When Pete originally floated the idea of Bloke’s Day, I thought “Hmmm, bunch of guys together, no girls – sounds kind of gay.”  Then Pete said, “There’ll be beer.”  OK, right, I’m in !

Pete then asked Gary of Harris Automotive if he could take over his workshop for a day. Now would anyone in the club who knows Pete loan him a workshop?  This could have put an early end to the concept, but fortunately Gary isn’t a club member and he said yes.

Thought of a whole bunch of Corvettes turning up at the same time to be fixed would give any mechanic nightmares, so it was opened up to any make of car.

I wasn’t driving so I had my first beer fairly early on so most of the day is kind of blurry.  I’m told 11 cars turned up and I counted the number of Corvettes as “some."   Putting my Technical Adviser cap on I think there were some red ones, a black one, a blue one and maybe others, no make that probably others.

Gary and his off-sider Johnny manned a hoist each and the race was on. First off Gary scored a 4wd and Johnny got Ernie’s Ford work ute.  Ernie brought his own tools he uses on his ZR1 to help out – saw, hammer, duct tape, but Johnny being a true professional decided on sticking with his own tools.  Johnny pulled out to an early lead finishing the ute quickly while Gary was still putting 200 litres of oil in the 4wd – engine, diffs, transfer cases.  Unfortunately Johnny scored a C4 next, quick to service – but they take half an hour to get on the 2 poster hoist!  Gary being the boss had taken the drive on - drive off 4 poster hoist which at least got the cars on and off quickly.  I think Johnny was ahead at the end until he got Ali’s Mercedes, all went well till he tried to find the dip stick.  Putting my Technical Adviser cap on again I suggested maybe you just fill it up to the top, but Johnny didn’t seem to be paying much attention to my helpful ideas on the day.

Highlights that stuck in my mind, was the rusty exhaust under Motorcycle Exhaust Professionals (maker of all things bright and shiny) 4wd.  James from Surf City Garage trying to get the scratches out of Ernie’s work ute bonnet – it had taken Ernie 3 years of solid washing it with gravel to get those scratches in so deep.  Webro’s once in a lifetime oil change on his C4 certainly won the award for blackest oil to come out of a car on the day, but it didn’t go to waste as Gary sold it back to him cheap for his next oil change.  The competition for how many blokes can stand under a C4 on a hoist. Pete under pressure, testing out Gary's new 30 ton press.  Johnny wearing a rain coat to stay dry under a C4 raining oil from numerous leaks.  Ernie demonstrating his new diet theory – if no one sees what you’re eating, maybe you didn’t actually eat it.

Sadly without the girls there, catering was fairly woeful, at the end of the day all we managed was a bunch of empty pizza boxes and a lot of empty stubbies.

Was a great way to spend my wedding anniversary, much intelligent conversation and thoughtful discussion – oh wait that was with Pete and Ali’s kids back at their place later.  Anyway was a nice follow up to last year where I spent my wedding anniversary at the race track at Warwick – and who says I don’t give Barb good anniversary presents !

Much thanks to Gary and Johnny at Harris Automotive for breathing a bit more life into the cars that turned up and to James from Surf City Garage for the detailing demonstrations during the day.  Always entertaining watching people work and was a good fund raiser for the club.

Dave Kelly