I've read on the forum that our members from Perth have already left for the Nationals. By this time next week most of you will be on the road, on your way to Orange.

So without further ado, here's the latest entrant update.

The Army Marches on its Stomach

Your entry fee covers your meals on Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday lunch and Sunday night. There will be lunch available for sale on Saturday and Monday. The following table explains:

The Marching Army may wish to Sit Down...

... so we recommend you bring a camp-chair or two for your party. There is seating available in the grand-stand for Sunday's event, but only limited seating in Sir Jack Brabham Park. There is a fair amount of shade available. So if you've got room, we recommend you throw a few folding chairs in the boot. 

Registration 

 As mentioned in the last update, registration will be from 10.00am until 4.00pm on Friday, at the Roundhouse at Turner's Vineyard. Please make yourself available during that time, as we have a huge number of entrants to process.

You must bring your vehicle with you to register. Even if you are staying at the Vineyard, we still need to sight the car and verify a couple of things. It would also be appreciated if you could have your receipt with you, as this will speed things up for us. We will then direct you into the Roundhouse to collect your goodie-bag and merchandise. There will be an area set up outside the Roundhouse for you to hang around and catch up with friends, but we ask that you assist us by keeping the Roundhouse itself just for arriving entrants. There's also ample parking away from the registration area itself that we'll need you to move your car to if you're going to hang at Turner's for a while. 

Friday Picnic Run

Thank you to everyone who responded to the earlier Entrant Update regarding our Picnic run on Good Friday. We were expecting maybe 30 or 40 people might be interested, but we've got about 120 people. Thanks to our great sponsors, we're in a position to provide lunch free of charge to all of those who've RSVP'ed. Being Good Friday, lunch is meat-free. Late inclusions are welcome to attend, but you'll have to arrange your own lunch.

Please be at Turners Vineyard at 11.30am for a 12.00 departure to Lake Canobolas. 

Saturday's "Fifties Night"

Once again, a reminder that our dinner on Saturday night is fancy dress, and we urge you to get involved. Participation in the fancy dress and dancing goes towards the Interstate Challenge Trophy, so show some team spirit and be part of it for your club. It's gonna be a great night. 

 A Clarification Regarding Vehicle Legality

 A previous update mentioned that all vehicles must have Full or Concessional Registration (ie Club Plates). That led to a couple of questions about the use of Unregistered Vehicle Permits:

You can apply at your local Motor Registry for an unregistered vehicle permit. Ultimately, it would seem the provision of a permit is at the discretion of the manager of the Registry, and by no means a certainty to be endorsed. (The typical purpose of these UVPs is for seasonal use of farm machinery or moving plant equipment etc.) That approval may also require pink slip/blue slip and by extension, engineer's certification.

I've spoken to the RTA, to the Policy Section of NSW Police Traffic Branch, and to Shannons Insurance. If you have the UVP, and the vehicle is being used within the conditions set down thereon, then it's considered to be registered for all intents and purposes. You should speak to your insurer and let them know that the car is being used in this manner, to ascertain for yourself that your insurance will be honoured in the unfortunate event that you need to claim on it. Getting something from them in writing would be a very good idea.

So, long story short, if your application is approved, and you have proof of both the permit and the vehicle's insurance, that can be accepted for the purposes of participating in the Nationals.

That's it for this Entrant Update. We look forward very much to seeing you all next week, for the biggest Nationals yet! Drive safe, and see you in Orange.