Previous events
Fluffy Duck Historic 2010
13th March 2010
FULL RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE HERE.
Results Summary:
Spirit of the Event Award: Nigel Nash/Louise Fountain - Peugeot 404
1st Motorkhana: Peter Houghton - Datsun 1600
1st Special Tests: Matt Cross/Simon Brierley - Peugot 404
1st Khanacross: Bernard Corbett - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
1st Outright: Peter Houghton/Jim Williamson - Datsun 1600
2nd Outright: Steven & Brenda Cox - Nissan Gazelle
3rd Outright: Scott & Amy Warner - Datsun 240Z
1st Class A: Rodney & Karen Piggott - Peugeot 404
1st Class B: Peter Houghton/Jim Williamson - Datsun 1600
1st Class C: Steven & Brenda Cox - Nissan Gazelle
1st Class X: Bernard & Madelon Corbett - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
Yes, the Fluffy has been run and won to much applause and credit to the fantastic job Ron and Jim Pope have done.
Here is a sample of one enthusiastic report.....
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IS THERE NO END TO THE TALENTS OF THE POPE FAMILY?
Once again we all witnessed a brilliant Fluffy Duck Rally. The Pope Family Organization swung into production once again with their usual attention to detail from start to finish.
It was just so great to witness the atmosphere of competitors and club member ‘helpers’ alike, as everyone went about their duties and ‘pitched in’ wherever needed.
A field of thirteen drove off into the distance at Wyong and all, we’re happy to say, charged
into the Awaba arena some 9 hours later, somewhat tired but definitely smiling!
So – to the unfortunate people who missed the 2010 Fluffy Duck, we feel very sorry for you – as you missed a fabulous day.
So a big thank you to the Pope Family – Jim & Ron, Jane & David and to everyone behind the scenes who gave their time for the enjoyment of everyone.
But wait there’s more……….
And the award goes to…………….RON POPE CATERING
(a division of McMallard Enterprizes)
The brand new McDUCK BURGER was launched at this years’ event and what a delicious, mouth-watering delight it was too. A very modest Ron would not be drawn on it’s secret ingredients, however, when pressed he did admit & I quote “they contained nothing fowl”...
Three cheers for the Fluffy Duck………….
Viv Lawler
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Regular competitor, Dave Mitchell penned this story after the Fluffy...
It’s been quite a wait for the rally season to start for 2010. Last year the Duck was run on a stinking hot black Saturday. I tips me hat to those who completed the event. Thankfully this year the event was delayed until March 13 and we were rewarded with cool temperatures with occasional showers (some heavy).
I started preparing the Zed on Sunday 7th fitting new sway bar link bushes. Oh disaster!! Brake master cylinder is leaking. Monday I book the car into brake shop to fit the new Chinese cylinder I had bought a while back and had difficulty fitting as the pipes wouldn’t seal. Car booked for Friday at 08.00.
Dropped car off Friday morning and picked up at 13.00 with a bill for making up new pipes to adapt Chinese and Jap parts together. Fill car with relatively cheap fuel and spend the afternoon fitting rally meter etc and checking oil levels etc.
18.00: What is that smell? Fuel! Leak near the tank! 20.00: All fixed (crosses fingers).
Saturday 13 March: 06.30 wake navigator. 07.00 head off for the start. 07.45 do the Speedo check and arrive at start in the park NW of Wyong.
Fill in final paperwork, scrutinized had a crew briefing and ready for first car at 09.30.
The competition: Some Peugeots (404s and 504s), 240Z to keep my 260 honest, P76, Datsun 1600, Dolomite, Commodore, Nissan Gazelle and class X lancer. (I could have missed some others).
Section one.
A short route chart takes us to a service station to fill for the start of the economy run. A couple more kilometers and we move onto the map which has been highlighted to show us the route which after 136 km takes us to Kurri-Kurri for the end of the economy run and a tank top up to check our usage. We used 13.20 liters. On the way we were taken over some roads that many of us hadn’t seen before. There was some dirt but none of it was rough enough to stop a long wheelbase 260Z.
There were some photo id points, photo points (camera supplied), lots of route control boards and passage controls.
From Kurri we had a transport stage to Ringwood Motorsport Park for 2 motorkahna
Tests and two special tests using tennis balls and the hill climb. “Let’s do lunch” said Ron Pope and we all tucked in to Sausage Sangers, hot dogs and drinks. Well done Ron.
Section two.
We leave Ringwood about 14.00 using map two which has an overlay with 7 points marked which must be passed through in the direction indicated using the shortest distance point to point. A grand tour was plotted through Seaham, Dungog, Glen William and Clarence town to a finish on the Buckets way near Lime burners Ck.
We encountered plenty of PIDPs, photo points, route boards and a UP to keep us all busy. Great driving roads abounded.
A transport stage took us to Awabawac Park for a two kahnacross runs. These were a lot of fun and quite a challenge to get it right on a twisty track with no practice.
Once again we were fed and watered using the relaxed time to catch up and chat with fellow enthusiasts.
Huge thanks are owed to Jim and Ron Pope for the enormous effort that they have put in to once again providing us with an event with enough elements to challenge the navigator and the driver through out the day.
From a personal point of view I would like to thank Dylan (my 15yo navigator who has never used maps before) for doing a great job and keeping us on track for most of the time. The Zed as always just worked away all day without a complaint. Note: Dave must keep his head around routine checks on the car to save the agro of last minute issues cropping up.
Dave Mitchell
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The Fluffy could not have been the success it was without the help from many people.
Event organiser, Jim Pope had this to say:
The Australian Historic Rally Group would like to thank the following for their help in the running of the 2010 Fluffy Duck Historic Rally
(in no particular order)
Coal & Hotdog
Brian & Viv Lawler
Rick & Jenny Feruglio
Christine Bethwaite
David Johnson
Vicky Murphy
Geoff Thomas
Rod Towers
Peter Howett-Steven
Andrew Park
Raymond Chappelow
Jane & David Whisker
Jimmy Bayliss
Paul O'Neill
Ron Pope
Rod South
Clyde Blench
Ron Fraser
Jim Pope
John Ashton
John Vickery
Westlakes Automobile Club
MG Car Club Newcastle
St John's
Gregor Dickinson
Darren Green
Ben Sample
John Collins
Thanks everyone for giving your time as an official or towards the organising of the 2010 Fluffy Duck.
This event could not have taken place without your help,
Jim Pope.