THERE'S no flagging in the enthusiasm surrounding this year's RACV Fly the Flag Tour, due to start in Melbourne this Saturday.
Organisers are keen to make this latest running of the event one of the best yet and are encouraging the Victorian public to join in the fun.The tour, for vehicles more than 30 years old, runs through until Friday, March 26.
"The committee is very keen to see public involvement in our start ceremonies and along the route with flags - any flags," said committee member Mike Allfrey.
"We also want local car clubs to be involved in what is Victoria's largest heritage motoring event."
The tour, organised by the All British Classics Car Club, is based in South Gippsland.
Keith Anderson, of Bairnsdale, plans to take his 1948 Rover P3 saloon.
"I've driven in six or seven of these Fly the Flag Tours, though I was also involved in the first one with the organiser, Frank Douglas," Keith said.
"The best thing about them is the fellowship, by far, plus you see parts of Victoria you don't normally see.
"I've had the Rover for about 14 years, but didn't do it up until 2004.
"It was virtually complete when I got it, but the interior was useless. It needed a repaint and a new timber roof.
"It took about five months of continuous work, which is pretty quick."
Keith also owns two Armstrong-Siddeleys, one of which is a rare ute, and an MG.
Bob and Judi McGrath, of Rusty Springs at Avenel, are other keen entrants.
The McGraths, who plan to take their 1946 Mk IV Jaguar, have taken part in every Fly the Flag tour bar the first one.
"It's the camaraderie," Bob said. "People come from all walks of life and it doesn't matter what kind of car they're in - once you're there, it's a level playing field."
Bob, who is the long-time president of the Goulburn Valley Register of the Jaguar Car Club of Australia, said all car clubs were primarily about the social side.
"The cars are just the excuse," he said.
The tour itinerary opens with a flagging-off at 9.30am this Saturday at RACV headquarters in Noble Park.
The group then travels via Cranbourne and Tooradin to San Remo and Cowes.
There will be a lunchtime vehicle display in Newhaven before participants spend the afternoon on Phillip Island.
On Sunday, at 9.30am, the convoy will leave San Remo for Wonthaggi.
Next Monday, the group will leave Newhaven and San Remo at 9am, then cover 318km visiting Loch, Korumburra, Leongatha, Yarram and Sale before arriving in Bairnsdale.
The following day, cars leave for Sale via Nyerimilang homestead, Bruthen, Stratford and Maffra.
The public will be able to see the cars that afternoon at the Maffra Shed museum.
On Wednesday, March 24, Sale's Bond St will be closed so tour vehicles can be displayed before a 9am departure.
The convoy will head for Traralgon via Toongabbie, Glengarry and Yallourn, stopping for a lunchtime display at the Gippsland Heritage Park in Moe.
On Thursday week, vehicles will tour the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, visiting Walhalla, Rawson and the Thomson Dam before heading for Morwell.
The final day, March 26, sees one more vehicle display at Kernot Hall in Morwell before the group sets off at 9am for Dandenong.
- For more details, phone tour administrator Brian Kelly on 0405 120 079.
