Past Events
30 November 2014 – Christmas Run
A recap of this event can be found here.
21 September 2014 – Beta Meeta Run to Mornington
A recap of this event can be found here.
24 August 2014 – Vincenzo Lancia Birthday Run and AGM
A recap of this event can be found here.
20 July 2014 – Winter Wander
The Winter Wander this year was organised by Rob Alsop and his partner Anabel who did a wonderful job. Departing the Service station at Rockbank, outbound on the Western Freeway, Lancisti ventured North West to Trentham for morning tea and then on to “Laurel Bank” hosted by Leigh and Steve with Hot Soup and Bread for lunch.
8th December 2013 – Christmas Rally
Meet at 10 am Studley Park boat house [1 Boathouse Road Kew Melways Ref 2DF8.] A short run will commence at 11am following the Yarra River to Petty’s Orchard [1 Homestead Road Templestowe Melways Ref 22A12.]
Hot water and barbecue provided. You can either bring your own food for a picnic or barbecue lunch, plus chairs. However, Petty’s Orchard has a small café shop selling home made organic pies delicious cakes, muffins and biscuits even the coffee is organic and fruit and vegetables too.
The orchard harvests over 217 different types of organic apples. The Petty family continued to manage the orchard until 1981 when Parks Victoria purchased the property. It was certified in 1998 as an organic orchard.
Please contact Russell Cayley or Gail Hill on 97364746 or email gailh48@bigpond.com to let us know if you are coming and also whether you will self catering or using the café.
18th – 20th October 2013 – Castlemaine 22
Castlemaine will follow the usual format next year. The Tour will start on Sunday, 20th, for six days and will cover the Alpine Country in New South Wales with a day in Canberra. We will lunch in the highest town in Australia and the scenery in our high country is splendid to behold.
20th – 26th October 2013 – Alpine Tour
The Alpine Tour will start on Sunday, 20th, for six days and will cover the Alpine Country in New South Wales with a day in Canberra. We will lunch in the highest town in Australia and the scenery in our high country is splendid to behold.
April 2013 – Auto Italia
February 2013 – Bill Richards Run
December 2012 – Christmas Rally
November 2012 – LMC Parkes Rally
September 2012 – Vincenzo’s Birthday Garage Tour
8th July 2012 – Winter Wander
The day started at the Brunetti Café Carlton, and the Winter Wanderer attendees were very pleased to enjoy a great café style breakfast before starting the run to the Train Trak Winery. We managed to secure a table space on what is always a busy morning at Brunetti’s.
As attendees arrived, we gave them all official ALR coloured name tags, just to make sure we knew who’s who in the Lancia Zoo. All in all, we had 63 people sign up for the event, with 46 Adults and 17 children. We had 20 Lancia’s in the starting line up , 2 Montecarlo’s, 9 Beta’s, a Fulvia, 2 Lambda’s, 2 Flaminia’s, a HF integrale, and an Aprillia all ready to make the drive up too the Yarra Valley.
The president, Robert Bienvenu made a surprise visit to say hello to all the ALR members attending and to wish us all well on our travels – thanks Rob.
We lined up on Faraday street for a wonderful all in Lancia start.The route had two stages, the first through the back of Christmas Hills in Eltham, is both windy and steep in sections with lots of ups and downs – it feels like a grown up’s roller coaster ride. This is great for the drivers, but I was starting to wonder if the poor passengers were going to feel like lunch afterwards. Luckily there was a bit of highway driving into Healesville to allow you to recover.
With a planned break stop at Watson antiques and Café, it was a great chance to regroup and wander around the beautiful surrounds. Most headed into the café to enjoy the home made delights whilst others admired the many beta’s, flaminia’s Lambda’s montecarlo’s and fulvia’s.
The second stage of the route saw us drive towards Healesville, Toolangi and Chum Creek Road. The road has lots of twists and turns and great bush scenery. The Lancia’s took to the twists and undulations with great gusto and we saw some very spirited driving from all members involved.
On arrival at Train Trak winery, we were treated to a nice array of wines to taste, with the 2007 Pinot Chardonnay Sparkling being my favourite. Lunch started with a superb antipasto, the best I have seen for a while, and then a great line up of wood fired pizzas till we could eat no more. The scenery overlooking the rolling hills of the vineyard and Yarra Valley in the background was superb.
14th and 15th April – Auto Italia
This year the group of Lancisti making the annual trip to Canberra was more fragmented than last: Tony Kovacevic was already there on work duties; the Port Stephens Five took the Scenic Route via Bylong, Bathurst and Young; Mick Watts’s newly registered Fulvia HF sprang an oil leak the day before, so he rushed down later in his WRX; Anthony Rosenkowitz was on duty with a sporting son, so also travelled down late on Saturday. Six Simpsons were coming from Victoria.
