Past

March 18 – 20 Phillip Island Classic

This historic meeting was once again one not to miss. A number of Triumphs competed in Group S and in Regularity and I managed to catch up with some of the drivers and also some spectators from SA. A TR5 ventured all the way from the UK to compete. Apart from a siezed metering unit, which was promptly replaced from spares of other competitors, the car ran well. There was also a huge turn out of Can Am type sports and racing cars. Unfortunately, the Elfin ME5 (which I was pit crew for) came to grief on oil in the 20 lap main race on Sunday. Nothing that can’t be fixed with time and money.

March 21 – 25 Lake Gairdner Speed Week

This event was cancelled at the last moment due to wet weather. The lake had managed to avoid all the earlier rain and flooding, but finally succumbed. A new timing system was to be tried – there’s always next year.

March 27 MSCA Supersprint Rd1 at Mallala

Roger Lange (Dolomite), Neil Martin (TR7 V8) and Bryan Young (Vitesse) took to the track for the first sprint of 2011. Roger had brake wobble issues and a faulty oil pressure guage that caused some initial concern though the car was fine for the drive home. I believe this was Bryan’s first time out with a new motor, and apart from a little fan belt spitting, initial reports are it ran well. Neil ran reliably as usual. Further details will be furnished as they come to hand.

Upcoming
April 23 – 24 Easter Historic Race Meeting Mallala

The Sporting Car Club of SA is inviting clubs and individuals to display their classic vehicles on the Saturday of this event (23 April). $15/car load and an extra $5 if you wish to drive around the circuit during the lunch break. There is also a prize for best club display. If you intend to go, hopefully you have already entered – closing date 8 April. Let me know if you have entered and wish to part of a TSOA display and run to the track. If there are enough numbers we will fly the TSOA banner and promote the marque. Triumphs from Victoria and NSW are entered in the races. Roger also may enter the Dolomite in Regularity.

May 1 MSCA 6HR – Mallala

We currently have 8 competitors, 3 from Victoria and 5 locals. So, there will be at least 1 TSOA team this year, perhaps 2. If you are interested in being a part of the team, either as a competitor or assisting with the organisation please let me know asap. Thank you to those that have already registered their interest in competing or assisting. I will be contacting competitors in the first week of April to progress entries.

June 4 – 5 Rd 2 State Racing Championship Mallala

I hope to have the GT6 entered in this event to give it an airing before the All Triumph Race weekend.

June 26 All Triumph Race Wakefield Park

This year it looks like there will be 5 competitors venturing over to Goulburn in NSW for the annual All Triumph Races on Sunday 26th June and Sprints on Saturday 25th. We will be leaving Thursday 23rd and returning Tuesday 28th. Contact me if you want to know more about this event or wish to tag along.

July 3 MSCA Supersprint Rd2 at Mallala

Our Club has been rostered to assist with flag duties at this round. Please let me know if you will be able to assist. This is a great opportunity to get up close to the racing. Lunch and refreshments are supplied. We need a minimum of 4 and preferably 6 volunteers to be paired into groups of 2.

Other

If you have racing apparel it would be prudent to check the new standards to make sure your clothing complies. I haven’t fully absorbed the changes yet, but you can try to make sense of it by reading Schedule D of the online CAMS manual.

See http://www.cams.com.au/

Cheers,
Trevor Lindsay

MSCA 6 Hr Regularity Relay Event 1 May 2011 (Newsletter No.1)

Advance Notice

Call For Drivers And Volunteers

Mallala Motorsport Park South Australia

To date, Victoria has committed 3 drivers and cars to a TSOA entry and there are 3 likely SA entries. Due to a late change in date of the event, 2 entries from WA had to withdraw.

Starters so far are:-

Andy Ansell – Vic, TR7V8

Roger Mannett – Vic, Spitfire

Ian Cowie – Vic, GT6

Neil Martin – SA, TR7V8

Rod Carey – SA, GT6

Roger Lange – SA, Dolomite Sprint

A letter of invite is shortly to be forwarded to all interstate TSOA clubs to ensure all who wish to attend have the opportunity to do so.

