Brian Argent enjoying his recently completed TR6 project. Nice job Brian!!

The 2009 Competition season commenced on the 8th February with the Austin 7 Club Regularity event at Mallala. Neil Martin (TR7) and Peter Nelson (MX5) competed and by the end of the day’s competition, Neil had progressed to 2nd with a best time of 1:31.73 and Peter to 3rd with 1:27.47. Both had a great day whilst the rest of us enjoyed the All British Day at Uraidla.

It was somewhat cooler than past years for the MSCA picnic presentation day held on the grounds of Peter Lehmann’s winery on Sunday 15th February. Those attending in support of TSOA this year included Bob and Pat Cini, Rory and Sue Gibson, Lyall and Sue Taylor, Alan and Maureen Gold, Richard Sutherland, Trevor Lindsay, Peter Liebich and Mary, Neil Martin and a work mate from Qld., Steve Kernick from Tanunda, and of course, Roger and Cherri. Thank you all for supporting TSOA at this event. All enjoyed a pleasant picnic lunch, a huge display of cars from each of the affiliated clubs, and the presentation of awards for the 2008 season that finished with presentation of Life Membership for MSCA founding member Peter Hall.

Upcoming events include Round 1 of the MSCA Sprint series on Sunday 1st March where we expect to see the GT6 trio of Trevor Lindsay, Rod Carey and Roger Lange take part, as well as the reliable Neil Martin in his TR7V8. Jon Fechner intends to debut his new Mini after selling his TR6 to a happy Victorian buyer last year. It promises to be a great day.

I have found out a bit more regarding the Mt Alma Hillclimb that appears in the calendar for the first time this year. It is an event being run by the Southern Districts Car Club over the weekend of 18/19th April on a closed section of the Mt Alma Road, off the Yankalilla to Victor Harbor Road. The competition section is essentially a Hillclimb over a 1 mile or 1.6 km course. Full details can be found on the SDCC web site at www.sdcc.asn.au – also found on this website are details for the Tarmac Rally Sprint being held over the weekend of the 30/31st May where some of our Tarmac competitors including Ian Wilson (TR7V8) may take part.

The Sporting Car Club are hosting two “Come and Try” Days at Collingrove this year, the first on Sunday, 26th April (Anzac Day long weekend) so if you have the faintest interest in finding out what Collingrove is all about then this is your opportunity. Go to the Sporting Car Club website (find the link on www.tsoasa.com) for full information and entry forms. Requirements are minimal but there is a small fee and an entry closing date.

The 6-Hour Regularity Relay is scheduled for 17th May and following our third place last year, TSOA is again fielding a team to contest this year’s event. As always, help is needed. This is a true Team event, with support required in a number of areas, from pit wall timing and lap board display, to sash changeover, driver support, and team runner. If you would like to be a part of Team Triumph this year, let me know – we need all the support we can get!

Clipsal 500 is fast approaching, as is the F1 carnival in Melbourne. Local races at Mallala including Historics at Easter time – something for everyone!

That’s enough from me . . . see you trackside!

Roger

The ladies technical luncheon in February, was well attended and we even discussed the up and coming TSOA Events!  We felt lucky so all went in for the Big Lottery that was happening in the evening, and trusted Peggy to purchase the winning ticket….well she bought a ticket and we won $13.25……not a fortune between six people but enough to reinvest in the Saturday night….well what can I say except we gave that money to the Lottery Commission!!  Better luck next time!!

The Victorian Fires are foremost on our minds, and our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to the families who have lost their homes and livelihoods.  Nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected in this tragedy and as Australians we all do our bit to help out when we can – please God let the fires get under control soon so people can begin to rebuild their lives.

The next technical luncheon is Tuesday 10th March at 12.00noon at Café Buongiornoat Mitcham  – see you all there!

Margie

Twenty people braved the heat of 4th February for the mid week run to Old Noarlunga for lunch.  Unfortunately no-one took their Triumph due to the heat – all preferring to travel in air conditioned comfort.

All British Day was held at Uraidla Oval and TSOA had 42 cars entered.  The weather was pleasant and there were many cars to look at as well as the Uraidla market over the road.  Thanks to everyone who assisted on the day.

The MSCA presentation day was held on the lawns of Peter Lehman Winery in Tanunda and those who attended enjoyed a picnic atmosphere under the trees.  Unfortunately TSOA did not win the trophy for the best presentation.

