German Car Day 2012 - 23rd September

[work]

I think because of the early start (for me it is anyway I'll probably be running late and will head straight to the WACA.

[geoff_gti]

Guys, who is *actually* coming? Luke & I don't want to organise a brekky meet beforehand and then have no-one turnup... please let us know.

The forecast for Sunday is Sunny & 22 which will be good, although the weather is gonna be pretty **** for cleaning cars today/tomorrow.

[aussievwwdub]

Just seen this im keen for what ever

[roccodingo]

Officially NOT attending, plate full of crap to do as per usual scenario.

Next bimonthly run WILL be attending

[Paul_OH]

Geoff, if it's looking like a poor turnout then feel free to catch up with the vwgolf.net.au crew in East Perth beforehand.

[MattyT]

Def coming, keen for brekky or at least a cuppa in leedy.

[GOLFBALLS]

9am sunday in leedy?
I'll just go there and if i anyone else turns up, yay!

[geoff_gti]

OK guys whoever is coming, let's just meet at Oxford St carpark (Leederville) down the end about 8:30. Gives us time to grab some brekky & a coffee before heading to East Perth at 9:30. From there we can decide if we follow the convoy or make our own way down to Mandurah. I don't know where they will be collecting the $10 entry fee - hopefully at Mandurah to get everyone who attends.

[MattyT]

Ok well I'm going to somewhat eat my words and say that was pretty good. Far better turn out then I had anticipated with a great mix of all the major euro brands and german-ish ones too (that Ford RS, so hawt).

The mandurah locale was much better then Northam of years past.

[MattyT]

I also saw a small army of folks armed with DSLR cameras so no doubt there will be photos aplenty popping up soon.

[ChrisMaz]

Personally I thought it was a bit of a disaster... Even if the turnout was more than expected

The route map was terrible. Having a large group of cars travel through highly populated areas with traffic light after traffic light was not a good idea. I'm not even going to bother mentioning the whole "secret" location issue.
Where were Shannons, Andy's Bratwurst and the various bands that usually attend?

Hopefully next year it will be better organised.
Thanks for a better than expected day anyway guys.

[MattyT]

Well, I skipped the cruise to the "Secret location" and went n grabbed a cooked brekky instead. But you have some valid points re: the services.

For what it's worth, Andy is selling up. I saw him at a medival festival a month ago with a large for sale sign in the back of his van.
I certainly dont miss the bands, and Shannons turns up to practically everything else, so I think it was a nice break.

All in all I think the GCD organisers have started a new chapter and there are certainly some issues to work though. But things like the better weather, and much nicer location are a great start.

[Qtip]

i also did a Matty and joined the cruise mid way as it passed through freo. worked out pretty well as i was hung over so a decent breakfast did the trick and i made an educated guess the convoy was going to be heading through that way

the turnout was better than expected and the weather was pretty special compared to the GCDs back in the middle of winter but it just felt a little flat. the route seemed like it was planned on iOS6 maps. it wasn't scenic nor interesting and by the time we hit Mandurah it was getting tedious. personally one of the best things about the Northam car days was the country driving to and from the location. hopefully next year we can venture out of the metro area

and the omission of the oompah band and bratwurst stand was hugely disappointing

[gareth_oau]

I'd suggest that, if the Merc club is planning to host next year's as well, then perhaps a VAG rep can offer some positive feedback and encouragement to them well beforehand

[work]

Agreed that the route wasn't that scenic, and driving through lights and stop signs etc broke the convoy up, but on the positive side we got to pass and be passed by a variety of other german cars. We had an exciting moment with a BMW 3.0 CSL at some lights even. Plus all the stop and start let y'all show off those fancy exhausts. On a country drive you're just looking at the same guys back end the whole time