45th Van Nats - Parkes 2020/21

Proudly Sponsored by MAJESTIC VANNERS Australia.



It's going to be HUGE!!!  Hope to see many of you there.

Message from Fres:

"Firstly, Happy New Year to all.

Creating another promo for Parkes2020 this weekend as the three wise men have outstayed their welcome and have left the building with Elvis (Elvis Festival at Parkes last weekend).



Most years, we have the problem of getting pre-entries early, so hosts can better plan their event, However, before the end of summer Parkes2020 will have 100 vans pre-entered. How often has this happened before?
Geelong was a big year, but it was the closest the event has ever been to a capital city. Guessing many were day entries. A couple of the QLD events had 120 vans on show day but again, many were day entrants.

While NSW has less van enthusiasts than VIC & QLD, we have the advantage of being the central state and you can not get more central than Parkes - on the main highway between Melbourne and Brisbane, intersecting with the main rail line between Sydney and Perth/Adelaide.

To encourage the undecided to attend, the 100th van entered will win a free entry to the event. The promo will refer to "shaping up to be one of the most well attended Van Nationals since ????". 1984 or, the 70's (three hours for me to have a quick look around the show in 1984, too young for the 70's to know.)

New promo will be uploaded to VanNationals.com.au and the Parkes2020 FaceBook page on Sunday night.

Thanks guys."

Updated Flyer:



NOTE: Chance to Win Free Entry!

Just entered

See you there!

Regards, Smooth

I look forward to catching up with you and everyone else of course.

So I'm hearing the 2020 Van Nationals will not be going ahead due the Toyota Corona virus scare and government rulings on crowds etc.
Nothing reported on the official website as yet. www.vannationals.com.au

Anyone know the story?

Regards, Smooth

Sadly the 2020 Van Nats have been postponed.

They were keen to proceed, but matters were taken out of their hands.



I'll post more info as it comes to hand and I have a chance to do so.

Facebook is going off of course.

Email received from the Van Nats Organisers this morning:

From: Rodney Barnes <rodney@barnesparkes.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 18 March 2020 7:34 AM
To: Russell P Smith <rusty62transam@gmail.com>
Cc: parkes2020@vannationals.com.au
Subject: 2020 Van Nats Postponed

Hello
I thought I would send you all an email in case you are not on facebook, or I don't have your phone number in my contacts.
We are so sorry about this, but it was out of our control we are hoping you will all be happy to come back next year, this decision was not taken lightly and it was the decision of the committee and the Parkes Showground committee.
thank you
Jennie and Rodney

Parkes 2020 Van Nationals – POSTPONED
Due to circumstances out of our control we have had to postpone this years Van Nationals. As you can all appreciate these are unprecedented times and we are being guided not only by the health authorities, government and council but also by our duty of care not only to you as visitors but also our volunteers and surrounding community. The Showground Committee president has advised that the Show Ground is no longer available and ‘The Dish’ is closed until further notice. On a positive note we have been able to confirm that Parkes will now host the 2020/2021 Van Nationals on Easter, April 2-5, 2021. All pre-entries will roll over to 2021, if a refund is required we will need to sort out percentage returned in the days to come. We will continue to update and inform everyone in the coming days and months with other information as it is decided and comes to hand. We will also send a group email out to all pre-entrants soon.
We are all gutted and sad we wont be spending Easter with the Vanning family but appreciate everyone’s understanding and support and now strive to make Parkes Van Nats 2021 bigger and better!!

Thanks Rusty,

All a bit sad really. Hopefully it all goes well for next year.

I hope we at least get our 2020 T-Shirts and pre-entry to 2021!

Regards, Smooth

You're welcome Smooth

The Organisers have a lot to work through, but I believe that will be the case. TBC. We'll just have to order our 2021 Merchandise.

It could take a couple of weeks to sort as they work Monday-Friday, but I know they will sort it.

I feel for them and all the Hard Work they have put into the 2020 Van Nats. Hopefully 2021 won't be as big a Burden with so many things already in place.

Maybe we need an online Van Nationals?
Everyone up load pictures of their Van on Nats weekend.

Must be heaps of people who have put a lot of work in on their Vans for this years nationals that won't get to show them off.

Possibly not enough people visit this forum anymore but if it was promoted it could be a winner!

Regards, Smooth

Gidday Smooth

Sorry I missed your post. They did end up doing one on WasteBook.

Hopefully COVID won't be around to stop it going ahead next year.

