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Not car related - so if that offends you, keep scrolling…..Marathon #92026 Dubbo Stampede Rhino Ramble MarathonTime - 4...
06/09/2026

Not car related - so if that offends you, keep scrolling…..

Marathon #9

2026 Dubbo Stampede Rhino Ramble Marathon
Time - 4:20:32
6:10/km average pace

Was going well until 30k
Then it went down the drain….
On the 3rd lap of the course (29k-42k) with every hill I did, I just got slower and slower.

But

- ran the whole way

- post covid marathon PB - previous best was 4:20:58 at Sydney 2024 (though that was was MUCH better executed)

And the happiest thing of all - the school I teach at (Central West Leadership Academy) won its category in the Schools Challenge at this years Stampede.

I started this year at the school as a high school maths teacher, and soon found myself doing sports coordination as well. This year was the first in the schools 8 year history (relatively new school) that we’ve done representative sport. I’ve organised and led excursions to take capable and interested students to representative swimming, athletics and cross country. And - at the Dubbo Stampede, we went from 1 entry last year to 25 entries from the wider school community this year.

When I found out on Friday, I was on class - office lady came round and told me. 3 of the boys involved (it was a year 8 class) were in said class. I got all emotional. I said ‘this is the happiest day of my teaching career, and I have you guys (pointing to boys) to thank’.

Already eyeing off next years Stampede as Marathon #10 - a genuine sub 4hr attempt at what could be my last marathon attempt in my 20th anniversary of running.

Accommodation is booked for Gold Coast to do 1/2 Marathon or 10k there in July 2027, as part of another UTBAHD trip.

Flying the flag at Dubbo Motorfest 2026 with the Golden West Holden Owners Club! 🦁🇦🇺It’s improving — greatly.Having all ...
29/08/2026

Flying the flag at Dubbo Motorfest 2026 with the Golden West Holden Owners Club! 🦁🇦🇺

It’s improving — greatly.

Having all judged and non-judged cars mixed in together makes for much simpler organisation at both the entrant and club end. The overall layout was better this year too, with a better spread of food, drink and toilet facilities, and generally a much better feel to the event.

There was still a little confusion upon entry and while setting up our club display, but unlike previous years, we were able to display together properly as a club — a definite step forward.

Overall, a much-improved Motorfest and an enjoyable day out representing the Golden West Holden Owners Club.

Photos are just some of the highlights from the day… 📸

Updating thingsTook the BRZ to Sydney for 13th City to Surf in 20 years. Went via Bells line of road both ways. On the r...
10/08/2026

Updating things

Took the BRZ to Sydney for 13th City to Surf in 20 years. Went via Bells line of road both ways. On the return trip there was heavy traffic in Lithgow, but ultimately it was always moving.

BRZ went to dealer yesterday to have RHR shock looked at. Mechanic agreed there was an issue and warranty claim approved. 5 day wait to get a new shock shipped up from Melbourne.

Aaaaand we have what could be the BRZs first warranty repair. Right rear shock is pretty oily. The others are bone dry.
03/08/2026

Aaaaand we have what could be the BRZs first warranty repair. Right rear shock is pretty oily. The others are bone dry.

2026 NSW All Holden DayPlenty of great cars on show, though the individual entries area is down by about 10-20 since 202...
02/08/2026

2026 NSW All Holden Day

Plenty of great cars on show, though the individual entries area is down by about 10-20 since 2024.

NSW All Holden Day Weekend- Day 1A trend I’ve spotted since COVID is that the swap meet is getting smaller. Areas that h...
01/08/2026

NSW All Holden Day Weekend- Day 1

A trend I’ve spotted since COVID is that the swap meet is getting smaller. Areas that had stalls in them in previous years didn’t. Ebay et al is taking its toll. But could also be due to the disruption….

2020-2021 - COVID
2022 - Flood damage
2025 - just about washed out (how it stayed on I’ll never know)

Enough uncertainty beyond the organisers control to turn the less committed stall holders away possibly.

But the quality was still there - I’m still finding stuff for my general collection that I haven’t seen before. In addition to this haul is a new bonnet protector for the VT - found a Metrix NOS item with an interesting upward swept design. Existing one is 26yrs old and badly UV damaged.

