The 1st Round of the State Road Racing Championship was held at Mallala on Saturday the 18th of February. Trevor Lindsay entered his white GT6 in what was supposed to be the event for MG’s and invited British Sports Cars. This event turned out to be one invited British Sports Car, Trevor’s GT6 and a group of only slightly modified MGF’s and a group of Hyundai Excels. Trevor started his first event on pole and led the race from start to finish. He didn’t enjoy the same success in the second event breaking a rocker in the second lap ending his weekend of racing.

Neil Martin had a great day in the first round of modern regularity at Mallala on the 12th of February. Neil finished the day in overall first place. Well done Neil!

We’ve had an invitation from the Sporting Car Club to display our cars, along with other clubs, on the lawns at the Easter National Historic race meeting at Mallala, Saturday 7th of April. A group of club members displayed their cars last year and enjoyed a great picnic race day. Entry is $25 per car, including occupants and parade laps around the circuit in the lunch break. If you are not going away over Easter I look forward to seeing you at Mallala. Please refer to the advertisement in this month’s edition of TRak for further details.

I’m looking for volunteers to form a pit crew for the 6 Hour Modern Regularity Teams event to be held on the 6th of May at Mallala. Last year we had a great day and finished the event in 3rd place. If you are interested in volunteering for a spot on the pit crew please contact me by phone, email or see me at a club meeting/event. My details are inside the front cover of TRak.

This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Triumph Spitfire and will be the featured display at the Annual Winton Historic Race meeting on the weekend of 26th & 27th of May. The organisers are seeking entries for their Spitfire display. So if you have a Spitfire and you’re looking for a great weekend away please refer to the web site address for further details.http://www.austin7club.org/historic_winton_update.htm

Until next month.

Rick Staehr

Coming Events for March

March 11th-12th         Phillip Island Historics

March 15th-18th         Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix

March 18th              Clare Swap Meet

March 25th             MSCA Supersprint Round 1 Mallala

The next mid week run is on Wednesday 14th March meeting at Crafers Inn carpark at 10.30am and will head south to Pt Noarlunga for a light lunch.

The run on Sunday 18th March to the Hindmarsh Island air strip has created a lot of interest from people wishing to have a flight in an old Tiger Moth. Please note it is a BYO everything and NO gas BBQ’s are permitted on the air field.  See more details in the magazine.

Ian is organising the annual breakfast run on Sunday 15th April and we are this year returning to Gumeracha.   BYO everything – portable cookers, breakfast food, chairs, tables etc. Meeting at Burnside Townhall carpark at 7.30am for a 7.45am departure.

Bill & Margie have again taken on organising this year’s weekender which will be going to the Riverland on the weekend of Fri/Sat/Sun 18/19/20th May. This year we are going for  two nights.   I suggest you get your name down early to reserve your place in what promises to be another full weekend with a variety of activities. Accommodation will be at the Barmera Caravan park in cabins and the cost of $375 per couple (two members) includes all meals, morning and afternoon teas and entrance fees where applicable so the only thing you need to provide is drinks and of course a sense of humour.

Sue Gibson

Happy New Year. I trust everyone had a safe festive season and enjoyed some motoring in your Triumph(s).This time of year is a very quiet time on the motor racing circuit scene. Most competitors use this time of year to do major overhauls, carry out maintenance jobs or perform planned major improvements to their machines.I know that Neil Martin was planning to do some major maintenance on the brakes and other components of his TR7 V8 in preparation for the upcoming 2012 racing season.

The 1st event on the “Sporting Triumph” calendar is the Annual Marque Sports Car Associations picnic and presentation day on the 26th of February at Serafinos Winery, (formerly McLaren’s on the Lake) Mc Laren Vale.

Each car club is required to put on a display of their Marque on the day. As we are the current champions I am keen to once again win the prize for best display.I’m hoping to see you there on the day with your Triumph to join our display and have a relaxed picnic day under the trees. Please see the advertisement for this event in the January edition of Trak for further details.

Another date to put in your calendar is the 6th of May for the 6 hour regularity relay team event. Last year the TSOA finished on the podium in 3rd place against some strong competition. This year we will once again be looking for competitors to form a team and club members to form a pit crew for this event. There are numerous duties to be performed on the day. If we get enough volunteers these duties can be shared and provide breaks for each person on the day. I’m sure last year’s crew would agree with me, that this was a fun day.

