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Here is the official report of the Rally held at Lake Narracan over the weekend
of October 1, 2 & 3, 2010.
compiled by Reece Isaac
Friday 1st October 2010
Craft Photos
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First to arrive at the site of Paradise Point, Lake Narracan on
Friday the 1st of October were the South Australians, Bruno
Davids and Suzie, closely followed by Heinrich Davids. They had
travelled from Adelaide, and after putting in a long first day, they
were pleased to have a short drive on their second day from
their overnight stay at Warragul. While they set up their site
complete with tents, card tables, Gazebo and camp chairs others
began to arrive. Glenn Azlin attended with the amenity block in
tow and promptly positioned the loo.
Steven Odgaard with Rita Chaffey and Des Goss arrived to say
hello after their two day drive from Queensland, and soon after
that Arthur Stead announced his arrival from Queensland
complete with the Renegade in tow.
Kevin Dixon and Christine had arrived at Tony Moretti's after their drive from Adelaide while
numerous others from Victoria arrived and set up camp. The BBQ was lit and the evening meal
was prepared as the sun set in the west and more of the Victoria boys rolled in.
Saturday 2nd October 2010
On Saturday morning we were greeted with overcast to sunny weather, and the strong east wind
made the coat a desirable piece of clothing. Although there were no white caps on the water they
were not far away. Those in attendance were bribed to the leeward side of the container
(Routers Towers) with a chocolate sweet where they were introduced to the President of the AHF
Inc. and the Victoria Club, Peter Streader. After a brief and warm welcome Peter handed over to
Tony Moretti who gave a run down on the Lake and its usage. The management of the event was
then handed to Col Dainty and he promptly informed the participants that during the events each
participant would be evaluated on a wide ranging scale of assessment. Being first over the line
did not necessary mean victory.
Col Dainty
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The briefing
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Peter Streader
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The Non-Race:-
Bruno Davids
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The first event consisted of 3 laps around the island and back to
shore where each participant demonstrated their craft and their skills
as they transitioned from water to land and vice versa on six
separate occasions and how they and their craft handled the ever
changing effects of the wind. Combining the score given for
performance with the score given for “presentation” of their craft, the
award was unanimously awarded to Bruno Davids.
The Sprint:-
The judges
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The second event being the straight line sprint was again held in
windy conditions, and few participants were happy that the event
was being conducted with a tail wind for fear of the dreaded plough
in. Although it was a short course, the participants were again
advised that the judges were not looking for speed alone, and that
the judges would take into account the presentation of the craft and operator.
Arthur Stead
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After conducting this event and much consultation between the
judges, it was agreed that Arthur Stead would be declared the
winner. The event was finely judged under quite harsh conditions,
and the closeness of scoring between the participants made it
difficult for the judges, however it was finally awarded to Arthur for
his “manicured moustache”, even though it was seen twitching
severely during the event.
Land Skills:-
The third event was Land Skills. This can best be described as departing from a marked “box” in a
forward direction, completing a left hand turn, travelling approximately 50 meters and in that 50
meters executing a 360 degree rotation, then execute another left hand turn and enter the second
clearly marked “box” in the same direction as you entered the first ‘box’ facing in the same
direction as you started and stopping within that box. Each participant acknowledged
understanding this activity and so the fun began.
Rod Westwood
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All departed from the first box correctly, then some seemed to have a
lapse of concentration. We witnessed one drive in through the side
of the box, others did several spins even though they only had to do
one, some dropped their craft on the ground to execute the turns
and another had several stop/starts on the way. This award was
eventually won by Rodd Westwood who surprised us all with his
ability to control his craft.
After witnessing the skills displayed during this event the proposed “straight line fly by” would be
reconsidered.
Team Relay:-
The fourth event was the Team Relay. This consisted of four teams with three craft in each team.
At the end of the event 38 seconds divided the fastest team of Arthur Stead, Kevin Dixon and
Frank Beamish from the slowest team. A very competitive and close event considering the
conditions during which it was undertaken.
