Our Club website needs your help!
There is little to no input from our members to make the site interesting.
Surely one or some of you have something to share.
If you need help with posting an item, contact me and I will happily assist.
Otherwise, this site will die a natural death . . .
Roger Lange
TSOA SA Website Manager
Mar 18th Tuesday – Meeting at the Sporting Car Clubrooms 51 King William Rd. Unley
April 6th Sunday – Run to Stockwell at the Stockwell Hotel 23 Duck Ponds Rd, Stockwell Meet at Crafers Hotel Car Park at 9.30 am for 10am departure
April 10th Thursday – Mid-week run to the Greenman Inn, 1351 Bull Creek Rd, Ashbourne – meet for lunch at 12.30
April 15th Tuesday – Meeting at the Sporting Car Clubrooms 51 King William Rd. Unley
May 4th Sunday – MSCA 6-Hour Regularity Relay at Mallala . . . Team helpers needed – contact Neil Martin, Duane Kaak or Roger Lange
May – “ Mystery Surprise “ Weekender
May 20th Tuesday – Meeting at the Sporting Car Clubrooms 51 King William Rd. Unley
June 15th Sunday – Run to Middleton TBA See Roger
June 17th Tuesday – Meeting at the Sporting Car Clubrooms 51 King William Rd. Unley
June 22nd Sunday – MSCA Super Sprint at Mallala
Check out Richard Sutherland’s post on his new project – see below or click on Member’s Cars tab
Welcome, all members to another year of TSOA. Although 2025 has well and truly started, this is our first Fastrack since November. We have already had several club events, including the After Christmas Run on 30th December and Ice Cream Run on 19th January. I was unable to attend either of these events, however I understand from our social secretary, Natalie Farrell that both events were well attended, with around 30 or so members and partners attending each event. The After Christmas run finished at the Blacksmith’s Inn at One Tree Hill, and the ice cream run finished at Fasta Pasta, Port Adelaide. The night of the ice cream run in particular, was quite hot, however I have not heard of any major car problems from any participants caused by the hot weather.
Thanks to Secretary Duane Kaak for chairing the January informal meeting, again in my absence. Due to a communication fail with Sporting Car Club, their management was not expecting us, and our normal barman, Jordan wasn’t there. Duane managed to get into our room, however wasn’t able to open the side gates to allow a car on stage. Ron Corso was going to show his Morgan however it had to remain outside. There was only a select (i.e. small) number of members present, so hopefully Ron can bring it along again when we can have it on stage and shown to a large group.
We are very grateful to Dino and Lisa Vettese for having members to their house on Australia Day, 26th January for a lunch put on by Dino and Lisa. There we around 25 members and partners in attendance and we had a great BBQ meal. Thanks to Dino, Lisa and son Andrew as head chef. It was Dino’s birthday and we were also able to celebrate this in fine form.
We look forward to the club’s continuing success in 2025, with numerous social events planned up until our AGM in August. Stay tuned for information about a celebration of our 60th birthday.
Alex Smithson
President
Feb 18th (Tuesday Evening) General Meeting at the Sporting Car Club 8.00 pm
Feb 23rd (Sunday) MSCA Picnic / Presentation Day – Virgara Winery, 143 Heaslip Road, Angle Vale . . . from 11.00 am
Mar 2nd (Sunday) – All British Day
Mar 16th (Sunday) MSCA Super Sprint
April 6th (Sunday) TBA Monthly Run instead of the 20th because that is Easter Sunday
We are back to our regular club program in 2025, with a well-attended February club meeting. There were three cars on stage, and thanks to members Charlie Onody, John Golding and Ron Corso, for bringing along a Mark 3 Spitfire, Herald coupe and TR3B respectively. Each of these cars are somewhat of a rarity in our club and it was great to hear their respective histories and be able to look at such well-presented cars close up.
As advised at the meeting, the new life membership criteria policy document has been reviewed by existing life members and will now be circulated to all club members for any further input. My thanks to Vice President Richard Sellars who has done a great job in instigating this initiative and preparing the document.
The committee has decided that the comparatively low numbers at the informal January meeting does not justify the expense of hiring the room at Sporting Car Club, and that we will look at having an off-site location for future January informal club meetings.
At the time of writing this report, the All British Day is scheduled for next Sunday, 2nd March. I know that our ABD committee rep, Stephen Wade has done a lot of work in the layout of the ovals, and the Triumph marque clubs (TSOA, TR Register and Stag Club) display area in particular. I am sure this day will be a great success, and I thank Stephen for all his work with ABD on our behalf.
The committee has agreed in principle to having a celebration lunch to commemorate the 60th birthday of TSOA SA on Sunday 20th July, and we will shortly form an organising committee. More details are to follow, but I would like to see this as a major celebration, and hope that many of our club members who we don’t see regularly these days will attend.
The date of the Christmas dinner has now been set for Saturday 22nd November, and we plan to again hold this function at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club. More details to come closer to the event.
