PAST EVENTS
Porsche Club Victoria
Run to Pier 35 Port Melbourne
Date: 30 October 2022
Write-up by Tony Singh (riding in a 991.2 911 GTS)
Late October, an early Sunday morning—our meet point—an unsealed gravel car park, Ruffey Creek and Yarra River a few steps away. As cloud cover broke across this riverside suburban commune, both the literal and proverbial fog lifted to reveal a melange of modern and vintage Porsche 911s, jutting keenly nearby a motley crew of club enthusiasts and their invited guests. A full turnout for today’s enterprise, as the route map was read aloud, the crowd stood strong in the emergent morning sun, full of anticipation for shared roads ahead.
Our first stop, King Lake. Quickly, amongst a small group of breakaways, we separated from the starting peloton, slipstreaming our way through Research, then to Kangaroo Ground and onwards. The tight mountainous roads, quickly drying out from the previous night’s rains, were still damp in parts, providing hints of wheel slip and exhilaration to boot. These roads are made for stirred driving, the unrelenting threat of even the slightest false step, providing the starkest contrast to the forced couch incursions of yesteryears lockdowns (this is Victoria after all).
Soon after, our small breakaway group fell off the approved course, an inevitable happenstance on leisurely club drives of the sort this was. But we weren’t lost—and besides, today’s purpose was much less about reaching a certain destination than it was about sharing an experience. So what then was this day really about? Well, for me, I was riding shotgun with my older brother (though blessed I am, it’s his car.). We used the opportunity to engage in deep discussion. We covered many things, we talked about life, a bit about business, we reflected on the mixed lives of our Mum and Dad before us, about the value of being positive and adventurous, and taking risks, about having an even better future despite the many blessings we and our combined families enjoy in the present. We talked about becoming better people, and we agreed that doing more for others in our lives was a shared hallmark of our life’s better purpose. We just talked.
A quick café stop, a couple of espressos later, we then found ourselves streaking through the Macedon Ranges. Out there, it seemed most of the world was put out to pasture, one particular lone group of trees contrasted with vast and lush hinterland, as Hanging Rock towered imposingly in the distant Woodend surrounds. Presented with benign scenes of dairy cattle chewing their cud, the verifiable simplicity of the natural world proved an almost rude reminder of just how elaborate and put-on we modern citizens have become.
We talked about how right-minded, rational and financially responsible people get comfortable with the exorbitant price tags attached to particular classes of mobile seats. We quipped that too many souls have been lost in the pursuit, scarcely stopping, even if for just a day, to take up some of life’s pleasures, rather than longsuffering its many miseries. Quickly we concluded, it is far better to regret the things you’ve done, not to regret the things you didn’t do.
With some 150 kilometres (that’s 93 miles for the Imperialists) of Victoria’s finest and not-so-finest country B-roads behind us, I can happily report we did eventually find our way to Pier 35 where we were greeted with rows of long tables, a strong easterly skidding off the Yarra and set cutlery at the ready. There, the group broke bread together and we all exchanged many more stories. One particular member described a recent career change, lining up with so many recent accounts within the ‘Great Resignation’ trend. Another spoke of days gone by in clubs involving more modest vehicles. And another expressed immense pleasure in a particular set of forged monoblock, custom machined wheels finished in gold, yet another took interest in bespoke suspension sets. This was a car club event after all…
And so we had our fill, exchanged our goodbyes and back on the road we went, home the next stop. As we ruminated over the day’s events, we reflected some more about what this drive was all about. For us, it was about manifesting an entrepreneurial attitude, harbouring an optimistic will towards situations with uncertain outcomes, it was about cultivating a prosperous mindset matched by a generosity of spirit. Much more than road navigation, today’s journey was about driving our lives forward, venturing unknown roads whilst being confident of coming out the other side richer and wiser for the experience. We went somewhere together, but nowhere in particular—and not just us, the whole club too.
