FEBRUARY 2004Vol 25 No 7

SUBA NEWS

SUBARU 4WD clubSUBARU 4WD clubSUBARU 4WD clubSUBARU 4WD clubSUBARU 4WD clubOF QUEENSLAND incOF QUEENSLAND incOF QUEENSLAND incOF QUEENSLAND incOF QUEENSLAND inc

Group shot of Subi’s. Condamine Gorge, October 2003.Picture by Albert Hill SC549

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COMMUNICATIONSfor a Moving Worldfor a Moving Worldfor a Moving Worldfor a Moving Worldfor a Moving World

Philcomm Pty LtdA.C.N. 054 259 906

4/201 Evans Road, Salisbury Qld 4107Ph: 3715 4999 Fax: 3715 4966

Email: sales@philcomm.com.au

SALESSERVICERENTAL

- Contact John Whittaker. Ph: (07) 3715 4920- Contact the Coodinator. Ph: (07) 3715 4955- Ph: (07) 3715 4920

✔ Mobile Two WayMobile Two WayMobile Two WayMobile Two WayMobile Two Way ✔ HandheldHandheldHandheldHandheldHandheld ✔ Mobile Data & AVLMobile Data & AVLMobile Data & AVLMobile Data & AVLMobile Data & AVL✔ Telemetry & SCADATelemetry & SCADATelemetry & SCADATelemetry & SCADATelemetry & SCADA ✔ Radio Network DesignRadio Network DesignRadio Network DesignRadio Network DesignRadio Network Design

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SUBARU 4WD CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INCORPORATEDSUBARU 4WD CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INCORPORATEDSUBARU 4WD CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INCORPORATEDSUBARU 4WD CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INCORPORATEDSUBARU 4WD CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INCORPORATEDP.O. BOX 595 CARINA QLD 4152P.O. BOX 595 CARINA QLD 4152P.O. BOX 595 CARINA QLD 4152P.O. BOX 595 CARINA QLD 4152P.O. BOX 595 CARINA QLD 4152

COMMITTEECOMMITTEECOMMITTEECOMMITTEECOMMITTEEPRESIDENT Rik Close 5445 4057VICE PRESIDENT Dwayne Boyton 3299 1061SECRETARY Greg Bryant 3402 0396TREASURER Ray Lyons 3397 1837SUBA NEWS EDITOR Dwayne Boyton 3299 1061SUBA NEWS CO-EDITOR Greg Bryant 3402 0396MEMBERSHIP OFFICER Cameron Neilsen 0438 926 012SOCIAL DIRECTOR Gaven McGrath 3890 2964PUBLIC RELATIONS David Martin 3262 5665PROPERTY OFFICER Rick Dean 3829 0120SERGEANT AT ARMS Gaven McGrath 3890 2964TRAINING OFFICER Mark Ottway 3207 8535WEBMASTER (web@subaclub.com) Clint Lovell 3398 3437

CLUB MEETINGSCLUB MEETINGSCLUB MEETINGSCLUB MEETINGSCLUB MEETINGSMonthly meetings are held on the FOURTH MONDAY of each month at 8 pm,

at the Veteran Car Club, 1376 OLD CLEVELAND ROAD, CARINDALEPhone: 3843 0010 - UBD 42nd Edition Reference: Map 182 E 6

*** Visitors are Welcome! ***

Club Website:www.subaclub.com

E-mail address for magazine contributions:subanews@subaclub.com

Annual Subscription City Member New $60.00 Renewal $50.00Country Member New $55.00 Renewal $45.00New subscriptions include a $10.00 joining fee

If you find a mistake in the Suba News, please consider it put there on purpose. We try to publishsomething for everyone, and some people are always looking for mistakes.

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Club, in whole or in part. All content is copyright. That means you need written permission to use any of it.

We will be glad to share it. Just ask!

