Ballarat weekend

The first event of the new year is the annual Ballarat weekend on 30-31 January (which is obviously before the February club meeting). It will involve a real Peugeot experience, starting with a BYO barbecue lunch at the Vaggs’ compound, an inspection of the newly extended Peugeot History shed then a pleasant scenic drive, a relaxed and inexpensive dinner, and on the Sunday, a motorkhana at the CITS property at Mount Rowan.

Getting to Ballarat from Melbourne is easy; just follow the Western Freeway and take the third Ballarat exit (the Midland highway, A300), turning right towards Creswick and drive about 2km until you see the Peugeot flags on the left. This is the Vaggs’ property, at 747 Midland Highway.

On the Saturday morning we will visit Glenn Vagg’s shed from 11am. It now includes the 172 and the ex-John Marriott black 403 and 604 as well as all sorts of Peugeot models, literature and promotional material.

BYO food and drink for lunch. There will be a barbecue available if you wish to use it, and some great prizes in a free raffle. Lunch will be followed by a pleasant afternoon drive in the environs of Ballarat, planned by Glenn and Paula, who always find us a great coffee stop.

Our casual dinner will be at 6.30pm at the Ballarat Golf Club bistro, at 1800 Sturt Street. Most of us will be staying at the nearby Belltower Inn on Saturday night. There are several rooms on hold at the Belltower ($120 a double) but they won’t last for long. Call 03 5334 1600 and say you are from PCCV when making your booking to get the special price.

If you are planning to come to the dinner, please notify Paula by Wednesday 27 January or earlier if possible, either on 0407 271 972 or email
paula.glenn@bigpond.com.

On the Sunday you can spend the morning poking around Ballarat’s fantastic shops or visiting the art gallery or even the Eureka Stockade, Alternatively, we can have a leisurely coffee beside Lake Wendouree.

The motorkhana at CITS, 19 Old Midland Hwy, Mount Rowan, will start at noon to give Melbourne people plenty of time to get there. Entries will be taken from 11am.

You can BYO lunch or send out for yummy roast chicken. We will need to pre order the lunches on Sunday, so please let Paula know on Saturday; she will have details on price, or on the contacts above.

Alongside the motorkhana tests, there will be a come-and-try event for first-timers and people who have not participated in motor sport for some time. You can use your own car or borrow one on the day.

The entry fee for the motorkhana will be $20 ($10 for juniors) and you will need a suitable CAMS licence. Juniors are welcome. The entry fee will be waived for people who buy a licence on the day. A come-and-try licence will cost you $25, the cost of which is deductible if you then buy a full CAMS licence soon after.

A non-speed licence (suitable for motorkhana, khanacross and slippery dips etc.) costs $77 or $25 for juniors. It’s always a great weekend, so come along and have some fun. With a full licence you can then compete in all our other events we participate in.

You can come to either the Saturday or Sunday event, you don’t have to take part in both.

It’s always a great weekend, so come along and have some fun.