Unfortunately, registrations have filled for the 2025 TSOA Nationals in Port Stephens NSW in October, and there is now a waiting list. Previous Nationals attendees were given the first opportunity to register, and all spots were taken by these previous attendees within a few days of release. If you are interested in being placed on the waiting list, or would like to know more about this event, please call me on 0412 823 798, or log onto the TSOA NSW website.
Social Secretary Natalie Farrell continues to organise great social functions, ably assisted by Lawrie and Kay Placing who are organising mid-week runs. The MSCA picnic on 23rd February and All British Day at the start of March has curtailed other club activities for this period, but we will be getting back into the swing of things on the 6th April. See Fastrak or the website for more details.
We have two of our life members, Bill Berlemon and Rory Gibson on the sick list at present, and both were not able to attend the February meeting. Both Bill and Rory have been stalwarts of our club over many years, and I know all TSOA members will join me in wishing them both speedy recoveries. We hope to see Bill and Margie, and Rory and Sue back at club meetings in the near future.
Alex Smithson
President
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and ready to start the new year with enthusiasm for the social side of our
club. We have some exciting runs for you to participate in this year and enjoy yourselves with other members as well
as blowing the cobwebs out of your cars by taking them for a run.
By the time you read this in the magazine we have already had our annual Ice cream run. This year because Noonies
was sold, we went to Fasta Pasta. An enjoyable run with 30 people attending, going through Outer Harbour to Port
Adelaide. As well as an ice cream you could have a meal which I did, and It was very tasty. Australia Day will be
celebrated at Dino and Lisa Vettese’s place at Northgate with so far 24 members wishing to attend.
Wednesday February 5th will be our first “Mid-Week” Run for 2025. This will be at the Aldgate Pump Hotel at 1
Strathalbyn Rd., Aldgate. At 12.30 pm. See you there, ring or text Lawrie or Kaye Placing if you wish to attend.
Sunday February 23rd will be a MSCA Picnic/Presentation Day at the Virgara Winery 143 Heaslip Road, Angle Vale
from 11 am.
As Easter is on the 3rd Sunday of April we have organised a run on the Sunday 6th April instead. I will let you know
more details TBA.
It is shaping up to be a very impressive social calendar so far, and we have the 60th Anniversary this year as well.
More on that later.
Hope you can participate with the social side of the club as it is your club, and we would love to see you there.
Natalie Farrell
Social Secretary
0455 250 990
When Richard Sellers purchased the blue TR8 from me Carolyn’s first words to me “we now only have one car”. So what was I to do! Look for an affordable Triumph to fill the empty spot in the garage of course! The quest began, unfortunately it was the beginning of the Covid pandemic and affordable Triumphs had disappeared . . . those that were available were well out of my price range.
In desperation I bought an MG Midget, a Spriget, I could join the Sprite club and catch up with Gordon, one of the three Amigos of Croydon TAFE.
Well the Midget wasn’t a Triumph and in time Carolyn said I should buy a Triumph, I’m in the Triumph Sports Owner’s Club and I should have a Triumph. I had a mission to buy a Triumph, a TR7 V8, (and a budget).
Neil a TSOA club member and a good man had a TR7 V8 for sale. A car Neil had purchased for the 4.6 V8 that he had now fitted to his TR7V8. I asked if I could have a look at the car then, with a view to purchase.
FIRST VIEWING 20th April – Hayden and I drove out to Neil’s place for a look at the car. There it was looking splendid, although there was no engine and gearbox or bonnet but no it looked pretty good. A TR7 V8 coupe yes.
Hayden assisting with the inspection.
Triumph TR7 V8 registration number RTROO8, odometer reading 37425Km
Neil delivered the TR7 V8 on 2nd May 2024, with spares, the Engine and Gearbox were to come later. I wanted to repaint the Engine Bay before installing the engine so arranged for the car without the engine fitted. OK now for the project to begin.
Plan for Monday 6May 2024
Prepare Engine bay for painting.
Pull wiring loom into cabin
Sanding Engine bay 120g disc, wire wheel, hand rub 180-240 dry rub
Mask up where necessary.
Wheels off, for a close look at the underside.
Lets get on with it. Is there a plan? The engine bay is the priority, repaint anything that is not red.
Pull the Dash out to remover the Heater and pull the engine bay wiring back into the cabin.
Remove wiper motor, Coil, Coolant overflow tank, Air horns, Brakes master, pipes and proportioning valve, bonnet and lock.
Tuesday 7 MAY 2024
Primer etch and high build. Seem seal, panel joins and over laps the primer.
Starting to strip out the interior, for access.
Stripping back the carpet.
Not surprised that the strip down was straight forward – parts labelled and grouped to assist with assembly in a few weeks or months, the project will have some interruptions and has no set date for completion.
Right hand side
Left hand side
Ready for masking.
Masked ready to paint, base coat, RED Wednesday 8 may 2024
Mask and spray Base colour coat followed by 2 coats or Clear (from spray can 2Pack)
Painted then masking removed.
Removing the windscreen base trim, revealed surface rust with some pitting of the lower windscreen surround panel. For safety and further investigation, the windscreen needs to be removed
Interior stripped out; Brake pedal box removed.
