The mid week run in early May was held on a lovely autumn day and ended up at Woodside.  Unfortunately only about 14 people attended but those who came along enjoyed coffee and cake (and ice cream) at the Lobethal Bakery.  Thanks to Bill and Maggie for organising the afternoon.

The weekender on 18/19/20th May saw 30 people enjoy a 3 day weekend in the Riverland with heaps of things to do and see.  We stayed at the Barmera Caravan Park on both nights in clean and comfortable cabins.  The weather was absolutely perfect with nice sunny days and cold crisp nights.  The weekend was fraught with break-downs with Rory and I having to be taken home on the back of a tow truck due to smoke and flames from under the bonnet.  This happened as we entered the freeway at Crafers so didn’t get too far.  A new alternator and wiring loom is now required so an expensive weekend for us.  John Tuohy also had trouble and his car was brought back to Adelaide on a truck on the Monday.   All this happened on the first day so it could only get better surely – and it did.   Margie and Bill once again did a fantastic job in organising the 3 days and we did lots of very interesting and different things.  A huge thanks to them as I know they made at least two trips to the Riverland organising the weekend.   Hopefully, despite all the problems this one presented, they will take on organising next year’s event – to where?

The next Sunday run is on June 17th meeting Victoria Hotel at 9.30am and heading to Lady Bay for lunch with a morning tea stop at Lonsdale at a Croissant Factory.   Peter D is organising this event.

Tony Harvie has organised a mid week run to David Amstrong’s “shed” on Wednesday 11th July.   David and Yvonne usually join us on the mid week runs and he has many classic cars.  They will also be providing a sausage sizzle lunch.

Sunday 15th July is a  morning run being organised by Chuck and Dianne meeting at 9.00am Burnside Townhall carpark.

Our condolences to Angela Williams on the recent passing of John, a long time member of TSOA who lost his long battle with cancer.   John will be sadly missed he was an active member of the club until recently.

Sue Gibson

The annual MSCA 6 hour regularity event is the only competitive motor sport event that allows all club members, who wish to volunteer, to be involved in a true team activity. This year’s event was supported by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, Bill and Dean Berlemon, Arrand Ellery, Peter Davidge, Rod Carey, Tom Bills, Maree Staehr, Roger and Cherri Lange. Cherri provided morning tea and lunch to all competitors and the pit crew whilst Maree assisted with lap scoring in the control tower.

Roger, who was the appointed team manager, gave a team briefing to everyone on their responsibilities for the day and said that the objective of the day was to have fun. As the day unfolded each competitor performed admirably and their cars proved reliable adding to a pleasurable day. It was a pity the weather turned sour later in the day with light rain and drizzle falling.

The change in weather altered the tactics of a lot of teams including Team Triumph. Our 2 rookies Bruce Astbury and Duane Kaak found the conditions rather trying.  Mr. Consistency, Neil Martin didn’t seem to be deterred by the increment conditions and continued to set consistent lap times. Paul Williams entered his TR9.44 otherwise known as a Porsche 944 and Andy Ansell travelled from Victoria with his Triumph TR7.

Robin George was entered for the event and burned the midnight oil repairing his engine only to find late on Saturday that it wouldn’t start. The problem was traced to the starter motor solenoid. Finding another solenoid wasn’t a problem but fitting it was, when Robin discovered that the engine had to be removed from the car. As there was no time to remove and refit the engine he had to inform the team that he was a scratching for the day. Fortunately Duane Kaak arrived at the track complete with car, licence, helmet and everything required to race. All that was needed now was for Roger to sweet talk the race secretary, Sue to allowing Duane to race as a late entry. Lucky for our team Roger’s sweet talking worked and Duane was allowed to race.

Our team finished a creditable 10th on the day but more importantly we achieved our objective of having Fun!

Cheers   Rick Staehr

Coming Events for June

June 2nd      Round 2 State Road racing Championship Mallala

June 17th     Round 2 MSCA Supersprint Series Mallala

June 24th     Modern Regularity Mallala

July 7th        HQ Enduro Mallala

July8th     Round 3 MSCA Supersprint Series Mallala

Bryan Young is on a roll! I believe this to be his Spitfire (or at least a family member’s?) and whilst it is not a Spitfire in the background, it looks pretty good all the same. Taken at the Tiger Moth day on Hindmarsh Island in March.

Our long standing friend and fellow Triumph enthusiast John Williams finally succumbed to the illnesses that he has battled over many years, passing away on Saturday 5th May.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Angela and John’s family – such a lovely fellow and all round good guy will be sadly missed.

John Sampson, President

What a great time of the year, the weather for the last few weeks has been tremendous, it makes you want to get out as often as humanly possible and cruise through those magnificent Adelaide Hills. Who would want to live anywhere else.

