Bathurst Van Meet - New date - 3rd November 2012

Bathurst Van Meet - 3rd November 2012
...same venue and attractions as the postponed March meet, but without the flooding.

Well the year is almost into its last four months and after the success of the Pinjarra (WA) Van Nationals, the Albury Van In, the "Down Unders" trek to the 40th US Van Nationals, plus another 30 vans at the country's largest Holden display, we now look forward to warmer weather and an excuse to get the van out of the shed.

The Bathurst Van Meet is intended to be an informal, laidback gathering of van enthusiasts and their vans (show vans to pub vans). While a timetable for the meet is yet to be finalised between various vanning groups, there are plenty of activities to go with the pre-arranged cheap camping deal at the Showground. Track Cruise, Motoring Museum, Winery, plus a Twilight Park and Display so we can all see what you've been doiing to your van over the winter months. With the first weekend in November being a long weekend in Victoria, we have already had plenty of interest from south of the border. There is also a few enthusiasts from Queensland who took their vans over to WA for the Van Nats who now consider Bathurst to be "a short drive".

While the inland city has long been a popular location within a few hours drive of the Sydney/Newcastle/Wollongong region, it is also central to a concept that is being developed to hold a Van Nationals in Bathurst. In recent years, the event has been held at the furthest extremes in its history - Phillip Island to the south, Pinjarra to the west and beyond Brisbane to the north. An event in the central, and iconic, location of Bathurst, has the potential to exceed entrant numbers of Geelong 2009, or possibly Wodonga 1984.

The annual vanning pilgrimage every Easter is usually organised over an 18 month period, but an international event to celebrate the 40th Australian Van Nationals at Bathurst in 2015 requires a little more forward planning. The Bathurst Showground Trust has the event pencilled in and will be requiring a substantial deposit after Easter 2013 if the concept goes ahead. Vanning memorabilia is planned to be on sale at the upcoming meet to help cover this cost. The Bathurst 2015 concept also had a full page advertisement in the program of the recent 40th US Van Nationals that had entrants from all parts of the US, plus Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Central Europe, Scandinavia and Australia. Many enquiries were received including one couple from Chicago who can't wait and want more info on the 2013 event in Caboolture, QLD.

For the Bathurst 2015 concept to progress to a proposal, many attributes need to fall in to place. The most important of those is venue and enthusiasm. The Bathurst Van Meet will determine if the venue is suitable and your desire to be part of a laidback time with a few vanning mates this November will greatly assist in transforming a concept into reality.

Registration for the meet and more information can be found on:

any intrest as long as bluEJay is running im in

Wont be going, commiting time and effort into going to/organising the next vanners reunion which will also be in November.

Another Vanners Re-union - what an excellent idea Rob.
The old skool legends that were at the last one near Rhino's, would love to catch up with a few interstate van enthusiasts (four vans VIC & QLD with 9 weeks to go) from years gone and see some good quality vans at the same time. My old mates / competitors from the eighties Dave Marsh (Street Legal) Craig Godbee (Innervisions) Geoff Cook (Innocents) all enjoyed a catch with the new breed of van enthusiasts and the 80 vans on display during the 2006 Van Nats in the Great Lakes area. I'm sure they would all enjoy the experience again, albeit on a smaller scale. I'm sure Fuzz (Wizard) and Russell Slocombe (Red Baron) would be talking to each other for hours as there is Wizard "DNA" on the country's No.1 van...


Yourself and James Ellis from DVV in Melbourne are the best in the country when it comes to organising these Vanners Re-unions and you should be proud of your efforts in recent years. The old East Coast Van Club was inspired by you and now the old Pacific Van Club is inspired by East Coast to start up a FB page to reminisce about the old days of vanning in the 70's

Imagine a premier Majestic Vanners event in the same area and weekend as a SouthernCrossVans.com gathering.
I'm sure every Majestic member, mySandman member, BUGA member and every independent van enthusiasts wants more vans together at same time. Give Jon a call, find a venue and....

Thanks for the kind words Fres but um no it won't be in Bathurst and will be later on in November at a central coast venue again.

No problem, Rob. Maybe another time.

8 weeks to go and the pre-registrations are starting to fill up the inbox.
60% from NSW, 13% from VIC, 27% from QLD
67% Holdens, 33% Fords
73% Club members, 27% Independent

Join other vans like this one,

by texting your name, van and club (if any) to 0434 350 407.
More details at SouthernCrossVans.com

Looking forward to this weekend Fres!

Anyone one else from the forum keen?

Cheers Jon.

as long as i can get my new seats fitted im in

ill have a better idear after this thursday as im making the mounting brackets at tafe

we will pass this time but when the van is on the road, we are there, love the concept fres, cheers andrew&kerri

FRIDAY UPDATE: 7 weeks to go.
Over twenty vans have now pre-registered via SMS to 0434-350-407 - name, van and club (if any). Among those received this week is Australia's Top Van from 2007/2008, Phoenix. With its show days now in the past, it will cruise down the highways from QLD to join us for a lap or two around Bathurst.

