Competition Report – September 2012

Sporting Triumphs

Triumph Triumphant in Targa Adelaide! South Australian Craig Haysman and navigator Neil Branum have won the outright Classic category at the 2012 Targa Adelaide in their 1981 Triumph TR7V8. The pair won by 1 minute 15 seconds over 2nd placed rivals Nick Streckeisen and Mike Dale in a 1985 Porsche 944 turbo. Haysman and Branum lead every leg of the competition “The car’s been great”, Haysman said “its total different to the car I drove last year. It’s a lot easier to drive in the wet, has just more power and more balance.”

Three Triumphs entered this year’s event. Jon Williams, former TSOASA member, entered a Mk1 PI Triumph Saloon and finished the event in 30th position in outright classic and was placed 11th in early classic handicap. Stephen Fisher and David Ainsworth finished in 18th position in outright classic in their Triumph TR7V8.

In other sporting Triumph news, it was our club’s turn to supply flag marshals for the 4th round of the Super Sprint series at Mallala. Whilst we initially had 4 volunteers, other commitments and sickness meant that we had only one club member and his son performed flag marshal duties on the day. Thank you to Trevor Lindsay and his son, David, for their help on the day. Thankfully the Austin Healey club had 10 volunteers and saved the day. Daune Kaak was our sole Triumph competitor for this event. Neil Martin had work commitments and our other regular competitors still have their engines in bits.

Trevor Lindsay believes he has finally tracked down some new valves and should have his engine back together ready for next season. Duane had a mixed day. In the first run he had a spin going into the northern hairpin. I think he could have been waving to Trevor at the time. Need both hands on the wheel Duane! Run 2 Duane equalled his best personal best time. In the third run Duane had barely completed a lap when he noticed the brakes fade. By the end of the lap he had no brakes and a mist of smoke was evident coming from the rear of the car. The problem was a leaking rear wheel cylinder. Duane retired from the event but then had a bigger problem. How was he to get home? Thankfully John Wood had arrived at the circuit as a spectator and assisted Duane enabling him to arrive home safely.

The next round of the Super Sprint Series is 21st of October.

Cheers

Rick Staehr

Coming Events

8th September Come &Try Hillclimb Collingrove

9th September Modern Regularity Mallala

29th/30th September 60th Anniversary Collingrove Hillclimb

21st October Round 5 Super Sprint Series Mallala

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