PAST
MSCA 6hr Mallala 23 May

A wet and windy day saw 18 teams competing. TSOA was not represented this year – maybe next time if there is enough interest. All teams finished though one was disqualified after being reduced to one car and that car doing too many laps. See the MSCA web site for results.

Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships Sandown 22 – 23 May  – Tom Hutchinson competed in his TR8 at this event in two classes being ‘Sports Cars’ and ‘MG’s & Invited British Sports Cars’. Tom Qualified 6th and 1st respectively. In Sports Cars he had two 6th placings and a 3rd. In the MG class he had three 2nd placings and a 1st. Ian Wilson also raced in Sports Cars with his new TVR, which looks to be an extremely quick car. However, it is not a Triumph – so enough said. See the Natsoft web site for more details.
FUTURE

Rally of SA 25 – 27 June

All British Race Meeting Wakefield Park 26 – 27 June  -Rod Carey (GT6) and Neil Martin are participating this year flying the flag for SA. This meeting incorporates a sprint on the Saturday and All Triumph races on the Sunday.

MSCA Sprint Rd2 Mallala 4 July – TSOA flaggies required. I have had two people contact me so far as possibilities and they are Arrand Ellery and Peter Davidge – thanks guys for showing interest. Hopefully I will hear from more of you.

SA Circuit Racing Championship Rd3 Mallala 21 – 22 August  – There are likely to be Triumphs racing at this event in the MG & Invited British Sports Cars. Roger Lange (GT6) has expressed interest and Tom Hutchinson is rumoured to make a return to Mallala after a difference of opinion some years ago. Unfortunately I will be overseas so will miss this one.
MSCA Sprint Rd3 Mallala 19 September

MSCA Sprint Rd4 Mallala 24 October

SA Circuit Racing Championship Rd4 30 – 31 October

OTHER

I joined the TSOA almost 35 years ago after acquiring my TR4A from Laurie Cousin who convinced me that there were benefits to belonging to a club of people with similar interests. There was a strong competition focus and many were competing in sprints and open meetings. I tagged along to race meetings with TSOA members here and interstate and friendships were established with these people. My interest in motor sport was intensified through this exposure, though my budget restricted my participation to Sprints until more recently.

It is a source of frustration to me that our club has been for quite some time so buried in what I refer to as the ‘tea and scone’ syndrome. The majority of our calendar caters for this. I am unsure whether this is as a result of the general aging of our membership with little new blood flowing in or not. Perhaps I am a minority. However, if I was to join the TSOA today as a 20 year old, apart from Historic Registration and the magazine, you would see as little of me today as you see now.

Motor sport is not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’. However, the future of our club and our ageing membership should be of concern to all. Perhaps a more diverse range of activities would attract younger members. I don’t profess to have the solutions, but if you have any ideas, please let me or other members of the committee know.

Cheers,
Trevor Lindsay

Our Day of Triumph was exactly that! A Triumph! Everyone in the know knew that the forecast “possible early shower” meant glorious sunshine! The display of Triumphs spanning around the Civic Park arena and the sight of TSOA members enjoying the day was fantastic. Well done to all involved.

TSOA now needs to build on this success towards “bigger and better” next year.

Looking forward, there are a couple of things that deserve attention. Our Annual General Meeting is approaching fast, and as you all know, this is your opportunity to get involved in the operations of your club. At the August AGM, all Executive Committee positions are declared vacant, and nominations are sought to fill these positions for the next year. Usually, 99.9% of the membership find excuses not to stand for office, and usually, those hard working committee people who have served your club (and you) for many years, continue on until their enthusiasm is exhausted.

New blood means new ideas, new directions, and a freshness that can reinvigorate and enthuse. It also spreads the burden as a larger number of club members get involved over a period of time. Standing for office doesn’t mean a life sentence. In fact, it would be nice to think that anyone standing for a particular position of office would only be required to do so for no longer than two years. Many clubs have this written in their constitutions and this then forces the issue. Ours does not, but I believe that it could be a goal worth adopting as an “unwritten” rule.

So, look within yourself and ask if perhaps it is time for you to give something back to your club. If you do, talk with a current committee person towards understanding what is involved – if not for this year, then perhaps in preparation for standing for office next year after learning the ropes as an understudy / assistant. This makes transition a little easier when the time comes and will give you a better understanding of how things work and maybe where you can make a difference.

The other thing to keep an eye out for is the 2011 National Rally being hosted by us. Your National Rally Committee has been working hard towards developing a rally program that offers fun times and enjoyment with your Triumph together with like minded enthusiasts from Interstate, all at a very reasonable cost for a week long event. Full details will be announced in the coming months in readiness for the official announcement and promotion at this year’s Nationals being held in NSW. The dates that have been decided upon are 15th to 21st October, 2011 so you have plenty of time to get your calendar organised.