This year’s weekender is again being arranged by Bill& Margie and is going to the mid north area where we are staying at Paxton Cottages in Burra.   Finer details are still being organised and details will be in future issues of TRAK.   The cost is $200 per couple.   Please note the date is now 30th/31st May due to the Regularity event being run on 17th May.  Please phone Margie to book your place on 0438 836837.

A note for the diary – Sunday June 21st will see a fund raiser for the SA Nationals in 2011 in the form of a Jazz Afternoon at the Sporting Car Club rooms.   Bob & Natalie are organising this event which will feature The Danny Hodgson Trio and Samantha.  Further details will be available in the near future.

The Competition Calendar for this year is published within the February issue of TRak as well as being posted on this website, and what a wonderful array of events is available to anyone even remotely interested in motorsport, whether it is club level or professional events, competitor or spectator.

Of particular interest to TSOA members will be the MSCA Sprint dates, and the Austin 7 Club Regularity events, both conducted at the Mallala circuit. The 6-Hour Regularity Relay is scheduled for 17th May – Team Triumph placed third in 2008 and will be looking to improve on this in this year’s event. The Modern Regularity SA Championship will be contested on 27th September – refer to the Austin 7 Club link on the TSOA website.

Also of note is two dates for “come and try” days at the Collingrove Hillclimb facility, one in April and the other in September. These days are available to anyone who hasn’t experienced hillclimbing before, and are a great introduction to the sport. Check out the Sporting Car Club website for details and entry forms. It is easy and cheap, and very little special preparation is necessary.

The All British Race Day, held at Wakefield Park NSW and complete with All Triumph races, is scheduled a little later in the year for 2009, being the 2nd August.  Race day is preceded by the usual Super Sprint hosted by the Austin Healey Owners Club. South Australian Triumphs will be there; perhaps a trio of GT6’s this year.

I have no information on an event scheduled for 18-19 April at a place known as Mt Alma. This will be a Hillclimb put on by the Southern Districts Car Club, so I will see what I can find out about it and keep you informed. The “Legend of the Lakes” event at Mt Gambier will be held over the weekend of 7-8 November and with the popularity of this Hillclimb up and around the blue lakes increasing each year, early entry is recommended – refer to the South East Auto Club website at www.seacsa.com  for details.

I have included the dates for major events that may be of interest – Clipsal, F1, SA Race and Hillclimb Championships, Classic Adelaide etc. just so that you know when to settle in front of the TV or put your hat on and go and have a look.

Lots to do, see, hear and experience. Let’s hope the Triumphs look and sound great, and go fast (as they usually do!)

That’s enough from me . . . see you trackside!

Roger

I was contacted recently by Larry Kavanagh of Fairview Park (mob 0488 401 956) who advised that he had recently acquired a very interesting vehicle with which he is seeking some help with both information and parts. After talking with Larry and reading the information that he does have about the car, I found both the history and the restoration project very interesting and well worth sharing with TSOA.

First, a brief history of what we know – one Lance Ridgway purchased an accident damaged TR3A in 1961 and proceeded to convert the car into a full bodied GT car complete with gull wing doors, using a square steel tube framework and full aluminium body shaped b y John Webb in his after hours time at the Elfin factory.

The car featured in the June 1963 edition of Sports Car World and we have a copy of this article complete with photos of the car showing its stylish fastback design and Lance Ridgway holding up one of the gull wing doors. Apparently, these were yet to find a permanent means of support given that gas struts were not commonly available at the time.

Lance sold the car to Dr Geoff Ward in 1963 and was raced and used for hillclimbing with mixed results – it was simply known as a Triumph GT. A Dr Ross Benger was next to own the car, before it was re-acquired by Lance Ridgway. During the period of this second term as owner, Lance had the fast back fixed roof removed and converted the car to a roadster, complete with small racing windscreen and roll bar.

Since that time the car has had several owners including the Kuchell family in the Barossa and a Steven Rowley of Williamstown. Larry Kavanagh now has what remains and judging by the photos, it is in need of some TLC. Lance is determined to get the car back to pristine condition and perhaps back on the track for historic demonstrations, regularity events and hill climbs.

Larry is keen to talk with anyone who may have information about the car, memories of events that it has been seen, photographs etc. Also, as there are many TR3A parts missing, he is keen to source parts to complete the job. If your shed is anything like mine, where odd bits and pieces of Triumph models that I have played with over the years are collected, and you have messed with the early TR’s, then you may have that missing bit.