Modern 911 Run to Bacchus Marsh Golf Club
Sunday 17th July 2022
Story by Leigh Norrie
Photos by Pat Marion Click Here for Image Gallery
This run was arranged by Kon Gogos with a drive up through Woodstock (for the music festival) then on to Romsey, Hanging Rock, Mt Macedon and New Gisborne and finishing at the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club. Unfortunately, Kon became unwell and was not able to host the run.
We were fortunate that Ken and Harriet Anson were able to step up and host the run. They decided to use the same route as the Boxster and Cayman register used not more than a month ago which was well known to them and myself having attended the run but not finding the clock tower in the centre of Woodend. Not only did Ken and Harriet coordinate the change of event details with Lisa Gillespie at PCV they drove the route on the Thursday prior to ensure that the run notes were correct. All participants received an email detailing the change in meeting place and time and the revised run notes. This club runs like a well-oiled machine.
So, there I was on Saturday night watching the Tour De France on TV when I thought I would check the weather forecast for the Macedon region the following day. It was going to be cold and wet with a top temperature of 8 Degrees and a 70% chance of rain.
Undeterred I arrived at BP Rockbank Outbound and topped up with 98 Octane petrol at $2.45 per litre while in America they are paying $ US 4.00 per US Gallon or $AUD 1.51 per litre. Surely someone is having a lend of us at these prices.
I had a quick chat to Ken and Harriet and confirmed my attendance and then took the opportunity to check out the cars and see who I knew from previous runs and club nights. Then Ken conducted the briefing and introduced the new member Patrick Marion and his navigator Clem. Patrick has been a member of PCV in the past when he owned and drove a 993. After a short hiatus he has returned to the club and is now driving a nice 996 Carrera blue cabriolet. Patrick volunteered to take the photos on the day as he is a professional photographer and is keen to take photos of members cars so will be someone to get to know. Ken then asked for a volunteer to write up the trip notes and with military precision nominated me saying that it would help me focus on the drive and look out for that elusive clock tower at Woodend.
There was a good mix of modern 911 cars assembled in the carpark all waiting to get going. There was a couple of nice GT3’s, a 1985 Carrera 3.2 litre, a Boxster and a smattering of Caymans including a sleek looking Cayman 4.0 litre GTS. My silver 997 Carrera S was in good company with David Barrett’s grey 997 Carrera. It would be remis of me not to mention the beautiful 996 Turbo belonging to Joseph Weinbach. Who said these were the ugly ducking of the Porsche 911 series? Not me. In all there was a great mix of Porsche motor cars and that’s what counts.
Finally, we were underway and onto the Western Highway for all of 0.7 kilometre then a few back roads until we joined the Parwan - Exford Road for the run into Bacchus Marsh. This is where the GT cars formed a “breakaway” and become the “Tete de la Course” while the balance took up their position in the Peloton (have you been watching the Tour de France?) We passed through Bacchus Marsh where I noticed petrol was advertised at $2.01 per litre, Note to Self (NTS) must buy petrol here on the way home.
Pretty soon we were onto the Western Highway and driving at the 110 kph speed limit in safety and comfort but not for long as the next turn took us onto the Pentland Hills Road which is the old Hamilton Highway and is a single lane road in either direction. How fortunate are we that the various Victorian Governments have created the wonderful major freeways throughout Victoria? I just wish a little more foresight had been shown in building some tunnels under Melbourne to reduce the constant traffic congestion that we see every day. This road takes us into the town of Myrniong and I think of the number of times I have had to spell Myrniong when confirming my previous address< Myrniong Grove, in Hawthorn East. We go past The Plough and I make a note to check out the menu as the place looks interesting.
The run notes then say to turn right onto the Greendale - Myrniong Road towards Greendale, however, I have the feeling some of the GT cars may have turned back onto the Western Freeway. I will explain this later. Through the hills and down into Greendale where there is a quaint little pub where I took my friend from New York for a drink years ago. It was an eye opener for her having just hopped of a plane from the Big Apple. The locals were quite impressed as well.