After windscreen removed, Lower windscreen surround panel, wire brushed to remove paint and rust. No serious damage, apply rust converter, etch primer, primer and topcoat.
Decision to paint Black the rust effected surrounding areas.
Look out for the second installment coming soon!
Richard Sutherland
The After Christmas / Before New Year “Apres” Run on Monday 30th January was enjoyed by a diverse group of TSOA members who travelled an interesting route through the beautiful Adelaide Hills and surrounds ending up at the One Tree Hill Hotel for lunch.
It was nice to see Noel Schmidt out and about after enduring some serious health issues over recent times, and also a few members that we don’t see too often.
Our group of Triumphs was equally diverse with almost all body shapes represented – TR3A, TR4, TR6, TR7, Stag, Saloon, Herald, Spitfire . . .
The Hotel is a gem – beautifully presented with an Irish theme and excellent meals. All enjoyed our time there. Give it a visit if you are out and about.
Thanks to Bill and Margie for organising the run and lunch at the hotel – another quality TSOA event!
Christmas is fast approaching, and I hope all TSOASA members are looking forward to the festive season. I was unable to attend the November meeting due to being on a bushwalking trip in the Grampians, and I thank Vice President Richard Sellars, and Secretary Duane Kaak for once again holding the fort in my absence (two meetings in a row – acknowledged poor form on my behalf).
We have had two successful social functions since the last issue of Fastrak, being the “All Triumph Rally” Observation Run, and the Christmas Dinner. Both these events were well attended, and I am sure, were enjoyed by all members and guests who participated.
The observation run was through some less travelled roads via Humbug Scrub and Williamstown to Lyndoch where the first 10 questions were set. We then drove through the western part of the Barossa Valley to Greenock, for the balance of questions, and a barbeque lunch at Greenock Centenary Park. There were familiar names on the winners list, being Dean Berlemon and Lisa Macleod, who seem to win it every second year, and then run it in the off years. Well done once again Dean and Lisa.
At our club meeting on Tuesday 19th, we welcomed new members Charles and Carol Onody to their first meeting. They have purchased a Spitfire Mk 3, and we look forward to seeing it on stage at a future meeting. The new Life Membership criteria, the draft of which has been fine-tuned by VP Richard, is now to be given to existing life members for comment. We have had some significant motor sport activity as advised by Duane, and Roger Lange gave a quick summary of the 2024 WA Nationals. I have provided a report which is contained in this edition of Fastrak. There we no cars on stage, however Bill Galler presented a photo slide show of the restoration of his Spitfire.
Our Christmas dinner held on Saturday 23rd November at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club. This is a terrific venue with great views, a spacious and very well-appointed dining room, excellent staff, and a first class, 3 course meal. We are very lucky as a club to be able have this facility each year. Social Secretary Natalie Farrell, and our regular Christmas Dinner organiser, Sue Gibson did a great job making sure everything went smoothly before, and then on the night, and I thank them for all their efforts to make it such a successful evening. We presented club awards, including the President’s Award to Natalie Farrell, Vice President’s Award to Dean Berlemon, and Clubman Trophy jointly to Bill and Margie Berlemon. All the winners at the Day of Triumph, Competition and All Triumph Rally trophies were also presented.
We have three further social event in December and January, being the After Christmas Run on 30th December and Ice Cream Run on 19th January, details of which are included in Fastrak. All club members have also been invited to Dino and Lisa Vettese’s house on Australia Day, 26th January for a lunch to be put on by Dino and Lisa. Address is 20 Vickers Vimy Parade, Northgate. More details will be circulated in mid-January, but I am assured that this will be an event not to miss.
As I will not see most club members until the New Year, I wish everyone an early happy Christmas and look forward to the club’s continuing success in 2025.
Alex Smithson
President
Here we are again another year nearly gone. We had a wonderful time at the End of Year Dinner and the Trophy
Presentations went well. The food was good the venue excellent again. I would like to thank everyone concerned for
helping and making 2024 an enjoyable time for all of us. I call this club “My Happy Club” because it is. Everyone
helps everyone else.
Now the next thing is Christmas! I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy new
year. Enjoy the break with family and friends and we will see you in 2025.
The “After Christmas Run” will be held on the Monday the 30th December. Meet at Modbury Civic Park, at 10.30 am
for a run to the One Tree Hill Hotel.
We have the Ice-cream Run again this year but not ending at Noonies but Fasta Pasta at Port Adelaide where you
can have ice-creams as well as tea and coffee or you can have a meal if you like.
26th of January 2025, Dino and Lisa Vettese are hosting a BBQ lunch at their place 20 Vickers Vimy Parade,
Northgate. They are kindly putting on this BBQ, no need to bring anything just yourselves and have a great time. You
can bring your bathers if you so desire. There is plenty of room and shelter. Please RSVP with a text to Dino on 0412
444 052.
Hope to see you all at our Triumph events. Keep these dates in your Calendar.
Natalie Farrell
Social Secretary
0455 250 990