NRMA Motorfest 2009 – Australia Day Done in Moto Retro Style

Australia day is one of my favourite holidays, an oasis hidden amid the hustle and bustle of the New Year;  a day of barbeques, sunshine, beaches and relaxation. Back when I was a lad my parents would dress my brother and I in ridiculous period clothing and pack us into the back of my Dad’s 1948 MG TC before heading into the city to park under the bridge and take part in the NRMA Motorfest. It had been a few years since I last attended the event, so this year we took a wander across the bridge and had a look around.

The event has moved deeper into the CBD and wandering down Macquarie St, past the Library and Parliament and up to Hyde Park with all the classic cars, bikes and trucks lining the roads is a real buzz. This year the NRMA was staging a celebration for its 90^th birthday and Alfa Romeo was celebrating its 100^th with some great showings.

What I really liked about the event was how it brought our passion to a much wider audience. People like my Dad spend their lives surrounded by these fantastic machines and can’t walk ten steps at an event like this without stopping to have an in depth discussion about carburettors with another heavily moustached man, while others may be completely oblivious to the fact that these wonderful communities exist and are full of fun and welcoming people.

Wandering into Hyde Park after my tour and settling down with a beer and some lunch was pretty good too.

Seth Reinhardt