From Greendale we headed for Trentham and received the rain that was forecast for the day. It got pretty cold, down to 6 Degrees and the rain was pretty heavy. Interesting that the aerodynamic shape of the 911 means that the rear window remains dry at speed above 80 kph.
Turning right at the Cosmopolitan hotel in Trentham I am thinking that Ken and Harriet have prepared the ultimate pub crawl in the west of Melbourne. Now its on to Woodend and we pass the Pig and Whistle hotel, go figure another pub. Driving through Woodend I am seriously focussed on finding the clock tower as it marks where we turn right. There it is right opposite the Holgate hotel where I have been on a midweek run with Michael O’Brien, what a great idea these were, let’s do some more.
Then its up over Mt Macedon and into the fog and boy its cold outside but at least the rain has gone and the roads are dry again. We pass the Mt Macedon hotel and I recall that it was owned by the used car salesman Kevin Dennis a long time ago. We turn left into Syndicate Road and pass some beautiful properties many of which were established in the early 1900’s as a place to escape the Melbourne summer heat. We pass a huge horse training complex and I wonder who owns it and that there must be money in racing. Through the three single lane bridges hoping that Porsche cars have right of way after slowing to 60 kph. Focus on the sharp right turn into Barringo Road or end up in a farmers shed. What a “barn find” that would be. From here its pretty straightforward as we drive through New Gisborne and past the Baringo Food and Wine Co. Kon has taken us there before and serves great food at reasonable prices.
As we go through a series of roundabouts those GT cars from the “breakaway” pass those of us who stayed together in the Peloton and I think to myself, where have they been? Maybe a coffee stop along the way or checking out one of the many pubs.
We go through Gisborne and turn onto the Gisborne- Bacchus Marsh Road for a 32-kilometre drive on a relatively straight road in brilliant sunshine. Thanks to the forecasters at the bureau.
Soon after we arrived at the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club and made welcome. The dining room has a good view overlooking the fairways and 18th hole and a big fireplace. The food was reasonably priced and the servings quite large. Not everyone came in for lunch and given that eight cars, drivers and passengers had pulled out prior to the start we were down on numbers which meant we were all able to sit on the one table and catch up with those we knew and meet some new friends.
There was lots of talk about the run which I really enjoyed and plenty of references to the Woodend clock tower which location is now firmly etched into my brain.
Being the great host Ken had arranged a raffle and the winners were able to select a bottle of fine wine. The winners were, Harriet Anson, Ken Anson (I see a trend forming here), Maria Del Gallo, Stephen Lofthouse and Debbie Weinbach. All seemed happy with their wine selection and we appreciated that Patrick was on hand to take the photos of the winners and I am sure some great shots of the people and cars on the run.
Many thanks to Ken and Harriet for organising the run and to Kon in absentia for preparing his run which we might do another day.
As we said goodbye and headed for home it was pretty apparent that all that attended had a great day.
As I head off, I am looking for reasonably priced petrol on the way home.
Modern 911 Run to Gisborne Golf Club
Sunday 13th March 2022
Story by Darren Bonney
Photos by Ken Anson & Kon Gogos Click Here for Image Gallery
A great drive day in beautiful sunny autumn weather!
The modern 911 run to Gisborne Golf Course started meeting near the Tullamarine airport on Link Drive at the new BP service station which provided us an ideal place to park all 30+ cars in a row and enable a great photo shot. And providing ample modern facilities to grab a coffee, snacks and catch up with all other participants on the day.
We were all able to take off from the main intersection at the BP, using a double right turning lane towards the Tullamarine airport which grouped the cars in a beautiful Porsche parade upon take off! Ahead of us were the very Porsche friendly regional roads circumnavigating the beautiful Macedon ranges with many awesome and unfamiliar back roads that our captain Kon Gogos (event organiser) proudly chooses with every drive he organises. Plenty of rolling hills, visual passenger friendly views, wide back roads and plenty of bends and straights to delight all types of drivers.
