President's Picnic 2024
Our annual picnic gathering of members from all chapters will again be held in the riverbank grounds of Ebenezer Church on Saturday 21st September 2024.
This year it is the 35th anniversary of the Mazda MX-5 and we hope to have a display of all those NAs that fit the Historic classification whether they Historic, Classic or normal registrations.
It will also be our major charity fundraiser event for 2024 for CareFlight with a cash-only raffle with great prizes to be drawn at the end of the day. So, bring along your cash - tickets will be on sale at 1 for $5, 3 for $10 and 10 for $20.
As of 19 Sep 2024,
$4800 in raffle prizes have been donated
and there are more to come!
To make the most of the day you are invited to join in the Chapter Challenge - a series of competitions with the best kind of prize – Boasting Rights. Come and support your competitors in the Egg & Spoon (sorry I meant Spanner & Nut race and other enthralling events.)
If you have any sizeable leftovers from your last MX-5 mods, bring a photo of those items with your contact details for a PHOTO CAR BOOT SALE. (No need to try fitting them into that little boot).
If you wish to attend the President's Picnic this year, then you MUST complete the Registration Form behind the Book Now button in this post for catering purposes.
As of 19 Sep 2024,
216 members and guests have registered to attend
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
As Church volunteers provide most of our lunch options, we will be passing the hat around for donations to the church's restoration fund. Ebenezer Church is the oldest church in Australia conducting weekly services and situated just 12km from Windsor in a rural parkland setting on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.
Everyone has the chance to wander through the historic sandstone Church, make a purchase at their canteen and walk around its well-maintained grounds and the rows of roadsters. You are encouraged to exhibit your car in one of the competition categories or take the opportunity to simply park your MX-5 in the grounds in the company of over 100 other roadsters. Members either individually or in Chapter groups will again have the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the event in the company of friends and members from all chapters and to volunteer to help on the day.
Espresso coffee, biscuits, cake and pastries will be available during morning tea with a lunch of BBQ chicken, sausages and salads being served from around 12:30pm. To get your free morning tea and/or lunch you must have pre-registered for this event. Please ensure that your membership is current when you register online.
Ready your picnic gear to join our Presidents Picnic and leave the rest to the Club.
THE CLUB RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL OR VARY THE PICNIC AND/OR CAR COMPETITIONS UP UNTIL THE DAY OF THE EVENT DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. PLEASE CHECK THIS WEBPAGE ON THE DAYS BEFORE THE EVENTS FOR ANY CHANGES.
Registration & Parking
On arrival at Ebenezer Church, all attendees must turn off Coromandel Road just past the bend in the road as directed by volunteers and to register at the registration desk set up at the gate entry into the church grounds. All attendees must sign-in before proceeding to park their car in rows as directed by volunteer parking marshals.
Non-Member Attendance and/or Participation
Non-member attendance is welcome provided they comply with the directions of our Committee Members and volunteers.
Non-members who wish to participate in lunch will be charged $30 per person but must be registered before the event, and those who don't want lunch will be charged $10 per person. Non-members are required to pay at the registration desk upon arrival and receive a wrist band to enjoy coffee & cake on arrival.
Getting There
Runs to the event may be organised on the day starting at various locations and will be posted separately on the event calendar by participating chapters. Links will be added to this post prior to the President's Picnic.
MX-5 Show Events
The Club will be conducting numerous car show events on the grounds of the Ebenezer Church in conjunction with the President’s Picnic for members and guests.
Pre-registration for all events is essential, no on day entries will be accepted. All entries must be submitted by 7th September to determine which trophies are required.
All events will run under the condition that there are not less than 3 entries for a model in a class to enable that class to be in competition, and that there are 3 members for each class that have volunteered to be judges at time of booking. If either of these conditions is not met then the event will not run.
Trophies are being awarded to the NA, NB, NC & ND judged to be the best in their class with the exception of Track Cars with only one category. Only financial Club members can win the Club trophies with all entrants eligible for Certificates of Merit.
The decision of the judges in all classes and events are final.