Hi to you all out there in mighty Subaland, I hope all is going well in yourworld.Now that all the kids have gone back to school things get back to normal insome homes, which should make room for a bit of weekend fun for some, I don’tmean bedroom fun, I mean fun in the Suby out in the dirt, or up the beach.And we have lots going on to keep you happy in the months ahead.First up is a Show and Shine 29th Feb see What’s On for more details, if youthink you have the best suby then make yours shine to win.We need more members and this might be a good way to get people interested ina Suby and where they can go without costing too much.We have more overnight beach trips and overnight bush trips coming up for allyou Suby lovers, so get your name on a trip sheet “ASAP”.AND DON’T FORGET : the Feb meeting is where we talk about the club fees,should they stay the same or go up, come along and have your say, we’ll seeyou there.

Well that’s all from me this time.Until next time, may the six star Force be with you.

BE COOL AND GO HARD!!

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PRESIDENTPRESIDENTPRESIDENTPRESIDENTPRESIDENT’S REPORT’S REPORT’S REPORT’S REPORT’S REPORT

PUBLISHING DEADLINE FOR

MARCHMARCHMARCHMARCHMARCHMAGAZINE

Articles being submitted for inclusion in the next magazineare to reach the Editor at

PO Box 595 Carina Qld 4152or by e-mail to: subanews@subaclub.com

by the 8th March 20048th March 20048th March 20048th March 20048th March 2004Earlier than this would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

Rik Close SC328

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There has been a proposal for a Jamboree – Long distance trip. This willcoincide with the 20th anniversary of the Club’s first 3 corners trip. The trip isscheduled to commence either July 28th or 30th 2004.

It will be approximately 4100km’s round trip back to Brisbane. The roughschedule is as follows:

Day 1 – 810km – highwayBrisbane to Dalby 215km, then to St. George 295km, and on to Cunnamullafor the night 300km.

Day 2 – 576km – highway, development road, trackCunnamulla to Thargominda 197km, onto to Nockatunga turn off – 20km,stopping at Noccundra for fuel, then 147km to Naryilco, and 110km toCameron’s Corner for Fuel.

Day 3 – 266km – development road, trackCameron’s Corner to Innamincka for fuel 266km, and a detour to CoogieLake 200km, return.

Day 4 – 485km – track, development road, trackInnamincka to Walker’s Crossing turn off 61km, onto Walker’s Crossing61km, then on to Birdsville (outside) 91km Track turn off. Onto Warbutontrack turn off 8km, Warbuton Creek crossing 97km, onto the K1 Line/Rigroad junction, the 86km to overnight at Poeppel’s Corner.

Day 5 – 168km – dune’s and tracksPoeppel’s Corner to K1/QAA junction 16km, onto Eyre Creek 89km (+59kmif in flood). Eyre Creek to Big Red 23km, then onto Birdsville overnight forfuel.

Day 6 – 276km – development road, and tracksBirdsville to Cadelga turn off 117km, onto Betoota 50km, then to Arraburyturn off 55km and onto Haddon’s Corner 54km or alternatively

Day 6 – 391km – development road and track

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Birdsville to Cadelga turn off 117km, onto Cadelga Ruins 87km, onto CordilloDowns 48km, then to Arrabury turn off 102km and onto Haddon’s Corner102km overnight.

Day 7 – 666km – track, development road, highwayHaddon’s Corner to Arrabury turn off 54km, onto Windorah for fuel 162km,to Quilpie 250km, overnight at Charleville 200km.

Day 8 – 856km highwayCharleville to Mitchell 182km, onto Roma 88km, to Dalby 271km, back toBrisbane 215km.

On this trip there will be two long runs between fuel stops:Innamincka to Birdsville 653km (includes roads tracks and dunes)Birdsville ton Windorah 607km (includes roads and tracks)For more details of this trip contact Peter Gates.

Note that February’s meeting will be a special meeting,at which the club’s financial state and next year’smembership fee structure will be discussed.

