Seaside spectacular
Geelong Revival Motoring Festival 2013
30 Nov-1 Dec, 2013 – Waterfront, Geelong, Vic.
The history of this event began in 1956 with “Sprints” modeled on the Brighton Speed Trials which originated in the UK in 1907. A local motoring club enthusiast, Murray Rainey was the main force behind the event. The plan was to coax famous drivers and their machines to Geelong to promote the area and to give the locals opportunity to mix with their international racing heroes. After a lapse the event was restarted in 1978 when it was renamed the Geelong Revival. Since then the event has taken on a nostalgia theme and the emphasis has been placed on period machines and includes the fashions of the time. It has more of a Goodwood Festival of Speed theme now, and I noted that it was also a very familyfriendly event. There was a Gala Dinner on Saturday night which included speaking guests, Alan Moffat and Fred Gibson, and a motoring memorabilia auction. The weather was perfect and the setting itself worthy of comment. The venue is right on the waterfront of Port Phillip Bay, incorporating a long pier, paved and carefully mown grassed and treed foreshore areas with amazing sculptures scattered amongst the landscaping and perfect for the display and access for the viewing public. It was a combined car and motorcycle event so while I enjoy the cars I tried to target the bikes with the limited time available. A Custom Vehicle display was arranged in several areas on grass adjacent to the pier up to the adjoining Steam Packet Park, which had live music, period fashion competition, kidzone, food and helicopter joy flights. Shannon’s Classic Motorshow Display was on a paved area around the Marina, while Transvaal Square became Motorcycle Mecca on a large grassed area. The Pit area and spectator hill adjacent overlooked a closed off section of the esplanade road for quarter mile sprint action (named ‘Penrite Track’ for the weekend). This area accommodated the 130 cars and motorcycles entered for the sprints. The Eastern Beach Reserve included merchandising vendor exhibits and the other section of the Shannon’s Classic Motorshow Display. Motorcycles from a 1915 Indian Hedstrom Big Twin through to recent Irving Vincents were on display and some of these bikes also took part in the sprint. Club displays included the BSA Owners Club, The Velocette Motor Cycle Club, the Vintage Motorcycle Club of Victoria and the Classic Scramblers Club.
I also took a few minutes to check out the fashion competition which had around 30 entrants from 5 year olds to grannies. A serious event and the THREE judges had to delay their final decision due to the overwhelming patronage.
Public transport made it easy to get to and the event is free to enter unless you wanted entry to the pits (which was $10). I would highly recommend this event which has something for all the family.