I’ve written it before and I’ll write it again: the first ECCA meet and AGM held in Adelaide over the September/October long weekend was the best three days I’ve had in years. The weather, the organization, the members, the reeks, everything just came together perfectly for that one short space and time. And when things come together that well you just know that the thought, planning and co-ordination that’s gone into the event has been exemplary.
I was pumped just walking out of the airport on the Friday arvo! I had been trying to explain a Eureka to the gorgeous blonde I was sitting next to in the plane. I walked out of the terminal about a minute after Phil Brow rocked up in his reek. Thirty or so people just stopped and stared as I got in, the blonde smiling her approval, coming out of the terminal doors. Gee’s, this is going to be a good weekend!
I wasn’t too thrilled when Phil almost put us under the side of a four wheel drive going through a roundabout on the way to the motel, but full points must be awarded for his sheer reaction speed. Not to mention his non-plussed attitude!

Next was our lunch stop at Birdwood with the opportunity to check out the National Motor Museum. The last production Ford GTHO’s, Holden A9X’s, Sandman panelvans, Australian Mini’s/Sigma’s etc etc: once again, eye-opening and totally worthwhile. Another choice barby in the adjacent park and a couple more coldies and I’m completely in the fun zone. You’ve got to remember, I’m being chauffeured everywhere in a rotary reek. And what’s better than that, kids?
Nothing.

Bloody nothing is better than that!

The afternoon drive was another eye-opener, back down through the cliffs/canyons of a more north-eastern approach to the city. Tyres squealing, engines reverberating off the cliff walls. This was the more challenging content of the day’s trip. Shaun was on and off the accelerator, brake and gears and generally enjoying himself. I was sucking up the smell of petrol, rubber and the sounds of a hard-worked rotor. Any one we lost behind us was back there in a minute or two, right up our clacker. They were obviously enjoying themselves too.
We took the long way back to the motel, through the city. Not too populated, but we still stopped traffic everywhere we went. James and Jarrod peeled off to take their reeks home and Stuart did the same a couple of K’s later and returned in a brand x for the dinner.

We'll have double the reeks next year. The venue this time was probably a bit far for our Queensland members. However, the numbers we saw at Adelaide were roughly the same as we had at Bathurst last year, so the overall turn out was still far worthy.
Ron, the organizer of the first meets before ECCA, had begun a tradition of choosing the location for the next meet during the current one. Following that tradition we chose to return to our roots for the 2007 meet and visit where it all began: the Eureka Stockade at Ballarat. That puts it within range of our Queensland members and nearly everybody else. Paul and Mary have generously put up their hands to do the organizing. Should be a blinder. But I expect that the first ECCA meet will always be remembered as the best. As far as I’m concerned, nothing will ever change that.

On behalf of all who attended, thanks heaps, Phil and Andrea.

Simon
ECCA Prez