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Subaru Outback for Sale8/1999 (registered till 8/04)GX 2.5l manual

Std Features:Power SteeringClimate ACCentral LockingSix speaker CD/RadioDual AirbagsPower Windows &MirrorsABSEngine ImmobiliserCruise control

After market accessories fitted:- Tinted windows (Ming)- Roof racks (Rola)- Rust Proofing (Ming)- CD Stacker (Clarion)- Qld registered 70-80mm Body & spring lift kit (Scorpion)- Lower gear ratio fitted (SubaXtreme)- Set of 15" alloys and offroad tyres (Bridgestone Dueller AT – 80% tread)- Radiator Fan cut off switch (SubaXtreme)- Alloy Sump Guard (SubaXtreme)- Alloy Bullbar with replacement front bumper (SubaXtreme)- 100W Spotlights (Lightforce)- Alloy rear bumper with towbar (SubaXtreme)

Regularly serviced by Scorpion Automotive(Qld) and very reliable GOANYWHERE tourer.

Contact Andrew on (0414) 953 790.

offers over $20,000 considered

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Line up of vehicles on the Condamine Gorge trip October 2003. Photo by Albert HillSC549

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THIS MONTH’S SCOOP FROM THE EDITORTHIS MONTH’S SCOOP FROM THE EDITORTHIS MONTH’S SCOOP FROM THE EDITORTHIS MONTH’S SCOOP FROM THE EDITORTHIS MONTH’S SCOOP FROM THE EDITORNot much again from me this month. There have been some datechanges from last month to this month. Check the What’s On for details.

Come along to the Special Meeting on the 23rd of this month and findout what the committee has decided to do in regards to the fee structurefor the coming year.

I still need more trip reports. If you are elected to write the trip report,don’t leave it for too long, or you will forget what you had done.

Check out the Market place for some fine machines. Wish I had somemore cash, there are some of the finest vehicles for sale at the moment.

That’s about it for me, got to start packing for my week up the coast.See you out there.

Dwayne Boyton SC481

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I had a reason for not taking my own vehicle on this trip. I was the trip leader,but because I had only been on the trip once before, I decided to ride shotgunwith Dave Martin in the GT Forester. He, of course, knew this area probablybetter than his own back yard.

So I asked Dwayne Boyton if I could hitch a ride to Boonah for our 9 ammeeting time. We decided on the scenic route via Beaudesert, and I knewthat we weren’t going to make it on time as the clock ticked over to 9 amwith a good 40 km still to go.

Patiently waiting for us were David, Shane Taylor and his friend in Libby’sBrumby, Dale and Gayle Taylor in the Pajero, Christine Barry in the Forester,Albert Hill with his family in the L wagon, and Cameron Campbell-Brown(well known to club members through rallying) and a friend in Cameron’sDiscovery.

Some rain in the preceding couple of days had made the roads a bit slipperyin parts, so it was comforting to know that Subaru’s all-wheel-drive systemwas underneath (most of) us to provide traction through the slipperier bits.

We headed south from Boonah, turning left just on the outskirts of town,and were soon on the dirt. A sign stated that the road ahead was impassablein wet weather. It wasn’t raining at the time, so the sign didn’t deter us. Thesurface of this road was definitely built on a clay base, as the car twitchedone way and then the next. From the chatter over the CB, it was obviousthat most of us enjoyed the free skidpan driving lesson.

Alas, we were too soon back on the bitumen, and headed for our first stopfor the morning – Maroon Dam. Whilst the water level in the dam was fairlylow, it was nowhere near as bad as the level of two years ago. As we enjoyedour morning tea, a Mazda MX-5 club with almost 20 cars arrived. All bar oneof the cars had the top down – for now!

After smoko, it was back onto the dirt passing to the south and west ofMaroon Dam. Soon we were climbing the hills and mountains of the Scenic

...continued on Page 17

TTTTTrip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03rip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03rip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03rip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03rip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03

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Club Merchandise For Sale

Polo Shirt with embroidered logo $25.00Baseball cap with embroidered logo $15.00Embroidered cloth badge $ 8.00Name tag $ 3.00Windscreen Sticker - Made to Order $10.00Window sticker $ 2.00Gear bag $ 6.00Tow hooks (assorted styles, each) $ 6.00Snatch strap $50.00Bow shackles, large $10.00Bow shackles, small $8.00

See the club’s Property Officer, Rick Dean if you wish to purchase any of the merchandise on offer.