We are hoping to field 2 teams of 4 – 6 cars and this will require some support and assistance. Full training will be provided and no task is difficult. If you wish to be a part of this well oiled machine (driver or support) please contact me.

See http://www.mscasa.com/index.html

Cheers,

Trevor Lindsay

Competition Secretary

TSOA SA

lindsay@airnet.com.au

H 08 83896651

W 08 83432306

M 0407976358

UPDATE – MSCA 6HR NOW MAY 1

Some motoring enthusiast dates for 2011

February 13 All British Day Uraidla

February 19 SA State Race championship Round 1 (twilight meeting) Mallala

February 20 MSCA Picnic at Tanunda. Another opportunity to promote our marque in pleasant surroundings at Peter Lehmann’s Winery off Para Road at Tanunda. For those wanting company for the drive there, meet in the Tea Tree Gully car park corner of Smart and Reservoir Roads at 9:45 am for a 10:00am departure. For those wishing to join along the route, we will be travelling through Kersbrook, Williamstown and Lyndoch with an estimated time of arrival at Tanunda around 11:00am. BYO everything, or pick something up there or on the way.

February 25–26 Ballarat Swap Meeting

March 6 Campbelltown Swap Meeting

March 17-20 Clipsal 500 Adelaide

March 18–20 Phillip Island Classic. Once again, a great line-up of classics. See http://www.vhrr.com/forum/showthread.php?s=88224f5cdb5be8908070c3243c972455&t=768

March 21–25 Lake Gairdner Speed Week See http://www.dlra.org.au/

March 24-27 Australian Formula 1 GP Melbourne

March 27 MSCA Sprint Rd1 Mallala

April 16 Come & Try Hillclimb Round 1 Collingrove

April 17 Hillclimb Rd1 Collingrove

April 23-24 National Historic Easter Race Meeting Mallala

May 1 MSCA 6HR Mallala (Note – changed from previously scheduled 15th May)

May 15 Kernewek Lowender Cavalcade of Cars Wallaroo/Moonta/Kadina

May 22 Kapunda Swap Meeting

May 22 Hillclimb Round 2 Collingrove

May 27-29 Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally

June 4-5 SA State Racing Championship Round 2 Mallala

June 12 Tailem Bend Sprint Round 1

June 19 MSCA Driver Training or Come & Try Mallala

June 26 Winter Cup Hillclimb Round1 Collingrove

July 3 MSCA Sprint Round 2 Mallala

July 16 Come & Try Hillclimb Round 2 Collingrove

July 17 Winter Cup Hillclimb Round 2 Collingrove

August 7 Winter Cup Hillclimb Round 3 Collingrove

August 14 MSCA Sprint Round 3 Mallala

August 20-21 SA State Racing Championship Round 3

August 21 Willunga Swap Meeting

August 28 Tailem Bend Sprint Round 2

September 10-11 SA Hillclimb Championship Mallala

September 18 MSCA Sprint Round 4

September 18 Gawler Swap Meeting

October 1-2 Vintage Hillclimb Collingrove

October 16 Strathalbyn Swap Meeting

October 16 Hillclimb Round 3 Collingrove

October 23 MSCA Sprint Rd5 or Driver Training

October 30 Tailem Bend Sprint Round 3

November 4-6 Legends of the Lake Hillclimb Mt Gambier

November 12–13 Bendigo Swap Meeting

November 19-20 SA State Racing Championship Round 4

Note: MSCA membership fees for 2011 are now due.

Cheers,
Trevor Lindsay

Another year has flown by and Christmas is once again looming.

From a club competition point of view, I congratulate the worthy winners of the Drivers and Competition Trophies. You will find out who they are at the Christmas dinner, if you haven’t already worked it out.

