The Rally

Washing done, breakfast finished and ready to go. Everyone going in different directions. Steve and Robynne were driving into Adelaide so Graeme and I went with them and had a good look around then went to Stamford Hotel Headquarters to register and met some people from Sydney who helped us at our Rally. From here we went back to our motel for lunch. It was then decided to go back into the city by tram so Sue and John came with us. The tram stop was down the end of our street. This was great seeing the city. We walked down to Adelaide Oval and went inside sitting on the hill while John went closer. There were guys practicing and running around. Then we walked back up the street past the Library, Government House (which was behind a wall but if you stood on a seat you could see a little bit), the hospital, down to the Botanical Garden entrance and back up side streets. John was striding it out well but we were getting a wee bit sore but kept going, past the Fire Station which was big and then the Police Station back to the tram stop heading home at 4.00pm.

After freshening up it was time to dress for the Cocktail Party so we trammed back into the Headquarters at 6.00pm. Turned out to be a good night with an XK8R on display for everyone to have a sit in and plenty to drink for some, who had a good time, and the food coming out was a bit slow at first but then there was plenty. We headed back to motel around 8.30pm

After a  leisurely wake up and breakfast, the boys went across the road to watch the parade. But you had to be quick or you missed out which some did. After making sure Andrew’s car was cleaned and tyres scrubbed over with their white walls showing, Graeme and I got a lift with Andrew and Nicole (I think this was because Graeme helped with the tyres), and the others followed. They had a Craft Fair at the venue as well, so when I had enough looking at cars I went looking for the girls and Sue and I walked around the Fair while Robynne went by tram in to the city for shopping. After lunch with John and Graeme, Sue and I caught a tram back to motel and drove to a shopping centre in Glenelg for supplies. We strolled down the main street for a couple of blocks and saw a wedding go past using white MK9’s, then we headed back to the motel in time for the others to arrive back around 4.00pm.

At 6.45pm it was time to head off to the Masquerade Dinner. All dressed up in our good gear and masks in tow. Everyone looked great in their masks, some were made, some were bought, the winning couple made theirs like D Types which looked great. Steve Bloomfield saved us a table which was set for 10 but we made it 11 so he could sit with us. A good night with good company, good food and dancing was had by all. Steve managed to win a free registration to next years rally at Geelong in the raffle. Good on you Steve as he hasn’t missed  many rallies at all. We then headed back to the motel at 11.00pm

After a week on the road you realise that the experience of driving across the country in a 47 year old car accompanied by good friends is unlikely to be surpassed by a field full of Jaguars. That said the Display Day was a pleasant surprise. I was particularly pleased to see such a high number of Mk IVs and Vs both in the concours and on general display. I was also happy to get some photos of a MK VIII that has been missing from the models pages of this website.

John and Peter went with Andrew and Nicole to the Race Day. Richard and Robyn went for a picnic in the park with their grandson, his mother and her family. Robyn and Steve went their own way into the city. Brian went to Birdwood. Jan and Ian Hissey called into the motel to see who wanted to go to Victor Harbour but they went on their own. That left Sue Graeme and I. We went by tram into Glenelg and walked around the jetty and marina then caught the tram back into the city for lunch and one last stroll around the streets before catching the tram back to the motel. We had a rest and I started to pack our bags ready for our journey home. When the others arrived back we had drinks and nibblies, discussed our days events in the shade before going back to the bistro for dinner. This was our last meal together as Richard and Robyn were catching up with Lindsay and travelling with him. Peter was going on his camping safari in the bush somewhere. Andrew and Nicole were doing their own route home. Brian went to the Presentation Dinner so we didn’t see him. He was flying back home on Thursday. The rest of us were travelling home together.

Although the majority of our group had seen enough Jaguars for a while at the Display Day yesterday, four of us decided that we could handle even more of it. Although the Jaguar Regularity run was only a small part of the event, an almost continuous schedule of races kept us happy all day long. It was interesting to see the D types close up and of course on the track. The pit area was fascinating viewing as hundreds of competitors tweaked their vehicles prior to the races. The non racing Jaguars also got their turn on the track. This was an unexpected bonus. Of course the event controllers kept the three parade laps to a sedate speed, but even a relaxed pace for a modern car had the MK IX tyres squealing and the unrestrained rear passengers sliding around. Denis took a photo of the MK IX during the parade lap. I don't recall seeing the two D Types in the rear view mirror, but its hard to see anything in a MK IX rear mirror!