Until next month . . . . Cheers,

Rick Staehr

Coming Events

February 18th –S.A. State Motor Racing Championship Round 1 Mallala

February 25th – MSCA Picnic and Presentation Day Serafino Winery (formerly McLaren’s on the Lake) McLaren Vale

February 25th – Modern Regularity -Mallala

March 1-4 – Clipsal 500 Adelaide

March 4th – Campbelltown Swap Meet Campbelltown Oval TBC

March 4th – Mt. Barker Swap Meet

March 9th-11th – Historic Motor Racing Phillip Island

March 15th -18th- Australian Formula One Grand Prix Albert Park Melbourne

March 25th – MSCA State Super Sprint Series Round 1 Mallala

Welcome to 2012 and I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year.  This year’s Nationals are being held in Victoria (near Ballarat) from 3rd to 10th November so not too far for South Australians to travel with no need for an overnight stop.  First instalment is due by 1st March.

To all those people who attended the Christmas Dinner I hope you had an enjoyable night and it was pleasing to see a good number of TRophy winners in attendance.  Once again the Golf Club did us proud with the quality of the food, service and general ambience of the surroundings.

The annual after Christmas run is always a very popular event and the one on Wednesday 28th December was no exception with well over 50 people turning up for coffee at the Crafers Inn before heading off to Middleton Tavern for lunch.  Thanks to all those who attended and I trust you all had a good run, in what can only be described as perfect weather conditions for a drive.

The Ice Cream run is on Saturday 28th January with a new route to Noonies at Semaphore Park being planned.  This year we are also starting earlier, meeting at 7.00pm at Beaumont Road off Greenhill Road Eastwood.

All British Day is on 12th February at Uraidla Oval from 10.00am.   TSOA has a record number of cars entered and if you haven’t entered, come along and have a look at the hundreds of cars that will be on the oval.   Bring a picnic lunch or support the local CFS and purchase lunch from the venue.    The Uraidla market will of course be open which is across the road from the oval and always good for a  wander around.

Sue Gibson

We are all set for another great TSOA club year, and I would take this opportunity to wish all members a happy and prosperous New Year. But before I advise you of some great coming events the committee has planned, I was wondering if you have broken any new year’s resolutions yet? Maybe it’s not too late to consider putting in place one or two more, and then come out and meet and enjoy this year’s events that have been planned with your fellow club members.

Do you have a Triumph off the road with and with little effort you can repair it and get it back on the road ?

Do you have a project car languishing in the garage looking to be completed? Well I encourage you to set a new year’s resolution in place and be inspired to finish the project this year.

Do you have a Triumph that is road worthy but never gets used? Well now is the time to brush of the cob webs and come out on our club runs.

We look forward to seeing current and new members joining in our club runs and competition events over the next year.Here are some of the events your committee has planned for the first quarter of 2012 and many more are to follow:

(1) The 19th annual Ice Cream run to be held on this weekend – Sat 28th Jan. at 7.00pm. We have planned a revised extended run along the Adelaide foreshore and hopefully we will have a great sunset as we cruise to Noonie’s via Outer Harbour.

(2) The All British Day held on Sun. 12th February at the Uraidla oval. Unfortunately it is too late to enter your car but you are welcome to attend on the day and view the 800+ British car and bikes on display.

(3) The MSCA picnic and presentation day held on Sun. 26th of February and this year will be held at Sefafino’s (McClaren on the Lake) at McClaren Vale. A great picnic day is promised at this new venue.

(4) The Hindmarsh Island run with the option of a Tiger moth flight for the adventurist to be held on Sun. 28TH March – please note the full payment is required to Rod Dent by the February 21st general meeting.

For full details please refer to the event notices either within the calendar on this website or in the last issue of your TRak magazine.

Now for a quick update on the Historic Registration scheme (CHVRS)

Details of the scheme revision remain unchanged from our previously published comments with the exception of a request to clubs to recommend changes to the general wording of the “Code” in an effort to simplify the interpretation. We as a club have made a submission to the Federation and DPTI and we await the outcome of any revisions that may be accepted from all clubs who responded.

The CHVRS is before State Cabinet for approval and was expected to be approved by March this year, it is not known if the last minute request for comments will further delay the implementation.In the mean time, until we receive and further advice we will be operating the scheme as we have in recent years, and the only changes we are currently aware of awaiting Parliamentary approval are :

(1)   Effective date for eligibility will be reset to vehicles manufactured prior to 1st January 1979.  If you own a vehicle manufactured between 1979 and 1982 and has been approved for the scheme then these vehicles will remain in the scheme. Refer to previous reports on the subject.

(2)   A mandatory yearly inspection of the approved vehicles is proposed, and your committee is working on establishing dates and times for this new requirement. Watch for details in future magazines.

(3)   Approved LHD vehicles effectively date will be standardised from the current 1974 date to 1st January 1979 as with RHD vehicles.

