Hi all
Bob asked me to post the following info for the time being:
Bob wrote:Raid Australia 2012
The intended pre-start evening will be at Deloraine in northern Tasmania from 3:00pm on Tuesday May 1st of May 2012. If participants wish to do a bit of regular tourism in Tasmania, they should do this before the start of Raid.
The start on the road will be on the morning of Wednesday 2nd of May 2012. The first day will finish at Stanley on the northern coast.
After an 8 day Tasmanian challenge, there will be an overnight ferry from Devonport to Melbourne, where we will immediately head to Wilson's Promontory starting a 3 week journey through the forests and high country of south-eastern mainland Australia.
The intended finish is Friday 1st of June 2012, at Cape Byron NSW.
The choice of this time was made after very long consideration of ideas and factors thrown in by many past raiders. It is not my most preferred time. 6 weeks earlier would be better. However in favour of the organisers of Cit-In in WA at Easter, I delayed Raid so people could attend both events with a comfortable transition between them.
My suggestion to have a go at Tasmania was well received at the final night of Raid 2008. If some people think that Tassie is so small that they only need to see it once...... that's their problem. I have been there more than 7 times over 30 years and always find new and interesting things to see.
The weather in May is generally cool. It is not normally freezing, it is not normally very wet. It is normally cool to cold at night, cool to warm by day. It is not a wet season. We might get some rain, but it generally stays for only 1 or 2 days as the fronts pass through. Autumn evenings are generally beautiful, calm and lingering.
The planned extension of the Raid on the mainland is generally heading north as the weather cools, so that conditions will generally get a bit warmer. On the North coast of NSW where the Raid is planned to finish, the weather is normally very pleasant. Warm sunny days and cool nights provide very comfortable conditions.
It is my intention to introduce raiders to a whole lot of Australia that they have probably not seen before. I have surveyed most of it already, and can tell you that the route will challenge your driving skills as well as your preconceptions. The tracks are not very muddy, they are stony, steep and in places will require team effort. There will be many spectacular mountain views along the way. Some creek and river crossings will require care and planning. It will be advantageous to have a lightly loaded car, so that the steep sections of forest tracks can be negotiated without trouble.
A list of suggested car preparations will be available on the website soon.
Also a list of suggested equipment to take.
There will not be any "official" scrutiny of participants cars..... it will the responsibility of participants to ensure that they are prepared.
There will not be any "back-up" vehicles. Participants will benefit from the usual Raid mutual help, but will ultimately be responsible for their own vehicles, actions, safety and comfort.
There will not be a cap on attending numbers.
Costs will be kept to a minimum.
Purchase of a "Clothing, Sticker and Route Notes Pack" will include some "free" meal tickets, and some "free" camping vouchers.
There will be very few inflexible rules.
The Raid may be enjoyed in any Citroen A series vehicle.
I recommend that cars have the brakes checked, and new pads fitted. Also parking brakes need to be adjusted properly.
Normal fuel tanks with a 10 litre "extra" container will suffice.
As we will be licensed drivers, in registered vehicles, on public roads, the organisers assume no responsibility for the safety, comfort or actions of any participant.
Bob Dircks
You can find more details and a map here, which will get updated as time goes by.
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Originally Posted by John P
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