The Chrysler Files

With spectator numbers up, a relaxed mood, and good weather, the 4th A.C.T Chrysler Convention was the best yet.

Early arrivals on Friday night were treated to videos on the big screen TV until the early hours, with plenty of conversation concerning past events and the entrants expectations for the coming two days of friendly competition.

Saturday morning saw the usual frantic activity with the preparation and set-up of trade, group, individual, and club displays and vehicles, as the entrants tales of woe began to surface for the event organisers to decide on the 'HARD LUCK' award.

The ' Chrysler and Valiant Owners Association ', from Sydney, set up a club display almost the entire length of the Show'n'Shine area, and the 'American Car Club' display came complete with it's own four post canopy.

A wider variety of vehicles were in attendance this time around ranging from a 1973 Galant with 2-Litre Astron power, five Centuras, a 1956 Dodge Kingsway, one Jeep Cherokee, a Chrysler 300C and a 1974 Dodge Charger complete with 440, as well as the usual array of Aussie Chargers and Valiants. To top it all off spectators and entrants alike were treated to the McNiff family's drag racing 'S' series valiant and Hemi six powered Ford Cortina.

To add even more colour to the day the 'Queanbeyan Rock'n'Roll Club' gave two seperate demonstrations of their dancing prowess, and this proved to be very popular with everyone in attendance.

After 1pm it was down to the track as everyone relocated for the driving events. The Go-Whoa ran smoothly with some good times being laid down, although nobody could catch Robbie Harvison on 8.99 seconds in his 318 motivated 1966 VC Valiant Station Wagon. Rob continued to have a top weekend when he picked up '3rd Place Burnout' behind Richard Mahoney in his V8 '70 VG Hardtop, and the Winner Frank 'Wildman' Steadman performing with his LA318 engined 1977 CL Charger. This was the second year in succession that Frank had taken out the title and he was absolutely stoked about it. Other Burnouts worth noting were Greg Stevens (225 slant six 1962 'S' series), Rusty (Blown 360 '66 VC Valiant), Robyn Mahoney (who took out the ladies category), and Michael Towers, who turned up late in his LA318 powered KB Centura. A very obvious absence from the Burnout contest was Steve 'Quasi' Hoppitt also with a smallblock powered Centura, but being one of the event organisers (along with Bruce Bull) he was fairly flat-out all day.

Saturday night was party time as entrants, friends and family got to let their hair down. During the trophy presentations Canberran Mark Williams scooped the pool with his beautiful 1969 VF Valiant Sedan, picking up six awards, including 'TOP GROUP DISPLAY' (along with Charmaine Ennis in her '74 Town & Country ute). The multi-prize raffle was a big hit, with prizes donated by Pat Fay, Bill Shaw's Hemi Performance (Melbourne), Valiant Replacement Parts, and T-shirts from both 'Mopar Roadrunners' and the 'Chrysler Car Club of Canberra'.

Sunday produced some good racing at 'Canberra International Dragway' on the 'A' grade 1/8th mile. Entrants were thrilled at the chance of taking on Garth Edwards driving the Australian Federal Police Drag Racing Team's full on Highway Patrol style GM V8 powered drag car. The racing was at times close, but mostly just plain fun.

Two guys who settled the big question were Quasi, in his V8 Centura, and Alistair West, with a four barrel fed 265 Hemi six Centura. These two revheads had pondered the outcome of such a duel for quite some time. When these two vehicles hit the Burnout box it was obvious that both drivers were serious, with two large clouds of smoke an indication of what was to come.

Through the finish beam it was almost headlight to headlight with Quasi's V8 just inches in front, although he broke out by nearly five tenths of a second, handing the win to the Hemi six. Someone else who had a big time was Bruce Bull. He managed to get in a couple of sorting runs of 10.2 in his 1962 'S' series Valiant with newly installed LA318 V8. Bruce was heard to comment that once he installs an alarm clock to wake him up at the start line he can see the times dropping to somewhere in the 9 second range.

Robbie Harvison continued to enjoy his visit to the National Capital and only missed out on the "GRAND CHAMPION' award by a mere five-and-a-half points to winner Frank Steadman.

All in attendance heaped praise on the event organisers, Bruce Bull & Steve 'Quasi' Hoppitt, with assurances that they would return again.

Thanks must go to Phil Eacott and His Summernats driving events crew, who did a super job. the people responsible were Peter, Michael, Glen, Carl, Jo, Craig, Leanne and especially Brett, who worked absolutely full-chat all weekend (and has since seen the error of his ways and has bought two Chryslers). Thanks also to Max & Tracy, Bryant & Charmaine, Mark, David, Julie, Dave & Jacky, Jim & Susie from the 'Chrysler Car Club of Canberra inc.'. Thanks to our event judges Mark, Craig and Craig for a tireless and difficult job, and last but definitely by no means least, a very special thank-you goes out to the 'Chrysler And Valiant owners Association' and the 'Mopar Roadrunners' for their invaluable efforts throughout the event.