Annual Subscriptions are now due:Full Member $50.00Associate Member $50.00Country Member $45.00

Help your club, and the poor overworked Membership Officer, by payingASAP. Fill out the membership form (enclosed in May’s magazine, ordownload a copy from the website) to ensure that the club’s records are

up to date.

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Future EventsFuture EventsFuture EventsFuture EventsFuture Events

Mon 22nd March General Meeting @ 8pm

Sun 28th March Brisbane Valley AreaTrip leader Dwayne Boyton ph.32291061 mob. 0412393839Meeting Place Park LHS centre of Kilcoy before the PubMeeting Time 9amRating Easy Scenic 4WDDetails Travel via the back tracks across the head waters of

the Brisbane River, over the Blackbutt Range, turningtowards Esk past the Wivenhoe Dam, and up over MtGlorious towards Brisbane. BYO lunch, recovery gear.

Fri 9th April to Easter at Stockton BeachMon 12th AprilTrip Leader Cameron Neilsen ph. 0438 926 012Details TBA

Sat 24th April to Anzac Day Weekend Imbil – Kenilworth AreaMon 26th AprilTrip Leader Mark Ottway ph. 3207 8535Meeting Place BP Travel Centre North, LHS Bruce Highway, MorayfieldTime 9amDetails Camping at Island Reach Imbil, $5 per person per day.

Full facilities. Explore Imbil and Kenilworth State Forests.BYO camping gear, supplies, recovery gear. A grouppermit will be organised.

Sat 1st May to May Day Weekend Inskip PointMon 3rd MayTrip Leader Rik Close ph. 0402 415 569Details TBA

What’s On...What’s On...What’s On...What’s On...What’s On...

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Sat 21st February to Mebbin State Forest NSWSun 22nd FebruaryTrip leader David Martin ph. 3262 5665 mob. 0429 121 996Meeting Place Budd Park RHS after turning into centre of

MurwillumbahMeeting Time 9amRating MediumDetails Explore Mebbin and surrounding area. BYO camping,

recovery, gear, and supplies.

Mon 23rd February General Meeting and Special meeting @ 8pm

Sun 29th February Show and Shine Cleveland Show GroundsTrip Leader Mark Ottway ph. 3207 8535Meeting Place Cleveland Show Grounds, Smith StTime From 8 am for car display, 9am to 4pm for spectating.Details Club stand of cars for show and shine and membership

drive. Prizes awarded, $15 entry fee per car. Spectatingfree. Food available. For the Kidney Foundation.

Sat 6th March to Flanagan’s ReserveSun 7th MarchTrip Leader Bruce and Pam Ottway ph. 0413 435 887Meeting Place McDonald’s BeaudesertTime 9amRating EasyDetails Swimming, relaxing, bush walking, short drives, hot

showers on site.Cost $4.00 adults, $2.00 children per nightWhat to bring BYO firewood, things to float on.

What’s On (continued)What’s On (continued)What’s On (continued)What’s On (continued)What’s On (continued)

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80 Annerley Road80 Annerley Road80 Annerley Road80 Annerley Road80 Annerley RoadWolloongabbaWolloongabbaWolloongabbaWolloongabbaWolloongabbaPhone: 3391 6055Phone: 3391 6055Phone: 3391 6055Phone: 3391 6055Phone: 3391 6055Service:Service:Service:Service:Service: Sergio La MonacaSergio La MonacaSergio La MonacaSergio La MonacaSergio La MonacaParts:Parts:Parts:Parts:Parts: Jim LaveryJim LaveryJim LaveryJim LaveryJim Lavery

* Subaru Turbo Specialist Technicians* Over 40 years combined experience* All servicing and repairs including

wheel alignment* Every Customer a V.I.P.* 10% parts discount to club members

Serving Subaru Since 1973Serving Subaru Since 1973Serving Subaru Since 1973Serving Subaru Since 1973Serving Subaru Since 1973

PTYPTYPTYPTYPTYLTDLTDLTDLTDLTDJOHN FRENCHJOHN FRENCHJOHN FRENCHJOHN FRENCHJOHN FRENCH

“Big enough to cope,“Big enough to cope,“Big enough to cope,“Big enough to cope,“Big enough to cope,Small enoughSmall enoughSmall enoughSmall enoughSmall enough

to care.”to care.”to care.”to care.”to care.”

