locked so that the information only comes from one source, namely the organising committee. The FAQ will also be on the Club website at mr2club.com.au/qld/.                   
 
The second thread will be in the general section of the Queensland State Forum below and will provide space for people to seek further information, post comments, and indicate their attendance if they are unable to email the Nationals Committee at Nationals2015@mr2club.com.au.
 
With the decreasing cost of petrol (just come back from a round trip to Sydney from Brisbane and saved over $120.00 using Premium 95) and the great accommodation deal that has been organised, the Nationals are now even more affordable!
 
FAQ
 
1. When and where are the Nationals taking place?
 
The Nationals are being hosted by the Queensland (QLD) Chapter of the MR2 Owners Club of Australia in what is normally referred to as the South East Corner of Queensland, centred on Brisbane. The official events for the Nationals are being held over three long weekend days, the 6th, 7th and 8th of June 2015, which is the Queen's Birthday Holiday.
 
2. What are the planned events and what will it cost me?
 
Having been to previous Nationals in other states the QLD Committee for 2015 has tried really hard to keep the costs down to equal with or lower than past such events, but without risking the integrity and quality of what is planned.
 
The Nationals Early Bird Entry Fee if paid prior to 1 May 2015 will be $50.00 which covers one car and two people. After 1 May 2015 the Entry Fee rises to $60.00.
 
Saturday the 6th of June will see an "MR2 Advanced Handling Day" being held at the famous Willowbank Raceway from approximately midday onwards on. This will cost $70.00 per car, plus a further $20 if an AASA license is not held. Willowbank is not a CAMS affiliated facility so a CAMS license is not required. The cost of this activity is considered to be excellent value for something being run at an international raceway under properly managed safety supervision. There is a limit of 20 cars that can take part in this event.
 
It is important for interstate attendees to note that the Committee has decided the entries for the "Advanced Handling Day" will be open only to interstate and non-QLD Club members until 1 April 2015. After 1 April 2015 all vacant places will be filled on first-come basis, so if you are from interstate and want to ensure a place at the "Advanced Handling Day" then get your application in before the 1st of April.
 
Sunday Day the 7th of June will see a Show and Shine and public display of our MR2's as part of the long running All-Japanese Day car gathering at Banyo. We are assured pride of place by the All Japanese Day organisers and if past attendance records are anything to go by then the cars will be seen by hundreds of people.
 
The day starts at 8.00am and finishes around 2.30pm, during which time judging for the Nationals 2015 trophies will be held. The trophy categories will include both "Most Original" and "Best Modified" for each model year plus "Best On Display", "Furthest Travelled", "Worst Hard Luck Trip But Still Made It" and some others that are being kept under wraps.
 
This activity with the MR2's will be receiving widespread publicity in a number of national motoring magazines and we are not restricting attendance to just "Nationals 2015" attendees, although only the latter will be eligible for trophies and other prizes.
 
Sunday Evening the 7th of June will be the Nationals Presentation Dinner, starting at 7.00pm, and held at a special venue in the Samford Valley outside Brisbane. Cost of the dinner is $45.00 per head, which is a three course meal with a choice of barramundi or steak as the main course. Trophies from the Show and Shine will be presented at the dinner and there will be a guest speaker. Prior to the dinner the group will be taken on an escorted Run over some of the most scenic roads between Brisbane and the venue.
 
Monday the 8th of June will be an escorted Run through some of the most scenic areas the South East Corner of QLD has to offer with lots of great corners, top places to shop for co-drivers during the lunch break, and generally just a great day out to drive our terrific cars on some top roads. The formal events for the Nationals 2015 will conclude at the end of this Run.
 
3. What about accommodation for the Nationals?
 
Unlike Tasmania, the responsibility to organise accommodation rests with the individual attendee. The Committee didn't go through a tourist organisation to make the bookings in order to keep the costs down.
 
However, because many people coming from interstate don't know Brisbane well, the Committee has worked hard to find the most suitable accommodation with various levels of rooms for the best price, and in the most central location for the events.
 
After finding and then visiting possible suitable motels and hotels the details for the recommended Nationals 2015 accommodation are as follows:
 
Colonial Village, 351 Beams Road, TAIGUM, QLD 4018
(The address, "Beams" Road, also appeared particularly apt for a Toyota MR2 event.)
Phone: 07-3865-0000
Fax:  07-3865-3587 
 
The Committee has been able to negotiate some great room rates for the Nationals as follows:
Superior Rooms with 1 Queen Bed - $110.00 per night
Cottage Villas with 1 Queen Bed - $117.00 per night
Spa Villa with 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed - $157.00 per night.
 
These room rates, specially negotiated for MR2 owners, includes a Continental Breakfast served at the Village Café, Espresso 351!(yes, they have a proper café on site for all the coffee aficionados)
All accommodation has linen and towels provided.
The Villas have a full kitchen, with the Superior Rooms having tea and coffee making facilities only.
The Superior rooms would be serviced daily during the stay.
Secure parking is available off street for the Superior Rooms, car parking is available at each villa.
 
As the Colonial Village is a very local popular motel and this MR2 deal is special they have requested the total tariff by way of credit card or funds transfer within 48 hours of the booking being made. The room rates (including breakfast) are guaranteed up until the 1st of June but vacancies are not, so the advice is to get in quickly. You will not find a better or cheaper motel in Brisbane. 
 
Committee members will be staying at the Colonial Village Motel for the duration of the Nationals to assist with any problems.
 
4. OK, how do I register for the Nationals?
 
The easiest way to register is to submit an expression of interest in a short email to Nationals2015@mr2club.com.au and an Official Entry Form will be sent to you to complete. If this is not possible then request an Entry Form on the "open" Forum Nationals 2015 post below and one will be PM'd to you.
 
5. Do I have to be a member of one of the Branches or Chapters of the MR2 Owners Club of Australia pay my money and attend?
 
The short answer is NO.
 
6. Is there anything else I should think about?
 
Yes. This is the first time the Nationals have been held in Queensland and the Committee has done a huge amount of work to ensure that the event represents great value through keeping the costs down and obtaining real sponsorship interest. The cost of fuel nationwide being the lowest it has been since 2008 should also be an added reason for not to put off coming north in June to get out of the cold weather and enjoy the local sunshine and great roads with us.
 
We really hope to see you there to help us celebrate this historic event.