Due to a recent medical condition our club scheme controller Tom long has lost most of his sight and has advised me as a result he will not be able to continue running the scheme. In the short term Kevin Foster will take over the running of the scheme until the committee confirm the new appointment at the February committee meeting.

I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my sincere thanks to Tom for his efforts and involvement in the scheme over the last ten years, and wish him well for the future as he adjusts to this unfortunate circumstance.

Look forward to catching up in the near future,

John Sampson

A selection of the TSOA display at this year’s All British Day in February. Are you entered for the 2012 event?

The last ladies technical session at Café Buongiorno Mitcham on 9th August saw lots of talk re all things Triumph especially the upcoming National Meeting in October.   The next get together will be Tuesday 11th October at the same venue, and we hope to see you there.

The sun shone, the sky was clear and blue for the run to the Middleton Tavern on Sunday 21st August.   A good number of people brought their Triumphs out in what was a perfect day for a run through the country, stopping off at Willunga for a coffee before heading down to the beach at Middleton.   Unfortunately there was only one whale at Bashams Beach about a kilometre off shore.   Thanks to Greg & Lorraine Page for organising the day and putting on such beautiful weather.  Let’s hope spring is just around the corner with more sunny days like this.
The mid week run on Wednesday 7th September is being organised by Tony Harvie (who we haven’t seen out and about for a while) meeting in the Top Carpark Windy Point at 1.00pm for a 1.15pm departure with the destination being Balance at Meadows (opp the Bakery) for afternoon tea.

Don’t forget the Day of Triumph on Sunday 11th September at Civic Park opp Tea Tree Plaza.   This is a major event in the Club’s year so let’s see a record number of Triumphs on display, even if you don’t want your car to be judged bring it out and put it on show. This is an ideal opportunity to clean and polish the car in readiness for the upcoming summer months and of course the National meeting (if attending) in October.   Gates open at 9.00am.

Sunday 25th September is the annual Bay to Birdwood car run.   The Club will be setting up on Dequetteville Terrace from 9.00am as in the past.   BYO food, drinks, tables, chairs etc and the Club BBQ will be available for use if anyone wishes to cook breakfast.

DON’T FORGET THERE IS NO MEETING IN OCTOBER DUE TO THE NATIONALS.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wed 7th  Sept              Mid Week Run meet Top Carpark Windy Point 1.00pm

Sun 11 th Sept             Day of Triumph Gates open 9.00am Civic Park opp Tea Tree Plaza

Tues 20th Sept            General Meeting Sporting Car Club King William Road Unley 8.00pm

Sun 25th Sept              Bay to Birdwood BYO Breakfast Dequetteville Terrace from 9.00am

Tues 14th Oct              Ladies Technical Lunch Café Buongiorno Mitcham 12.00 noon

Sat 15th-Fri 22nd Oct   National Meeting Mt Gambier/Victor Harbor

Tues 18th Oct              NO MEETING THIS MONTH
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Happy September birthday to Richard Sutherland and anyone else celebrating a birthday/special occasion during the month.

Regards
Sue Gibson

The all Triumph rally for the TONY ESAU MEMORIAL TROPHY was held on the 20th of November with 50 plus people attending for a drive through the Adelaide hills on a pleasant sunny day, driving carefully and attentively answering 40+ questions.  The lucky winner for the second time in 3 years was Ian and Raelene RIGBY, with a near perfect score, congratulations to them both and as per normal they will have the pleasure of running next years rally.

Many thanks to Peter and Dean Berlemon for cooking the club sponsored BBQ.

As normal the January general meeting will be held at the Sporting Car Club rooms on Tuesday the 17th and will be the usual informal nature with the ladies going down King William Road for coffee and Gelato.

The normal room may be having some maintenance work done, and if this work is incomplete we have made arrangements to use one of the other rooms in the main building, so when you arrive you may need to keep a look out for an alternative entrance.

During the last meeting we made a presentation of a model Spitfire to Dwayne kaak as a thank you for the work he did as M.C. during the national rally. We have managed to get a list of models currently held by the outlet at Little Hampton where the model was purchased and this list and contact details will be found later in the magazine just in case you would like to purchase one as a gift for Christmas.

In mid November we received a request from the DTEI and the Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs to urgently review the wording in the conditional registration scheme Code of practice, a small team has reviewed and we are currently working on the our recommendations as requested.

At this point the committee felt that we need to review and understand the new code wording before we can advise members of any revisions or changes that may be made. It is our current understanding that the aim is to clarify and ambiguities and poor wording in the existing document, in an effort to simplify the code and make it more user friendly, hopefully they can achieve this goal. We will keep the membership informed as we understand more.

With the festive season nearly upon us I would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody the compliments of the season, and remind all to celebrate wisely and above all drive safely over the coming holiday period.