Personally, I have accomplished a lot this year. Life does get busier the older you get. So busy in fact, I have not had either of my race cars out this year. I have however been to the Phillip Island Historics, Lake Gairdner Speed Trials, the Bruce McLaren Revival in New Zealand and the Goodwood Revival and Mallory Park All Triumph Race while in Europe. By the time this is in your hands, I will also have returned from the Tasman Revival at Eastern Creek. I also attended the Ballarat and Bendigo Swap meets. I have thoroughly enjoyed these ventures sampling just a smidgen of the huge variety of motoring/car enthusiast venues out there.

To 2011. Peter Lehmann picnic day is scheduled for 20th February. Lets see if we can win best club display again. See details elsewhere.

We have interest from interstate for the 6hr relay race at Mallala. There will be lobbying for more interstaters to take part in this event likely to occur on 20th May. It is just possible we may be sporting two Triumph teams. Lots of work to be done between now and then though.

We may have a new sprinter about to come out of the woodwork. Work is progressing on the TR3A salt lake racer. Rod Carey is in the search for more speed from his GT6. Roger Lange is debating which way to turn in putting together another race motor for his GT6. Neil Martin will continue to show his regularity and sprinting enthusiasm in the TR7V8 and Tom Hutchinson in his TR8 will once again fly the flag for Triumph in the racing scene. We mustn’t forget Andy Ansell who crosses borders to get to SA’s 6hr.

As for me, well I am debating the merits of cheap cubes versus an expensive Triumph motor. If my garage and house extensions go to schedule I will be back out there next year.

2011 is also likely to see Roger and myself (maybe Rod also) take part in the MG & Invited British Series.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family. May 2011 be Triumphant for all.

Trevor Lindsay

PAST

Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship 25 – 26 September. Tom Hutchinson (TR8) participated in Round 4 of this championship at Phillip Island. Tom qualified 1st and scored two 2nd placings and a 1st  in the MG and Invited Sports Car class and qualified 9th and scored two 7th placings and an 8th in the Sports Car group. See http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?26/09/2010.PHIL

FUTURE

Australian Hillclimb Championships  16 – 17 October Collingrove

Legends of the Lakes Hillclimb 6-7 November Mt Gambier

MSCA Sprint Rd4 Mallala 24 October

SA Circuit Racing Championship Rd 4 30 – 31 October

Phillip Island Classic 18 – 20 March 2011 More than likely, I will be attending this meeting. Want to know more – give me a call.

Lake Gairdner Speed Week 21 – 25 March 2011.  I intend to venture to this venue again next year. If you are going or want to know more, please contact me. See http://www.dlra.org.au/

MSCA Dates for 2011 (Ist draft only) – very tentative

Rd1 – 27 March 2011

6HR – 15 May 2011

Driver Training or Come & Try – 19 June 2011

Rd2 – 3 July 2011

Rd3 – 14 August 2011

Rd4 – 18 September 2011

Rd5 or Driver Training – 23 October 2011

OTHER

As some may well know, my wife and I were overseas for 8 weeks getting away from the worst of Adelaide’s winter. Besides Paris, Vienna and London we called into a number of motor racing tracks. Mallory Park is located near Leicester, north of London and east of Birmingham. All Triumph races had been organised for Sunday 30th August and I was particularly keen to assess our overseas enthusiasts vehicles and performance. The day commenced with a barrel role and flip of a Ferrari 246 GT, which we were well placed to observe and was totally written off. The car clipped an official as it flipped over the safety barrier, but luckily the driver and official were both sitting up in bed in hospital later that day. There were 20 odd Triumphs in their own race. They included Heralds, Spitfires, GT6’s and TR3 – 6’s. I spoke to many of the drivers and they were all happy to discuss their cars and the competition scene in the UK. I was particularly impressed with an incredibly fast TR5.

