2012 MERIMBULA NATIONALS TROPHY WINNERS ARE...............

[gt orphanage]

like i said it got the forum alive filled a page in less then a day see you in SA if not before.

[bembokabellettbloke]

Not everyone gets a trophy....we know that....but everyone gets a medallion

we too have all ours saved in our models/trophy cabinet in the shed!....

Thats a reason that I thought of making the THANK YOU for displaying your cars cards......

to tell you all how much we APPRECIATE the effort that people make to get their cars in the nationals line up!

and a little THANK YOU never goes astray!

if there were no cars in the line up.......no matter what level of car you have....it would be pretty boring!

WE LOVE THE NATIONALS.....

HAVING THEM HERE I TELL YOU ALL...WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR LIVES!!!!!!!

GGGRRROOOOVY BABY....FEEL THE LOVE....FLOWER POWER RULES!!!!!

[dave]

Geez.

Huge.

Good to see the Forum is being used to the maximum extent that it can be.

There are some things we probably need to deal with.

As one of the co-organisers of next year's Nationals, I will confirm there will be no change to the way People's Choice works. If I was organising it and there was a tie, I don't know what I'd do; probably try to get people to re-cast their votes among the top three, but obviously there mightn't have been time to do that when it happened last time. We'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it again.

However, BEFORE ANY of this thread started and got excitable, I was toying with the idea of bringing in a pair of third-party, non-partisan judges for the 2013 Nationals. I know a few people in the local Adelaide scene for whom judging is their thing and whom have show cars themselves (not Belletts!!).

Now the reason I was thinking of doing this was to make judging fairer across the board; there will always be the odd inconsistency when multiple people are assessing things, but the main reason is that I really wanted Brett and Steve to just be able to enjoy the day.

Back at the 2007 Nationals, 2LDOHC and I were asked to do some judging, specifically on Brett's car, Steve's car and any cars on which Steve had done the bodywork. This was to keep things fair, not only to prevent them from marking their cars UP, but also to prevent them from seeing blemishes that a regular judge wouldn't see and marking them DOWN (sometimes judges don't see things... (like that my two front seats were different colours this year... heh heh heh).

Fortunately, the tutelage we received and our subsequent judging style seemed to work OK... and there were never any consistencies. But it's hard, thankless work out there in the sun (or the wind and rain, depending...) and more than once, the judging team have missed the fun part of the show and shine.... and even missed lunch.

I have already made a phone call to Adam DeRose, a professional motor trimmer and car builder; the first car he apprenticed on was Gary Myers' 'Silver Bullet' Mustang. He said he would be happy to judge the 2013 Nationals with his father Tony, a professional panel beater and crafter of show-stopping cars himself.

And if we're feeling particularly nice, we'll even let them eat lunch.

[Stickman]

[quote="dave"](sometimes judges don't see things... (like that my two front seats were different colours this year... heh heh heh).quote]


I noticed Dave
Though it was an attempt to 'Rat' it up a little

[1968GT]

All,

I don't believe any of these comments were critisms and should not be interpreted as such, certainly my comments were not!
The comments I believe are with the CORRECT thoughts in mind, suggestions to improve the Nationals Show N Shine part of the event.

Brett and Steve have done a first class job in re setting up the NATIONALS EVENT, however there is nothing wrong with suggestions to improve the Event, that is what the Forum is for as well as other purposes.
In fact the major success of the NATIONALS can largely be credited back to this Forum and the access to Permit or Conditional Registration where people can afford to have a "TOY" car or cars for the want of a better words.

I had a ball at Merimbula, looking at all the comments on this Forum, so did everyone else!! It is simply great and nothing better to see all those cars on the road at the same time, those photos, WOW, BLOODY WOW!!

Dave Carey, you are heading in the right direction in my opinion with National 2013. I can not be there in my GT, I wish I could, BUT as in 2009, am hoping to be there in my D Max and Caravan, if I get there, I will be trying to book a seat with whoever has a spare seat in their car with my cameras.
For me it will most likely be the same for Tasmania 2014. What dates are you looking at Steve?