I look forward to catching up with as many members as possible over the holiday season at the various club organised events and invite members who would not normally come to our club runs to take this opportunity to come along make yourself known and meet and mix with your fellow Triumph club members.

Till we meet again
John Sampson

As Christmas draws near the motorsport calendar winds down for another year. The 5th and final round of the MSCA sprint series was held on the 23rd of October. The round consisted of two competition runs followed by a driver training, driver /car swap and take a passenger for a ride day. Three Triumphs were entered for the Day. Roger Lange in his Dolomite did a best time of 1:31:13. Bruce Pollock (TR4) and Robert Hanton (TR7) both here for the Nationals, took advantage of staying in town a bit longer to have a run around Mallala. Bruce had a best time of 1:35:68 while Robert’s best time was 1:34:56.

Neil Martin competed in modern regularity held at Mallala on the 6th of November. Neil placed 10th overall for the event and had his best run in round 4, finishing 2nd.

Trevor Lindsay, along with some keen supporters, made the trek to Melbourne’s Sandown Park Raceway on the same weekend to compete in an Historic Race Meeting. After qualifying well in an event for MG’s and invited British cars Trevor suffered a mechanical fault. This meant scratching from the 1st race and starting rear of grid for the next. I understand that Trevor took a leaf out of Norm Beechey’s book as he became the ‘Stormin’ Norman’ for the event finishing a well deserved 3rd place. A full review of this event can be found elsewhere in this edition of TRak.

The weekend of the 4th- 6th of November was a busy weekend for motorsport which also included the 27th Climb to the Eagle. This is a non competitive event to commemorate the running of the Australian Grand Prix on the streets of Adelaide. More on this event can also be found in the edition of TRak.

2011 has seen some good motorsport achievements for the club. The year started with the winning of the ‘Best Club display’ at the MSCA Picnic and Presentation day. In May the club entered a team of 6 drivers in the MSCA 6 hour. This event is a real club effort with club members supporting the drivers by helping out as pit crew, time keepers and any other job that comes along. Team Triumph finished on the podium with a creditable 3rd place. The club was also asked to supply flag marshals at the July round of the MSCA sprint series. Club members supported the event and presented a full complement of marshals for the day. To round off a good year the club took out the team’s trophy at the recent Nationals.

I’d like to thank everyone who gave up their time to volunteer in support of our motorsport events throughout the year and look forward to continued support from club members again next year.

Our first event which the club would like your support, is the MSCA Picnic and Presentation Day on the 26th of February, venue TBA. Hopefully we can win back to back ‘Best Club Display Trophies’.

I trust everyone has a safe and happy festive season and look forward to a successful 2012.

Rick Staehr

The All Triumph Rally for the Tony Esau Memorial Trophy was held on 20th November.  The organisers, Bill & Margie, set questions in a number of locations and we were required to park the car and walk to find the answers.  As there was no obvious “coffee stop” along the route we did a big loop to Birdwood for those people who wanted morning tea.   It was an excellent run with a few curly questions and also a challenge to count and name the CFS stations (which were no more than 50m from the road) along the way.

The end point was a nice park at the top end of Hahndorf (Littlehampton) where we all enjoyed a club sponsored BBQ lunch, and waited with baited breath for the announcement of the winner.  To add a bit of interest, Bill decided he would have a separate competition for those members who were driving Non Triumphs.   Congratulations to Eva & David Treen for winning that section with runners up Peter and Natika and Dean and Tammy Berlemon.

The overall winner for the Tony Esau Trophy and the “honour” of setting next year’s event, was a very competitive Ian and Raelene Rigby, with second place going to Alex and Sue Smithson and third place to Peter and Julie Davidge.  Congratulations to all.

Huge thanks go to Bill and Margie for not only setting the route, but transporting the club BBQ and all the cooking utensils and food for lunch.  Also thanks to Peter and Dean for their help in cooking and serving up.

The Christmas Dinner on 10th December is the next TSOA event and once again it is being held at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club at 6.30pm for club sponsored “happy half hour” drinks with dinner starting at 7.00pm.   We hope to see all Trophy winners in attendance to accept their awards.

The annual after Christmas mid week run is being held on Wednesday 28th December.  The meeting place is Crafers Inn at 10.00am onwards for coffee, departing at 11.00am and heading south to Middleton Tavern for lunch.  All details are in the magazine and if anyone has any queries please contact Rory or myself.

Don’t forget there is no meeting in December with an informal meeting on Tuesday 17th January for the start of 2012.

I take this opportunity of wishing everyone and their families a safe and happy Festive Season and look forward to catching up in January.

Sue Gibson