67% from NSW/ACT, 14% from VIC, 19% from QLD
76% Holdens/Bedfords, 33% Fords/Transits
76% Club members, 24% Independent

our vans are off the road at the moment but me and Birdman might be able to make it

still have a few things to do to my van but i'll even try and get it on the road to go up there

I'm going and all reved up for it, I was so disapointed it was canceled last time , looking ford to meeting you guys up there
Cheers Denis

Looking forward to it Vans-a-plenty!

4 weeks to go and everyone is talking about Bathurst...

FRIDAY UPDATE -
Over thirty vans have now pre-registered via SMS to 0434-350-407 - name, van and club (if any). There is no limit to the amount of vans that can meet in Bathurst, but our quota for the cheap camping has been reached. Add the word "waitlist" when you pre-register and we'll inform you if there has been a cancellation. Alternatively, if you have not pre-registered, its time to ring friends or relatives in the area, or click on the link below for reasonably priced motels - many within a one minute drive of the showground.
We now have vans from Sundowners, Wasteland, Sunstate, BUGA, FE/HR ACT, mySandman, Majestic, East Coast Vanners, plus many more independent van enthusiasts from SouthernCrossVans.com
We've also had plenty of assistance and input from Sundowners, Majestic, BUGA and mySandman - thank you for your enthusiasm.

If our memory is correct, the Bathurst Van Meet should be the fifth time in a year where 20 or more vans will be gathered together - a feat not seen since the 1980's. From WA's Pinjarra Van Nationals, Majestic's Albury Van In, Sydney's All Holden Day, the VCV's State Van Titles (2011 & expecting 2012), all participants should be congratulated on their efforts to get vans back on the road again.

Unlike the last report, all six percentages have been updated, not just five. Although we're still continuing to put in 109% effort
77% from NSW/ACT, 10% from VIC, 13% from QLD
74% Holdens/Bedfords, 26% Fords/Transits
71% Club members, 29% Independent

Another update next week
Bathurst Motels - Wotif

We are booked in, just have to find a tent as I dont think we will all fit in the back now.... Miss Tess turned 2 last week.

QUP wrote:We are booked in, just have to find a tent as I dont think we will all fit in the back now.... Miss Tess turned 2 last week.

if you need a tent at a good price let me know i have connections

hi think you need more than 30 campsites for 2015 to go ahead

millennivan wrote:hi think you need more than 30 campsites for 2015 to go ahead

The entire showground has been tentatively booked for 2015. Time will tell if it becomes a reality as many factors need to fall into place. Experience tells me it will cost thousands, but the Bathurst Van Meet will only cost a few hundred.

Less than 2 weeks to go - Over 30 vans so far...

UPDATE:
After a generous offer from one of the club members, we are now providing a "sausage sizzle" at Mt Panorama Winery. For catering purposes, you need to pre-register before the end of October.
Preliminary schedule and more details on www.SouthernCrossVans.com

Bathurst Van Meet - less than a week to go.

Will you be part of the big picture next weekend...

Updates now available only on Southern Cross Vans FaceBook page
and on www.SouthernCrossVans.com
_____________________________________________________
For those attending the Victorian State Van Titles have a great weekend and travel safely.
Bathurst next weekend.
Majestics Re-union later in November
Sundowners "Invitational Van Display" at the V8 Finale, end of November

Vanning is like "porn & sex" - looks good online, but its great in real life.

The entire showground has been tentatively booked for 2015. Time will tell if it becomes a reality as many factors need to fall into place. Experience tells me it will cost thousands, but the Bathurst Van Meet will only cost a few hundred.[/quote]

cool roll on 2015 and next w/e

Have a VANtastic weekend Guys & Gals!

I look forward to seeing all the Pics.

Great weekend at Bathurst.
30 Drivable Vans in attendance. 1 failure on the road to the event.

Awards as I remember them (warning: could be errors)

Most Desirable Van: Phoenix (HZ Holden)
Runner Up: Final Destination ('73 Ford)
Top Custom Van: Phoenix (HZ Holden)
Most Desirable Ford: Final Destination ('73 Ford)
Most Desirable Holden: Black VZ Holden
Most Desirable Sandman: Barbados Green HQ Holden
Most Desirable Original: White XD Sundowner
Most Desirable Millennium Van: Innuendo (VY Holden)
Most Desirable Pre-'72: White HR Holden Van
Most Desirable Small Van: Touch The Fire (Pee Wee, Escort)
Most Desirable Big Van: The Last Post (Transit)
Most Desirable Bedford: Wendy's (CF Bedford)
Shed Van: Denis Cefarin (Broken XC Ford!)

Friday Night Jon and I sat around talking Vans at the showground with the early arrivals from Queensland along with a few Sydney Vanners along with forum member Vantom from NSW Central West.

Saturday saw arrivals from ACT, NSW and Victoria. Many Vans to inspect and lots of people to catch up with. Lunchtime we ventured to Mount Panorama to line up for some photos on Pit straight.

Some of the Pit Straight Van Line-Up.


After the photoshoot we all moved to the top of the mountain for some more photos and then down to the motoring museum.


Awesome Murals on Doug's Van "Final Destination"


Andrew's XD Sundowner and Russell Slocombe's XC Cobra Van


Will add some more photos as I go through them.

If you didn't make it, you missed a great weekend of Vanning.
Big thanks for Fres for organising it and a bigger thanks for those who attended the event.

Regards, Smooth