Forbes will host another car rally next month when a car club from the state’s south coast motors into town.
The Milton Ulladulla Vintage and Classic Car Club will hold their 21st annual rally in the Forbes district, with at least 60 vehicle owners expected to attend the six-day event.
The club’s events director, Tom Turner, is a former Forbes resident and said he is planning a four day program for the car owners, with activities in Forbes, Parkes, Ootha, Eugowra, Orange and Canowindra.
Mr Turner, who left Forbes in 1969 when he entered the police force after several years as an electrician with the Central West County Council, said this year’s rally would be slightly longer than normal to celebrate the club’s 21st birthday.
“This is our 21st year of the club so I’ve extended the program a little bit this year,” Mr Turner said.
Mr Turner said the club now has 190 members, who mostly drive vehicles manufactured in the 1960s.
He said most members were recent retirees and had fond memories of vehicles like the 1964 Volkswagen Beetle, which he plans to drive to Forbes.
“A lot of the cars are from the sixties – they travel a little faster than the older vehicles, and because a lot of our members are about my age, we all grew up driving those cars,” he said.
Mr Turner said the car club would start its four day program on Monday, March 26 at McFeeters Motor Museum. The visitors will enjoy wine tasting and a tour of Forbes’ historical sites on day one, and then visit Ootha’s Utes in the Paddock, Parkes CSIRO Radio Telescope and Parkes Museum on Tuesday.
Wednesday will see the group head east, stopping off at Eugowra before visiting Orange for lunch and returning to Forbes via Canowindra.
Thursday, March 29 will be a recreational day where visitors can do as they please before a farewell barbecue at the Plainsman Motel that evening.
Mr Turner said car club members had booked a large number of rooms at that motel while others were staying at other motels and caravan parks in Forbes.
McFeeters Motor Museum proprietor Jan McFeeters said the Milton Ulladulla group were one of about 13 car rallies planning to visit the museum in the next 3-4 months.
Mrs McFeeters said not all the rally members stayed overnight in Forbes, but many do.
“They don’t all stay in Forbes – some come from other towns like Cowra or Parkes, and others are calling in and are travelling on to somewhere else, but a lot do stay overnight.
“We are also noticing that a lot of caravans are staying the night [in Forbes],” she said.
“I don’t think it’s all because of [the museum] but because the town is looking very pretty at the moment and also because of the flood waters up north, people seem to be lingering longer.
“The town is certainly looking very attractive and it’s good that people are staying overnight,” she said.
Email a friend