Fiat Nationals 16-18 January 2009
If you weren't there, you missed a ripper. Most Fiat nuts look forward to every chance they can get to drive their vehicle, however it's more than this that draws their full attention towards the Nationals. It's the fact that they get to spend a whole weekend driving their pride and joy with the added benefit of getting to do it with seventy six other registered nuts and their respective entourage's. The Organising Committee had a huge amount of work to do to put this weekend together, and from the moment cars began rolling off trailers on Friday night, it was obvious they had done a great job.
Friday night saw the welcome reception out at the circuit. From here, several gatherings emerged at the plethora of hotels used for the event. I am sure many wives were promised an early night, and several beverages later I am sure they removed themselves from the hub of conversation that had formed at the Alpine Heritage.
Saturday morning saw a crisp start to the day, with 46 drivers taking the start line for the 46th running of the Fiat of Italy Cup. The outer grounds of Wakefield Park provided an excellent venue for the event, with a smooth but dusty surface for the states and drivers to battle it out. Michael McGeorge did a great job to take out the event. His father had previously won the event twice back in 78 & 85, so it meant a lot for Michael to get his name on the trophy. It didn't come easy though, he narrowly beat three time winner Nathan Gotch by 0.25 seconds, with the worlds fastest junior Nick Filipetto a further 1.83 seconds up the road. NSW continues to hold the trophy, remaining unbeaten since 2001.
From here competitors spent a couple of hours re-charging their minds and washing their cars before heading into the heart of Goulburn for the Shannon's Insurance Presentazione. The council had closed off a main street for us, and with a total of 60 cars on display, we nearly needed a bigger street. It was great to see so many of the locals come out to have a look at the cars. I don't think there was ever a moment where someone didn't have a head in a window, or a million questions to ask. Congratulations to Lyn Bartold for winning Best In Show for her 2008 Fiat 500. Not a bad effort considering this car was driven in the morning's motorkhana, and judging by the photos in the gallery, I would say hers was pretty dirty prior to putting it on display. Plans are already in motion to make next years Presentazione even bigger, but we may need that bigger street. Can we shut down the Hume Hwy? Did someone say block party?
With the street re-opened, everyone hit the Alpine Heritage for the annual Turin Imports BBQ. The caterers did an excellent job providing the meal, and it set a great tone for the rest of the evening. The front yard of the hotel had members from all the states chatting away till the late hours. You can't even begin to imagine half of the conversations that would have taken place amongst some of the great friends who meet at this event each year.
In 2005 the Fiat Nationals was expanded to include a hillclimb at the world famous Mount Panorama. 2009 was another landmark year, with the first running of the Fiatorque Supersprint around Wakefield Park Raceway. Many competitors took to the track on Friday to get an eye in, but Sunday morning was to be the true test. With a total of 63 drivers entered into the sprint, each competitor was given 5 sessions to lay down their fastest time of the day. Several didn't make it to 5, some in spectacular fashion, others in sad levels of failure. Nick Smith went on to win the event in his 131 Sports Sedan with a fastest time of 1.05.963. Jeremy Smith was a shave slower in the 124 with a time of 1.06.579, with father Ross on his heels with a 1.06.754. Do you reckon there is going to be some family trash talk over the next year?
Sunday night saw the event come to a close with the presentation dinner at the Goulburn Soldiers Club. The chance to sit down for a great meal, watch some of Tony Studans fantastic photos on the big screen, issue personal fines and award competitors is brilliant way to finish the event. Well done to Michael McGeorge for taking out not only the motorkhana, his class in the sprint, but also the Fiat Nationals outright champion for 2009.
Note your diaries, 2010 Fiat Nationals 15-17 January, Wakefield Park, Goulburn NSW. If you weren't there this year, you missed a ripper. If you're not there in 2010, you should be driving a Skoda.
