It is with again much sadness this month that we said goodbye to another great TSOA member, John Allnut. He was a great contributor to the club, and I believe there may be an article in this month’s magazine reflecting a bit more on his life. As sad as saying goodbye is, it is also very joyous to see and meet new members at our meetings and on our runs. I would love to meet many more of the unseen members, as I’m sure they have a great Triumph story to tell and I have set myself a challenge on how to do this over the coming years.

This month at the meetings we introduced a new Concierge service, thanks to Bob Farrell for taking the lead on this. Too often at meetings we are busy catching up with our regular friends, and I’d hate for any new attendees to be missed or too feel uncomfortable in such a large group. Thank you to all of those that have expressed an interest, in being the face of the TSOA at our future meetings.

Our membership secretary Natalie Farrell supplied with more numbers of interest which I hope will also be published in the next TRak magazine, of the total number of members cars in each make and model. I love reading these numbers but I wonder more, are these non historically registered cars running, registered fully, under restoration? Please let us know where each of your Triumphs are at so we can compile some great and interesting facts about triumph cars in SA.

Hopefully in the June TRak are also some photos from the 6 hour regularity competition event. A HUGE thank you to the volunteers who assisted on the day. Those that were there know I had a blast when I achieved my nominated lap time, pumping the air and I could see these antics also put a smile on the face of those behind pit wall also.

The committee is meeting soon to discuss the budget for next year. A small membership increase is proposed to keep income and expenses steady, and we had a passionate discussion about the cost and the production of the Trak magazine, being a major cost to the club. I see the magazine as more than just something to read and discard, for me it is a great way or marketing our club to new members and keeping in touch with those that aren’t up to speed with internet. Maybe in the future, near or far, it could be an electronic newsletter, but to have any decent magazine in print or on-line, we need members to submit articles of interest, photos etc. Many like to read it, are passionate about it, in any form, but only a few seem to submit articles. So please, put Pen to Paper, or fire up your computer and type something, tell us all your story about your repair, restoration, or Triumph Spotting and travels, online or in print, it will be a much greater read for all those involved.

I look forward to seeing you all on the road or at the next event soon!

Duane Kaak

It is with great sadness that I report the death of long standing TSOA member and Triumph enthusiast John Allnutt on 2nd May following a short illness.

John has been an active member of TSOA for well over 20 years, with his main Triumph interest being his pristine yellow TR7 fhc. John also owned and cherished a silver TR8 dhc during the 1990’s before selling that car to Roger Lange to renew his acquaintance with his TR7 that he regretted selling – fortunately he was able to convince the then owner to sell it back to him.

During his involvement with TSOA, John has served as Club Treasurer and on National Meeting committees, and has been a regular attendee at General Meetings. He has been rewarded on many occasions over the years with Concours trophies for his Triumphs, and always enjoyed presenting his Triumphs for inspection. John has made many friends within the club and will be sadly missed.

A funeral service for relatives and friends of John was held at Charles Berry Funeral Home, 198 – 204 Magill Road, Norwood on Monday 6th May.

The TSOA Community joins with Helen and family in mourning the sudden loss of John – a true gentleman and a highly respected and loved man.

Duane Kaak, President

Hi All,

I today sent an email out to all of our members that I have an email address for. For those of you without email, (or we don’t have a current email address) I want to use this opportunity to share something I feel is important for the future of keeping our beloved TRiumphs on the road at a realistic and appropriate cost.

I know many of you currently enjoy the Historic Registration Scheme, but I am sure many of you also know a fellow TSOA member or Car Enthusiast with a car that doesn’t meet the Code.

The Street Machine Association of SA (SMASA) has previously begun a fight to allow modified vehicles into the code, to bring us in line with other states Club Permit schemes etc. They began this before the last Code was accepted, and weren’t successful at that stage, however they haven’t given up!

I know many of you personally dislike wildly modified vehicles, Air Filters or Carbies sticking out of the bonnets, massive rear oversized rubber, but this Modified Vehicle Inclusion could be critical to the future of Triumph Cars on the Historic Registration Scheme as replacement parts become harder to source, or safety upgrades are needed. Although there is still a good range of parts available thanks to the Internet, I’ll bet most of you have a story of a struggle to find just that right part, or have concerns over the safety and reliability of a standard or 2nd hand part fitted to your pride & joy, and carrying around your most valuable asset, your life, and your loved ones.

I’d love to have much better brakes on the Spitfire. Naturally I always keep a safe distance from the car in front, but naturally I need to share the road. Some better brakes can avoid the heart starter of someone pulling in front of me and then jumping on their ABS, Porcelain, Brembo, vented, cross drilled stoppers etc.

I just signed the petition “South Australian Government, Dept of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure: Include pre 1979 Modified Vehicles in Conditional Registration ” on Change.org. If you Google it, I am sure you will find it, or email me for a link.

It’s important. Will you sign it too? I hope many of you do, and that our State Government seriously considers some further inclusions into the Code.

Look forward to seeing you all on the road or at the next event soon!
Duane Kaak

Easter is here already, the year seems to be going so fast, lots of great quality events so far, and especially with all the events fast approaching also I think the year is going to be one to remember.