Sat 13th March QRC Rally Amamoor AreaTrip Leader Greg Bryant ph. 3402 0396 mob. 0416 073 951Meeting Place Matilda service station Bruce Hwy approx 12 km north

of the Imbil turn off.Meeting Time 8am TBCDetails Run a special stage of the rally. Control officials and

roadblocks personnel required. Camping at Amamoorstate forest camp ground, with all facilities includingfood.

Sun 14th March Amamoor State Forest TripTrip leader Dwayne Boyton ph.32291061 mob. 0412393839Meeting Place Amamoor State Forest camp ground, follow signs from

hwy.Meeting Time 9amRating MediumDetails A group permit will be organised. BYO lunch, recovery

gear.

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Future EventsFuture EventsFuture EventsFuture EventsFuture Events

Mon 22nd March General Meeting @ 8pm

Sun 28th March Brisbane Valley AreaTrip leader Dwayne Boyton ph.32291061 mob. 0412393839Meeting Place Park LHS centre of Kilcoy before the PubMeeting Time 9amRating Easy Scenic 4WDDetails Travel via the back tracks across the head waters of

the Brisbane River, over the Blackbutt Range, turningtowards Esk past the Wivenhoe Dam, and up over MtGlorious towards Brisbane. BYO lunch, recovery gear.

Fri 9th April to Easter at Stockton BeachMon 12th AprilTrip Leader Cameron Neilsen ph. 0438 926 012Details TBA

Sat 24th April to Anzac Day Weekend Imbil – Kenilworth AreaMon 26th AprilTrip Leader Mark Ottway ph. 3207 8535Meeting Place BP Travel Centre North, LHS Bruce Highway, MorayfieldTime 9amDetails Camping at Island Reach Imbil, $5 per person per day.

Full facilities. Explore Imbil and Kenilworth State Forests.BYO camping gear, supplies, recovery gear. A grouppermit will be organised.

Sat 1st May to May Day Weekend Inskip PointMon 3rd MayTrip Leader Rik Close ph. 0402 415 569Details TBA

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Future EventsFuture EventsFuture EventsFuture EventsFuture Events

Shane and Dave up a tree on the Condamine Gorge trip. Photo by Albert Hill SC549

Sat 1st May to Sunshine Coast GymkanaMon 3rd May

Sun 16th May Training Day at MoggillTrip Leader Bryan Neilsen ph. 0416319725

Sat 5th June to ARC ImbilSun 6th June

Sat12th June to Long weekend Sundown NPMon 14th June

July School Holidays Three Corners JamboreeTrip Leader Peter Gates

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TTTTTrip Report Trip Report Trip Report Trip Report Trip Report Trackabout Campers 01.11.03rackabout Campers 01.11.03rackabout Campers 01.11.03rackabout Campers 01.11.03rackabout Campers 01.11.03We had a good representation of 11 members keen to kick the tyres on theselittle beauties. The morning was very low key but informative covering safety,tour of the workshop and discussing configurations and set up.

Trackabout was started when people saw that there was an easier way tocamping. Now the range has developed to suit just about every facet ofcamping. For example the “On Road Tourer” weighing in at 420kg, and a ballweight of 40-50kgs suits most smaller 4cylinder cars. This camper is moresuited to the black top and light duty off road use, so getting to our local weekendcamps shouldn’t be a problem.