We also attended the Goodwood Revival on the weekend of 18 & 19 September. This is an annual world renown purely historic meeting and the majority of people dress in 30’s – 50’s clothing and uniforms. The highlights for me were the grid girls, very fast Austin A30’s  and the classic car park. This car park would have had well over a thousand vehicles, and many were Triumphs in all sorts of condition. One example was a very battered and well used TR3A that appeared to have done the 1986 Monte Carlo Rally. There were also many Daimler SP 250’s, another interest of mine. There was one Triumph racing – a Triumph SLR. I had never heard of this model so had to hunt it down and take a few pictures. It unfortunately was not very reliable and didn’t get much track time. SLR stands for Sprinzel LawrenceTune Racing. Four cars were produced in the early 60’s with Triumph motors, three Morgan chassis based and one based on a TR4 chassis. All were apparently aluminium bodied. Looks nothing like a Triumph, but I did recognise a saloon overdrive switch on the gearstick.

While in Scotland, we called into Knockhill Racing Circuit where an open practice session was taking place. This circuit is located north of Edinburgh and I was impressed with the undulating nature of the track and mostly flowing corners. I would have loved to put my GT6 around there.

I spent much of my British childhood in Kent and well remember the sounds of racing at Brands Hatch which was nearby. Obviously, while visiting old haunts, I had to call into the circuit, which I had never before been to. An open practice day was being held and once again, I was impressed with the undulating nature and flowing corners of the track. Ideally suited to GT6’s.

Earlier this year I commenced collecting diecast triumph models. The trip to Europe was an ideal opportunity for hunting these elusive items. I brought 49 back to Australia with me, all different. Not that I expected it, but I found some hard to find ones in Vienna of all places. I figure that they are cheaper than the real thing, and besides, I don’t have room for any more full scale ones. For some reason, my wife was very supportive on these hunts. I would be interested to hear from any other Triumph collectors.

Some pictures from Mallory Park and Goodwood will be on our internet site soon.

Cheers,

Trevor Lindsay

The VRROOOM REPORT (a.k.a. Competition Report)

Rev Trev returns from touring Europe at the end of September, and I am sure that he and Steph will have plenty of news regarding Triumphs and motor sport to share with us all in due course. In the meantime, there has been some activity locally, but not enough to engage our members.

The MSCA sprint on 19th Sept clashed with the NSW Nationals, so Neil Martin and I were otherwise engaged. Trev’s away, Rod Carey needs a new engine . . . . anyone else??

The Nationals on the other hand were a hoot. The programme included two track days, Wakefield Park on the Monday, and Marulen Driver Training Centre on the Wednesday. The events held at Wakefield Park included a Super Sprint in the morning, and a hillclimb in the afternoon.

I had intended to take my GT6 to the Nationals, as it is so much fun to drive at Wakefield Park. Unfortunately, my last outing at Mallala resulted in a drivetrain vibration and problems engaging 2nd and 3rd gears – I suspect the gearbox needs repair again. So Cherri and I drove the TR8 across to NSW. As the TR8 does not have roll over protection, it did not qualify for the competition events, but I took my helmet just in case . . . .

Neil Martin entered all events in his TR7V8 and came home with a number of awards and a huge grin on his face. Needless to say, the competition events were excellent fun. On hearing that my GT6 had been left home, the NSW Nationals competition events organiser Ken Peters insisted that I drive his TR7 – who was I to refuse such a generous offer?

Ken’s TR7 has been modestly improved with some suspension tweaks, better brakes, a torquey cam and track tyres. But it remains an 8 valve TR7 on standard 13” wheels. What a surprising little package this car proved to be. It was such a nicely balanced package that went well, turned in, stopped and was quite forgiving. I had so much fun thanks to Ken’s generosity.

It wasn’t until we got to Gary Wilmington’s Marulen Park facility that the true spirit of TSOA Nationals started to emerge though. This day was to be a fun day, low key, and untimed. The track was reasonably short but testing nevertheless, and as the day wore on, the more fun the participants would have. Drivers swapped cars, took passengers, got other drivers to take the owners around in their own cars, compared notes, tried to learn better lines and techniques etc.

Neil offered me a drive in his TR7V8 which I was happy to accept, The sound of that V8 is just lovely. Ken’s TR7 got a run as well, and Greg Grist from WA threw me the keys to his silver Mk II GT6 to see what I thought of it. Most excellent fun! Even the Stig turned up to entertain us!