Leg 1, taking us to Lancefield for our first drive break. We headed north out of Melbourne past the Tullamarine airport with only the traffic lights slowing us down in front of what is currently an eerily quiet international airport. With the airport behind us, we blew off any cobwebs onto the highway towards Sunbury and within minutes we were now on the fast paced backroads that took us snaking our way across to Clarkefield then back through the middle of Darraweit Guim to Kilmore, waking the town with a procession of beautiful cars as we continued north to Pyalong before cutting across to Lancefield for our first stop.
Break time, The Quiet Lancefield town about 70kms out of Melbourne welcomed the drivers and cars with plenty of options for facilities, food, coffee and easy main street parking for all participants. After drivers found their finest choices we were soon congregating on the café bakery stretch providing all participants to talk Porsche while looking at the array of our main street idle masterpieces providing the sleepy town with a great stretch of colours and engineering artistry during our driving recess.
Leg 2, took us further north looping around the old Cobb and Co regional roads to Pyalong and Tooborac back to Lancefield town centre for a drive through on our way across to the northern side of Mt Macedon. This provided any early leavers easy access to the Calder Freeway to head home whilst most remained on the back road to bring us along the winding roads and over the top of Mt Macedon towards Gisborne.
Lunch, was at Gisborne Gold club with plenty of bitumen parking available to line up the team of Porsches again. Lunch was a reserved set of tables providing a view of the golf course.
To summarise, great weather, 30+ car solid attendance on a long weekend, excellent parking available at every stop, fast paced and fun winding roads with little traffic and facilities and food options were plentiful! An excellent Porsche drive region around the Northern and North Eastern roads all of which is not far outside of Melbourne!
Modern 911 Run to Panton Hill Hotel
Sunday 23rd January 2022
Story by Rita De Lucia
Photos by Ken Anson
Click Here for Image Gallery
Melbourne put on the weather for a perfect day to drive our beautiful cars to Panton Hill.
Around 30 or so cars met at Melissa Cakes in Templestowe, quite a few arriving earlier than the suggested time so we could catch up with friends we hadn't seen for a while, and to make new ones too.
We checked in, Kon gave us the rundown, set our Tacos to zero and proceeded to make our way on our "Porsche Parade" up Parker Street for the start of our run. I love how no one really wants to take off first but someone has to do it!
The sun was shining, the navigation notes were easy to follow, and once we got a few km under our belts the mountain fresh air was unmissable. The scenery was spectacular, I particularly enjoy looking in the passenger side mirror (as the passenger of course) to see the convoy of beautiful cars behind us. It really leaves you speechless to see such beauty all together.
We had driven around three quarters into the first half of our run until we noticed everyone slowing and breaking.... road works we thought...
Worse,
HORROR !!! THE DIRT ROAD ......
"It's only about a kilometre," says Kon, as he approaches each and every driver. "Go slow and keep your distance."
I'm pretty sure that the words "stone chips" were uttered in each car, definitely was in ours and from the shine on the cars at our original meeting point most had been in the driveway on Saturday being washed and prepared for today.
It was forgotten quickly and we kept driving until we reached Kinglake for more caffeine and some morning tea. Caffeinated and legs stretched we once again set our tac's to zero for the second half of our run.
More great Porsche friendly roads led us to Panton Hill Pub for Lunch. Great food, great company, great cars, and a great club to be part of.
Thankyou Kon for organising a Porsche Perfect day.
Modern 911 run to Yering Meadows Golf Club
Saturday 9th November, 2019
Story by Andrea Delaforce Photos by Steve Cappadona
Some new faces and some great cars (Incl. 930, 964, 978, 991, 996, 997 models) gathered at Melissa’s Cakes at Templestowe for a great selection of goodies to start the day. The weather looked ominous causing some folk to not join us, but we gathered for the briefing and a coffee in anticipation of another well organized and adventure filled run.
As with any Kon run, there are roadworks, but this one promised (by Kon on the maps) to be spectacular. We couldn’t wait for the trials and tribulations of so many potential dusty, rocky roads and roadworks (10 in total) for our beloved Porsches, but of course our cars handled them with ease.