Another great Breakfast Run was set by Ian and Raelene Rigby starting at Burnside Town hall with a run through our wonderful hills to Gumeracha for a chance to show off our culinary skills cooking breakfast. This was followed by late morning tea / lunch (?) at Cuddly Creek. The reason for the (?) ….. well it is time to fess up  that Barb and I had an interstate visitor and didn’t make the run this year. I am sure that a full report will be documented latter in the magazine.

Those members who attended the general meeting on the 17th April, would have discovered that we didn’t have a member’s Triumph on the display stage for the evenings “show and tell”. Due to a lack of available Triumphs for the night we broke the long tradition and showed a member’s second pride and joy. This proved to be a successful option and from time to time we will endeavour to show member’s other cars.This Month we had Rick and Maree Staehr’s recently purchased and superbly presented 1966 Ford Mustang, and while not a British Marque it attracted a lot of attention.

Historic Registration Scheme update,

I thought that this report was going to be a repeat of the last couple … still waiting info,                                           but Just before leaving for the meeting I received some information via a third party advising that the DPTI had issued a statement, In brief the statement states:

(1)  The proposed amendments to the CHVR scheme along with the draft amendments to the legislation have been put forward for final deliberation at the highest level within Government.

(2)   As soon as any changes are confirmed the DPTI will contact all car clubs currently HVRS authorised with the information directly

(3)   The Transport Minister will issue a formal media release and the DPTI web site will be updated to reflect the news.

(4)   There will be an opportunity for the SMASA and FHMV and as I read it some key clubs to provide comment on the final draft of a revised Code of Practice, this will happen as soon as any legislative amendments have been approved.

I can only assume that the process is close to completion and we will finally have the understanding to move this forward in our club as needed / required.

Look forward to catching up soon,

John Sampson

The breakfast run organised by Ian and Raelene on Sunday 15th April was held in glorious autumn conditions.  The run took us up through Norton Summit, Lenswood, Lobethal and on to Gumeracha where 22 people set up their portable cookers and the smell of bacon and eggs was soon wafting through the air.   Thanks to Ian and Raelene for organising the morning.

The mid week run on Wednesday 9th May will be departing The Place Next Door at 1.00pm and heading to Lobethal Bakery for afternoon tea.   See advert in TRak.

The annual weekender is fast approaching and full payment should have been made at the April meeting.  As usual it promises to be an excellent 2 night/3 day weekend starting on Friday 18th May and heading to Barmera where we will stay both nights in the caravan park opposite Lake Bonney.   Margie and Bill have put a lot of time and effort into organising the 3 days so if you are able to come along, even if you can’t make the Friday, you won’t be disappointed.

The run on Sunday 17th June is taking us down the south coast to Lady Bay for lunch with a stop for morning tea at Croissant D’Or.  Meet at 9.30am for a 9.45am departure Victoria Hotel Top of Taps.   See advert in TRak.

Sue Gibson

Sporting Triumphs The MSCA picnic and presentation day was held at Serafino Winery at McLaren Vale on the 26th of February.8 hardy and brave members, Noel & Cindy Schmidt TR3, John FrickeTR4, Bryan Young Spitfire, Cherri and Roger TR8 and Maree & Rick Staehr TR4 turned up in less than ideal weather conditions. Hot and humid weather with the threat of rain possibly kept others away. Despite our small numbers we still managed to pull off 3rd place in the best display competition. The MG car club won best display with over 25 cars in attendance.

Trevor Lindsay attended the Historic Race meeting at Phillip Island on the long weekend. 12 Triumphs were entered for this event.Trevor is also in the process of collecting parts for a motor to put in his TR6 and will hopefully have it back on the track soon. Rod Carey as reported last month is planning to race his Spitfire in the Historic meeting at Winton in May.

The 1st round of the MSCA sprint series at Mallala was held on Sunday 25th of March. A full report will be in next month’s TRak.

I’ve had an expression of interest from 3 local competitors, Neil Martin, Geoff Bills, and Roger Lange, plus 3 Victorians for the 6 hour regularity event on the 6th of May. This will qualify the TSOA for 1 team in this event. Entry forms opened for competitors on the 25th of March for this event. Private practice is available on Saturday 5th of May. We need a pit crew for this event to support our drivers. So far the pit crew consists of just two; Duane and myself with Maree helping out in the control tower. Please contact me if you are interested in joining us as a pit crew member.

The club or individual club members are invited to display their cars on the lawn on Saturday of Easter Weekend at the National Historic meeting, Mallala. You would need to phone the Sporting Car Club to see if you could still enter as entries closed on the 26th of March. Cost is $25 per car, including all occupants.

Also on the 6th of May is the British Classics Tour hosted by the Historic Motor Vehicles Club. Entry is $10 per car. The entry form and more details on the event can be found elsewhere in this edition of TRak. Please note this is not a competition event.

