A day on the road with Townsville GR drivers
Addin is a Townsville-based process engineer, Damien’s a local disability support worker and Betty’s an adventurer from Brisbane. They all have one big thing in common: they’re keen to meet up and drive, GR-style.
Post-storm debris blocked the Townsville GR owners group’s plan to head up the Paluma Ranges on their drive day. So they diverted to the coast via a pile of snags and a soapy photoshoot instead. We had a chat to three members about the laid-back attitude and wheel-gripping adrenaline that fuels their club.
GR Yaris pride from Addin, Betty and Damien.
How did you end up on Townsville GR Drive Day?
Betty:
I met Addin last year. He was down in Brisbane and had organised a cruise, so that's how we made the connection. I went up to Townsville back in November for my birthday and I thought, while I'm here, let's meet up again! I'm not a car enthusiast. I'm more of a road tripper. I just happened to like the look of the car when I first saw it. So I just bought it without even knowing what it really was. But I have no regrets whatsoever.
What about you Addin?
Addin:
I have a big family so I often drive a people mover. I used to have a Toyota 86 for my fun car, but it was affected by the floods in 2019. I'd been waiting for the best replacement then GR Yaris came up. It was a really good decision. Mike Carney from Townsville Toyota organised an invitation launch day for those who’d pre-ordered. That’s where I met Damien.
Damien:
Yeah they did a full-on reveal with a sheet over the car and everything. After some tech demonstrations we got to go for a test drive. There were just four of us there. So we had a day-one connection that kick-started the group.
James's GR Supra and Addin's GR Yaris.
“I look at Google and I find winding, crazy roads then I just go.”
Betty
What was your favourite road or stop on your Drive Day?
Damien:
I liked the dirt road stuff. Especially the roads with an arch of trees, out at Town Common Reserve. It was great to see the cars in their natural element.
Addin:
It was fun to catch up with some other people, because myself, Damien and Raf – three of us who were at the GR Yaris Reveal Day – we sometimes hang out together just to catch up. But we hadn’t gone to Town Common much. Some of us are pretty scared to put a dent in our car after seeing what Betty did (laughs).
Betty:
Oh come on guys! I like taking mine off road.
Where do you take yours off-road, Betty?
Betty:
I look at Google and I find winding, crazy roads then I just go without knowing whether they’re sealed or unsealed. A nasty one I went on was up in Cairns, Atherton Tableland, Lake Tinnero. There were potholes and it was overgrown, but at the same time, it was exciting. I find it so fun and I'm not scared because my car’s four-wheel drive. That's what I love about the car. I feel safe in it. I had to dodge cows going up to Wallman Falls but I didn't care. If rough driving wrecks the paint. So be it. That’s what it’s for.
Have you always been a road-trip enthusiast, Betty?
Betty:
I've always liked driving. I've driven around New Zealand a couple times now. My ex partner isn’t really into it. But he's no longer in the picture, so I can do whatever I want (laughs). I wouldn't have bought this car if he was still around. But I do plan to go to Adelaide and Tasmania. Hopefully next year for my birthday.
Addin:
I love driving around Australia too. My last big drive was 9000 kms back in July, 2018. We went from Townsville all the way down to Snowy Mountains, Mount Buffalo all the way to Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles then back. So that's a school holiday over two weeks with the whole family in the people mover.
“For me, it's about having a fun but safe car that I can rip around town in."
Damien
It's not just how you drive it, it's how you park it.
How big is your family, Addin?
Addin:
We have five kids. In fact, my first time on a track in Australia was back in March, last year. Myself and some members of the club went around the skid pan and it was the first time I really saw the potential of my GR Yaris. You can really drive it with hard turns. I could never do that in my people mover. It would just flip over (laughs).
How about you Damien? Are you a road-trip enthusiast?
Damien:
I'm more of a have-fun-between-point-A-and-B person. The GR Yaris for me, was very much a waiting-for-the-right-car moment. I think it was early 2020 when they finally revealed the pictures of GR Yaris. And I was like yes, this car just looks awesome. Everything about the car since they revealed it has just pulled me in.
Betty, I saw you won the door prize on the day. How’d you manage that?
Damien:
I think she rigged the election (laughs).
Addin:
It was an app that Betty downloaded. We used it to draw a lottery. It was absolutely rigged (laughs).
Betty:
(Shugs and laughs)
“I’d say, dad you taught me to drive, now I’m taking you for a drive in my fun car.”
Addin
Left to right: James, Addin, Damien, Betty, William, Belinda, Paul, Ralph, and Andrew.
Last question, if you could have any passenger in the world who would it be?
Betty:
I had my parents. Never again. I’m a lone traveler (laughs).
Addin:
I’d take my parents in my car because my dad – he lives overseas. I’d say, dad you taught me to drive, now I’m taking you for a drive in my fun car.
Damien:
I’ve been for a drive with Todd Kelly in his Supercar around the Townsville Circuit. It would be nice to return the favour. I don’t how impressed he’d be. Other than that, I do like Addin’s idea of taking his dad for a drive. I’d love to be able to show my dad the full performance of the car. On the other hand my mum has health issues. To this day, mum hasn’t gone for a drive in the car. It would be really nice to be able to get her in the car and go driving.
Thanks so much to Damien, Addis, Betty and all the Townsville GAZOO RACING CLUB members who shared their drive day with us. If you’d like to tell us about your local club, get in touch at [email protected].