We head out, with some of the group reluctant to feel the pressure of being lead car. Off we drive and at the very first roundabout we go straight (according to the directions) while several drivers go left. Usually we get a little further into the run before the alternative routes start, hoping this wasn’t a bad omen.
Overcast but dry and lovely scenery as we wind our way around Kinglake, Healesville, Yarra Glen and Eltham areas. The slow CFA truck on “L plates” on some twisty roads held up a few drivers, with some “spirited” overtaking required to get past the driver who I’m sure out of pure jealousy refused to pull over for us to pass.
We meet up at Dark Horse Café for giant scones (go Val) and coffee and a chat about great countryside, wrong turns and missed signs. A great little café, busy, but enjoyed a quick pit stop there.
We were appreciative of a substitute page (from Kon off the VicRoads website), with an unsealed road warning for the second stage of the run, ending at Yering Meadows Golf Club. We travel over some roads on more than one occasion (normal for a Kon run), I think he does it to confuse the drivers and he secretly laughs at us when we get lost on a road we’ve already been on.
Still overcast, but for a reluctant drop or two we drive around Toolangi, past the Chocolaterie (tempted to end our run there) and around Kinglake, Healesville and Yarra Glen. Quite a few heads turn as we pass groups of cyclists and locals in towns as our stunning stream of Porsches slowly glide past.
We come across and subsequently overtake a surprising number of grey nomads in this area, not sure what that means, but on we travel.
We arrive at the lovely golf club at Yering, with a vista of sweeping fairways and lush greens and an expansive clubhouse. Meeting in our reserved room, two tables of ragged drivers and their superb navigators (if you were lucky enough to have one) were ready for lunch. A stunning view over the course with some strangely attired people hitting a little white ball with a stick, smoke coming out of ears and sticks flying on occasions I’m sure.
We order lunch and Kon has the bottles ready for the lucky draw. Several draws later, lucky winners were beaming with their recently acquired bottles of red or white. Lots of chatting and laughter, what a great group on this run, mixture of ages, some travelling on their own or in couples, all appreciating the opportunity to give our cars the ‘open air’ run they need in the cars we love and enjoy the company that the club makes possible.
Once again, we all thank Kon for the time he takes in preparing and organising these great runs, we meet new people, cement friendships already made and admire cars, but most of all we have fun and we look forward to the next time we see our friends. Thanks Kon!
MODERN 911 RUN to Upper Beaconsfield
Sunday 30 September 2018
Report by Lynne Russell
As PCV fledglings we were ready for our second Club Run, together with eleven other 911’s – the Modern 911 Run to Upper Beaconsfield held Sunday September 30.
The morning started early for us with tea and toast, as we had an hour and a half drive up the highway from Geelong to the mustering point. Being the first car to arrive we wondered if we had the correct McDonalds, then when Jane Hallam in her GT3 was the second car to pull in, I was pulling out a google search for a possible second Maccas.
Jane was just pulling in for a ciggy and coffee break and a quick hello, on her way to quote ‘chase the rest of the boys around on the GT3 run’ -perhaps even to dent a few egos I’m thinking.
As others arrived there were plenty of intros with other members and their Porsches. There were a couple of well turned out GTS’s and a good mix of modern 911 Carreras and a Cayman.
Clear instructions by Kon for the run – set your trip meter, be courteous, obey road rules including speed limits and enjoy!
A few lessons were learnt from our first run to Provenance Winery at Fyansford namely:
Don’t forget to set your trip meter to 00.
Don’t always follow the car in front when you realise you haven’t done 1. – they don’t always know where they are going!
So with this in mind, run notes and directions on my lap, Peak Cap on (makes you a better navigator), we fired up the Porsches and left the car park in single file.
Slipping behind the lead group at the start with a large truck in front of us, our group of four eventually broke free in time to enjoy winding country roads with city speed limits around Emerald – did I mention city speed limits – we saw the signs in a blur as we kept up with the group!