Yeah well that would be a total waste of time for me as I don't do noface.
I will also say I'm disappointed that I have never been contacted in any way from from Jenny, Rodney or Van Nats committee since paying for entry.
Sorry, I was contacted for T shirt size that I had already clearly noted on the entry form (so that was strange).

Never got conformation of entry, never got a receipt, never notified of event postponement (read it here). I understand it a big event to organise but there should be some checks and processes in place. If they feel posting something on twtterface is the answer they are very, very wrong!

Regards, Smooth

An awful lot of things have been up in the air this year.

I use facebook, but only the bare minimum to try keeping up with events and the like. It’s the curse of modern life….


-Rohan.

I often think WasteBook (Facebook) is the lazy way out and acknowledge not everyone wants to be on it for very Good Reason.

With everyone complying with the influence of Mobile Phones and Apps making the use of Social Media an addiction, I personally find it disappointing that people have strayed away from our Forum.  I could go on, but will bite my Tongue.


I did hear 2nd hand that the Gear was being held until the 2021 Van Nats.  I should have thought to post at least something on here about it.

It must have been as stressful and disappointing for the Organisers as it was for the Entrants with everything having to be Cancelled/Postponed at the last minute.  Fingers Crossed 2021 goes smoothly.

I'm sure it will carry over and that the event will still be a raging success.
People though at the very least should have received a receipt and acknowledgment that their entry was received and confirmed.
What, we just turn up and say yeah I paid?

As for facetook, yeah nah......

Regards, Smooth

Thank you to Karl Vanzuyden for the Results:

Parkes Van Nationals 2021 Results:

Australia's Top Vans 2021
#1 'Skidrow' Ford Escort - Gary Scicluna
#2 'Red Baron' Ford Escort - Russell Slocombe
#3 'Fat FJ' Holden FJ - Gary Hislop
#4 'The Player' Holden HZ Sandman - Rodney Barnes
#5 'Desire' Holden HX - Dennis Anderson
#6 'Blue Hotel' Holden VE - Keith Pennay
#7 'Eloped' Holden HX Sandman - Jason Ackland
#8 'The Last Stand' Holden EH - Susan Kelley
#9 'Medusa' Holden HJ - Susan Kelley
#10 'GJ1979' Red CF Bedford - Glenn Johnston

Best Engine Bay: 'Skidrow' - Gary Scicluna
Runner up: 'Fat FJ' - Gary Hislop

Best Exterior: 'Skidrow' - Gary Scicluna
Runner up: 'Red Baron' - Russell Slocombe

Best interior: 'The Last Stand' - Susan Kelley
Runner up: 'Skidrow' - Gary Scicluna

Best undercarriage: 'Skidrow' - Gary Scicluna
Runner up: 'Red Baron' - Russell Slocombe

Vanners Choice: (tied)
'The Player' - Rodney Barnes
'76SAND' - Phillip Jay

Big Block!














Snuck a Ford in. Neat unit, seen those number plates before!




















Neat unit, seen those number plates before!

























Regards, Smooth

Here are some shots of the V-Series spotted at the 2021 Australian Van Nationals held in Parkes over the Easter Weekend.
Photo's by various people including myself, Andrew Davis and unnamed/unknown others. A good weekend was had by all I seen with perfect weather all weekend.


Brett and Julie Kirwan Quick Silver VY HBD Sandman


Innuendo VY SS Amcat


Gaddy's VY HBD Sandman


Matt and Mandy's VU Prototype


Troy and Carol-Ann's VZ Amcat "Clyde"


James Ellis' VE Amcat


Karl's VZ Sandman


Grant and Susan Kelley's VF Amcat


Ian's VY HBD Sandman


V6 VZ on display with the Majestic Vanners club display


Rear Shot of Karls' VZ HBD Sandman


Brent's VY "Cronus" HBD Sandman


Doug and Karen Davis 2015 VF Sandman Amcat


Grant and Susan Kelley 2016 VF Amcat


"REVVAN" VY with Statesman nose


Keith Penney's VE SSV Amcat "Blue Hotel" Pontiac nose run out model


John Doherty's VZ


"Innuendo" 2002 VY SS Amcat on the move.

Regards, Smooth

Great Pics Smooth!

Thank you for Sharing.

Rohan O'Farrell from Albury owns the Black V6 VZ.

Rusty62TransAm wrote:Great Pics Smooth!  

Thank you for Sharing.  

Rohan O'Farrell from Albury owns the Black V6 VZ.

Righto, got it! Make him a folder.
Thanks Rusty.

Regards, Smooth