Summer
Edition
2012 Van Nats Update:
Paul Bullard
Panther Van Club, WA
Sundowners Van Display at
V8 Supercar Finale, plus
Final Destination's Hot Lap
Doug Davis
Sundowners Van & Street Club
Van Survey Preliminary Results
2012
Van Nats Update: Paul Bullard - Panther Van Club
Hello fellow Vanner.
Progress
towards the 2012 Australian van nationals well on
the way.
At this stage we would like to give you a brief idea
of the program for the weekend.
| Thursday |
Arrive and set up |
| Friday |
Kidz Biz morning and afternoon session.
Rocker cover racing. |
| Saturday |
Show n Shine at Sir Ross McLarty Oval.
Theme night (western) |
| Sunday |
Cruise.
Presentation Night |
| Monday |
Pack up and goodbyes. |

This year the Show n Shine is on the Saturday, this
is to bring it in line with MAX (Murray Auto Extravaganza)
which for an extra fee you can also be a judged participant
of.
Please
also find a copy of the merchandising
list.
If this could be returned ASAP it will help us with
ordering.
Looking
forward to seeing you there
Paul Bullard
Panther Van Club - host club for 2012 Van
Nationals
Sundowners Van Display at
V8 Supercar Finale - Doug Davis
Sundowners
have had a fantastic year for 2011. This included cruises,
picnics, Drive Ins, Car shows, The Van Nationals at
Phillip Island and a weekend away at the Hunter Valley.
The grand finale was the display at the final round
of the V8 touring cars.
The Vans were displayed from Friday to Sunday with thousands
of people walking around showing lots of interest in
the Vans. Old Vanner’s from the past told of the Vans
they use to own and wish they still had them.
Kerry Wood, Andrew Davis, Wayne Corocher, Pete Fressard
were there on behalf of the Sundowners on display. Shane
Byrne and Anthony Chie also were there for support,
including Ripty on hand for cleaning.
The
highlight for me was on Saturday, when I was approached
and asked if I would like to join a parade of vehicles
to do a parade lap around the track. I drove the Van
around the other side of the pavilion to line up for
the parade. People came out from everywhere, taking
lots of photos and then drove down further near the
gate to go on the track. After more photos we drove
slowly down to the gate ready to go. The pace car appears
and we slowly drive onto the track, black with Tar,
here we go this will a nice slow cruise around the track,
crowds still in the Grand stands. We slowly drive on
the track and the pace car takes off, the Armor All
Hummer takes off, 2 Nissan drift cars in front take
off and sh*t lets go. What an amazing experience, people
roaring/clapping in the Grand Stand, Panel Van, one
guy yelled out SANDMAN??, as we just let our hair down.
The car behind me was a Silver XW GT drag car who just
did burn outs and wheel stands behind all around the
track. Further back was two more vans, a drag HQ van
and the Defence force VY van. Adrenalin pumping, people
cheering, driving through the chicane I floored it,
the sound of the Van incredible edging me to just drive
harder, sliding sideways Karen calling out "don’t
smash the Van" and "I can’t take any more
photos" as I was accelerating and braking too hard.
As
I drove back to the pavilion I looked at the petrol
gauge and the 750 Holley used up 1/8 of a tank of fuel
around the circuit but sh*t it was worth it.
This I will never forget.
What a way to promote Vanning.
Doug
More Pics - Lo-Res
Video
Van
Survey Preliminary Results - Survey closes 29th February
Where
are you from?
|
NSW
- 53%
|
VIC
- 16%
|
QLD
- 13%
|
WA
- 6%
|
ACT
- 6%
|
|
TAS
- 3%
|
Other
- 3%
|
|
.
|
.
|
Your first van was a...
|
Pre
HQ - 12.5%
|
HQ
- 37.5%
|
HJ
- WB - 12.5%
|
Bedford
- 8.3%
|
Gemini
- 4.2%
|
|
Ford
(Medium) - 12.5%
|
.
|
Escort
- 12.5%
|
It was purchased during...
|
70's
- 17%
|
80's
- 26%
|
90's
- 22%
|
2000
to now - 35%
|
Club members - 44%. . . Independent enthusiasts - 56%
Most Used Forum
|
Majestic
- 31%
|
mySandman
- 25%
|
Vanning
Aust - 25%
|
BUGA
- 11%
|
Other
- 8%
|
First Choice Forum
|
mySandman
- 35%
|
Majestic
- 29%
|
Vanning
Aust - 18%
|
BUGA
- 12%
|
Other
- 6%
|
Current
Forums Used
|
Only
one forum - 29%
|
Two
forums - 29%
|
Three
forums - 42%
|
Current
Van Bought
|
1980
to 1989 - 8%
|
1990
to 1999 - 13%
|
2000
to current - 79%
|
Australia's Most Famous Van
|
Street
Legal - 33%
|
Alley
Cat - 28%
|
Midnight
Express - 17%
|
Invader
2000 - 11%
|
Other
11%
|
Regretful
Sale of a Van - - -
81% No - - -
19% Yes
Previous Van Nats Entrant -
- - 50% Yes -
- - 50% No
Previous Entrants Entering 2012 in Pinjarra, WA - 36%
All survey participants from WA & SA entering 2012
- 100%
Previous Entrants attending 2013 in Caboolture, QLD
- 91%
Would you attend a major van event 3hrs from home -
100% Yes
The other 10 Vans you want to see at the "Hypothetical
Indoor Van Display"
|
Street
Legal
|
Stormbringer
|
Jade
|
Phoenix
|
Innervisions
|
|
Bad
Company
|
Illusions
|
Gambler
|
Checkmate
|
Final
Destination
|
Shift Workers - 29% Yes -
- - Nationwide
(Shift Workers - 41% Yes -
- - NSW only)
Do van surveys suck? -
- - 98% No
Current
survey closes 29th February
Spring/Summer
VAN
SURVEY
|