Lifting my eyes from my notes – directions were spot on Kon – the scenery was beautiful, weather and roads dry, as we were snaking through the hills on our way to Monbulk and Bernado’s. Definitely a spot to return (going this Saturday actually) as we drove past Tesselaars Bulbs and other nurseries. With the Tulip Festival in full swing the traffic was a little heavier.
The morning coffee break couldn’t come soon enough for some as they had immersed themselves into the spirit and culture of what is grand final weekend in Melbourne, and can we say were not looking quite as shiny and polished as their cars – no offence meant guys!
Bernado’s Diner, rating 4.9 out of 5 on FB and posting pics and a thanks for our visit (check out their page), was a great coffee stop with open fire and all day breakfast.
For our second leg, we slotted into the lead cars as we headed through tall forest at Cockatoo, great driving roads and eased traffic, around Puffing Billy homelands, and wonderful spring scenery. More confident in my nav skills, when we found ourselves the leading car Kon’s instructions were spot on!
On heading to Jason’s Restaurant at Bradford Estate Winery in Beaconsfield Upper some stats included passing three police cars and 6 cyclists – luckily none spotted in the first leg.
Jason’s Restaurant at Bradford Estate Winery welcomed us with front row parking outside the venue as we viewed the dozen 911’s and chatted with drivers over the run.
Two large dining tables with beautiful mountainous views were home for the next few hours as we enjoyed a two course menu, great company and a lot of banter. And if you had a spare moment to ponder, the scenery was breathtaking.
With a menu provided at the day’s start, this was more a la carte than fixed price, starting with a delicious mini asparagus soup and homemade bread. We both chose the popular Beef Cheek, although the Salmon, Duckling and Gnocchi were tempting. Dessert was Crème Brulee, Strawberry Fields or deconstructed Pavlova with a complimentary coffee.
Having already offered to write this report and scoring a bottle of wine for doing so, I was also chuffed to win another bottle in the raffle – having been a winner also in our first outing. Other raffle winners were Gary Cornish, Margaret Bath.
Big thanks to Kon for organising this day and to other seasoned members for their fellowship and hearty banter. As new members we have felt very welcome and we look forward to attending more events.
Modern 911 Run to Tooradin
Sunday 25th February 2018
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Modern 911 Father's Day run
Sunday 3rd September 2017
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Modern 911 Register Run to Highfield Estate New Gisborne
Sunday 23rd April 2017
Story by Maria Del Gallo Photos by Kon Gogos & Ken Anson
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The Modern 911 Run to Highfield Estate New Gisborne started from McDonalds in Sunshine – and sunshine there was! It was a beautiful day to take a leisurely drive through country Victoria.
After an informative briefing and a lucky raffle ticket from Kon we headed north around the airport on some Porsche friendly roads to a lovely morning tea at Mona’s Café in Bacchus Marsh. We had an enjoyable morning coffee and a catch up before the Porsches were on the road again - however some Porsches didn’t get too far as the local constabulary were setting up a breathalyser station – all good, after a huff and puff we were on our way once more.
This time we headed towards Blackwood and Trentham driving through the beautiful scenic Macedon Ranges. Some of these roads were well travelled by our Porsches and some were new, all of which led us to our final destination of Highfield Estate – and what a beautiful destination it was!
We enjoyed some delightful Hors d'Oeuvres out on the deck along with a welcome drink, followed by a delicious 2 course lunch in beautiful surroundings. After lunch it was time for the raffle to be drawn and we all held on to our lucky raffle tickets – some luckier than others! Nigel Watson was the 1st prize winner, Alvaro Del Gallo 2nd, 3rd prize went to Oltem Pantall and lucky 4th winner was Sandra Dentry. All the prize winners got to choose a lovely bottle of wine or sparkling.
Thank you to Kon Gogos and Ken Anson for another enjoyable organised Porsche Run. We all appreciate your efforts.