Over the Easter weekend this year the ASRF held there 23rd Nationals at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds in the heart of Bendigo.
Myself, Michael Kendall, and Michael Kibblewhite booked a site last year to insure that we would not miss out. Myself and Michael Kendall headed of from Melbourne (Friday) with rain hitting the window of our cars both thinking this was going to be a washout on the first day.
Half way the weather changed to a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine. Arriving into Bendigo, you can always tell that it’s going to be a fun weekend when you see and hear a couple of blown hot-rods doing a lap of the main. Arriving at the Showgrounds we had to stop outside and go in to registration.
This went smoothly and we learnt a thing or two for our Convention needs! We then found our spacious campsite (I say that because a lot of Campsites were squashed in and we had heaps of room). We set up our camp knowing that we might have a few ale’s or three. The cars kept coming and before too long there was over a 1000 inside the arena (Michael turned up that evening).
The next day (Saturday) brought sunshine plus and the arena filled very quickly. We heard there was 1400 plus entry’s and there were cars as far as you could see. We had a visitor for the day as in David Desira who was holidaying in Echuca with his family.
The Go Woa was in full swing (or should I say burnouts) and so was the cruising. We had a look at the massive trade shed and it was even bigger than Rohan’s shed (not by much though!). That night we went to the very large dining area and had a great meal and listened to some awesome bands. I even had a go at fancy dancing under the instructions of Peter Liston, probably one of his more difficult students I would say.
The three of us met a lot of members up there who also camped and we had a ball dropping a few ales!
The next day was (Sunday) another sunny day and we watched the go Woa. We also cruised around the grounds as we did the night before with the many other rods and customs as well.
We went to the big dining area once again and listened to the awards being handed out and all of a sudden Michael Kibblewhites name got read out as a top 20 winner.
Well done to Michael who one a guitar trophy which looked awesome (me and Mick Kendall reckon that we are thirds in the guitar because there must have been 3 people that had voted for his car and 2 of them were us!).
We had plenty of laughs and beers and an awesome time. The ASRF have to be congratulated on an event that all of us members attending agree it was an awesome event. Thanks to all the members who had a ball and made the three of us have a great weekend. Special mention to Carlton United Brewery’s!
Drive 'em Hard
Rowie