Toyota Nationals 2009

[MR22ZZ]

I'd agree on ditching the handicapping.

hadicapping does serve a purpose in levelling the field, but the outright fastest timed car should also be awarded... kind of like the Sydney-Hobart yacht race.

[RONA]

Not very useful in a Khana. Justen's GT8 would be the Super Maxi of Toyota Nationals but it got out gunned by plenty of 12 footers.

[YLD-16L]

hadicapping does serve a purpose in levelling the field, but the outright fastest timed car should also be awarded... kind of like the Sydney-Hobart yacht race.

Yeah it definitely has a purpose but the idea is that the best driver, regardless of vehicle type, should be at the top once handicapping is carried out. It's just meant to make for a closer finish across categories and remove any handicap a particular vehicle engine size (in the case of this event) may have incurred.


No particular category was that much different to any other though in this event i.e. no one appeared to have any real advantage or disadvatage on the time sheet with a particular engine size or drive - it was just driver skill and navigation that made the difference.

[YLD-16L]

One thing I was thinking over the Dubbo weekend was where the fuk were all the Toymodders????

For such a big club with a lot of active members the turn out was piss poor.

What was the reason for the boycott?

[Hiro]

One thing I was thinking over the Dubbo weekend was where the fuk were all the Toymodders????

For such a big club with a lot of active members the turn out was piss poor.

What was the reason for the boycott?

I'd be guessing GFC, prospect of crappy weather (which eventuated), and a lot of cars in the middle of builds and thus not show-worthy.

[MR22ZZ]

I don't know about others but I was keen, I wanted to go, but had decided against it about a month before due to time constraints.

Things have been rather busy for me the last few months and I actually needed the long weekend at home. We have on just finished unpacking and setting up the new place despite being in there for 6 weeks it has been that busy.

We have had a few sudden things come up recently than needed dealing with so life took priority over cars. Even getting out to WP last month was a stretch, but VERY glad I made the effort.

Also as mentioned, many cars are mid build within the club right now and for many people the Dyno day is the target (for conversions and the like).

[Joshstix]

One thing I was thinking over the Dubbo weekend was where the fuk were all the Toymodders????

For such a big club with a lot of active members the turn out was piss poor.

What was the reason for the boycott?

There was no boycott. I wasn't there because I'm OS.

I think you're confused by the amount of people happy to talk shit on the forums rather than how many and how active our members are. There has been a distinct downturn in the amount of attendance of Toymods events etc for the last couple of years.

The other thing is that being based in Sydney and with Sydney being hit hard by the economic situation there are a hell of a lot of people not willing to spend the money they have on things like this when the possability or probability of unemployment is just around the corner. Unfortunately we don't have the surfeit of government jobs to add stability to things that Canberra does.

I actively encouraged those that came along to the club meetings to get out to the nationals for a fun weekend. I did however also point out that if you're going out there expectign to win a trophy in the show then don't be surprised if the results make no sense to you because it is something that we have had people complain about every year previously, including people that actually did the judging not being able to understand how the judging they did ended up with the trophies that were given out. I didn't do this to discourage people since most of our guys aren't big on the show thing but simply to save any angst for those that did take it seriously.

[YLD-16L]

I'd be guessing GFC, prospect of crappy weather (which eventuated), and a lot of cars in the middle of builds and thus not show-worthy.

The GFC excuse for everything is wearing thin, sure those who had/have lost a job wouldn't be expected to attend and that probably covers a couple of people. Sure doesn't account for the rest though.

The weather is a weak excuse too unless people were camping, again, that acounts for SFA people.


Just couldn't be bothered? Not interested??

[RONA]

What was the reason for the boycott?

* Quite a few members have bought houses ie low on cash
* Joshstix (regular) in Malaysia
* Riceburner = Crippled
* Few car accidents/troubles meant cars weren't able to come as well.

Supra club turnout was small too. I remember in 2007 we cruised up with like 30-35 cars, this year I think it was 10-12.

I also think not having drags deterred a couple.

[YLD-16L]

There was no boycott. I wasn't there because I'm OS.

I think you're confused by the amount of people happy to talk shit on the forums rather than how many and how active our members are. There has been a distinct downturn in the amount of attendance of Toymods events etc for the last couple of years.

The other thing is that being based in Sydney and with Sydney being hit hard by the economic situation there are a hell of a lot of people not willing to spend the money they have on things like this when the possability or probability of unemployment is just around the corner. Unfortunately we don't have the surfeit of government jobs to add stability to things that Canberra does.

Good points Josh and interesting you say the club (which I was referring to initially, not the forum) is dwindling in numbers at events as I was under the impression it was quite strong and steadily growing. The strength of Toyfest (I know many other clubs/individuals attend) was what was strong in my mind I guess.

[Joshstix]

Up until a couple of cruises this year if we got more than 10 people to a normal event, not Toyotafest of course, it was a good day. We've had plenty of events where every person there was on the board of the club with not a single ordinary member turning up.

This has changed for a couple of event this year which is great to see and I have hopes that we will continue to see a growth. We have really found though that getting people to commit to anything more than a local afternoon cruise has been very difficult though.

[tomvale13]

Was it me or was Toyfest last year bigger than teh Nats?

(ironically the toyfest you missed shano )

[YLD-16L]

Up until a couple of cruises this year if we got more than 10 people to a normal event, not Toyotafest of course, it was a good day. We've had plenty of events where every person there was on the board of the club with not a single ordinary member turning up.

This has changed for a couple of event this year which is great to see and I have hopes that we will continue to see a growth. We have really found though that getting people to commit to anything more than a local afternoon cruise has been very difficult though.

That's interesting Josh as I had (probably incorrectly) assumed that with the increase in the forum membership a small proportion of that base would be local to Sydney and a small proportion of that number would become active club members.

The car scene, especially those based around older vehicles do go through peaks and troughs though, it's just the nature of the scene.

I guess the most noticeable thing this year to me at Dubbo was the lack of first gen celicas compared to 08 where they made up a huge row in the show and shine. Who knows maybe next year they'll all be back on the road and ready to put on a show again

[MR22ZZ]

Tom, even Toyotafest was down on the 2 years previous, mostly due to the weather though.

[Toy77]

The 1uz cressida took out the sleeper award..... not anything in the original class....

There was a supercharged camry there that took out the sleeper award 2 years ago.... it was neat as.....

As far as i could see on the motokhana times.... i didnt calculate them all... but did anyof them that looked fast....
if you did do it on a best run only basis with no handicapping...
Steve pembrey - 103.77
Steve wagonist - 108.78
Stew White - 110.16
Teon - 111.42
Shane (wyld?) - 114.9
Adam Mcneil - 118.52
Nathan (gt4?) - 119
Justin (gt8) - 119.97

i also agree there are too many trophys for the show based on the show scores.. which are cumulative. so any car that does well in one area will automatically feature plenty of times....

And with the way they are classed - alot of the vehicles fit into the same class - modified.

ie Brons is200 was the only late model steeter entry... 99 - 09 i am pretty sure....