REPORT – Toranafest 2019
Words: Mike Ryan and Ben Hosking
Photos: Ben Hosking
As far as one-model car shows go, it’s hard to find one that’s as loved and supported as Toranafest. Organised by the Hunter Valley Torana Club Inc. and held in Maitland (around 30km northwest of Newcastle) every two years, Toranafest has become a must-do for Torana owners and enthusiasts.
Turning 40
Held on 14-15 September, Toranafest 2019 marked a special occasion – and we’re not talking about the 40th Anniversary of the Hunter Valley Torana Club Inc.
For those at the event who didn’t immediately make the connection that 2019 marks the 40th Anniversary of Peter Brock and Jim Richards’s dominant six-lap victory at the 1979 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at Bathurst, Jim himself was on hand to remind them! Jim was joined by Bev Brock, John Sheppard (Holden Dealer Team manager in 1979), Neill Burns (Holden Dealer Team engine builder in 1979) and Joe Felice (former manager of Holden Motorsport in the ‘60s and ‘70s) for autograph sessions at the Ansen’s Toranafest Show ‘n’ Shine on Sunday, 15 September.
The fact that the organising club could get these people to attend the event is further testimony to the power of Toranafest.
Toranas on Tour
While Sunday was the big day, Toranafest 2019 actually kicked off a day prior, when registered entrants took part in the Shannons Toranafest Supercruise. Held on Saturday, 14 September, the cruise – ‘Toranas at Tocal’ – was a leisurely 33km tour, taking in Morpeth, Hinton, Wallalong and Woodville, ending at Tocal College for lunch. Unsurprisingly, the convoy of more than 200 Toranas saw the route out of Maitland lined with people.
That evening, entrants caught up and shared stories over dinner at Club Maitland City before the charity auction kicked off. The ’79 Gang’ – Richards, Brock, Felice, Sheppard and Burns - were there, too.
Big Numbers, Broad Offerings
As good as the special guests, Shannons Super Cruise, stallholders and brilliant weather was (September events are always a bit of a gamble), it’s the cars that are the stars at Toranafest, and those stars drew close to 10,000 spectators to scope out more than 400 cars at Sunday’s Ansen’s Toranafest Show ‘n’ Shine.
Vehicle numbers were about on a par with 2017, when 425 were on show, but whether it was the increased public numbers, the aforementioned special guests or the ideal weather, the President of the Hunter Valley Torana Club, Pete Morris, said the 2019 show seemed to have more of a buzz than past events.
Covering the spectrum of Torana production, the Ansen’s Show ‘n’ Shine saw LH and LX series cars dominate – as you’d expect - but LC and LJ were well represented, with a handful of HB and UC models on the grass at Maitland Park, too.
Given the Torana’s success on the racetrack, and especially given the ’79 Bathurst anniversary, it was no surprise that a handful of racing spec and race replica Toranas were also in attendance.
However, Toranafest isn’t just about the “hot” Toranas. Sure, there were more SS and SL/R 5000s there than you could count, but more humble offerings, like bone stock LH fours, UC Sunbirds, a G-Pak and even a TA four (yes, at least one still exists!) served as a reminder that the Torana was originally a small economy car and “poverty pack” versions were offered throughout the model’s lifespan.
Speaking of rarities like the TA, a couple of Torana ‘Hatch Hutch’ tents were spotted, too.
Cars from all over New South Wales made the journey to Maitland, but some travelled even further, with South Australian, Victorian, ACT and Queensland cars spotted at the Show ‘n’ Shine, too.
At noon, a one-minute “rev up” turned Maitland Park into an orchestra of octane, with the Toranafest Auction that followed attracting plenty of desirable gear and healthy bidding that delivered welcome funds for the event’s nominated charities, Dog Rescue Newcastle and Ronald McDonald House.
The Canberra Torana Club were running an awareness campaign for organ donation in tribute to one of their members, Bill Spencer, whose passing saved the lives of five others through organ donation. Search for ‘Be like Bill – Be a Hero’ of Facebook to find out more about organ and tissue donation.
Trophy presentations in the afternoon was the final act of what was a big show.
Toranas in 2021
With another successful Toranafest under their belts, the Hunter Valley Torana Club Inc. are taking a well-earned breather before planning gets underway for the 2021 event.
To keep up to date on developments ahead of Toranafest 2021, go to https://toranafest.com.au/
