The 2 Bay Run has traditionally run two weeks after the Nationals to give those rodders who couldn't make it to the Nationals for what ever reason, one last chance to attend a Run before those cold winter months set in. However with the Nationals in Geelong it was decided to move the Run forward and make it one big Hot Rod event. This year marked the 14th Run in last 25 years and our 4th year at Mornington.

To provide some activities, especially for those interstate rodders that decided to stay over, we also provided guided tours for the 3 days between the Nationals and the 2 Bay Run. These were very well attended and all that went on the tours had a ball. Thanks to all the places we visited for looking after us in such a grand fashion.
It was also a very difficult time for all members as we had lost one of our own in a tragic accident at the ASRF Nationals just days before. Lou was a valued and active member of Bay Rodders and with his wife Anne was managing entries for the run. The accident also claimed the life of Lou's boss, whom Lou was taking for a ride in his pride and joy, a blown '34 Chev hiboy Coupe. Lou's family and all members of Bay Rodders would like to thank the enormous amount of fellow rodders that offered condolences and gave us the support to continue on.

We had a high number of interstate rodders staying in the Mornington area and there were lots of repairs to keep club members Bill Duyvestyn and Peter Arnold and some of our local sponsors, especially Mornington Radiators, busy for days. A very big thanks to these guys as their duty certainly was above and beyond. (Radiator repair, fuel tank repair, front wheel bearing, alternator bracket, and at least another 2 jobs)

Friday 25/04/03 - Anzac Day. Clear blue skies and 22^ made for 252 entries (a new record). This kept the registration team busy all day and with informal cruises arranged by our tour guide Allan Newton, there were rods criss crossing all over the Peninsula where ever you went. Entrants received a rod run T-shirt, plastic bucket, copy of the Trading Post and Things That Go, a funnel, a bag of apples, teledex, stubby holder, Nestle Chocolates, meal vouchers and the obligatory flyers, fridge magnets, pens and rulers. There were goodies bags for the kids as well. They also had the opportunity to guess the number of spark plugs in a huge container. During the weekend we conducted a raffle the first prize being a fantastic rocking horse second prize a 51cm Colour TV and 3rd prize a large tool box. That night saw many take the opportunity to take in a movie at the Dromana Drive-In and even more enjoy and bench session at the Racecourse. For those that did go to the Drive-In, the second movie did start much later than advertised due to the more than expected numbers which meant that the bench session had finished before they got out. The Drive-In have called to apologize for this as they obviously love having the rods there.

Saturday 26/04/03 - The morning produced another beautiful autumn day, all but one of the pre-entrants had turned up by lunch time. The Vietnam Veterans did another fantastic job cooking the entrants a pancake breakfast which proved to be very popular. During the morning there was a Hot Wheels drag racing competition, face painting and a miniature railway to amuse the kids. Giving Mum and Dad a bit of a rest. Lunch was complimentary hot dogs, sausages, donuts and drinks.
This year we were very pleased to find we had a number of International rodders at the Two Bay. From New Zealand we had Geoff Cottle and his wife from Kumeu and another 2 couples. From the US, Don from California and Skip from Massechucst, although Skip could hardly be called a visitor as he has been coming back to Australia for the Nationals for many years.

The observation run kicked off at 2 o'clock, with several pages of questions for entrants to complete, the directions took them down to Somers across to Dromana, finishing at Snapper Point back in Mornington. This was about an 80k circuit and judging buy the number of favorable responses was very much enjoyed.

The function room at the Racecourse was packed for the supper dance on the Saturday Night. The Charity Auction raised $2,500 with many bargains going to those who bid. Flashback kept everyone dancing until the early hours.

Sunday 27/04/03 The day started with an egg and bacon breakfast at the racecourse. The forecast was for rain and it came in about 10am but not before we had most of the cars parked on the oval. Incredibly we took another 130 new entries on the Sunday morning. We had a number of traders present as well including TC Models, Steve De George T-Shirts, Bradford Badges, The Engine Centre, Shannons, Fast FX and Leighton Rawlings and his amazing 73 Nationals video. Something new that we introduced this year was a sponsors morning tea, this was well received as it was not only a great place to get a cuppa and something nice to eat, but it was also just about the driest place in Mornington. It was decided to bring the presentation forward to midday as there was no sign of the rain letting up. All the results are posted here. Even after presentation many of the rods stayed on and it wasn't until about 5 o'clock that quiet again descended on the township of Mornington.

Each Run for the last couple of runs we have selected local charities to support. For 2003 this was GWS First Aid, who are a local first aid group that provide emergency medical services for many sports orientated clubs and events on the Peninsula. Without them and their dedicated volunteers there would be many other clubs that simply could not run their events. The other reciepent was Canteen this is a National organisation which supports kids with cancer. They do this by conducting various activites so that previous and existing cancer patients have the opportunity to learn and mix with kids from their own experience.

Marleen and Julie from GWS First Aid accept their $1,250 donation from Rod Run Director, Greg Wapling

Thanks go to the Rod Run Committee of Mark and Debbie Pullen, Bob and Sylvia and Alistair Armitage, Ed and Michelle Narkiewicz, Dave and Chris Cox, Ian and Lyn Cornish, Ron and Cheryl Mills, Ian and Jenni Maddicks for all their work over the last 12 months. Special thanks to Ron Mills for the fantastic job he did on the trophies, they certainly were unique. To the other members and their families, thanks for all their work over the whole weekend. All our sponsors, without whom we could not put on such a value for money event. And last but not least all those rodders who came and made it such a great weekend.

Greg Wapling
Rod Run Director