Larry’s contact number is mob 0488 401 956 and he will be keen to talk with you.

Roger Lange, Competition Secretary

Welcome to 2009 and I hope everyone had a safe and happy Festive Season.

It is already the end of January and the calendar is filling up – a reminder that we have the first Ladies “Technical” Lunch on Tuesday 10th February at 12.00noon at Café Bongiourno at Mitcham do hope you can join us.

The Gelato and Coffee night in January went well and I hope everyone enjoyed the Fish and Chip and Ice-cream run that Judie and Tom organised.

The supper roster is beginning to fill, so if you can help where the vacancies are, please let me know.  I have increased the savoury budget to $30.00 but kept the sweet at $20.00. The raffle money should cover costs, so remember to keep your receipts.

Thanks for your help and see you all at the upcoming events!

Margie

The full 2009 Competition Events Calendar is now available for viewing and download from within the Competition News tab.

A full CAMS Calendar is available from me at TSOA General Meetings, or from the CAMS Office in Kent Town.

Roger Lange, Competition Secretary

CALENDAR OF COMPETITION EVENTS FOR 2009

DATE    EVENT    WHERE    BY
8-Feb    Modern Regularity & Superkarts    Mallala    A7C
15-Feb    MSCA Presentation Day     Lehmann’s    MSCA
28-Feb    SA Race Championships Rd 1 (Twilight)    Mallala    SCCSA
1-Mar    Super Sprint Round 1    Mallala    MSCA
15-Mar    Modern Regularity & Superkarts    Mallala    A7C
19-22 Mar    Clipsal 500    Adelaide    SAMSB
26-29 Mar    Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix    Melbourne    AGPC
11-12 Apr    Race – National Historics    Mallala    SCCSA
13-Apr    Hillclimb – Historics    Collingrove    SCCSA
18-19 Apr    Hillclimb – Mt Alma    Mt Alma    SDCC
26-Apr    Hillclimb – “Come and Try”    Collingrove    SCCSA
26-Apr    Modern Regularity & Superkarts    Mallala    A7C
2-3 May    SA Race Championships Rd 2    Mallala    SCCSA
17-May    6 Hour Regularity Relay     Mallala    MSCA
14-Jun    Hillclimb, Multi Club    Collingrove    SCCSA
28-Jun    Hillclimb, Winter Cup Rd 1    Collingrove    SCCSA
28-Jun    Modern Regularity & Superkarts    Mallala    A7C
5-Jul    Super Sprint Round 2    Mallala    MSCA
2-Aug    Modern Regularity & Superkarts    Mallala    A7C
9-Aug    Hillclimb, Winter Cup Rd 2    Collingrove    SCCSA
16-Aug    Super Sprint Round 3     Mallala    MSCA
6-Sep    Super Sprint Round 4    Mallala    MSCA
12-13 Sep    SA Race Championships Rd 3    Mallala    SCCSA
26-Sep    Hillclimb – “Come & Try Day”    Collingrove    SCCSA
27-Sep    Hillclimb, Winter Cup Rd 3    Collingrove    SCCSA
27-Sep    Modern Regularity SA Championship (&S’karts)    Mallala    A7C
3-4 Oct    Historic Demonstration    Lobethal    SCCSA
17-Oct    SA Hillclimb Championship    Collingrove    SCCSA
25-Oct    Super Sprint Round 5    Mallala    MSCA
31-Oct / 8-Nov    TSOA NATIONAL RALLY     WA    TSOA (WA)
6-Nov    Climb to the Eagle    Adelaide    SCCSA
7-8 Nov    Hillclimb – “Legend of the Lakes”    Mt Gambier    SEAC
8-Nov    Modern Regularity & Superkarts    Mallala    A7C
14-Nov    SA Race Championships Rd 4 – Twilight    Mallala    SCCSA
18-22 Nov    Classic Adelaide Rally    Adelaide    Silverstone
6-Dec    Modern Regularity & Superkarts    Mallala    A7C

CAMS has recently updated competitor requirements for Racing Harnesses and Fire Extinguishers – refer to the following links for full details :-

http://www.cams.com.au/bulletins/B08-105%20Schedule%20I%20-Safety%20Harnesses.pdf
http://www.camsmanual.com.au/pdf/general/0609_Schedule_H_Q408.pdf
Roger