I see the TSOA WA have already pencilled in an agenda and dates for the 2014 National Rally so if you are a long term planner, check their website for more details.

I also have some long term plans for our club. I want to keep it fun and exciting and grow it however we can. At the latest meeting I mentioned there are Triumphs for sale, over 70 across the internet in Australia, so encourage your friends and family to turn off the TV then consider filling that void in their life with a classic car and some wonderful social events and the best group of south Aussies they will ever meet. They can then show us their new pride and joy on stage at an upcoming meeting.

At the last meeting a member put forth a suggestion of what he would like to see in the magazine , don’t be shy. Especially those members who for what ever reason can’t attend meetings, please feel welcome to pass on ideas and suggestions for perhaps your only communication with the club.

We are also seeking a new Magazine Editor this year, if you would love to learn the ropes and some new computer skills, or already have skills in that area, we would love to hear from you.

Until next time , safe and happy travels.
Duane

Firstly, thank you to all for your well wishes, encouragement and support as I step into the role of President of this amazing Club. I know with the support of these great people around me, I will be able to draw on many numerous years of experience, and inject a new energy into the committee, keeping the TSOA alive, vibrant and a great club to be a part of for many years to come.
Secondly, a big congratulations to Mike Temby for taking on board the Vice President role. We now have a full committee again, and I know that Mike is very enthusiastic about the year we have ahead also.
Would we have the lowest combined age of an executive committee since the clubs inception?
The months are flying by already, and there are many events coming up on the TSOA calendar, both social and competition. I am personally excited about getting my TR7 V8 back on the race track again, the break between MSCA events seems like an eternity. But I am also as keen to keep the Spitfire cruising and discovering new coffee stops and spending great time with TSOA friends on the social runs.
I truly enjoy the general meetings also, meeting new members, the focus on a couple of cars on stage and a delicious supper afterwards. I think we have a great regular routine, and I sincerely hope to just make each of these just a but more fresh and interesting as time goes by with the new committee.
As always, the committee welcomes any ideas and feedback from the members, we represent you.
Hope to see you all at an event soon . . . .
Duane Kaak

I trust everyone has had a terrific Christmas and New Year break. The weather has been wonderful, and the general public seem to be in great spirits throughout this time of year.

The club has held several events throughout this period, the annual Christmas dinner, the “after Christmas” mid week run and the annual Ice Cream run which all were a great time to get out and about in your triumph with other club members.

We had a good crowd to the January informal meeting, and I’m sure we will again have a full group at our first formal meeting this month. Remember we will have an election this month for a new president, and any other vacant positions, so please take another moment to consider a chance to join the committee and to contribute to our club.

The year ahead looks like another full calendar of social and competition events, and I’m keen to see what amazing vehicles we can get on the stage for display. Even though we have all thoroughly enjoyed some other Marques recently, if you have a Triumph we haven’t seen on stage, done some major work to your Triumph, or have a new purchase, we’d love to see it, so please contact John from the details inside the cover. I know several members have plans for rewiring and minor rebuilds, so we’d love to see and hear your story.

The committee also has plans to review the constitution this year also, to keep up with the times, and will have a small sub committee work on this over the coming months. If you have any strong thoughts in this area, I encourage you to express this, in writing only, for consideration.

I’m starting to hear a bit of chatter about the Queensland National Rally already, and it is exciting to hear that many are already getting cars ready for the journey and booking holidays, I’m sure it will be a wonderful event.

The All British Day is also here again, and I’d like to ask all members to make themselves ambassadors for the club on this day that we are on display. This day, and the Day of Triumph seem to both be days that we attract new members, and I’m hoping to have a simple handout available to be distributed on the day. Hope to see you soon, Duane

It was with much sadness that I had to share this month the news of John Sampson’s passing, quite suddenly. John was a terrific Club President, and TSOA enthusiast who did so much for the Club, the Marque and the Historic Motoring Community. Much of which went largely unnoticed by many, but John was never a man to blow his TRumpet about his achievements.

Many thanks on behalf of his wife Barbara and their families for the numerous emails, cards, flowers etc received of support and thoughts during the past weeks. John is greatly missed by the club, and I am positive that at the time of writing, his funeral with a display of John’s award winning TR6 and other member’s Triumphs, will have been a fitting farewell to this remarkable man.

The Annual Day of Triumph held in the past month was a great success, over 50 cars on were on display, many entered the judging, and a huge thanks goes to all the volunteers on the day who made the event run so smoothly, and of course, to all the winners. The competition was tight, scores were close.

Due to a recent change of employment, I had to cancel my National Meeting registration. I was pleased to hear so many positive reports come back from our members that attended, especially of the trophies and awards given to the members who displayed their cars and participated. Well done!

MSCA Competition is now over for the year, it was a great year personally for me, achieving a Personal Best almost every round, however I would love to see more Triumphs out there on the TRack. I am open to suggestions as to how we can do this, but am pleased to hear that the 6 Hour Regularity next year should be abundant with Triumphs.