Flare Demonstration:-
After notifying the appropriate authorities and gaining permission to do so Glenn Azlin then
conducted a demonstration on how to actually use those “flares” that we all have to carry. With
the appropriate number of expired flares the participants gained the experience of what to do
and what not to do.
Flare demonstration
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Many found it incredible how hot the red night flares burnt turning
the metal tubes white hot, Heed the warning on flare hold below this
line! Tony Westwood found the orange smoke flare a handy tool to
demonstrate the movement of air around the operational fan of his
craft. Very interesting to see just where that fan was sucking its air
from, also makes an excellent tool for locating holes or rips in your
skirts as each escape point of air now has an orange tinge to it.
The Evening Meal:-
The Evening meal was at “The Rossmore” i.e. The Yallourn North Hotel. Licensee Denis, had been
forewarned of our attendance and the appropriate number of tables had been set. A sumptuous
and relatively inexpensive meal was enjoyed before departing for the respective places of abode.
Evening meal
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After the evening meal many returned to
the warmth of the camp fire at Paradise
Point for the rest of the evening.
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The camp fire
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Sunday 3rd October 2010
The Fly-by:-
The Sunday morning was a typical example of hovercrafters. All were expected to attend for the
first event at 10:00am, but no one had the forethought to adjust their time keeping devices to
reflect the start of daylight saving. Consequently the 10:00am start quickly became 11:00am,
although only a few had managed to arrive (were the nightcaps to blame for this???)
Craft line up
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Eventually, all craft lined up around the bank with the lake in the background as the
photographers shutters began to click. Reece, who had been absent till this time had set his clock
forward, and after some set backs through the week had managed to reassemble his hovercraft,
and was en-route to the lake when the task of obtaining the sausages and bread for lunch was
thrust upon him. As a result he arrived on site as the photo line up was assembling and didn't
make the line up or the fly past (but that made no difference to the end result!). This was
followed by the straight line fly by. Oh what a beauty. Browns cows had nothing on this lot.
Sunday morning
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Driver briefing
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The Fly by
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In total desperation the craft were turned at the Eastern end of the lake for another attempt to line
up. Probably one of the more successful attempts. You be the judge from the photos, but please -
don’t laugh. A run down the lake was then organised for our interstaters to see the length and
breadth of our fantastic lake. The BBQ masters, Col & Dave set about cooking lunch while everyone
was away.
Departures:
The Queensland contingent then announced that they had to go, so the agenda was re-arranged
to accommodate their request and the presentations were made. Steven Odgaard was asked to
give a brief (in view of his pressing appointment with an aeroplane) run down on what has been
happening in Queensland during the past 12 months, and Arthur Stead was asked to give an
account of the “Thunder from Down Under” achievements in the recent World Hovercraft
Championships. Kevin Dixon was also asked to tell a little about himself for the members who were
not aware of his history.
Presentations
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Each event winner was then awarded an appropriate reward for their
effort, and every participant and attendee was gifted a suitable item to
reflect the importance of their attendance. President Peter thanked all
for their attendance and contribution to the success of this event, then
we promptly bid the Queenslanders farewell wishing them a safe journey home.
The rest of the presentations were made and the members were thanked for putting on an
excellent event, the Lake Committee Tony and Glenn had done an excellent job grooming the site
ready for the weekend and providing the toilet and other extras, generator power supply and the
LCD TV were much appreciated by the AFL tragics.
All in all it was a great weekend and the club with its supporters were able to showcase the
fantastic Lake Narracan and all it has to offer. On behalf of the Rally Planning Committee, Col
Dainty, Rachel Smithson and Frank Beamish, Thanks for coming!
Apologies were from Royston Downs who had insufficient time to organise a trip across. We missed
you Roy.
Also from Sam Waugh as he and Lorraine was celebrating her 60th. Happy Birthday.
Another notable absentee was Mark Alden who was heading to hospital the following Monday for
some major heart surgery. Word is that he is on the recovery road and I'm sure we all wish him a
speedy get well soon.
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