Congratulations must go the NSW Nationals committee for running such a great rally and especially Ken Peters and Co for the fun everyone had at the competition events.

Coming up locally, we have :

Australian Hillclimb Championships at Collingrove on Oct. 16-17th
Round 4 and the final MSCA sprint for the year at Mallala on Oct 24th
Round 4 of the SA State Circuit Racing Championships at Mallala on Oct 30-31
Modern Regularity at Mallala on 7th Nov

And a final mention, the Legends of the Lakes hillclimb at Mt Gambier being held over the weekend of Nov 6-7th. The entry list for the main event was filled a long time ago, however, there is an opportunity to enter the Historic (and Invited Cars) being run for the first time on the Friday preceding the main event Nov 5th. If you are interested, the South East Auto Club are currently accepting entries for pre 1975 cars of suitable heritage. If interested, go to the website www.seacsa.com and follow the links.

That’s all for now – I hope to see you soon

Roger

For those who may be interested, this year’s event is being run over the weekend of 6-7th November. The entry list was filled many months ago, but there remains an opportunity to be involved through an additional day being offered this year. This day has been created primarily for owners of Historic race vehicles, but is open to “invited” cars of suitable heritage  and a manufacture date preceding 1975. Fit’s right in for most Triumphs, doesn’t it?

If interested, you had better get moving – contact the South East Auto Club or go to their website www.seacsa.com and follow the links.

Roger

Racing with the MG’s – What fun!

Usually when there is a race meeting locally at Mallala, I am restricted to the Sports Car category if I was interested in entering. This would mean that I was in the same category as the big V8’s like Lyn Punshon’s Cobra, the late and older model Porsche’s, turbo this and that etc. So my little GT6 feels somewhat intimidated.  It was good news then when I heard that a round of the Victorian State Series for MG’s was to come to Mallala over the weekend of 21st and 22nd August for a two day race meeting.

You see nowadays, the MG fraternity have opened up their racing to include “Invited British Marques” that fit with the period and style of their racing. So Triumph, Austin Healey, Jaguar, Lotus etc can all get a race amongst friends and where we feel a sense of belonging.  Tom Hutchinson has been joining the MG’s when he competes in Victoria in their State Series for sports cars for the past year or so. Tom’s TR8 is clearly one of the quickest sports cars around, but he does get some strong competition from time to time against a couple of very fast Victorian V8 MG’s. I have also noticed a couple of other Victorian based Triumph race cars have been entered in the MG category from time to time, so felt it was an opportune time for me to give the GT6 a run and see how it shapes up against the MG competition.

What a pity Trevor Lindsay wasn’t here to join in the fun. And fun we had! Once the local MG racers had combined with the Victorian’s who had travelled across for this event, plus Tom and myself in our Triumphs, and a local Lotus Elise, we had a field of cars totalling around 30. I also joined Tom Hutchinson and Ian Wilson (TVR Tuscan) in the Sports Car category just for the hell of it, even though I knew I would be rear of field.

We were very fortunate with the weather – the days leading up to the race weekend were cold and wet, but Saturday turned out cool but fine and Sunday just beautiful with the sun shining down on Mallala and no wind, no flies and no rain. The Interstate competitors were very impressed. We had qualifying first thing Saturday morning, and things were going well for me until I forgot about cold tyres and cold track and went in too deep under brakes at the entry to the esses and after locking the front left wheel and much tyre smoke, ended up with the front wheels just inside the sand trap. This brought me much embarrassment as the session had to be halted whilst the recovery vehicle was activated to extract my GT6 from the beach. Notwithstanding this hiccough, I was pleased to have achieved P3 on the grid for the first race in MG’s & Invited British, behind Tom Hutchinson in pole and Rob Whitwell’s MGB GTV8 in P2.