Then you have the “Safari”, the real off-road unit, with more options standardthan your off road machine to pull it. The weight on these units start around660kgs and grows depending what is added to suit your needs.

All the trailers feature deep sides, are 7x4 in sixe, all steel used is coated, allmodels can be optioned up or down to suit budget and requirements. Thebasic layout of the canvas camper top across the range is pretty much thesame.

One thing I did notice was the position of the door way, it’s more central leavingmore room on your left for bunk-beds or storage. Also you didn’t have toduck, under a bar to enter, as there was a separate bar on the left as youentered.

On all models the canvas used was “Dynaproofed Outback Rugged Canvas”with 15oz on the roof and 12oz on the walls with a choice of colours.

In summary Trackabout could certainly tailor a camper to suit your needs andbudget. Worth while to take a look at Moss Street or www.trackabout.com.au

PS. I want one.

John Leech SC511

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Rim, getting closer to our destination of Queen Mary Falls. However, the rainthat had threatened for most of the morning was hovering ever closer, and bythe time we reached the junction with Queen Mary Falls to the left and theCondamine Gorge to the right a decision had to be made.

Rightly or wrongly, I decided that the chances of Queen Mary Falls, our lunchstop, being inundated with rain led to us turning right and heading down theCondamine Gorge instead of taking our normal route to the left.

Having done this drive before but only from the opposite direction, it is amazinghow different the Gorge looks when coming from the Queensland side. It reallyis a gorge, surrounded on both sides by towering cliffs. The water level, evenin the deepest of the 14 or so crossings, was no more than about bumperheight. However, the Gorge road was easily navigable with no mud patchesand no dramas experienced in any of the cars. How much more fun it wouldhave been before the graders turned it from a track into a road.

It was now time to head on up to Queen Mary Falls for our lunch stop. On theway up, we passed a Discovery with its bonnet up, so we gave Cameron aribbing over the radios about whether or not his would complete the trip. Wearrived to see the car park full, including the 20 aforementioned Mazdas (thistime all bar one had the top up). So we had lunch on the roadside as theclouds turned darker, the rumbling of the thunder turned louder and the windblew harder. An ex-member, Big Phil, met up with us at this point and so acouple of the older members reminisced about the days gone by. For thosewho know him, Phil has apparently changed his appearance as he wasreasonably fit looking without an ounce of fat on him. As lunchtime came to anend, Phil, Cameron and Cameron’s mate decided to do the walk down to thefalls. The rest of us thought that the impending four seasons in one hour wastoo much of a risk, and so we headed for our vehicles and the road east.

Just as well – the pelting rain began within a couple of minutes of us leaving.We stopped soon afterwards at a great lookout, but no-one was game to getout of their cars. Fair enough though, it was raining bucketfuls and the windwas close to gale force. So we continued on down the mountain, turning into

TTTTTrip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03rip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03rip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03rip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03rip Report Condamine Gorge 26.10.03...continued from Page 9

...continued on Page 22

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MARKET PLMARKET PLMARKET PLMARKET PLMARKET PLACEACEACEACEACEL Series parts less motor and gear box. Complete rust free set of doorswith electric mirrors. Tailgate, roof rack and cross roof bars

Also MY model parts, and 86 Leone parts. Contact Dan Wolfe 07 54645676 or mobile 0418 741 247

Spares to suit 1983 MY Subaru:

Brand new electric fuel pump (cost $200.00), sell $100.00Brand new water pump, suit EA81 (cost $76.00), sell $50.00Sunraysia rims. Set of four 14” $160.00Peugeot 14” rim, with near new Dunlop tyre $50.00Dual range gearbox, 3.9ratio, incl. rear diff $300.00Torsion bar assembly, good spare $25.00Roof rack with instant tent, rolls up across back. Tent erects in seconds.$50.00EA81 engine – needs cylinder head, has electronic distributor $50.00

Contact Peter Thomas 0427 578 805 or 3633 0436

MY 83 wagon, silver, air con, tow bar, 300,000kms, good mechanicals, somerust in doors, rego until 4/04, $1000 ONO, Ph Sue Hosie on northern NSWKingscliff no.0266742197, car is Brisbane based.

