What can I expect in 2011?
Activities at the Winter Classic 2011
As in previous years, competitors may choose between:
- a fully route charted Tour with observations
or
- the more challenging Trial – navigation and observations
Both the Tour and the Trial lead you to the same destinations for Driving Tests.
A Friday night spectacular under lights at the showgrounds commences the event and a chance to get a taste for the driving tests on offer over the weekend.
The director tells us he is an egotistical kind of guy, so expect some questions along that vain!
Saturday begins with a heart starter driving test before taking you further afield on some delightful driving roads to the south of Ballarat. Outwards and backwards journeys will showcase some of the region’s most spectacular scenery. More driving tests are planned with some new venues this year, but there will be ample time to spruce yourself up for a special dinner at the BLCC clubrooms. This year brings the chance again of securing a set of tyres from Matthews Tyre Centre through an auction during the evening.
Sunday’s event takes you via the Central Highlands region’s plentiful and fabulous tarmac roads – which are a reflection of both long term European settlement and historically intensive agriculture and mining.
Morning break and lunch could be in one of the historic townships in the area (provided) but bring a few extra dollars in case you get time to peruse local shopping opportunities. Upon returning to Ballarat your afternoon will be spent completing more Driving Tests challenges.
Trial
Described as a ‘Rally’ in the past, the Trials are conducted on open tarmac roads and subject to all Victorian road ‘rules.’ Each trial takes you from Ballarat to the same Driving Tests as the Tour. Both trials feature navigational, observation and route finding exercises including stick charts and may have compass navigation using old maps.
Tour
In this year’s Tour you will experience something more closely related to the Trial competitors but without the need for navigational experience and is great way to dip your toe in the water with Touring Road events.
