I returned home from Australia yesterday. It was an outstanding visit. The trip over was long, very loooong, but worth every minute. I stayed with Robert Logan at his beautiful home. His family treated me with unbelievable hospitality. I felt like part of the family the whole time I was there.
The beauty of Australia is over whelming. The landscape and the weather couldn't possibly be more perfect. The first day there I went to work with Robert at his factory. It's a large building that has several sections dedicated to certain build tasks on the GT40. There was four GT's there under construction. I met the entire work staff and I was impressed with their knowledge and abilities. These people really exemplify quality work. They try extra hard to make things perfect. As an example, there was a GT there that was being built for a customer that really impressed me. It was a turnkey that has everything. To start with it had a six point roll cage, full AP six pot racing brakes, ABS brakes, Aluminum block 302 with six speed trans, Remote entry with alarm, and a front and rear remote adjusted sway bars. It's also equipt with 8 barrel injection, A/C, leather interior and remote mirrors.
On the second day there I was invited by Robert and Norman Faulkner to play golf at a beautiful country club called The National in Melbourne. When we arrived I met Tony who was a freiend of Normans. I truly enjoyed the round with these fine gentleman. They showed me hospitality and kindness I'll soon not forget. The golf course whipped my a$$ but there will be another time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The first week end Robert took me to the Phillip Island Historic Racing event on Phillip Island. Robert and I drove Norman's beautiful red GT40. The trip was about an hour and a half one way. It was a very comfortable ride. Once there we were parked in the VIP area sponsored by a Casino company called Tattersall's. The other cars in this area were incredibable. There was Ferrari's, Jaguars, and many other fine classic collectables worth fortunes.. I really had a ball there. There was even a real GT40 there, 1109 I think. It was painted in Gulf livery. The owner was a very nice guy who was pleased to show off the car to me and Robert. There was all kinds of beautiful historic racers there. Being in the garage area was really neat. I was able to get up close and personal with the cars. The folks over there are serious about their racing. They went at it full bore regardless of vehicle value. Several cars did recieve serious damage. Just goes to show they were racing not playing. This is something I will always remember.
The next week end was the Melbourne Formula one Grand Prix. All I can say is WOW!!! I have never been to a Grand Prix before. It is indescribable. The noise is something you have to expeirence to know. Taking pictures was usless as these cars whiz by way too fast to get a goood shot. No way can I explain the expierence. You'll have to go to one to know what I mean. Pat Barry is a F1 fan and he told me about it but I now know why he loves it so much. No way he could have expressed what it was like. Michael Schumacher ran away with it. After the Grand Prix we went to the Melbourne Motor show at the exhibit center. There was some very interesting cars there on display. One of those cars was called an Elfin. I'll leave it at that cause I have some pictures I will post soon. I still had a hard time sitting in a car with the steering wheel on the right side. It's really odd to see all of these cars with the wheel on that side.
To all you guy here on the forum from Australia, You live in a wonderful place and I can see where your pride comes from. You are all a hardy bunch and you build great cars.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I can't wait to go back,
Hersh /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
The beauty of Australia is over whelming. The landscape and the weather couldn't possibly be more perfect. The first day there I went to work with Robert at his factory. It's a large building that has several sections dedicated to certain build tasks on the GT40. There was four GT's there under construction. I met the entire work staff and I was impressed with their knowledge and abilities. These people really exemplify quality work. They try extra hard to make things perfect. As an example, there was a GT there that was being built for a customer that really impressed me. It was a turnkey that has everything. To start with it had a six point roll cage, full AP six pot racing brakes, ABS brakes, Aluminum block 302 with six speed trans, Remote entry with alarm, and a front and rear remote adjusted sway bars. It's also equipt with 8 barrel injection, A/C, leather interior and remote mirrors.
On the second day there I was invited by Robert and Norman Faulkner to play golf at a beautiful country club called The National in Melbourne. When we arrived I met Tony who was a freiend of Normans. I truly enjoyed the round with these fine gentleman. They showed me hospitality and kindness I'll soon not forget. The golf course whipped my a$$ but there will be another time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The first week end Robert took me to the Phillip Island Historic Racing event on Phillip Island. Robert and I drove Norman's beautiful red GT40. The trip was about an hour and a half one way. It was a very comfortable ride. Once there we were parked in the VIP area sponsored by a Casino company called Tattersall's. The other cars in this area were incredibable. There was Ferrari's, Jaguars, and many other fine classic collectables worth fortunes.. I really had a ball there. There was even a real GT40 there, 1109 I think. It was painted in Gulf livery. The owner was a very nice guy who was pleased to show off the car to me and Robert. There was all kinds of beautiful historic racers there. Being in the garage area was really neat. I was able to get up close and personal with the cars. The folks over there are serious about their racing. They went at it full bore regardless of vehicle value. Several cars did recieve serious damage. Just goes to show they were racing not playing. This is something I will always remember.
The next week end was the Melbourne Formula one Grand Prix. All I can say is WOW!!! I have never been to a Grand Prix before. It is indescribable. The noise is something you have to expeirence to know. Taking pictures was usless as these cars whiz by way too fast to get a goood shot. No way can I explain the expierence. You'll have to go to one to know what I mean. Pat Barry is a F1 fan and he told me about it but I now know why he loves it so much. No way he could have expressed what it was like. Michael Schumacher ran away with it. After the Grand Prix we went to the Melbourne Motor show at the exhibit center. There was some very interesting cars there on display. One of those cars was called an Elfin. I'll leave it at that cause I have some pictures I will post soon. I still had a hard time sitting in a car with the steering wheel on the right side. It's really odd to see all of these cars with the wheel on that side.
To all you guy here on the forum from Australia, You live in a wonderful place and I can see where your pride comes from. You are all a hardy bunch and you build great cars.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I can't wait to go back,
Hersh /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