[BELLETT69]

here is my final post and suggestion on this topic.....
I suggest that the administrators of this great forum remove all the above unwanted and/or unwarranted posts from this subject that are upsetting many many people, and just leave the great post that Monn and Gary first posted (Thanks Guys)and also only leave those posts that are nothing but complimentary to all concerned.
Cheers Steve

[gt orphanage]

Hey Steve
People are venting their thoughts it's a positive thing. I don't think anyone commenting is intending to insult organizers so please don't take it to heart. If you hide it the thoughts they are still there and not dealt with.
I can only say my opinions are not intended as a personal attack on anyone You even said yourself that no one came to you with a complaint from coona a healthy debate is not a bad thing. Here is their chance
Let people suggest how to fix it they may or may not find a better formular.
I did the same with work staff complaining about the roster i gave them as many sheets as they liked to rewright it and they all came back with ideas we found the faults in them i.e lack of staff for full skilled coverage and located in wrong areas When i sent them back out with the problems for them to fix they realized that it was too hard

[gricey]

I like going to the nationals . Means I can give every one a gricey hug .xxxxxx gricey

[bembokabellettbloke]

MMMMMYES

HAVE TO SAY...i SAMPLED A FEW!.....PRETTY GOOD!

[Stickman]

And if your as lucky as me you can get several Gricey hugs

I love you man

[BULLITT]

IM EVEN LUCKIER ..IVE SLEPT WITH THE BLOKE ...WELL NOT ACTUALLY ....I STAYED AT HIS PLACE ....IS THAT CLOSE ENOUGH OR TOO MUCH IMFORMATION CHEERS GRICEY AND CHERYL ......DAVO JUST LOCKED IN BAROOGA SPORTS CLUB FOR 5TH APRIL .....MIGHT EVEN GET KERRY OVER ...

[Stickman]

Don't tell Gricey but I think I like Cheryl hugs even more than his

[Leadfoot_Liz]

So do i sticky.

[gricey]

Which brings me back to what I love about the nats . Ita all the friends we have made . The excitement of it all . The enthusiasm to go home and work on our cars .The smiths did an amazing job this year . And we all love them for it.I think it's importment not expect such a high level next year . It's really all about the socialising. Xxx gricey. Ps I love you too sticky

[BULLITT]

A GATHERING OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME INTEREST SOCIALISING AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE ISUZU CARS (AND OTHERS) ..AH THE SMITHS THEY SET A HIGH BAR ....KNOWING THEM MORE NOW AND I GUESS ALL OF US KNOW EACH OTHER A BIT BETTER ...GAZ AND MON WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THIER ELEMENT GETTING THE '' BIG DAYS '' SET WHICH RAN AS SMOOTH AS THE BEGA CHEESE (SORRY FOR THE PUN)....AND THATS THE TPE OF GUYS THEY ARE ... ADELAIDE WILL NO DOUBT DO US PROUD ....A NEW STATE ..MORE NEW CARS TO GLOAT OVER AND MORE EXPERIENCES TO SHARE WE WILL ALL BE A YEAR OLDER AND SO WILL OUR CARS .....ROLL ON NATS ....CHEERS DAVO EDITORS NOTE ..DONKEY IS LEAVING NOW ..CHEERS MATE

[dave]

Yeah look guys I don't think there has been quite enough mis-directed commentary here to warrant removing any posts; that sort of moderation should be saved for times when people start swearing at each other and calling each other names.

Fortunately that doesn't happen on this site, because we're all super awesome.

Looks like the heat has died down a bit.... and as I said earlier, I would like to retire Steve and Brett as judges so they can have a bloody good time without having to go through a bunch of cars! What started at 13 cars is now over 30, effectively doubling their workload and don't be fooled; it's pretty physical work and HARD ON THE BRAIN too.

If things get too narky I will perhaps consider locking the thread, but I don't really thing that's necessary. Onwards and upwards to 2013!!!

Initial details to come in the next couple of weeks....

Cheers,


Dave

[rod]

yes well said roll on 2013 ...............keep on belleting into the future

[1968GT]

Hey Gricey, I will look forward to my "Gricey Hug" at CARnivale'
I don't wish to make Cherryl jeolous though so be gentle!!!

[GerryBellettGT]

Chris, who was on the trip with me couldn't believe the passion we had not only for our own cars, but each others as well. His words "Great bunch of people , so well organised."
Its not about the trophies for me, its about the people, sharing not only a common interest, but willing to give and share parts and knowledge to keep the Belletts on the road.
Every car deserves a trophy for making the trip, I guess thats why we have the medalions. I am proud of the three I have.
' And now to a more serious note'
I DIDN't GET A CUDDLE FROM GRICEY, mind you I did get one from 99, Griceys better half.

Check out the two groovers

You won't believe who I picked up in the Cab today, A girl called Sue, who organised the food for our Saturday night dinner.It's a small world. She said we were a great crowd, and loved the entertainment Davo, surprised you were also a Bellett NUT. Gerry

[gricey]

Hugs . Gerry . Gricey