Our next Association meeting is the January Informal meeting. Due to John’s passing, February’s next formal general meeting will now include an election of a new President. This is a great opportunity for someone new to consider joining the committee. It is likely there will be a shuffle of positions, so please come to February meeting with your nomination ready and use the festive period to chat to anyone on the committee if you are considering or would like more information.

The Club has some wonderful events coming up over the next couple of months and into the festive season. I look forward to seeing many of you out in your Triumph over this fun time of year, catching up over coffee’s and ice cream, and at the Christmas Dinner.

Seasons Greetings

Duane Kaak

Our President and dear friend John Sampson passed away today, 14th November after a very short and aggressive exacerbation of his lung condition.

John went to hospital on Friday 26th October for a hip replacement which was most successful, and he did brilliantly for the first 3 days and was up and walking, after which the lungs became an increasingly difficult problem. The Doctors fought hard for the next two weeks to halt the decline in his condition, unfortunately without success.

John has been an exceptional member and most recently President of our Club and clearly was passionate about all things Triumph and for the people and cars that make up our membership.

He will be dearly missed, and we, The Triumph Sports Owners Association SA Inc extend our heartfelt sympathy to Barb and family for their loss.

I realise that you will not get this report until after the DAY OF TRIUMPH but I would take this opportunity to thank all members who participated on the day. The weather forecast looks good and I hope that all have enjoyed the picnic atmosphere and fellowship, as well as a great display of club cars.

During the finalising of the Historic Registration scheme documents we found that there are many cars out there that we really or never see. A count of TR6 cars in the club indicated that we have approximately 60 TR6’s on our register, and we decided to send out a personal invitation via email, to all TR6 owners to come along and show off their pride and joy. Only time will tell if the invitation works and we end up with a record number or TR6 cars on display.

If this proves to be successful, we will focus on a different model (or group of models) each year and send out a personal invitation thus making a feature display each year with the intent of catching up with members and their cars, who would not normally participate.

The All British Day next year will be held on the usual second Sunday in February (10th) but the 2013 event will be held at the Echunga oval and not the Uraidla oval as has been the case in past years.

Entry forms have been posted out to members who have participated in the last three years, the club will be sent a few blank entry forms for new members, and entry forms will also be available on the ABD web site, and is available via the TSOA web site under links/member added links / All British Day.

Please note that entries will close on the 30th November and NO LATE ENTRIES will be accepted, the ABD committee encourages all people interested in the event to submit their entries by the 1st of November which will make them eligible for 3 prizes (free entry refund) to be drawn on the day.

Just a friendly reminder for those members who are thinking of coming to the club’s Christmas dinner and Presentation night on Saturday December 8th  , we are looking to have numbers (and monies) finalised by the November 20TH meeting, so if you are thinking about attending or have just received an award at the DAY OF TRIUMPH then get your entry in quickly.

Till we meet again

John Sampson

The club AGM was held at the August 21st meeting and so the new club year begins, I would like to thank all those club and committee members who helped make the last year so successful.

Special thanks go out to retiring committee members Peter Davidge and Sue Gibson who after many years service on the committee have seen fit to sit back for a while and just enjoy the club activities, but knowing both of them, I am sure they will be only too willing to help out in some small way as time goes on.

I would like to welcome both Duane Kaak newly elected Vice President and Alex Smithson who was elected as Treasurer, to the committee for the 2012 – 2013 year.  I know they are both enthusiastically waiting to take on the new challenges that they have chosen. Bill Berlemon was successful with his nomination for Social Secretary and I am aware he is keen to make some fine tuning improvements to the already successful formula.

Our AGM was also a special event celebrating the 50th birthday of the TRIUMPH SPITFIRE. The stage was suitably decorated by Rick and Maree Staehr and there were two highly polished great looking examples of SPITFIRES for the full house to admire.

Also on stage was a surprise visit from an past club member Jon Williams from W.A. with his “very recently prepared” MK1 PI. Saloon. Jon and co-driver Ken Bryant were here to complete in the “Targa Adelaide” starting the next day. Jon’s car had a total of 250Km on the clock when he started in the prologue on Wednesday evening, we wish them well in the event.

Thanks to Kyle Lill and Mark Gibson for bringing their Spitfires for the stage display on the night and joining in the celebrations.

Two dates to mark in your diaries for upcoming events,

1)      The Bay to Birdwood breakfast Sunday the 30th on Dequetteville Tce.  @ 9.00am – BBQ provided but BYO food.

2)      The Day of Triumph Sunday October 28th  – Not only is this a great picnic day for all members to attend and mingle with fellow Triumph owners, but it is a tremendous opportunity to promote our marque at this fantastic venue, so polish your car and come and enjoy the day.    For full details refer further in the magazine.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I would remind all members on Conditional Historic Rego. and prescribed LHD vehicles schemes, who yet to pay their membership dues and have their log books stamped for the coming Club year (starting AUG 15TH 2012) are deemed by the Registrar to be driving unregistered vehicles and will not covered by third party insurance. For your own sake please attend to this matter before you take your car out on the road.

Till we meet again      John Sampson