Mick Morris wins new Audi A3 in RPAYC Audi Bill Buckle Twilight Series

by Damian Devine on 20 Mar 2009
RPAYC member Mick Morris, owner of 'Cariad' had luck on his side when he was drawn out of the barrel as the winner of a brand new Audi A3, the major prize of the Audi Bill Buckle Summer Twilight series, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.

Sailed on Thursday evenings on magnificent Pittwater, the twilight competition was held over 16 weeks with the concept favouring participation instead of a pointscore for the series. Through participating in the popular weekly event, owner members received a ticket for each race they entered to add to the major prize barrel. The tickets accumulated over the promotion period and the first ticket drawn won the brand new Audi A3, 2nd prize a trip for two to Hamilton Island and 3rd prize a 42' LG LCD television.

Following the Twilight race which saw 65 yachts racing around the cans on beautiful Pittwater in a 10 knot Nor Easter there was plenty of excitement and anticipation in the air back at the Alfreds prize giving on Thursday night amongst a 'standing room only' crowd of more than 500 when the Audi A3 was drawn by General Manager Bill Buckle.

'Weight’s right', announced Bill before stating the winner of the Audi A3, 'the boat’s name is Cariad and the winner’s name is Mick Morris', before the Alfreds audience of members and their guests exploded into applause.
The support from Audi Australia and local dealership Bill Buckle meant the Twilight series continued to grow in popularity with 20% increases in participation on and off the water each week.

RPAYC Commodore Russell Murphy said that, 'Audi is a fabulous brand and the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club remains happy to be aligned with it. Our members have responded extraordinarily well to the spirit of the competition, which has involved an Audi, and we hope to be able to carry it on in the future. We also hope for Audi there are some tangible rewards from the partnership.'

General Manager Bill Buckle commented that 'the involvement and the partnership has given us the opportunity to re-connect with the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club as we’ve had a good association for a long time, it’s been a really worthwhile involvement for us. We’ve had great exposure at the Club to show the product and when we sum it up , it’s been an event that has been useful for us.'

John Brockhouse, Regional Sales Manager, representing Audi Australia and one of the VIPs for the night offered, 'Audi are very proud and pleased with the sponsorship to work in conjunction with the Bill Buckle dealership with an event like this. The Club is a magnificent club and I think that’s testament by the support you have given by your members, so congratulations to everyone involved.'

The major prizes were drawn as follows:
1st prize – Audi A3 , Mick Morris, Cariad
2nd prize – Hamilton Island Holiday, John Bacon, Hussy
3rd prize – 42' LCD LG TV Martin & Anna Cross, If

The winner, Mick Morris and owner of a spectacular wooden couta boat named 'Cariad' said, 'Thanks Division 3 sailors, couta boats forever! This is absolutely fantastic and it’s gone to a really good cause. The way my super’s gone in the last 18 months, the couta boat has taken a back seat so now I can sell the other car and use it as a buffer for maintenance so it can go on for another generation. Thanks to Audi Bill Buckle and the Club, this really is lovely and it’s great to see the spirit that’s happening around the club with this event and hope we can do it again next year.'

The camaraderie and social aspect of the Twilight series was exemplified by 2nd prize winner, John Bacon, owner of Hussy, a Sydney 39, who the previous week had t-shirts made for the crew with the slogan 'Hands off my Audi'. As he moved to the podium to collect his 5 night Hamilton Island holiday he stripped his t-shirt off and exchanged shirts with Audi winner Mick Morris in what was a 'magic moment' in the true spirit of the series.

John commented, 'I’ve been sailing on Pittwater for almost two decades and this was the best. I’d really like to thank the club for taking the initiative to make this event what it is, without a pointscore. I have to admit that at the beginning I didn’t believe in it but it took just two races to have us realise that we were having the time of our lives. So thanks to the sponsors of this prize, Oatley Wines and Hamilton Island, the winner Mick, my awesome crew, the Alfreds Club and to all of you for being fantastic competitors. It’s just been a fabulous season.'

On top of the major prize draw, the handicap winners of the weekly races were awarded prizes supplied by Robert Oatley vineyards, as well weekly participation prizes for both crews and skippers sponsored by Dufour Yachts. It’s all added to the comradeship of the members of the RPAYC.

The RPAYC thanks all the sponsors of the series including Audi Australia, Bill Buckle Motors, Wild Oats Wines, Hamilton Island, Dufour Yachts and AISA and all competitors in the 2008-09 Twilight Series.

For more details go to www.rpayc.com.au