Important Queensland Club News and Run Calendar Update

As I indicated when we posted the Run Calendar for 2012 a review would be carried out of the planned activities as the year progressed and we learnt more about what people wanted.
Mid-year normally brings a whole host of "show" days organised by various car clubs and other organisations which there are a lot of suggestions about attending. 
 
At the start of the year we had originally intended to be part of the so-called Maclean's Bridge at Lakeside weekend on the 19th and 20th of May, but as we found out more about this event it became obvious that at the current stage of development in our Club any form of organised particpation would be complicated. Apart from the cost of entry and the need to pay well in advance to reserve a suitable space, which since the move from the actual Maclean's Bridge location to Lakeside has gone up to $30.00 each per display car with two people on the Sunday, this year the focus for displays at Maclean's Bridge is on Nissan/Datsun as a brand. The club track competition on the Saturday was also outside our price range at the moment, and with teams required to have a minimum of four competition-ready cars for the time trials it was too big an ask both financially and administratively.
 
The RACQ Motorfest was also considered as an event to attend but again cost and timing come into the equation. It's only a personal perspective, and does not represent the collective view of the Club, but I often wonder why I have to pay so much to exhibit my car to members of the public who also have to pay almost as much for the privilege of looking at it, and where does the money go?
 
Publicity and profile for the MR2 is important though, and I feel that Toyota is going to try to re-invigorate it's profile with cars like ours when the new 86 is released in Australia.
 
Given the review we have undertaken of both Maclean's Bridge and the RACQ Motorfest a decision has been taken that as a Club we will not be attending either event as a group. This doesn't mean that individuals who want to display their cars can't attend, but just that the Club at the present time won't be represented.
 
Instead, the decision was taken last Friday night that the Club will be attending the "All Japanese Day" on Sunday the 17th of June 2012 at Earnest State College, Banyo. Admission for both display cars and spectators is FREE ( a gold coin donation is expected), there is no alcohol or pets allowed, and the focus is on Japanese cars of all shapes and sizes. Unlike the other shows there is no "Concours d'Elegance", although there are a number of "People's Choice" awards. What we will be doing now is starting a separate thread for the "All Japanes Day" and formal contact will be made with the organisers so that details can be given more publicity on this Forum. I'd also like to thank Bustin for suggesting this outing as it seems at the moment to reflect very well where the Club is in its formal development.
 
Now that we are not going to Coffs Harbour on the Queens Birthday Weekend in June (see my previous post about the proposed Coff's weekend now being in September/October) we have decided to put a Run on for Sunday the 10th of June, which is the Sunday of the last Queen's Birthday Weekend ever (in June at least - thanks Anna Whatshername our past Premier for this). In response to the increasing famine of the past few years we are trying to have a feast this year of "moving" Runs every month (as opposed to a static display) so please mark your calendars accordingly.
 
Details of this new Run will have a separate thread started next week and any suggstions for a destination or route please PM me.
 
So, in summary, "Farewell To The Queens' Birthday" Sunday 10th of June, and "All Japanese Day" Sunday 17th of June. Who says the MR2 Owners Club in Queensland isn't doing anything?
 
Tralfaz