Cars can only enter one competition event, with the exception of Best Ladies MX-5.
35th Anniversary of MX-5 - Historic Display
Due to the Mazda MX-5 35th Anniversary this year, the Concours event will be replaced with a display of MX-5s that fit the Historic age criteria (>30 years age). Judges will deside on the winner for the 'Best Presented Historic'. Please register for the event before Saturday 7th September
Show 'n' Shine
Show 'n' Shine trophies and award certificates of merit are based on how a cross-section of our membership acting as judges perceive the exterior of those NAs, NBs, NCs and NDs on show taking into account originality and/or external modifications and trim as they deem appropriate.
Those wishing to enter should record their intention in their Registration Form on or before Saturday 7th September and have their cars parked in the grounds by 10:00am.
Show 'n' Shine has no points or judging criteria. The judges drawn from the general membership will determine what in their opinion is the most deserving NA, NB, NC and ND overall from their external appearance and visible cabin areas of the car. Entrants must not enter MX-5s with major body panel modifications or changes excluding modified trim, exhaust or wheels. Entrants can present their cars with roof down or up to show off the interior finish for the judges to take into consideration. Engine areas, boots and the underside of panels are not considered by the judges in Show 'n' Shine.
Minor scratches, bumps, paint chips and blemishes may be disregarded at the judge's discretion. Originality and aftermarket trim may be taken into account in accessing the appeal of cars that the judges believe enhance the overall appeal of an entry deserving of a trophy or special mention.
Best Modified & Performance MX-5s
For those members of the MX-5 community who are into modifying the performance and/or appearance of their MX-5s, our judges will choose one vehicle regardless of model as the trophy winner taking into account the nature and quality of mechanical, interior and exterior modifications.
Those wishing to enter must record their intention in their Registration Form on or before Saturday 7th September and have their cars parked in the grounds by 10:00am.
If you wish to participate and be considered for a Modified & Performance MX-5 Award, the bonnet of your car should be left open when you park in your allocated area. The criteria and modifications by which the cars are judged is left to the judges’ discretion.
Best Track Car
Any MX-5 that has taken part in a Club Track Day, Supersprint, MX-5 Cup or other track event in which the Club has participated may enter this event. A dedicated parking area will be allocated to track car parking. There is only one class of entry for all models and the winning entry is decided by the judging panel on presentation, appearance and the mechanical set up of each car.
Best Ladies MX-5 on Show
Those wishing to enter must record their intention in their Registration Form on or before Saturday 7th September and have their cars parked in the grounds by 10:00am.
Judges will select their choice as Best Ladies MX-5 on Show for Le Beau Prix MX-5 de Dames Trophy from cars registered to a female member who requests and displaying a pink tag. A member nominating on the day for this award may also enter in one other competition.
Best on Show/People’s Choice Award
This year, Best in Show will be merged with the People’s Choice Award. All registered participants with a lunch ticket will be given a voting paper to select one of any model from only those cars entered for a class for the Best in Show trophy.
Members are required to return voting slips and pencils to the Captains table under the Pergola by 12:00 noon
Timetable
| 7:30am | Judges and volunteers may enter and park in the grounds |
| 8:00am | Only cars entered in events may enter and park in the grounds and prepare for judging. |
| 9:00am | Registration desk opens for members to register and park in the grounds |
| 9:30am | Judges to arrive before 9:30am Coffee Cart opens with biscuits, cake & pastries provided for morning tea |
| 10:00am | Historic, Show 'n' Shine, Modified MX-5s & Track Cars, Ladies' Choice and People's Choice/Best in Show judging starts. Chapter Challenge events commence |
| 11:00am | Counting People's Choice/Best in Show commences. |
| 11:30am | Registration Desk closes Entry to grounds closes Coffee Cart closes |
| 12:00 noon | Judging closes Chapter Challenge completes Open forum & Q&A chaired by the President |
| 12:30pm | Lunch commences |
| 2:00pm | Presentation of Trophies & Awards |
| 2:30pm | Charity Raffle draw |