Subaru Brumby 1989. EA81 Turbo and intercooler Wolf 3d Version4 enginemanagement. Suba Xtreme bull bar and Rollbar. 2inch lift kit, king springs,spare wheel carrier, many extra’s and spares. $8000.00 O.N.O. ContactShane Taylor or Libby Lugdsen on 36025027

Set of Outback 16" Rims $3004 Alloy and one spare rim with tyres (approx 20% tread)

Contact Andrew Gantimuroff on 0414 953 790

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Blow off valve for a RX Turbo, 2months old. Originally $200.00 when new.Selling for $150.00 negotiable. Test before you buy. Contact Jason TurnerPhone 3408 0640

MARKET PLMARKET PLMARKET PLMARKET PLMARKET PLACEACEACEACEACE

MY83 Wagon for sale. Rebuilt motor 2000km’s ago, new radiator at thesame time. Gearbox stuck in forth. $1250.00 o.n.o. Contact Ross Richardson 32005156

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RALLRALLRALLRALLRALLY NEWSY NEWSY NEWSY NEWSY NEWSWRC – Rally Monte Carlo – France — Rd 1—This is always the first event ofthe season, and is a difficult all bitumen rally for the Teams because of thechanging conditions from dry weather to rain, snow, ice, and fog. The winnerwho handled the conditions best was Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb, he was pushedto the finish by the Ford Focus’s of Marko Martin in 2nd and Francois Duval in3rd. Markus Gronholm who was driving for the first time Peugeot’s new 307finished in 4th place followed by his team mate Freddy Loix 5th. After a year’sabsence Mitsubishi returned in their improved but basic Lancer fitted withoutany electric diffs and gearbox, finished in 6th place with Giles Panizzi driving.

This year sees the struggling Hyundai team not competing, also the Shodateam has a limited programme planned. Subaru’s current World ChampionPetter Solberg was running as high as 5th until the second last stage when hitsnow and slid off and hit a bank damaging the front suspension, he droppedtwo places to finish in 7th. His new teammate Mikko Hirvonen had problems inthe slippery conditions and was forced out of contention. Also Swiss Subaruprivateer driver Oliver Burri finished in 8th.

Points – Loeb 10, Martin 8, Duval 6, Gronholm 5, Loix 4, Panizzi 3, Solberg 2,Burri 1.

Manufacturers – Ford 14, Citroen 10, Peugeot 9.

WRC – Swedish Rally – Rd 2 – This is an all snow rally where narrow studdedtyres are used and the drivers use the snow banks on the side of the roads tobounce off to help keep them on the road. For the first time in 53 years a non-Finnish or Swedish driver has won the event and that was Citroen’s SebastienLoeb. He also became the only the third driver in history to win both the MonteCarlo and Swedish rallies back to back. His experienced team mates CarlosSainz finished in 5th. Fords Markko Martin led early on but hit a snow bank anddropped back to 7th. One of his young teammates Janne Tuohino finished in4th. Peugeot’s Marcus Gronholm who recovered from power steering problemsfinished in 2nd. The new Mitsubishi’s both retired with teething problems.Subaru’s Petter Solberg finished well in 3rd place after having a number ofspins, while new teammate Mikko Hirvonen lost time in hitting a snow bank

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HEARD THE NEWSHEARD THE NEWSHEARD THE NEWSHEARD THE NEWSHEARD THE NEWS

...continued from Page 20RALLRALLRALLRALLRALLY NEWSY NEWSY NEWSY NEWSY NEWS

and finished in 9th. In the Group N Production Championship Subaru’s AlisterMcRae is currently in 2nd place to Mitsubishi after finishing in 17th.

Points – Loeb 20, Gronholm 13, Martin 10, Solberg 8, Duval 6.Manufacturers – Citroen 24, Ford 22, Peugeot 17, Subaru 10, and Mitsubishi3.

