7 minute read
The Brighton Monte
Sunday 21st November 2021
The Brighton Monte came to life based on the Monte Carlo Rally which Porsche won the 1968 with Vic Elford and David Stone in the 2.0 911s. In those days and until 1991 they started from multiple points in Europe and rallied to the events confluence in Monte Carlo.
These Social Runs were born out of our desire to increase the opportunity for members to attend social runs and provide participants with one venue to congregate for lunch and socialise. Subsequently it was considered appropriate to also encourage members to attend the lunch only, if they were unable to participate in the runs.
Our own “Monte” had three starting points around Melbourne to choose from all culminating at Porsche Centre Brighton at 12.30pm for a delightful alfresco lunch, drinks and socialising with our fellow members, whom we had not seen for a long while, and concluding at 3pm. Runs were organised from Yarrambat, Langwarrin and Calder culminating at Porsche Centre Brighton for lunch. This provided an opportunity for 150 members and guests to feast and regale their experience of the runs and catch-up with fellow members, since a series of Covid lockdowns and disappointments of runs being postponed.
In opening this report we acknowledge the many people who coordinated their efforts into one seamless event. Kon Gogos, Stephen Lofthouse and Geoff Mould for the huge amount of work required to put the runs together and oversee them on the day. Thanks to Neville Sampson for his delightful pics. A great big thank you to Clyde White who conceived of the idea of multiple runs, coordinated the whole affair and organised the sumptuous lunch. And last but by no means least another big thank you to Pike Peters and the folk at Brighton Porsche for hosting us in their magnificent dealership.
The Social Committee hopes to see you at one of our upcoming Social Runs in 2022.
Run from Calder
Story & Photos by Ken and Harriet Anson
Three groups starting from three different areas and ending at Porsche Centre Brighton, what a great idea for the Club after such a long lockdown. So in fine warm weather on Sunday morning we saw twenty bright and shiny Porsches waiting patiently for Kon’s leg of the Monte Run to commence. All the cars presented very well, interesting cars included John Orchard’s blue ‘74 Targa, Russell and Vicki Sturzaker’s black ‘81 924 Carrera GT, Mark and Caroline Horton Andrews red ‘93 968 CS, David and Kathy Danziger’s black 2018 991.2 GT3, a couple of 930s and 996/997 Turbos, some 911SCs, and a couple of Boxsters and Caymans. All the cars looked great, all certainly a credit to their various owners (or caretakers in some cases).
After a lot of greetings and “How good is it to be back doing Porsche stuff” our leader Kon marched us outside for his customary entertaining and informative briefing, and his introduction of new members.
With briefing over, Andrew and Shelby Ingram in their SC were first away, and not seen again until our arrival at Porsche Centre Brighton, the rest of us well behind in the traffic.
Kon’s route was varied and interesting, taking us through the back blocks of Diggers Rest towards Gisborne then east via the country area of Wildwood towards Melbourne Airport. These were all interesting and Porsche friendly roads requiring some degree of driver attention, and from the group of Mercedes going in the opposite direction, used by other car Clubs as well.
The traffic was heavy on the M80 after Melbourne Airport, but was still able to be driven at the legal limit, and soon we were Left onto Beaconsfield Parade, another quick left up North Rd and before we knew it, we were at Porsche Centre Brighton where Geoff and Barbara Mould quickly and effectively completed the QR Code and Vaccination Certificate Checks.
The PCB function was excellent, there was a lot of catching up between the attendees, the atmosphere was vibrant, and the food was very good.
Well done to the function organisers, I do know our expectations were at the very least, exceeded, and well done to Kon for organising his part of the Brighton Monte Run.
Run from Langwarrin
Story by Geoffrey Mould, Photos by Neville Sampson
A roll up of 30 Porsches arrived at Centenary Reserve car park in McClelland Drive, Langwarrin commencing from 10:00am for a 10:30am start of our run to Porsche Centre Brighton, with the carrot of a run along country roads and of the lunch awaiting us.
At this event on the day, it was the first time that we had our own Porsche QR Code, and everyone assisted in providing evidence of check in and double inoculation or a certified exemption. Prior to taking off on the run Geoffrey Mould our leader of our group went through the usual pre-event procedures and introduced the new members present and outlined the necessary behaviour requirements for drivers.
Thanks to Neville Samson for offering to take photos of the line-up of cars and the many of the entrants for our contribution to the club magazine. Our run left in an orderly manner and headed south along McClelland Drive then left into the Baxter-Tooradin Road. The run then took our group from East to North via 5-Ways and Clyde before again heading East then North along the long winding country road up to Emerald, arriving back to civilisation again. The run then followed the road around Cardinia Dam and into Wellington Road for the run back to Porsche Centre Brighton.
Again, another check-in this time at Porsche Centre Brighton for the required QR code and vaccination check. How did Geoffrey Mould get back before all the others to do the check in when he was last to leave the car park in Langwarrin? Maybe his Cayman car has grown wings!
Thanks to Barbara Mould and Vickie Morris in assisting with checking in at Porsche Centre Brighton. Also, thanks to Porsche Centre Brighton for the free give-aways of Porsche paraphernalia at the check-in counter.
The lunch spread of finger food was spectacular, no shortage of delicious food and fine drinks.
Photos by Linley Baxter, Tracey Lofthouse, Ross Douglas, Neil Diepstraten & John Lo Mascolo
In the founding spirit of Porsche Clubs we’ve decided to make this a ‘family affair’ giving perspectives of the event from both the passenger (Peta), and the driver (Justin).
The drive
PASSENGER
Honestly, I’m usually happy to rock up 1015 mins before take-off. But not this run!
Starting at the sensational Rivers nursery at Yarrambat, I ensured @reedminor was aware we needed plenty of time to check out the nursery and grab some plants before takeoff. Mission accomplished- I would have loved more time checking out the amazing shop and plants, but we weren’t the only couple shoving purchases into 911 corners.
Debbie Tse
