Six cars met at Haywood Park at 10.00 for 10.30am start. Gordon and Narelle Boyce set a new improved Don Doug Run. Over the year this event has caused driver/navigator tension, but this time peace reigned.

Run sheets handed out and a small clue of what was about to set the tone for the day. How many railways lines do we cross. How many different yellow animal advisory signs can we find. This should be easy we think.! But there is always a twist.

Those who braved the morning showers were,

The Organisers of the run Gordon & Narelle Boyce and their two children Kieran and Tiarna.
David & Di Low, our Sprite is engineless at the moment so we took our MX5.
Gary and Molly Beaton in their tin top, Gary’s car is also off the road.
Don & Elaine Cardone in their Alfa, Sprite ?,
Clive Spreadbury & Cheryl Pitt in their tin top, Sprite ?
Chris & Tina Brine in their Bugeye, a bit of rain didn’t deter these avid sprite drivers.
Apologies from Ken & Mary Dutch and Gary & Fay Brock, both on the sick list.

After a great drive we had lunch at the Oakbank Hotel, Gordon and Narelle had prepared a short Quiz and after much discussion and using our run sheets for clues, the winners were Chris & Tina , the rest of us also won a small prize. A excellent idea to revive one of the oldest annual runs of the Sprite Club.

So where were the rest of you, good food, good company and great roads. Gordon and Narelle took extraordinary trouble with two small children to put a great Sunday run together and it must be disheartening to have so few attend.

I know we all have busy lives but being a member of the Sprite Club isn’t just about attending the monthly meeting or joining to get historic registration, or as a stepping stone to motor sport. We have a number of members who motor race under the Sprite Club banner , Patrick Kukla has a small band of followers on a Sunday morning breakfast and run through the hills, but where are the 90+ members who we never see.

John Whitburn organised a fantastic shed visit about three weeks ago, So who went to this event, something different and by all accounts from those members who went, a experience not to be missed. I would have thought there would have been at least 25 or more may have gone.

We have our Birthday Lunch on the 14th September and it would be wonderful if those members who have been missing in action attend. Details on the website.

So next time perhaps you might consider getting the car out and joining a social event . It is like who can first the chicken or the egg. Its is hard to get members to organise a social event or weekend away. If you do take the time to organise a social event and it is poorly attended you won’t put up your hand again.

I suppose the bottom line is, has the Sprite Club of SA lost it’s relevance in today’s society, I hope not, over the year we have had some wonderful car experiences, lots of laughter and a few tears along the way, made some long term friends and the Sprite has been always been there.

At Easter our little red Bugeye has been in David’s garage for 30 years and it has had some amazing adventures. While we were in Queensland at the challenge we met two interstate members that have had their Sprites for 50+ years. Imagine what stories those little cars could tell.,
What I am saying is this is your club, you vote with your attendance at events. It is up to you.

Dianne Low
Life Member of the Sprite Club of SA