The mid week run in early May ended up at Doncho’s Restaurant at Virginia Nursery.  The meeting place was Endue on Grand Junction Road for coffee and a browse through the shop.  The run took us up through Chain of Ponds to Kersbrook and down towards Gawler before picking up Angle Vale Road and Gawler Road to the Nursery.  Hopefully those people who came along enjoyed the run and their lunch.

The annual weekender was again very successful with 44 people joining in what can only be described as a weekend full of fun, food and a bit of frivolity.  The only disappointment was the lack of Triumphs, probably due to the shocking weather forecast for strong winds and rain, which did catch up with us on Sunday for our trip home.  Once again Bill and Margie put an awful lot of effort into organising the two days and I know they had already done the trip twice before the actual event.  A huge thank you from everyone who attended for what was a great two days.  Where to next year?

The run on Sunday 19th June will end up at Thorndon Park for a club sponsored gourmet sausage sizzle lunch.  There is plenty of under cover area should the weather be inclement, so don’t let the weather deter you from participating.  Just bring chairs, tables and drinks and of course your Triumph.

The next ladies technical session will be on Tuesday 14th June at Cafe Buongiorno Mitcham at 12.00 noon.  As usual if you are free on that day come along and join us for a chat and a bite to eat.

There will be a mid week run on Wednesday July 6th meeting at Millies Bakery in Stirling at 10.00am for 11.00am departure.  The run is ending up at Grumphy’s in Hahndorf for wood fired pizzas for lunch at a cost of $14.90ph.

A reminder that due to the National Rally being held in Mt Gambier in October there will be NO MEETING that month.

Sue Gibson

2011 MSCA 6-HOUR REGULARITY RELAY RESULTS

A computer glitch has been found to have messed with some of the team results for this year’s 6-Hour event held on 1st May.

This included the teams placed first and second which have now been relegated down the line, which has meant that this year’s winners were in fact the Scuderia Alfa Black Team from SA with 54.68%. Second place went to a mixed Team from Victoria (53.41%, and THIRD PLACE HAS NOW BEEN AWARDED TO TEAM TRIUMPH with 52.86%.

Once again, thanks to all the drivers and volunteer helpers on the day . . .  a great result for TSOA SA and our invited guests from Victoria. Well done all!!

Roger Lange, Team Manager

Just prior to the last general meeting the committee held a short meeting to sanction a few changes we have been working on over the last couple of months, and I thought the general membership should be advised even though it will not affect the day to day running of the club.

First of all Peter Davidge has been reviewing the clubs finances and how the funds are managed, and we have approved his recommendations to continue forward with three accounts that will gain an improved return on our funds and allow the treasurer greater flexibility in running our accounts. We will progressively move to electronic fund transfer and rely less on our old cheque account.

At the same meeting Peter presented, and the committee approved the budget for next year and we are please to advise that the club membership subscriptions will be held at the same level as the last couple of years, while maintaining the level of activities we have come to expect.

The weather has been kind to us on our last couple of runs and the breakfast run to Clarendon and beyond was enjoyed by all who attended, and my thanks go to Lyle and Sue for again organising this event.

The technical meeting held in early April with a practical session on spray painting was well attended with approximately 25 participants and thanks goes to John Tuohy and Richard Sutherland for planning and organising this event.

On Easter Saturday I ventured out to Mallala to watch the National Historic race meeting and again the weather was great and I had an enjoyable day watching the older cars compete in their historic events as well as several club members participating in the modern regularity events, due to another commitment I had to leave before the day was over and I am sure any results achieved on the day will be reported later in this magazine.

On the day it was pleasing to see a TR2, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, 4 x TR6’s, a 2500 estate and a Daimler Dart on display in the designated area, and while 2 of these cars did not belong to our club members the marque was again well represented amongst the 50 or so vehicles on display.

Three of the Triumph display cars took advantage of the lunch time parade and did five or six laps around the circuit under the control of a pace car, and while it was not race conditions it was a bit of a buzz to get a feel of the circuit.

Look forward to catching up soon,
‘Til we meet again

John Sampson

The annual breakfast run was again organised by Lyle & Sue Taylor who were unfortunately unable to attend however Lyle saw all the cars off from the Mitcham Shopping Centre carpark at 8.00am.   The run took us through Blackwood to Clarendon and the picnic area down by the oval.  It was a perfect day weatherwise and thanks to Lyle & Sue for organising.

The ladies Technical lunch on 12th April saw a good number discuss all things technical and enjoy a bite to eat as well.  The next lunch will be on Tuesday 14th June at Cafe Buongiorno Mitcham.