Cheers Rick Staehr

Coming Events

April 7-8 -National Historic Race meeting Mallala

April 9 – Hillclimb Historic Collingrove

April 13-15 Shannons Nationals Mallala

April 21  Hillclimb Come & Try day Collingrove

April 22 Hillclimb 1st Round Winter Cup Collingrove

May 6th  Modern Regularity Mallala

Again during the last month we had three great runs the first being a small contingent of members attending the annual MSCA picnic and presentation day at McLaren Vale where we were placed third in the club display on the day. The MG car club had a significant milestone with their marque this year, and created a big display to mark the event, this display took out first place. Thanks to all who attended and represented our club, it is understood that a good day was had by all at this new venue.

The second was a mid week run from Crafers through the Southern vales ending up at Pt Noarlunga for lunch overlooking the jetty and surrounding beach, again a good drive, good company and a good meal was had by all.

The third was a run to the “Hindmarsh Island International Airport” organised by Rod Dent, again a great run from Burnside through Sterling, Strathalbyn and Goolwa, with many members taking the opportunity to have joy flights in one of the three Tiger Moths, that were available on the day, and from the smiles on the faces after the flights it was obvious that this was a very successful event.

Many thanks to those who organised these events, full reports and photos will be presented later in the magazine.

This year is the 31st running of the Mallala National Historic Race meeting over EASTER will be held and we have been invited by the Sporting Car Club of SA to attend this great annual event. Details of all events can be obtained by looking at the SCCSA web site, or contact Rick Staehr.

This year’s weekender is planned to be a 3 day weekend in the Riverland starting from Friday 18th May.

At the March meeting we were advised that there are only 2 or 3 vacancies, so be quick as it promises to be a great weekend. There will be some flexibility in attending for two days if you have difficulty in attending the full 3 day weekend. Full details later in the magazine.

Just a reminder that the TSOA Nationals will be held in the Victorian Goldfield area in early November 2012 and it is still not too late to enrol. There is a proposal to continue on after the Nationals for an extra week exploring Tasmania in our Triumphs. Preliminary details are being worked on with our Tasmanian club organiser Tarni Reynolds and details should be available soon. If you are interested and have not indicated so, then please contact Natalie Farrell.

Historic Registration Scheme update,

It is my understanding that approximately 26 clubs made submissions for consideration to the revised code and these are being worked through, hence the delay in the proposed original implementation date of March this year, until advised otherwise it will be business as usual.

In the mean time we have proposed dates in June, July and August for the proposed mandatory inspection of Historic cars should it be introduced and implemented soon. These indicative days will start to be shown in the club calendar on the last page of the magazine soon, but they are not firm at this stage just an indication.

Till we meet again

John Sampson

Thanks to the 22 people who came on the mid week run on Wednesday 14th March.  Hopefully all enjoyed the run despite the hiccup with road works at Seaford and being led via a detour into a maze of dead end streets.   Andy who was here for a couple of weeks from Honolulu brought his blue Stag out for a run and it was nice to catch up with him.  The destination was Horta’s at Pt Noarlunga right on the beach and it was a lovely outlook over the ocean before the thunderstorm hit with a vengeance.  Trust you all got home before the rain came in.

The weather for the run to Hindmarsh Island International Airstrip on Sunday 18th March could not have been more perfect.  The sun was out and there was hardly any wind.  Three people were booked to fly at 9.00am and another three at 10.00am, the other members meeting at The Place Next Door and stopping at Strathalbyn en route to Hindmarsh Island.  In all 19 people each had a 1/2 hour scenic flight out over the coast to Pt Elliot and down to the Murray Mouth and over the township of Goolwa.  Thanks to Rod for organising the day.

The next Sunday run is the annual breakfast run on 15th April heading to Gumeracha.  This run is a BYO everything – see advert in TRak.  Meeting time is 7.30am for a 7.45am departure from Burnside Townhall Carpark.  The organisers are Ian and Raelene Rigby.

There will be a mid week afternoon run on Wednesday 9th May departing The Place Next Door carpark at 1.00pm.  Bill is the organiser for this run – see details in TRak.

The annual weekender on 18/19/20th May is filling fast so if you are intending to join in the 3 days of activities please contact Margie or Bill and get your name down.  Full payment is required at the meeting on April 17th.

Sue Gibson

Bryan Young heads out for a go at the Auto Khana event held at Mount Gambier during the 2011 Nationals. Bryan won his “6-cyl modified” class and helped SA to a win in the overall Nationals award for the Competition Cup. Good on ya Bryan!

Other Triumphs in this shot are Bruce Pollock (TR4A) from WA, Robert Hanton (TR7V8) from Qld, and Ron Marion (TR5) from WA.