Cherri and I are off overseas for 6 weeks from late June, but I will be back for the AGM meeting. During our absence, Vice President John Sampson will assume the helm . . . thank you John.

On a sad note, Member Bryan Young’s wife Vivienne has lost her battle with cancer, passing away on 20th May. Our thoughts are with Bryan and family as they deal with their sad loss.

Roger

Noel Schmidt’s Concours winning TR3A from the 2010 Day of Triumph . . . .What a TRIUMPH!!

The day dawned dull, drizzly and quite cold for the mid week run on Wednesday 5th May, but it didn’t stop about 20 people meeting for coffee at Suzette’s Cafe at Hazelwood Park.  The run took us through picturesque valleys of the Adelaide Hills where the country was looking very good after the recent rains.   There was mist rising from the cold damp morning and autumn colours were the order of the day.   The destination for lunch was The Green Man Inn at Ashbourne at 12.30pm and unfortunately time did not permit a second coffee stop in Hahndorf.   The run was set by Andy, who is at present in the States, and took us on some different hills roads to normal.   Thanks Andy.

Despite a very gloomy weather forecast 60 cars turned out on what ended up a brilliant day weatherwise for the Day of Triumph at Civic Park at Modbury on Sunday 16th May.  The cars were displayed in a circle on the park and looked excellent, all gleaming in the sunshine.   Thanks to all those people who helped on the day, gate attendants Alex and Neil; score co-ordinators Alan and Lyle; and all the judges who had a good number of cars to judge.  Thanks also to Margie and Bill for providing the tent, tables and chairs, also Bob Cini for liaising with Tea Tree Gully Council staff and picking up the key.   Bob was at the vemuel very early to ensure entry to the park did not get blocked by other park users.

Congratulations to all trophy winners and especially Noel Schmidt with his newly restored red TR3A who took out the overall prize for the day.  We hope to see all trophy winners at the Christmas Dinner to collect their prizes on Saturday 4th December at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club.

The next ladies technical session is on Tuesday 8th June at Cafe Symphony Cnr Belair Rd and Princes Street Mitcham at 12 noon.   Hope to see you there.

Sue Gibson

Some dates to take note of:-
Monday 26 April (Anzac holiday) – Come & Try Hillclimb at Collingrove.

Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 May – Rd 2 of the SA Circuit Racing Championship at Mallala.
Sunday 23 May – MSCA 6hr at Mallala. We have a couple of interested parties to form a team, but if more interest isn’t shown shortly there won’t be a TSOA team entered this year. Contact Roger Lange or myself soon.

Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 May – Winton Historics at Winton Motor Racing Circuit. There are usually a small number of TSOA members attending this.

Friday 25 – Sunday 27 June – Australian Rally Championships – Rally of SA

Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 June – All British Race Meeting and Sprint at Wakefield Park, NSW. Anyone interested in tagging along to or competing in this event please contact Myself or Roger Lange. Roger and myself are not competing this year however Rod Carey and Neil Martin are possible entries from SA.

Sunday 4 July – MSCA Sprint Rd 2 at Mallala. TSOA flaggies are required. Free lunch and drinks and a close up of action on the track. Please phone me to volunteer your time and show your support for the TSOA and those in our club who participate in motorsport. Please don’t make me phone you.
Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 August – Rd 3 of the SA Circuit Racing Championship at Mallala. A round of the Victorian MG Race series is being run as part of this meeting, and with “Invited Marques” allowed to take part, there could well be some Triumphs creating trouble for the MGs!

Sunday 19 September – MSCA Sprint Rd 3 at Mallala.
Sunday 24 October – MSCA Sprint Rd 4 at Mallala.

Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 October – Rd 4 of the SA Circuit Racing Championship at Mallala.
It would appear at this stage that the Classic Adelaide Rally may be at an end following the apparent collapse of Silverstone Events, the organising body.

Cheers,

Trevor Lindsay

The mid week run on 3rd March was well attended by 30 people and headed to Strathalbyn’s Victoria Hotel for lunch.  Members Peter & Jean Boxall from Hervey Bay joined us as they were visiting Adelaide at the time and came along to catch up with SA members.  We were also joined by Fay Esau’s sister and husband who were visiting from Brisbane.