As a competitor, the start of any race is exciting. I knew the importance of a good start, but just couldn’t get the GT6 off the line smoothly – lots of wheel spin and not much movement. Subsequently, I got swamped by several cars from behind and found myself in about 7th or 8th by the first corner. Bugger! I rounded up most of those that had passed me within a lap or two and had improved to 4th position with just a white MG midget in the distance. So I set off after him hoping to round him up by the end of the 5 lap race. This proved to be a forlorn hope, as I did it again – went in too deep under brakes into the esses and found the flat spot caused by the earlier mistake in qualifying, and spun  the car. Then the starter wouldn’t engage until the whole field had passed. More embarrassment! Arrggghhh! So I ended up last.

This meant that I was rear of field for Race 2 in the afternoon. I took Tom Hutchinson’s advice and exchanged my front tyres with the rears, hopefully to avoid that flat spot causing further pain. This proved to be good advice as the GT6 felt much better and I regained some confidence under brakes. I must say though that my starts for the whole weekend were poor.  Nevertheless, Race 2 gave me 6 laps to try to improve from my disaster in Race 1. And improve I did. What a hoot! Over 6 laps, I was able to progress from 27th on the grid to finish 10th – this was the most fun I have had on the track for some time – it is always feels much better when you are the one doing the overtaking, rather than being overtaken yourself.

Race 3 on Sunday morning therefore meant that I started from P10 with the potential to progress further up the ranks if I kept my cool. I got a poor start again, but started working through the cars in front until I was in 5th position and chasing down a quick MG ZR but to no avail, as I ran out of laps to rein him in. I was able to dispose of this ZR within the first lap of Race 4 however, and then had 9 more laps to see if I could catch the white MG Midget. But no, this didn’t prove possible as we were doing almost identical times. So 4th place wasn’t so bad and I went home very happy with my experience racing with the MG’s.

Tom Hutchinson remained at the front of the field all weekend, taking a couple of wins and two seconds, but letting the fastest MG win a couple as well. Tom says he doesn’t want to win all their races (which he probably could do!) as the MG boys might not invite him anymore.

The Sports Car races were another story altogether. Ian Wilson had entered his relatively new TVR Tuscan, painted up in Ian’s trademark tinter yellow, but with big black headlight covers that make it look just like a big wasp. And sting it does! This is a very impressive race car that Ian drives very well – on a set of old tyres that Ian wasn’t overly happy with, he scored a couple of second places in the Saturday races behind Keith Wong’s turbo GT3 Porsche racer, but kept Keith behind him on Sunday to score two very impressive wins and a best lap time of 1:11.44 – I can’t wait to see this thing perform when Ian gets it fully sorted!

Tom’s experience in the Sports Car category saw his TR8 place consistently 5th amongst quality opposition, but competing on a set of old tyres, Tom was happy with his results. My thanks to Tom for sharing garage space at Mallala – the GT6 didn’t look totally out of place alongside Tom’s TR8 although my spare wheels and tyres did look a little “toy-ish” against the huge things that Tom runs on his TR8.

My only downside is that I came home with a gearbox that once again will need to be repaired, given the drive train vibration that developed over the weekend, and the synchro’s on 2nd and 3rd gear seemingly not wanting to do their job. Still, it was a wonderful weekend and I came home Sunday evening with a big smile across my face.

It was good to see a few supporters from TSOA out and about at Mallala, including Rod Carey, Richard Sutherland, Arrand Ellery, Tony Case, Dave Wilson amongst others. Also Ian’s partner Jahmeil and 13 month old daughter Iyla came up on the Sunday for a look see. I am not embarrassed to say that Iyla seemed to rate the orange GT6 as her favourite, and looked so cute when she adopted her driving position.

Now, to pull everything apart and get to that gearbox . . . . .  Roger Lange

PAST

All British Race Meeting Wakefield Park 26 – 27 June

There were 23 entries in this years All Triumph Race. Just about every model of Triumph was represented. There were 3 past winners competing with Roy Davis (Qld.) in the ex-Rutledge GT6 (1978, 1981,1982) and Rod Carey (S.A.) in the ex Byrne/Pierce GT6 (1980) together with Mark Morsillo’s 2005 winning tubocharged Dolomite.

