Gregor’s Run

9th November 2008

Sunday, 9th November started off overcast and light drizzling rain in Newcastle. By the time the event was getting underway at Freemans Waterhole the rain had cleared and the day looked to be perfect for Gregor’s Run and the 13 entrants assembled at the startline. It was great to see so many AHRG teams lining up against those of MGCC Newcastle. Of special note was the entry of Rod Piggot and Ron Fraser which was accompanied by Rod’s father-in-law managing proceedings from the back seat.

From the Waterhole, crews were directed in an easterly direction along Palmers Road to Awaba and from there through suburban westlakes via Rathmines, Acadia Vale, Myuna Bay,  Eraring, and Dora Creek before heading out to Cooranbong and onto Freemans Drive for a pleasant interlude on the journey down to Mandalong on Deaves Rd. At the intersection with Mandalong Road, the cars turned east towards Morisset where Freemans Drive was joined once again at the Morisset Hospital. Along the way crews were required to post little blue cards into various boxes which acted as passage controls. The cars were taken on a tour around the parkland of the Morisset Hospital and then were directed south towards Wyee via Doyalson North and Doyalson.  On the approach to Wyee, the crews turned onto Bushells Ridge Road which was a pleasant diversion as it joined Hue Hue Road at Jilliby. At Sparks Road the crews turned left towards Warnervale passing the old landing strip which once passed as Warnervale Aerodrome at Halloran and on to the lunch stop beside the river at Wyong where fresh fish-n-chips were the order of the day.

Following the lunch break the cars headed west along Yarramalong Road and up Bumble Hill and then joined George Downes Drive at Kulnura then on to Mangrove Mountain  where Wiseman’s Ferry Road was joined taking the crews to Somersby, then a diversion onto Howes Road joining Somersby Falls road and down a very twisty downhill run that demanded plenty of braking control as the cars entered into the precincts of West Gosford. From West Gosford, the journey turned north through Niagara Park, on to Ourimbah and Kangy Angy. It was from here the cars were directed onto a section of the Old Maitland Road which has become infamous by causing many to abandon the prescribed route. It would have been nothing but horror for the beautiful gleaming red Ferrari 335 GTS, the MGF, Healey Sprite, two Datsun Z Cars and the Ford Sierra to tackle that section. Even El Presidente Geoff Thomas baulked in the Fiat 124 as it hit bottom. Those who did manage to pass through unscathed had a very short run to the finish control back in Wyong.

In all a great day for those who made it through. Thanks to all how came along from AHRG and to Gregor Dickinson, who with his enthusiastic team of cohorts from AHRG and MGCC Newcastle are to be congratulated for their efforts.

See the photos taken on the day in the Gregor’s Run album.

RESULTS