Collecting Cars

Story: Tom Burrowes Photos: Alvaro Del Gallo & Deborah Blackie

Sunday 3rd July 2022

This Christmas jumper even includes a Porsche! Stephen Lofthouse Maria Del Gallo

Abrand new event for the PCV – eagerly accepted by some 80 participants in 40 lovely Porsches. We gathered at BP Rockbank where Mother Christmas Alison gave the pre start briefing over coffees, including safety and courtesy. As ever the sight of the multitude of marques parked side by side turned the heads of both admiring passers by and us hardened Porsche Club members alike.

Accompanied by first time run participant Patty in my trusty 1993 968CS – methinks the oldest car on the run…at 29 years old?? Nuh – two Targas and a 928 quite older… but never easy to know, these pampered older cars seem to have a “botox benefit” of youth… hmm…not easy to know age!

A prompt 10am start and the engines growl. We convoyed on to the Western Highway towards the Leakes Road turn. Silly us didn’t have our printed trip notes (only on phone, not so easy) - so we happily sat amidst a group of 10 Porsches. This should be easy… but before long through the twists and turns and intervening cars, we had only a lovely brown Carrera ahead to follow…oh dearl! We tenaciously hung on to its tailpipe whilst enjoying very picturesque countryside… amongst the near perfect blue sky weather.

A bank up of traffic through Gisborne with its huge Sunday market in full swing - so tempting to stop! But no parking and we clung desperately to the Carrera through the busy main drag – whew! We meander curves and turns into Romsey ...but the early coffees forced the crew (us) into an urgent pit stop – thus losing our precious leading car….hmm, what now? All alone…que?

Aha – a friendly Boxster to the rescue, with simpler navigation north through the tors of delightful granite country...turning east on to West Road – the narrow road ran into Pyalong with extra caution exercised as motorcyclists enjoyed the oncoming curves. Left wheels into the gravel…careful!

Into Broadford – sighting the beaut volcanic cone of Mt Piper - we lost the Boxster lead, but an easy navigation now towards Strath Creek, fab road with beautiful curves…sadly a bit choked by other cars diluting our pure Porsche experience. Most inconsiderate eh! - but yes, we do have to share the road…we are a courteous bunch!!

We glimpse majestic views cresting the Murchison Gap – quickly morphing into sharp curves on twisting downhill – gee - these will be uphill upon return…some nice anticipation. (Noting it was here in 1824 that pioneer explorers Hume and Hovell’s expedition to Port Phillip hit its biggest hurdle – getting the horse and wagons over these steep hills!) At Strath