The sidescreens were back in numbers and what a magnificent sight they would have made with all 5 apparently looking pristine for cars that are now 50+ years old. Mark Morsillo and Bill Birney (Vic. TR8) were the fastest qualifiers, but after a spin in the preliminary, Bill started the main race (10 laps this year) from position 5. A storming start saw him lead the field into turn one, but Mark took him at the end of the back straight to go on and win the race. Big improver this year was Geoff Byrne who finished 3rd outright in the Group S TR6.

There was action all through the field and everyone came home satisfied and without any major incidents. Many thanks to sponsors, Glen Coutinho of Mobil Lagoon and Noel Anderson from Sportscar Spares. The class winners were as follows:- 1st 8 Cylinder    $250  Bill Birney (Vic.) TR7V8; 2nd 8 cylinder   $175   Glen Coutinho  TR7V8; 3rd 8 cylinder    $125   Geoff St. John-Cox (Vic.)  TR7V8; 1st 6 cylinder     $250   Mark Morsillo, Dolomite turbo; 2nd 6 cylinder    $175   Geoff Byrne TR6; 3rd 6 cylinder     $125   Ian Watt (Vic.) Mk 2 2.5PI; 4th 6 cylinder     $100   Roy Davis (Qld.) GT6; 1st 4 cylinder     $250   Mark Larmour, Dolomite; 2nd 4 cylinder    $175   Jon Newell, TR7; 3rd 4 cylinder    $125   Andrew Gibson, TR3A; 4th 4 cylinder    $100   Rod Chivas, TR7; 5th 4 cylinder    $75    Gordon Bunyan, Dolomite.

2011 will be the 19th running of the race. Rod Carey, Roger Lange and myself plan to be part of it. Rod may have some performance enhancements by then to elevate him from the middle of the pack. Neil’s car was not eligible for outright racing but he joined the Lotus’s (or is it Loti) for their regularity events with some very good placings – 3rd, 1st, 7th & 3rd. Both Rod and Neil also competed on the preceeding day in the Sprint. For full details, see – http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?27/06/2010.WAKE
MSCA Sprint Rd2 Mallala 4 July
My thanks again to Arrand Ellery, Peter Davidge and Lyle Taylor for joining myself for a day in the bunkers representing the TSOA. The weather was great and we had the best vantage points for viewing all the action. Rod Carey  (GT6) and Neil Martin (TR7V8) were once again our only TSOASA members on track. Rod had a spin where Lyle and myself were stationed and damaged his front spoiler. I reckon the car looks better without it Rod. I believe Neil equalled his best ever time. See results at –

http://www.mscasa.com/results/2010/results_round2.html
FUTURE

MSCA Skills Enhancement Day 8 August

$70 for all participants.  A $25 come and try licence fee for all entrants other than sprinters will be paid by the MSCA.. See our President’s separate article on the website.

SA Circuit Racing Championship Rd3 Mallala 21 – 22 August

There are likely to be Triumphs racing at this event in the MG & Invited British Sports Cars. Roger Lange (GT6) has expressed interest and Tom Hutchinson is rumoured to make a return to Mallala after a difference of opinion some years ago. Unfortunately I will be overseas so will miss this one.
MSCA Sprint Rd3 Mallala 19 September

MSCA Sprint Rd4 Mallala 24 October

SA Circuit Racing Championship Rd4 30 – 31 October
OTHER

A TR3A is about to be modified to initially take on the salt lake competition. Michael Clark (nephew of former member Brenton Clark) is pursuing a dream both he and Brenton had to race on salt. Michael is based at Oakbank not far from my home so I will monitor and report on progress. A TR4 chassis has already been acquired to provide more room between the front suspension uprights for the V8 that will rest there.