More sales records – For the first time ever for the month of December in2003 Subaru Australia sold over 3000 vehicles. The break down was, 756Impreza’s, 1249 Forester’s, 508 Liberty’s, and 551 Outback’s making a totalof 3064. This years January sales were still a strong 2508.

RX Turbo project – Mark Ottway’s new silver L87 RX project is nowcomplete. It all took a few months to transfer all the gear over from his oldL85 RX. It included the engine, the lower low range 3.9 ratio gearbox and therear Detroit diff. A new 3 inch lift kit, was also fitted as well as some interiorbits and the 14 inch alloy rims. The very happy buyer for his old RX is BryanNeilsen.

Updating – Rodeo driver Big John Mckenna was able to take advantage ofthe New Year sales of 2003 Rodeo stock. In early February he traded up toa new model, 3 litre inter cooled turbo diesel, white Rodeo space cab. Alsotaking advantage of the sales was David Martin who updated his ForesterGT to a white manual demo 03 XT.

Over stocked – Another Subaru was added to the Peters’ Subaru collectionin late January. This latest one a was a well priced and tidy white 89 manualLiberty wagon for daughter Lee who attends a Agricultural Collage inMareeba. The current For Sale list is Lee’s old car an MY 82 Leone sedan,MY83 lifted wagon plus a spare shell, 92 auto RS Turbo Libertywagon, and a 98 manual Outback.

...more heard the news continued on Page 14

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HEARD THE NEWSHEARD THE NEWSHEARD THE NEWSHEARD THE NEWSHEARD THE NEWSForester project now finished – Graeme and Julie Laws recently purchased98 Red Forester is now fully set up. A lift kit and kings springs were fitted first,followed by Suba Xtreme, sump guard, front and rear bars, and bigger allterrain BGF tyres. Graeme is currently working on a similar set up he had onhis old Brumby for the stove, table, and storage draws for the back.

Luxury camping – Auto John and Val Schliff have sold their well set up foldout camping trailer to Greg and Kathy Bryant, so in future that means no moretents to setup, which is one Kathy greatest hates in life. Auto John and Val arecurrently looking around to purchase a lighter and more compact fold outcamper with a slide out kitchen.

Another bargain — While doing a trip to the local dump with garden wasteGaven McGrath spotted in the trash and treasure section a ute canopy thathe thought would fit his Triton ute. Out came the tape measure for a quickcheck and sure enough it would fit nicely, total cost $60.

Teviot Stream Road (or something like that), which is very steep, very narrowand bent as a dog’s hind leg. It was here that the full force of the storm hit us,and I thought that Dave’s car was going to be swept downhill by the torrents ofwater as leaves and twigs buffeted the car. Once at the bottom, the weathereased off and we headed north through plenty of puddles on the road andregrouped soon after.

It was here that we went our separate ways – most of the group turned forhome, leaving two cars (Dave’s and Shane’s) to continue exploring the area.We made a left hand turn towards Spicer’s Gap and within 100 metres were hitby the scorpion’s sting in this storm – hail. Thankfully, it was only pea-sized andonly lasted a minute. And then, as we drove over a crest, the storm was goneand we were driving in bright sunshine on a dry road.

We headed up to Spicer’s Gap, with only one wrong turn courtesy of one of theworst cases of signposting I’ve ever seen. Why put up a signpost so that people

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travelling in only one direction can read the sign? Anyway, we sorted thatone out soon enough and reached Spicer’s Gap and walked up to theGovernor’s Chair for a fantastic view of the storm we had not long beforebeen victim to. We checked out the club’s table and were pleased to notethat it is standing up well with everything intact.

So we headed home, only to pass Cameron at Aratula as he was busytrying to catch up to us.

Thanks Dave (and Dwayne) for the lift. It was certainly an interesting day,and a day in which us Queenslanders finally had a taste of what it must belike living in Melbourne.

Greg Bryant SC480

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Is this the last trip for Shane and Libby’s Brumby. If you want it, check out the MarketPlace. Photo by Albert Hill SC549

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