The run through the hills to Woodside on 21st March saw over 35 people sample the sweet delights of Melba’s Chocolates, some doing their Easter shopping.  After leaving the chocolate factory we drove to Millies Bakery in Mt Barker for even more sweet treats and coffee.  Thanks to Arrand who put this run together.  It was great to see Richard and Deb out again in their newly acquired yellow TR7.

Don’t forget the Day of Triumph of Sunday 16th May at Civic Park opposite Tea Tree Plaza Shopping Centre with gates opening at 9.00am.   Judging will commence at 10.30am.   Even if you don’t want to enter your car, come along and put the car on display.   Bring a picnic lunch or buy from the shopping centre opposite.

The weekender on 5th/6th June is filling fast so if you are thinking of coming along please get in touch with either Sue or Margie to book your place.

All British Day dawned a beautiful morning and saw more than 46 TSOA members display their cars on Uraidla Oval.  All told there were well over 700 cars to be looked at during the course of the day.   The Uraidla Market was frequented by a number of the ladies.   Thanks to all those members who assisted on the day with marshalling, setting up the display area, putting up the shade tents etc.

There is not a lot to report this month but don’t forget the run on 21st March to Melba’s Chocolates and Millies Bakery at Mt Barker.  Details in TRak.

The annual Brekky run is again being set by Lyle & Sue and is on Sunday 11th April, so pack all your goodies for breakfast and come along, meeting at Burnside Townhall at 7.45am and heading, this year, to Gumeracha.

The next ladies Technical Lunch is at Market on Maxwell, Maxwell Terrace Glengowrie (off Morphett Rd south side of the tramline) at 12 noon.   Hope to see you there.

Bill & Margie have again put a lot of time and effort into organising this year’s weekender, which will be held over the weekend of 5/6th June.   This year they are taking us to the Fleurieu Peninsula and, if previous years events are anything to go on, this will be another excellent 2 days full of fun and frivolity.   More details in TRak.

Sunday 21 February     MSCA Picnic/Presentation Day at Peter Lehman’s Winery – Tanunda. Great venue for a relaxed lunch in the shade with fellow car enthusiasts. BYO or buy lunch there.

Friday 26 & Saturday 27 February     Ballarat Swap Meet. Boasts to be the biggest in Australia.

Saturday 27 February     Round 1 of the SA State Championships at Mallala. This is a twilight meeting that commences around lunch time and usually concludes around 10pm.

Saturday 28 February     Skills enhancement day run by Alfa Club in conjunction with the MSCA.

Sunday 7 March     Collingrove Hillclimb Round 1.

Monday 8 – Friday 12 March     Lake Gairdner Speed Trials. Cars from all over Australia and overseas travel to salt flats west of Port Augusta to compete. This year is the 20th anniversary. It is a 550km trip from Adelaide.

Friday 19 – Sunday 21 March     2010 Phillip Island Classic. A great weekend of historic and classic motor racing. Amongst others there are over 100 Group Sa, Sb and Sc sports cars entered and 35 Formula 5000’s, many from the recent McLaren Revival in New Zealand.

Sunday 28 March     MSCA Sprint Round 1 at Mallala

A reminder that TSOA volunteers are required for assisting with the MSCA Sprint on 4 July.

Please contact me if you require details of the above or know of other events that may be of interest to club members.

Cheers,     Trevor Lindsay

The Christmas dinner at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club was attended by 73 people and hopefully everyone enjoyed the evening.

The year ended with the mid week run on 30th December to the Pretoria Hotel at Mannum.   Despite a temperature of 39 degrees being forecast 40 people turned out for the run organised by Bill Smith.   The meeting place was the Crafers Hotel then on to the freeway, exiting at Mt Barker and on to Mannum on roads never travelled before.   It was a case of “spot the Triumph” as most people brought air conditioned cars, but it was still an enjoyable day.

Thanks to Tom and Judie Long who, for the 17th year running, organised another successful Ice Cream Run on 23rd January with over 40 people in attendance.

All British Day is the next event on the calendar on Sunday 14th February at Uraidla Oval.   This is followed a week later on Sunday 21st February by the MSCA presentation day at Peter Lehmann Winery at Tanunda.

This year it is the turn of NSW to host the TSOA National Meeting . . . . or as has become the custom over recent years, the TSOA National Rally. Or simply the TSOA Nationals.

The NSW Branch of the TSOA haS set a week long program centred around the Kangaroo Valley area south of Sydney that includes competition events at Wakefield Park, tours of areas including Marulan, the southern highlands and south coast, and jam packed with activities.

For more information, follow the link to tsoansw.com and click on the Nationals tab.

Talk to any of your committee if you are interested but may not have done a Nationals before – they are great fun, great value, and a great way to enjoy your Triumph.

Roger
President