Immersing yourself in the automotive culture nets various meaningful outputs that one may not necessarily realise at first glance. Although these outputs vary per individual, a common trait that most can relate to is the people they meet along the way. It’s these people, which in time, become friends, that can be one of the most rewarding experiences of being involved in the car scene. Ask any genuine enthusiast who their closest mates are and I can predict that their reply will include a few fellow car-scene colleagues.

It’s the company of friends and the warm community that has kept ClubITR going strong, with a ten year birthday celebrated in 2016. Granted that ClubITR was initially created as an online space for Integra Type R owners (hence the ITR acronym in the title), some members would later graduate to other vehicles and makes but one peculiar occurred. And that is, they remained as part of the ClubITR household.

As a fellow ITR owner, I’ve been fortunate to be apart of this community and have been blessed to have met and remained in touch with many faces across Australia. It was during my visit to the 2016 World Time Attack Challenge (ClubITR was involved in the Show & Shine component) that I was encouraged by the Sydney folks to attend the annual end-of-year BBQ. Arriving home to Adelaide after WTAC , a few weeks would swiftly past before I found myself back in Sydney for the 2016 rendition of the ClubITR Annual BBQ, held at Lane Cove National Park. Events like this involve a lot of work behind the scenes, so a big round of applause to everyone who assisted in packaging this together.

The humble Integra Type R. Despite being locally released over 16 years ago, the now classic DC2 Type R still has a cult following in Australia and across the globe. DC2s definitely outnumbered their younger DC5 siblings on the day, with numerous stock and modified examples sunbathing in the warm 35 degree weather.

The bossman himself, felixR aka Felix Alim. ClubITR has been under his ownership for the past 6 or so years. Felix and his team have done a brilliant job in keeping the community strong but one mystery remains. When will we witness his recognisable "THX-90D" plates on an NSX?

The Integra Type R’s cousin and nephew in the form of the Civic Type R and S2000 were well represented.

One of the highlights of the day was the NSX triplets below. It was exciting to finally peek at Roland’s wide and bagged NA2 as well as Cameron’s immaculately restored NA1 in the flesh. Does the latter’s number plate look familiar to anyone?

ClubITR’s diversified community, testified.

The raffle is always a crowd favourite each year, with over $2,500 worth of prizes kindly sponsored for 2016. I scored zip but my buddy Eddie gave me a b-series rocker cover key chain (which he won) as a souvenir from the event/Sydney. What a gun. Thanks again Eddie!

And just like that, the day was coming to a close. Felix saluted everyone as they left, while I used the opportunity to snap some rolling exit shots.

I’m glad the Sydney folks convinced me to come up for this event. Special thanks to my good buddy Kenny T and his squad for giving me a taste of the Sydney car-scene culture during my stay. To echo again, one of the greatest experiences of being involved in the car scene is the people you meet along the way.