EKKA 2009

[Top Gunner14]

I think alot of people will be suprised with how many rides and what rides have been booted off the ekka this year

[Force10]

The speculation makes for good debate! You can be sure that I'll be down on the grounds as soon as I see the first sign of rides rolling into town. Cairns show holiday is the 17th. So I reckon we may even see some action soon after that. There is no other major Queensland shows between now and then is there? I just found out that the amusement area that is used as a car park for RBH will be closed from 18th July till the 25th August. So get set to see the rides roll in!!

[Josh in Rocky]

Charge those camera batteries Force!!

[Top Gunner14]

I think after Cairn's some showmen like Goldenway go up and do Mossman show which is north of Cairns. But other than that yeh they'll probably start making their way south.

So is this the car park that is always used as the sideshow alley Force10?

[Force10]

Yeah it sure is the same carpark that's always used for the amusement area. I guess a car park is about the most functional purpose for a large flat bitumen area close to the city. If only we could have rides there all year!

[HUSSRAINBOW]

I wonder if XXXL will arrive down at the Melbourne docks in the next two weeks. Hopefully it will pass checks easily and then make its way up for EKKA, i'm sure they would have loved to have it a bit earlier to give it a bit of a run in before the major royal.

[Josh in Rocky]

Do all larger size shipments go through melbourne? Stuff I've got from overseas before has gone to Brisbane port thats all...
Would make for a smaller drive to ekka?

[Top Gunner14]

Could pull into Newcastle maybe too?

[Force10]

Had reports the ferris wheel is up at ekka

[Top Gunner14]

Joyland's Pirate's Revenge will be leaving sometime late next week from here in Sydney. So they could arrive that weekend or that next week

[Force10]

was down at ekka grounds after work... Looks like claw will be at this years ekka after not making it on at RES. One of the seats (yellow set) was with the skymaster. Was a little strange to be there without anything else. Must have come up on the same tralier as the wheel parts.

[HUSSRAINBOW]

I think it may be time to sell Claw and/or Chaos, and time for Durkin's to buy a new spectacular or classic!

[Force10]

no no, its not time for Claw to go.. all it needs is an overhaul! New lights, paint job and checker plate. It's still a very good ride, espcially when the operator has something to prove! - Now Starship 2000 now thats something to get rid of. if you think about it, there is no other rides the same as claw or chaos here... so as long as they are unique, they should keep them. (I personally don't rate Chaos, but its unique in its own right)

[Top Gunner14]

Yeh Chaos is still for sale and I think Claw may be aswell. I haven't ridden Claw myself but yeh they are pretty good rides but it definately does need an overhal. Durkin's haven't changed anything on that ride since its been here which was 2001.

And now that you mention Durkin's getting a new ride, they actually have got one but its no thrill/spectacular.

[princess]

they actually have got one but its no thrill/spectacular.

Its a Ferris Wheel, like we need another one, but they make money.

[Force10]

Showies are starting to roll into the caravan park close by!! - Food Van was sitting out the front of it... looks like a few of them have moved in already. But still alot of space for many many more! Haven't been to the grounds again - I might wait till mid week.

[HUSSRAINBOW]

Claw had its backdrop re-done a few years ago, thats a bout it

[Top Gunner14]

What a new style or just a touch up on the same paintwork?

[HUSSRAINBOW]

new style. I have photo's somewhere, it looked better before being re-done

[redhot]

Someone got a photo of the "claw"?
I haven't seen this one..

[Top Gunner14]

http://www.durkin.com.au/largerides.htm#claw

[Josh in Rocky]

Havent seen any pics of the new Chants' Rock n Roll... Came accross this one on usedrides.com, could this be it???

[Force10]

no wonder TPA has lost it's spot for raupen bahn ... Glad both won't be crowding precious space.. All the amuesment areas have been marked out on the car park... Interesting to see that the two spots that are usually reserved for sling shot an insanity is now one big area! From the toilets to where breakdance and powersurge sit. My guess is xxxl will take that area- good spectacle for drivers passing! (though it may only ever be marked out as one area as they are both durkins) Tried to work out where a few more things will sit, but gave up! Claw will be next to wheel, with hardrock between it and techojump. But I guess we shall all know soon enough!

[Zamperla]

Josh, that's the one. It is no exaggeration to say it's the best looking 'matterhorn' type ride in the world. This one is a stunner.

[Top Gunner14]

Yeh that's the ride but not the "exact" model, Chant's is new I'm pretty sure. But yeh very classey and it'll be rockin' and a rollin' all ekka lol.

And I can tell you Pirate's Revenge will be taking the Tiapan's spot. So there's another clue there.........