Timing 2012

[Eoin Barnett]

Hi Peter,

Good to see lots of healthy debate about Raid Australia. 2012 is going to be a hard one for the Family cars with Sarita now in Secondary School. If there is a raid in the East near the school holidays in April and a raid in the North near the School Holidays in September we might even be able to do a bit of both.

Any driving through the Victorian / NSW high country during August / September would find a lot of the "good roads" impassible due to snow. Those who went on Raid Australia 2004 will also recall how good it was driving through the High Country in March / April.

When ever it is, where ever it is, there is nothing better than raiding with lots of friends in crazy little french cars.

Cheers,

Eoin

[2CViking]

I had some emails over night expressing interest in the Cape York run. Main reasons are like us, no chance of raiding in April + some like it hot.
Nothing is set in concrete but starting date around 1. August 2012 at Uluru. Rough route (need to find our raid book) across to Karumba Gulf of Carpentaria, Chillagoe and Cape York. Need to work out the return section. Cape York is one way in, one way out. Finish on the coast line somewhere near Cains (Airport) for raiders to fly out. More later

[John]

For those interested in a re-run of Raid 2000, Viking has started a new thread here

[2CViking]

Bob for f sake, when do you give some info. Lots of people are emailing me about info and I can't say anything. Very disappointed
Cheers grumpy Viking bastard

[2CViking]

Landed in my inbox not long ago.

Hi Folks,

You may pass on this info re RAID OZ 2012. to all you know who might be interested.

Some of us caught up with Bob Dircks over the Easter break recently, and you already know that he is organising the main Raid next year. It appears that it will begin on approx 10th May; it will begin in Melbourne at the docks, where they will load all participating cars on the ferry across to Tasmania. After a run around Tassie, it's on the ferry once more to go back to Melbourne...then on to Wilsons Promontary (southernmost point of the mainland) near Melbourne, then to Mt Kosziusko (highest point) then on a roundabout trip to Byron Point (easternmost point in Oz).

In light of the timing of this Raid, Ralph has decided that he wiull host a second Raid Oz 2012, beginning in Perth, COMMENCING in AUGUST, maybe the 4th, but taking in parts of the Gunbarrel Highway, the Connie Sue H'way (which runs from Warburton on WA-NT border area) south to Rawlinna (Eyre H'way)...these tracks are wonderful bush tracks with lots of interesting sand dunes to traverse. Maybe Ralph will extend the trip to include other bush tracks such as the Birdsville Track...yet to be decided, but guaranteed to be a lot of fun and with a lot of bush camping and campfires etc.

So, you will have your choice of two Raids in 2012, depending on when you can get your holidays!

I know I shall do both Raids, however I shall skip the Tasmania bit because I have been there not so long ago during our lovely Raid Gourmet Tassie...so in May I'll meet up with the others at the port in Melbourne, as they are unloading their cars from the ferry from Tasmania. More than anything, I am looking forward to Ralph's Raid, having already had a taste of the sand dunes in my Acadiane last August...it was glorious!!! We had cold nights, warm days (t-shirts and shorts), campfires every night, no rushing...just ENJOYMENT PLUS!!!

Hope this gives you an insight to plans for next year. More info will be available soon, hopefully. Bob, together with Ian Gamble and David Gries, will be soon doing a test run to check everything out in the east. When I get home soon from Europe in August, a small team of us (headed by Ralph) will depart on 10th Sept to check out the route for the second Raid Oz.

It's possible I haven't included other known informmation (my memory isn't so crash-hot these days!), however Ralph can correct me if I got something wrong!

Cheers, and see you all soon!
Greg B

[John]

Hi all

I get quite a few emails asking when and where Raid Australia 2012 will be and where to find out more.
I have started a separate article which I intend to update with all the most relevant info as it comes to hand.
Anybody who can provide some information, please let me know and I will add it as we go.

You can find the article here: Raid Australia 2012

[Raid Runner]

Hi Raiders,

My proposal was never planned to clash with any other major Citroen event........ I specially left 3 weeks between Cit-In and Raid to allow people time to travel and organise themselves.

The choice of May was VERY carefully chosen after considering many many factors.

I'm sorry if that precludes any participants..... I can assure you that any possible timing would preclude some raiders.

I'm sorry if you don't like my proposal. I know it will be both fun and challenging. It will be different in some ways to previous Raids, but it will not be "un-australian" or "un-raid-like". It will encompass the very best of Raiding culture.

Anyone who thinks it will be a "soft" or easy run through semi-urban areas....... couldn't be more wrong.
The route deliberately avoids major towns as much as possible, but allows access to services if they are really needed.
The route is interesting and challenging with great variety.

ITS ON !

IT STARTS 3:00pm MAY1st 2012 at DELORAINE IN TASMANIA.
IT FINISHES 3:00pm JUNE 1st 2012 at CAPE BYRON NSW.

ITS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION OF ANY A SERIES CITROEN.

Bob Dircks (Raid Runner, car 38)