The next mid week run is on Wednesday 4th May heading to Doncho’s Cafe at Virginia Nursery for lunch.  We are meeting at Endue Cnr Grand Junction and Nelson Roads at 10.00am for coffee departing 11.00am.

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 weekend organised by Bill and Margie with plenty of things to do and see on our way to our overnight stop at Pt Pirie and the following day on our return to Adelaide.  The dates are Sat/Sun 21st/22nd May.

The June run on Sunday 19th will be a club sponsored sausage sizzle lunch at Thorndon Park where there is a large under cover area should the weather be inclement.  Meeting at 10.00am at The Place Next Door Cnr Glynburn and Greenhill Rds departing at 11.00am.

Sue Gibson

The mid week run on 2nd March headed to Langhorne Creek for coffee, on to the Wellington Hotel for lunch and then Strathalbyn for afternoon tea.   I understand this run was well attended and all enjoyed the day.  Thanks to Bill and Maggie for organising.

The run on 27th March was well attended despite a gloomy start to the day with a threat of rain and fog up at Crafers.   The run took us through the hills, through Echunga, Clarendon and ended up at Montagana Cafe at Blackwood where some people had breakfast, some morning tea and others lunch.  Thanks to Tony and Wendy for organising this Sunday run.

The next ladies lunch is on Tuesday April 12th at Cafe Buongiorno Mitcham.  If you are free on that day come along and join us for a chat and a bite to eat.

The next Sunday run is the Breakfast Run to Clarendon on 17th April and again is being organised by Lyle and Sue, meeting at 7.45am at Mitcham Shopping Centre behind the service station.   BYO gas cooker, table, chairs, drinks and all your breakfast goodies.

This year’s weekender is heading to the Lower Flinders area on 21st/.22nd May and as usual is filling fast.  If you are thinking of coming along please get in touch with Margie to book your place.  Full payment is required at the April meeting and the cost is $100pp for members.

There are still a few gaps on the supper roster so if you are able to help out please let either Lorraine Page or Sue Gibson know.

Global disarray with floods, earthquakes, tsunami’s and nuclear plant meltdowns, while I share all the sorrow, concerns and sympathy for those countries and people caught up in these events, it brought home to me how lucky we are in S.A. and again reminded me that we should get out and enjoy our wonderful state and all it has to offer.

I would like to bring to your attention upcoming club events even though the specific details will be shown in following pages.I am not sure if this magazine will get to you in time for the next “Technical meeting” but on Saturday the 2nd of April there is a practical workshop on “Automotive spray painting” starting at 9.00am for approximately 3 hours. I understand we have just over 20 members interested in this event and there are still a couple of positions left, so if you have delayed your decision to attend to the last minute then ring John Tuohy on 8443 5493 or 0418 838 074 and I am sure he can get you in.

Over Easter the Sporting Car Club of SA will be holding the 30th Easter National Historic race meeting and Classic Display / Lunchtime Parade on Saturday 23rd at Mallala Motorsport Park If you have nothing planned for that day there is a Golden opportunity to promote the club and our marque, by attending this event and displaying your vehicle either as an individual or with the club at the Saturday display day.

There is a cost to enter but if you have more than one person in your car then it is cheaper than attending the day just to watch the event, and if you are interested then you can also do a lap or maybe two of the Mallala circuit under controlled conditions. For further details again see inside this copy of Track, but remember you must register and have your entry in by the 8th of April.  Contact Trevor Lindsay for details, again his contact details are in the inside front cover of Track, or visit the Sporting Car Club of SA’s website sportingcarclubsa.org.au for more details of this day and the full long weekend’s activities.

The Triumph Weekender in late May is filling up quickly and if you intend joining this special club weekend then ring Margie and Bill on 0409 849 314 / 0438 836 837 to confirm your booking, thanks goes to Margie and Bill for all the work put in  to this event over the last weeks.

Do not forget the TSOA National rally to Mt Gambier, Victor Harbor with the side trip to K.I if you so desire, bookings are being finalised now but there may still be a chance to join in for last minute booking contact Bob and Natalie on 8370 7210.

Of course all the planned Sunday and mid week runs are as normal so there are many opportunities for the balance of the year to take your pride and joy out on the road and mix with fellow club members and enjoy our state.

Till we meet again

John Sampson

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

Chuck Falzon’s magnificent Triumph 1800 Roadster – pictured at the 2011 All British Day.

