The Corvette Club of South Australia October long weekend at Victor Harbor went ahead despite Covid-19, Covid restrictions and a few hiccups in the motel booking department.
The departure on Friday started with the usual drizzle of rain as the weather gods realised it was a Corvette weekend. About 12 cars arrived at the Maccas South Road but getting in and out was a challenge. It turns out, not only was it a long weekend but the school holidays too!
The Corvette caravan headed off down the expressway, but it wasn’t long before the first Corvette casualty occurred. However, the RAA came to the rescue and soon the caravan was back on its way to Victor Harbor.
The team arrived at the Comfort Inn, which was situated quite nicely between a hotel and a liquor store. Friday night saw everyone dine at the nearby Hotel Victor. In true Victor style everyone was kicked out at 9.30!
Saturday morning turned out bright and sunny. The usual poker game for the weekend started with each car receiving a card. The route to the first stop at Waitpinga beach should have been very straightforward, but it was a lost cause due to the ever-present Corvette Club Curse. The Sergeant at Arms was kept busy chasing lost cars, with plenty of stops and copious U-turns taking place.
Eventually everyone arrived at Waitpinga Beach, presenting a good photo opportunity while everyone soaked up the sunlight. It seems Feng Shui aligned everyone’s Chakra at Waitpinga Beach, allowing all the Corvettes to head off again towards the next stop at Carrickalinga. On arrival, everyone proceeded to lunch at the very picturesque Forktree Brewing, situated on the hill near the Carrickalinga lookout.
Leaving Forktree Brewing, the caravan headed to the Myponga Reservoir which proved to be another excellent spot for the photographers. Unfortunately, the departure was delayed by the good old C4 ignition key harmonisation with the ignition switch issue, causing the refusal of the car to start. It was the RAA who once again came to the rescue.
It was then back to Victor Harbor where people got to relax, chat and do some leisurely walking around the town and Granite Island. Saturday night required a short walk down to the historic Anchorage Hotel for an excellent dinner with complimentary drinks on the tables.
The weather gods must have realised it was still a special Corvette weekend and Sunday morning saw a return of the rain, with dark clouds rolling in. But this didn’t deter the first run of the day, which involved cruising up to Mt Compass before turning back south towards the next stop at Goolwa. Follow the leader was again less than perfect with Sgt Pete rounding them up like an old sheep dog and getting them back on track.
Eventually the caravan rolled into Goolwa with the first stop at the Goolwa Barrage. The Barrage was built back in the thirties between the mainland and Hindmarsh Island to regulate the Murray River’s flow before it enters the sea. It was cold and windy for the walk out on the Barrage, and everyone was surprised to find a family of seals living out there. More photos! From there, it was across the bridge to Hindmarsh Island for lunch at the Islanders Tavern with some extra club visitors joining in for lunch.
The next run was up to Strathalbyn to visit Gilberts Motor Museum. This museum is on the site of the Gilbert family’s historic building which housed their motoring business for 117 years. The business closed in 2018 allowing the site to be developed by the Strathalbyn Tourism Association. It turned out that Rod Primes, a CCSA Member, had some of his memorabilia on display at the museum, including a racing suit. There were many chuckles as Rod tried to convince everyone he once fitted in that suit!
Before the evening’s dinner it was time to deal out the 5th poker game card to everyone, with Ian declared the winner with an unbeatable hand of three 8’s! A C3 owner was probably a fitting recipient of the Supercheap Auto voucher.
Sunday night dinner’s venue was right next door to the motel, at Nino’s Italian restaurant. The club had their own dedicated area upstairs on the balcony. The evening was filled with good food and wine and the usual exaggerated stories that seem to become more exaggerated with each beverage consumed. Always a good formula for an enjoyable evening.
The Monday morning saw more rain falling as the team checked out. Everyone then ventured across the road to Primo’s for some brunch before hitting the road home.
All agreed it had been another good weekend arranged by the Corvette Club of South Australia. They seem to have a never-ending run of successful events.
Well done to them!
Write Up by Sean & Kirsty
Photos by Peter McBride & Ian Gregor