So at 11am on Saturday in the Pheasants Nest service centre, Ken and Anne Studerus (Beta coupé) formed the other half of the convoy with Gina and me in the Aurelia B10. There was a small group of Alfa-Romeos there at the same time, including Ross Milner and John Slater in their 105 coupés (very beautiful too, both of them). Ken agreed to come on the back roads with us, and we left the freeway within a couple of kilometres and had a good run via the old Hume Highway and the Old South Road to Marulan, then turned off again at Goulburn for Tarago and lunch at Bungendore. There was very little traffic and we could do an easy 60mph on the open bits.
Canberra was busy and our quarter beset with detours because of the Marathon to be run on Sunday morning, but after checking in to our motels we eventually found our way to the bar at Olim’s Hotel for a drink with the Simpsons (Iain and Leanne with daughters Shayla and Lucy had come up in the Lambda and Graeme and Lynne in the Fulvia coupé), who couldn’t make it to dinner. Olim’s was chaotic in the afterglow of a boutique beer festival held in its courtyard that day.
Only a dozen of us for the usual Italian meal at Belluci’s meant that we could almost hear what the next person was saying.
The Sunday display on level lawns in front of Old Parliament House featured FIATs and Alfas (this year is the 50th anniversary of the 105 coupé), mostly modern Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis, motor bikes and scooters. We had nearly as many Lancias as last year: a Lambda, two Aurelias, two Flavias, five Fulvia coupés, five Betas, three (!) Montecarlos and one Thema. Ken Palmer and Jim and Rosemarie Poate came down for the day. Somehow I managed not to see all the Lancia owners, but enjoyed a walkabout with Leigh Russell (2000 berlina) and met Ted Healey and his early Fulvia coupé. Graham O’Connor and Jocelyn Vettoretti were there with Thema and trailerfull of bits and pieces.
Again we left early, having people to visit on the way home, so missed seeing Iain Simpson and Jon Dickson collect their respective awards for best historic/veteran/vintage (Lambda 8th series) and best Lancia coupé (Fulvia 1600 HF). I’m also told that the B10 got the sympathy vote for Lancia sedan.
Gina had to take me to the Kingston Market to replace my well-ventilated panama hat with one from Ecuador, and we had a good Ethiopian stew there for lunch (they have a useful range of things at the Kingston Market). On the way back we stopped outside the Wakefield Park circuit near Goulburn because Gina had noticed some roadside rose hips that would make a nice bunch for the 95-year-old we were to visit in Bundanoon. One kind motorcyclist stopped to ask if we needed breakdown help.
With another halt for a cup of tea with my No. 1 mother-in-law at Bowral, it was 9 o’clock before we got home at the end of a very satisfactory weekend.
John Pagan
11 December 2011 – Christmas Rally
Graeme and Lynne Simpson put their hands up to organise this years Christmas Run this year… We wonder if they’ll be so silly a second time?
A heap of Lancia’s and a few ring in’s took part…the weather improved to a point where a few were caught out in the sun without Sunscreen and Hats at lunch.
A special mention to guests from the “Cool Country Classic Club” and also Clare and Arthur Williams from the Jag club who came along to celebrate Christmas in their very nicely done Mk 2 Jag.
Morning Tea at the Café atop Mount Macedon was followed by a BBQ/Picnic lunch at the Estate of Robert and Penny Bienvenue at Trentham East.
The cars were tested on some beautiful roads, some not used before by any of us..
Apart from one road sign missing and one recalcitrant Flaminia GT on it’s homeward bound trip no mishaps to report.
Rob B converted the old church himself and clearly exercised some of his best design to achieve the end result. A most impressive conversion.
With some interest we noted the availability of the converted church for weekend bookings… A few holidays may well be in the planning.
7 December 2011 – Committee Dinner Meeting
21st – 23rd October 2011 – Motorclassica, Melbourne
17th – 22nd October 2011 – South Australia Tour
14th – 16th October 2011 – Castlemaine
Castlemaine will follow the format established last time. Lunch on Sunday will be held in Beaufort. Following that the Tour will leave for the first overnight stop in Horsham. The next day takes us to Kingston SE and then via the Coorong (which we hope will be full of water and wildlife) to McLaren Vale. We have two nights in McLaren Vale allowing a day to explore the wine districts, Goolwa, Victor Harbour, the Fleurieu Peninsula or Adelaide. We then travel via Murray Bridge to the Riverland where we will have two nights. There is much to see here including, for the adventurous, Lake Mungo National Park. The tour continues along the Murray River ending up in Echuca for the final night.
This year’s Winter Wander will head into the eastern side of the Macedon Ranges finishing at the Grange Cleveland Winery just to the east of Lancefield.
They feature appetising meals at reasonable prices, for example a variety of wood-fired pizzas or pasta for $17, in addition to their wines, beers and soft drinks by the bottle or glass.
The start is at Westerfolds Park, Fitzsimmons Lane, Templestowe (second entrance opposite Summerhill Road. Melway Map 33 G2) at 9.30 am for a 10 am start. Easy navigation (if I can get my computer to print tulips), otherwise
Google maps will guide you there! We MUST confirm numbers by July 20th.
