Visiting drivers enjoy the countryside but not the red tape
Some of the rarest Maserati models in the world took part in the 2018 Maserati Global Gathering rally in Australia last month, despite bureaucrats doing their best to wreck the celebration.
Australian Government Border Control officials refused to admit six classic Maserati sports cars into Australia, because they said they could contain asbestos.
Just days before the week-long tour was to begin, two were allowed to take part, but four were sent back to Europe. The two allowed to take part were built after it became illegal to include asbestos in a car.
The rally roamed from Torquay in Victoria, along the Great Ocean Rd towards Adelaide and then north to Albury, Canberra and Sydney.
Among those taking part was Auckland Maserati collector Mark Guterres. The Titirangi man bought a 1989 Maserati Biturbo Spyder in Australia to add to his collection, just for the rally.
He has nine Maseratis in Europe, four in New Zealand. The car he drove in Australia is being shipped back here.
Two of the eight cars brought from the UK that made it onto the tour included one of only four Belagio sports wagons in the world, and another Spyder similar to the model Guterres drove on the tour.
Those whose cars were sent back to the UK managed to hire cars for the event, though the episode left enthusiasts shaking their heads.
“They have all been restored to the highest of standards; they are probably the best examples in the world,” says Guterres.
He works in international logistics, and finds it hard to understand why Australian authorities could not accept the documentation that came with the rejected vehicles.
Among the vehicles rejected was the Maserati 5000GT once owned by Joe Walsh of the Eagles. The car is said to have inspired him to write
which includes the celebrated automotive rock music lyrics “My Maserati does one-eightyfive, I lost my licence, now I don’t drive.”
Maserati drivers from the United States, Switzerland, Norway, Italy, France, Australian and New Zealand took part in the rally.