[Updated on: Mon, 13 December 2004 12:18]

Ok, I could probably write a novel the size of war and peace about everything that happened. But I know people dont want to read through that so heres a few noteables in point form. (well sort of)

DAY 1:::
- We had no major problems on the way down, apart from Will's fuel pump (which was fixed in 1minute) and going back and forth a few times looking for petrol stations (thanks shell website for telling us the wrong address) and ofcourse the 7M! cressida towing the kamikaze drifter paul's car overheating early on. (he pulled it off the trailer at nowra and drove from there). His diff whine was literally deafening (and thats just from being in my car next to him) "STOP WHINNING"
- There were some interesting reactions to our convoy on the way down. From literally; kids running onto the road and yelling 'up the sprinters' to some conversations about sprinters to country locals. Which was all great, then there was the bad. People feeling the need to cut us off, and one country bumpkin who decided to slow down and show us he knew sign language.
-How could I forget BUNTA made an appearance early on. In the southern hills region (before nowra and all that) A Blue WRX with NO PLATES decided he wanted to take on the hachi convoy on the downhill mountain pass. Ofcourse due to the fog and vision being about 10metres we wouldnt have any of that... and he flew past. We then saw him again 5min later, on the side of the road. Pulled over by cops for speeding and no plates.
-There was also a bad semi/truck crash just after this (it ran off the road due to the wet and fog)
-Bermagui (if any of you know it) has an awesome stretch of road Thanks goes to the BP attendant for the heads up on that.
-After 20hrs of driving we got to Melbourne. The looks on everyones faces told the story. Murder would occur if we didnt find our motel room NOHHHHHWWWW. Ofcourse I assumed finding the airport would be the easiest location to find in Melbourne. This wasnt the case, we had to avoid the direct road there because we didnt have e-way. This royally stuffed everything up and it took us 1hour (dodging psycho cabbies, and 4wds) to find our motel.

DAY2:::
-Awoke to the sound of revving 4AGE's (I spose I couldnt have asked for a better wakeup call) It was the SA boys, and theyd just arrived. We had an hour or so to get to brimbank park for the meet & photoshoot.
-Garth gave me directions as he stayed behind in true hachi spirit to help out some SA boys and this is where I learnt to not trust the NRMA. The day before, I had asked a BP attendant for an NRMA map, he said I needed to be a member but gave me one anyway (central melbourne map). I thought this was a good thing. So as we were travelling to this park I soon realise the road to get there doesnt exist ON THIS NEW EDITION NRMA MAP! so we drive around confused (yet again) until we head back to our motel, to memorise the route from a proper street directory.
-We finally arrived at the park. 1hour late. 33 Cars. I believe this was JUST enough to rank it Australia's biggest meet.
-It was an awesome site, and I found myself talking 'for ages' (heh.heh.) to people and then realising I knew them off the forums after the obligatory 'whats your nick on toymods'. It was HACHI HEAVEN!. The photos will hopefully be published in Drift Battle Magazine in a few months.
-The day was pretty much full, we ended up just grabbing a pizza that night. After scoping out Calder Park for the practice night.

DAY3::
-Calder time!. "Undaa undaa undaa".... "BANZAI!!!" lol. It took all the logistical strength and teamwork we had to setup the hachi roku flying v formation at the show & shine. heh. But it was worth it.
-It was then time to sit and relax for once and watch the action. This is where we learnt that Melbourne has the worst weather ever. It was mild, then began to get hot. As in, 36degree burn hot. So we used some backyard blitz knowledge and setup a tent (consiting of a hachi car cover, and 3 hachi bonnet stands). This was ok for awhile, until the 36degree sunny sky decided to start pouring rain. The tent then needed some DDM (dodgy drift modification) and we setup a proper tarp. (ZIP TIES!)
-We then got called for the show & shine lap. We had a plan to turn this into a hotlap. However we were givin a pace-car. So it became a case of stand still, make room, gun it. Which Will did at the mid S-bend corner to the delight of the fans but an attendant angrily reminded him 'this wasnt the drift' I protested with full lock and screeching tyres to also get a "SLOW DOWN!!!!!!!!!"
-The event was well organised. They had stunt bikes and burnouts inbetween the waiting time (which is a must). But when the waiting time turns into 15minutes+ of no drift. It looses momentum. I'd like to say it was a great event. But it wasnt due to one thing. The judges. Simon's battle VS the R33 was a dead joke. The 1st run was very close and even. The reverse run clearly went to simon. (FULL LOCK at the exit of the s-bend vs the R33 going over shicanes virtually straight). They decided to call a repeat battle. In which it was the same story. Simon won the first, and on the second, he again came full lock through the S but then JUST clipped dirt on the hairpin. The R33 also went wide but yet it won... It did well, but not as well as the little hachi.
-We decided to head out to see the sites of Melbourne, and thanks to a few of the VIC Boys Hui, Jason and others we got treated to an awesome little chinese restaurant.
-And just like that the weekend came to a close. Seemed like a blur, but as they say time flys when..

DAY4::
-There was still the trip back, this time we were heading up the HUME HWY, monsoonal weather to begin with. Within 1hour it was hot again. We were AHEAD of schedule (whatever that means) until ofcourse Jeremy's Dirty Ibis decided to crack a header (all the way around the pipe just at the flange) This sucked a filter into one of his quads and it was time for a long stop (luckily it happened just on lunch time). Des pulled out the putty and Jeremy re-aligned the sock and we were on our way. Until the putty cracked off. So it was time for another fix (this time using putty and chemical sealant tape). At this point it was again 30 degrees and a fly bonanza. But it got sorted out and we were soon on our way again. After another few stops it seemed it would hold up (at a slow pace) so a few of the boys stayed back to makesure while the rest pressed on.

Ive got 150+ photos (I ran outta batteries ;( Jeremy, Garth and Des have some awesome shots while driving. Hopefully theyll be up soon. Tai and the rest of the fool crew also have some video!.

I cant end this post without saying that;

-Will is the funniest man alive.

It's kinda crazy, feels like I've known everyone for a long time.

BRISBANE next year?






CMONNNN WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR DO IT.. DO IT NOHHHWWWWWWW

[Updated on: Mon, 13 December 2004 21:11]

ae86slaver wrote on Tue, 14 December 2004 10:16

I still can't take the smile off my face

My parents think I've gone nuts, walking around the house.. CMON!! GET OUT OF THE WAYYY DO IT NAAOOOHWWWWWW. Bloody Will!

I managed to get a day off work today. So i get to relax. I feel sorry for you guys that had to work.

Des man... POWERNAP NOW!!!!!!!!! DO IT!!!!!!!!! CMON!!!!!!!

[Updated on: Tue, 14 December 2004 00:07]

haha nice one Jeremy.
or if we can find someone who can draw (cartoonish) sort of (hell evan manga/anime) to do us an diD logo.

So after looking over all my photos I realised A sad truth.

My best shot Was taken with my phone! lol.



pity that isnt high quality

[Updated on: Tue, 14 December 2004 07:59]

bathurst-91 wrote on Tue, 14 December 2004 19:12

dirtier much much dirtier...

bathurst-91 wrote on Tue, 14 December 2004 19:16

Tehuti is a god of wisdom and knowledge, and this god wears the mask of the Ibis.

Hmmmm...... Tehuti would fit on a custom plate too

Sounds Maori.... Is it?

[Updated on: Tue, 14 December 2004 08:26]

[Updated on: Tue, 14 December 2004 12:05]