Please contact me on 9885 3889 or 0417 157 276 or on btlong@connexus.net.au if you will be participating.Brian Long
3 April 2011 – Classic Showcase, Flemington
This year the RACV Classic Showcase (previously the British & European Motoring Show) is to be held on Sunday 3rd of April at the usual venue, the Flemington Nursery Car Park, which you enter from Epsom Road.
The event is both a good opportunity to promote the Lancia marque and the ALR. It also provides a chance to see a wide range of British and European cars and to talk to their owners. This has always been an enjoyable event.
This year the organizers of the event, the AOMC (Association of Motoring Clubs) has decided that the ticket for Display cars covers the entry charge for the driver and all other passengers, rather than just two people, as in the past. A further encouragement to have car enthusiasts attend is a discounted pre- purchased ‘Display Car Pass’ available for $12 rather than $15 at the gate.
Being a member of the AOMC committee, I have a booklet of these passes, which have to be
purchased by mid-March. Contact me if you would like one of the cheaper pre-purchased
passes.Anyway, I trust we will have a wide range of Lancias attending the Showcase. Display cars
required to enter between 9.00am and 11.00am. Please let me know if you plan to participate so I can reserve us a suitable site to display our cars. Also let other friends interested in cars know about the event, spectators pay $12 ea (children under 16, free).Paul Vellacott
5 December 2010 – Christmas Run
Ian and Jo Barker stepped into the breach and arranged this run which always has to compete with the hectic pre-festive season activities. In spite of that, the car park at the Eltham train station saw about a dozen cars gathering which included Graeme Kerslake’s Beta Spider, Rob Bienvenu’s ex-Bruce Lindsay Flaminia Touring Coupe, Peter Renou’s Augusta Berlina, Alan Hornsby’s and Rob Alsop’s Fulvia Zagatos, Iain Simpson’s Delta Integrale, Brian Long’s Flavia
2000 Coupe, Chris Long’s Ardea, James McCully’s Monte Carlo, Steve Langmaid’s Beta Coupe and Russell Meehan’s Fulvia Coupe. The route notes directed us up through Kinglake and the slowly rejuvenating Black Saturday bushfire areas. It was sobering to remember that tragic event but also to admire the resilience of both the people and the bush in the recovery that is taking place.Coffee was at the Flying Tarts Bakery and Café in Pleasant Creek. The Bugatti and (noninjected) Ferrari Clubs had also decided on the same venue for their coffee break so there was an eclectic mix of cars to be admired in the sunshine. Since they had arrived earlier than us, we were able to watch their enthusiastic departure which was music to our ears.
As we left, our cars were being photographed, not by a speed camera, but by Jina Zheng and the photos now adorn the 2011 calendar, details of which are in this Newsletter. The route then took us through pleasant, undulating country via Strath Creek to Broadford. After passing through Broadford, we then took to a narrow country road and on the apex of a bend was the entrance to Ian and Jo’s rural block which bordered the Sugarloaf Creek. At the Barkers we were joined by Ian’s 6th B20 and Tom Crocker’s recently imported 2nd Series Appia Berlina.
A very relaxing venue had been set up near the fast running stream which only a few days before had completely covered our picnic area. A few of us BBQ’d while others enjoyed a picnic lunch. Threatening weather didn’t eventuate so we were able to enjoy the rural setting before heading back to the city and the upcoming holiday break.
Thanks to Ian and Jo for making their picnic hideaway available for this event and also for the great job in ferrying people and picnic gear up and down the slope to the riverbank!
Brian Long
10 October 2010 – Spring Tour
The spring tour will be taking in the sites of the Mornington Peninsula, with a stop at a renowned garden on the journey. Information available from Chris Long
24 August 2010 – Vincenzo Lancia’s Birthday Dinner and AGM
The dinner will be held at the Old Fire Station, 378 High Street, Preston on Tuesday, 24th August at 7.00pm. $30 per person and drinks are obtainable at the bar.
Please contact Russell Cayley.
25 November 2009 – AGM Dinner and Slide Night
The dinner will be held at the Abruzzo Club, 377 Lygon Street, East Brunswick on Wednesday, 25th November at 7.00pm. On this occasion we will have a private room for the dinner and the meeting. The meal will be ordered off the Menu and drinks are obtainable at the bar.
To avoid the problems we had last time it is essential you notify Robert Bienvenu of your intention to attend.
16 – 24 October 2009 – Castlemaine 20
Please see linked information
7 December 2008 – Christmas Rally
The last run of the year organised by the Victorian Chapter of the Register will be held on Sunday December 7th so don’t forget to put this date in your diary. The route will trace the Yarra River through the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The starting point will be Bulleen Park, just off the Eastern Freeway, Melway ref: Map No 32 D10 at 9.00am.
To ensure a place at the lunch table, please register your interest and the number in your party with me no later than 30th November.