Jaguar National Rally 2009 News
5 May 2009
Remember to check back from time to time to see the latest galleries; we've just added pictures of cars arriving at the Parliament Square Concours venue, so if you're after a shot of your car, it's almost certainly here! We've also recently added pictures from the Post Rally Tour, and updated the galleries for the Presentation Dinner and the PRT Farewell Brunch. Please note these galleries now contain some 600 photographs.
Please feel free to send in your pictures from the 2009 National Rally; we'd love to share your experience with the rest of the Jaguar community.26 April 2009
The long-awaited Results are now online. Our warmest congratulations to all winners and competitors in this year's National Rally.19 April 2009
The Post-Rally Tourers just caught the trailing edge of a spectacular storm that swept across Northern Tasmania on Wednesday the 15th. Although some heavy rain dampened events for a while, most of the Tour was completed in good weather, and fortunately, without any incidents. According to reports, participants had a wonderful time, end thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The Tour joined up with some friendly locals on Satuday morning in Launceston, where a hearty breakfast was enjoyed at the "Devils Kitchen" restaurant, before heading towards Devonport to catch the Spirit of Tasmania back to the mainland.
The Hunter Valley Jaguar Club was also entertained at the same location on Sunday morning, before heading towards Longford for a day's sightseeing. A highlight for this group was a detour along part of the old Longford racing circuit, in particular the 'flying mile', and a quick visit into the Longford pub which houses a mass of memorabilia about the Longford circuit.16 April 2009
Well, the weather has unfortunately broken for the Post-Rally Tourers today, but the forecast predicts finer weather for the remainder of their trek up the east coast towards Launceston and Devonport. Hopefully they have enjoyed themselves nevertheless.
The Picture Galleries are steadily growing as our small band of photographers get their snaps in for inclusion on the website. We suggest you check back regularly, as submissions are coming almost daily.
We've introduced a feedback page, so that you can have your say on how the 2009 Rally went for you. Did we do well? Were the locals friendly? Let us know your thoughts, so we can do better next time!11 April 2009
It's on! And what a huge event the Concours day was! Starting under grey skies at the Cavalcade assembly on the Hobart Cenotaph, the day became steadily better and brighter as time went by. With a splendid field of entrants, the cars attracted favourable comments from even seasoned National Rally entrants.
The Cavalcade passed along Davey Street past the Hobart waterfront, attracting the attention of locals and tourists alike.
Once safely parked in Parliament Square, the Jaguars made a wonderful spectacle, and huge numbers of fascinated visitors wound their way among the gleaming cars. One experienced commentator estimated the spectator numbers as among the highest for any similar event ever held in Tasmania.9 April 2009
The display in Elizabeth Mall was very successful, with plenty of interest in the cars on show. One of our valued sponsors of the Rally, Tasmanian Senator Carol Brown was present, and added some extra colour. Pictures of the display can be found in the galleries.8 April 2009
There is a small display of cars in Hobart's Elizabeth Mall today, as a 'taster' for the Concours day display. Located right in the centre of the CBD, thousands of people should see the cars during the day, and hopefully, also come along on Saturday.
The weather forecast is looking good for the Rally, with fine but cool conditions on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There will be an afternoon shower or two on Friday, but with any luck you can avoid most of those. Check out the latest Bureau of Meteorology forecasts here.
Tasmania Police have declared a crackdown on drivers over Easter, with the aim of "stopping every driver at least once" during that period. Well, OK, that's the aim; but we should all take note that they are targeting drivers who speed, drink, or fail to wear their seatbelts. It's all intended for our protection, so lets make the 2009 Rally a safe one.7 April 2009
Down to the 'pointy end', and as is often the way with a large event, another "Oh No!" moment. Following a recent exhibition in Parliament Square, a large patch of dead grass was left behind after the marquee was removed. The powers that be decided at the last moment to top-dress and re-grass it, leaving it roped off and unavailable for our use. This unfortunately means that the fleet of display cars will be somewhat split up, with the displaced cars to be accommodated in parking areas of the adjacent Parliament House. The Concours Director and his team are frantically re-organising the parking layout plans to accommodate the change.
31 March 2009
As the Rally draws closer, things are coming together nicely. A television promotion for the Concours event has started to air in Tasmania (you can preview it here) and TV news coverage has been requested for several events. And on Wednesday the 8th of April, there will be a small display of cars in the Elizabeth Mall, as a 'taster' to whet the public's appetite. The Mall is right in Hobart's CBD, so hundreds of people will see the cars, and hopefully come along to the Concours day as well.
The Rally Committee had one of those "Oh No!" moments at the weekend, when our Rally Headquarters, the Grand Chancellor Hotel, was evacuated briefly due to smoke being detected at the rear of the building. However, there was no fire; a piece of plastic on an air compressor had overheated and emitted copious smoke, and the fire department declared the building safe a short time later. Panic over; the Rally is still on track!
15 March 2009
We are seeking people willing to share some of their photographs of the 2009 Rally, to be published on this web site.
We would especially welcome photographs from events OTHER than the main Concours, which will be extremely well covered. The hardest day to cover is Sunday, with three separate events running concurrently at Baskerville, Richmond and the Huon Valley, so any contributions from these events would be most welcome. If desired, contributor acknowledgment and / or Copyright notice can be given on your published photographs. If you are willing to assist please contact Tony Sadleir.
Why not share YOUR experience of the 2009 National Rally?
Tony Sadleir
Webmaster
22 February 2009
Planning for the Concours events on Easter Saturday are well underway. A cavalcade will travel from Hobart's Domain to Parliament House when the Concours judging and displays will take place. Concours cars will depart at approximately 8.00 a.m. followed by Display cars traveling along Hobart's historic port area to the Concours.
We are very pleased with the number of cars to be judged, which currently totals 28 cars. Equally exciting is that over 100 cars will be displayed, with 27 E-Types and 19 Mk2's being on display, along with many examples of other models. The venue is excellent, with large numbers of the public expected to combine their visit to the famous Salamanca Market also visiting the Concours event next door. Entrants in the Concours D'Elegance and D'Etat sections will have a photo of their car and a short history included in our National Rally Magazine.
We look forward to hosting the very best display of Jaguar and Daimler cars seen in Tasmania to date.
Dale Pearce
Concours Director.
19 February 2009
Rally preparations are in full swing, and the Rally Committee is burning the midnight oil getting things finalised for the big event.
Currently, we are expecting over 220 people for the Jaguar Australia Cocktail Evening on Friday, and similar numbers for the Buffet River Cruise on Saturday evening, and the Presentation Dinner on Sunday evening. The concours event will see over 120 cars for judging or display, so the judging and scoring teams are very busy getting themselves organised. The Post Rally Tour has attracted 87 people and 44 cars, so we should make an impressive sight as we tour around Tasmania
31 December 2008
Due to overwhelming numbers, we have had to close the Post Rally Tour to new entries.
The main limitation has been the availability of accommodation in many areas; Tasmania is particularly popular with tourists around Easter each year, so we have had to compete for available space.