It is heartening to know that people actually read my articles. I have often wondered from the lack of comment and contribution. This will be encouraging for the incoming 2010/2011 Competition Secretary. Some have taken comments I made in June’s TRAK as criticism. Those more open minded have seen it as a healthy means of raising awareness of issues faced by our club and many other car clubs today. If nothing else, it has generated discussion. It’s up to all of us to do something, or take the easy way out – nothing. Unfortunately/fortunately, I am still young enough that I work, live beyond the Adelaide Hills and have a myriad of ongoing projects. It is therefore difficult to find the time to write this, let alone become more involved in the TSOA. I am not an orphan in this regard but it will take a lot of time and energy to change things, both of which I am lacking.

Food for thought (pun intended) –  15 Triumphs recently competed in a Sprint in WA. Qld, NSW and Victoria also boast big turnouts. We struggle to get 2 in SA. What has happened?

And another thing – whatever happened to shed runs and Technical evenings? I am sure tea and scones could be incorporated.for those needy amongst us. I enjoy variety, and quite frankly, I don’t see it. I will be overseas for a couple of months so I will see some of you when I return in the warmer weather. ‘Good’ I can visualise some saying.

Cheers,

Trevor Lindsay

PAST
MSCA 6hr Mallala 23 May

A wet and windy day saw 18 teams competing. TSOA was not represented this year – maybe next time if there is enough interest. All teams finished though one was disqualified after being reduced to one car and that car doing too many laps. See the MSCA web site for results.

Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships Sandown 22 – 23 May  – Tom Hutchinson competed in his TR8 at this event in two classes being ‘Sports Cars’ and ‘MG’s & Invited British Sports Cars’. Tom Qualified 6th and 1st respectively. In Sports Cars he had two 6th placings and a 3rd. In the MG class he had three 2nd placings and a 1st. Ian Wilson also raced in Sports Cars with his new TVR, which looks to be an extremely quick car. However, it is not a Triumph – so enough said. See the Natsoft web site for more details.
FUTURE

Rally of SA 25 – 27 June

All British Race Meeting Wakefield Park 26 – 27 June  -Rod Carey (GT6) and Neil Martin are participating this year flying the flag for SA. This meeting incorporates a sprint on the Saturday and All Triumph races on the Sunday.

MSCA Sprint Rd2 Mallala 4 July – TSOA flaggies required. I have had two people contact me so far as possibilities and they are Arrand Ellery and Peter Davidge – thanks guys for showing interest. Hopefully I will hear from more of you.

SA Circuit Racing Championship Rd3 Mallala 21 – 22 August  – There are likely to be Triumphs racing at this event in the MG & Invited British Sports Cars. Roger Lange (GT6) has expressed interest and Tom Hutchinson is rumoured to make a return to Mallala after a difference of opinion some years ago. Unfortunately I will be overseas so will miss this one.
MSCA Sprint Rd3 Mallala 19 September

MSCA Sprint Rd4 Mallala 24 October

SA Circuit Racing Championship Rd4 30 – 31 October

OTHER

I joined the TSOA almost 35 years ago after acquiring my TR4A from Laurie Cousin who convinced me that there were benefits to belonging to a club of people with similar interests. There was a strong competition focus and many were competing in sprints and open meetings. I tagged along to race meetings with TSOA members here and interstate and friendships were established with these people. My interest in motor sport was intensified through this exposure, though my budget restricted my participation to Sprints until more recently.

It is a source of frustration to me that our club has been for quite some time so buried in what I refer to as the ‘tea and scone’ syndrome. The majority of our calendar caters for this. I am unsure whether this is as a result of the general aging of our membership with little new blood flowing in or not. Perhaps I am a minority. However, if I was to join the TSOA today as a 20 year old, apart from Historic Registration and the magazine, you would see as little of me today as you see now.

Motor sport is not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’. However, the future of our club and our ageing membership should be of concern to all. Perhaps a more diverse range of activities would attract younger members. I don’t profess to have the solutions, but if you have any ideas, please let me or other members of the committee know.

Cheers,
Trevor Lindsay