Last week I read an interesting article in the January 2011 edition of OCTANE magazine, so I have paraphrased some of the detail (and hopefully not infringed any copy write)The regular column was written by Jay Leno the American Talk show host who is also well known as a true petrol head with a “massive” collection of classic and prestige vehicles. That’s the magazine’s description of Jay not mine.

The Article starts off “My McLaren F1 went back into the McLaren service centre near LA recently” and he goes on to describe how depressing it is for him that he cannot do the work in his own workshop as there is no workshop manual. While he loves the car his passion for it has not grown because he doesn’t feel involved with the car.

Jay goes on to say he enjoys cars like his Lotus Elan, XK120 and others in his collection because he is “involved in their inner workings” and finds them much more exciting to drive, because he is intimately involved with them, and therefore wants to use them more.

He wonders if today’s “enthusiasts” (I guess meaning the next generation) feel and care for their vehicles as much, as they do not understand how they work, he refers to a website called wrecked Exotics, which is about people who have wrecked the newly purchased exotic cars, sometimes in the first few weeks of owning them and then go out and buy another one, the throwaway society. He obviously mixes in different circles than we do. He goes on saying that you rarely see a classic vehicles on this website as their owners have worked on, polished, changed the oil on their special vehicles, and drive them with respect.

The article continues on and makes other similar points, and I feel no need to continue, but in made me ponder, our club and our members who obviously fall under the same heading as Jay’s Classic vehicle owners, are passionate about their vehicles, but what about the next generation ?I think it is important for us as a club and club members to get out there and display our vehicles, learn more about how they work and pass this on to the “next generation”

To this end I am pleased we as a club are trying to promote and revive our Technical meetings and I would encourage as many members as possible to attend these special events as they evolve.

Hopefully you will pick up and learn techniques therefore gaining confidence to attempt the work yourself.

The next “Technical meeting” is a learn how to “spray paint session” with a practical workshop. Details can be found in this edition of Track. Come along and learn, but be quick as there are only about 30 places. New members and those currently restoring their cars who normally do not attend our functions are welcome to come along too.

If any member has ideas or suggestions that could evolve into further Technical meetings then I am sure John Tuohy (contact details inside font cover of Track.) would help develop them.

There is also a Golden opportunity to promote the club and the marque, by attending the Easter Historic race meeting at Mallala on Easter Saturday the 23rd of April, and displaying your vehicle either as an individual or as a club at the Saturday display day. There is a cost to enter but if you have more than one person in your car then it is cheaper than attending the day just to watch the event, and if you are interested then you can also do a lap or maybe two of the Mallala circuit under controlled conditions. For further details again see inside this copy of Track, but remember you must register and have your entry in by early April.  Contact Trevor Lindsay for details, again his contact details are in the inside front cover of Track, or visit the Sporting Car Club of SA’s website.

Last Sunday the All British Day was held at the Uraidla oval, and it was a roaring success, the weather was perfect and there was a record attendance. I would like to thank Arrand Ellery, Kevin McEnroe and Kevin Foster for helping with the marshalling on the day.

A special thanks also goes out to all the club members who helped make up the TRIUMPH Display on the day, it was a great turn out.  Again the 47 vehicles from a single marque club was up there as one of the largest club displays. If you missed out this year then mark the second Sunday in February each year for this special picnic day and keep your eyes open for the entry forms in September each year.

That’s all for now.

Till we meet again

John Sampson

The Ice Cream run on 29th January organised by Tom and Judie was very well patronised with over 50 people enjoying ice cream, fish ‘n chips, donuts, coffee etc at Noonies Kiosk at Semaphore Park.  The day was extremely warm which made for a good night to drive along the coast and watch the sunset.  This run is always very popular and thanks to Tom and Judie for organising this event for the past 18 years.

The first Ladies Technical Session for 2011 was also very well attended with lots of technical talk happening.   Hope to see you all again on Tuesday 12th April at Caffe Buongiorno Mitcham.

All British Day saw us down under the trees at the Uraidla Oval so plenty of shade was to be had, albeit it was a bit cool to begin with, but the day turned out to be perfect.  It was a huge event this year with a record number of cars and it was great to see so many Triumphs in attendance.   The Uraidla market was frequented by a number of the ladies.  Thanks to those members who assisted on the day, some of whom were up at Uraidla at 6.00am.

Bill and Margie have once again taken on organising this year’s weekender, which will be going to the mid North on the weekend of 21st and 22nd May.  I suggest you get your name down early to reserve your place in what promises to be another full weekend with museum visits, gaol tours, good food and of course great company.  The cost has been kept to $100pp for members and will need to be paid at the April meeting.

Sue Gibson