As we are in the midst of marathon season, Runna directs and I comply - orginal session was for it to be hilly but at Richmond it’s either so hilly you can’t run it in a structured manner (in the lower blue mountains- done that before!) or dead flat. I went with the latter. Half marathon distance training run starting slow and finishing at Half Marathon race pace. City to Surf next weekend, Dubbo Stampede Marathon in 5 weeks time.

We have set sail…..for……NSW All Holden Day!Going down for swapmeet Saturday. Early start, got to Mudgee at just after su...
31/07/2026

We have set sail…..for……

NSW All Holden Day!

Going down for swapmeet Saturday.

Early start, got to Mudgee at just after sunrise.

On dark mornings you realise how headlight technology has moved on since 1985. In saying that, the BRZs low beams are crap compared to the VT….

Driving vs Flying Today I travelled to Melbourne. A conservative traveller, I don’t cut cut things too fine, especially ...
17/07/2026

Driving vs Flying

Today I travelled to Melbourne. A conservative traveller, I don’t cut cut things too fine, especially travelling in winter with potential fog issues at Dubbo and Sydney.

So I left the house at 5:30. Dubbo Airport at 5:45 for a flight notionally leaving at 6:30.

Flight leaves at 6:40, and I’m in the terminal a bit before 8.

Melbourne flight was 12:05. There was a 9:45 option, but if there was any delays, I’d have been screwed. 12:05 flight leaves on time and I’m disembarking at 1:35. On a bus at 1:45 at Sthn Cross Station by 2:30. Then a walk, tram and another walk and I step inside my hotel at 3pm.

Had I driven off at 5:30am, assuming a 9h 10m trip to Melbourne, a 30min stop for breakfast, 30min lunch, 15 min stops for morning and afternoon tea I would have got in around 4:30.

Same for the return on Sunday - in between waiting for planes, public transport, going to and from airports looking at a 12h 30m trip.

I could be booking earlier flights but on the way down I can’t check in my hotel til 3 anyway, and on the return if I left my hotel at 10am the 12pm flight is doable - but $150 more!

$500 extra to save all up 2 hours (driving to and from Dubbo is about $500 all up) or $650 to save 6hrs.

Totally not worth it. Especially considering the inconvenience of dragging your luggage all around town.

When I go to Melbourne next in October (Melbourne Marathon- doing the half), I’m definitely driving!

So - Here are the tallies thus far!Number of former Holden Dealer sites covered since July 2017…..NSW Metro - 36NSW Regi...
15/07/2026

So - Here are the tallies thus far!

Number of former Holden Dealer sites covered since July 2017…..

NSW Metro - 36
NSW Regional - 148
Vic Metro - 43
Vic Regional - 95
SA - 6
ACT - 3
Tasmania - 11
QLD (so far) - 39

Total - 381

So far I’ve missed
- 3 in Sydney
- 2 in Dubbo (will do tomorrow!)
- 4 sites in regional NSW
- 4 sites in regional Victoria

Today on UTBAHD6 years ago I refinished the bonnet on the Gemini - a minor accident resulted in a used bonnet from a sil...
15/07/2026

Today on UTBAHD

6 years ago I refinished the bonnet on the Gemini - a minor accident resulted in a used bonnet from a silver RB being fitted, and the bonnet painted to match.

Some filler was used for some dings, and 6 years on this filler has shrunk and caused the paint to crack in parts.

Ultimately it needs to be taken back to bare metal and refinished. To match properly needs to be in acrylic. So that’s a project for the spring.

But with NSW All Holden Day 3 weeks away, and the bonnet looking feral, a fix is needed now - so I did the following on affected patches:

- spray touch up paint over area
- immediately wipe paint off with a rag soaked with degreaser, whilst rubbing paint into cracks
- wipe over section removing as much excess paint as possible
- polish, polish, polish. I’m surprised at how well it’s worked.

Again is only intended to be a temporary measure. Doesn’t fix the issue completely but visually, it’s not really noticeable.

Coming up soon as well is a new timing belt for the Gemini. No service schedule is suggested but based on my records it’s been replaced twice - 1995 and 2012. Did attempt this back in 2020 but was defeated by a seized crank bolt. Did get a quote for this, but I’m going to have a final crack at it. Need to properly lock the flywheel - have sourced the actual GM tool to do this.

(I will say that this is mainly for peace of mind - the belt on the car is in great shape with no deterioration observed)

Finally have decided that Commodore is finally getting a trip to Tassie, previously having gone in the Caprice and the BRZ.

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Orange, NSW
2800

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