PAST

All British Race Meeting Wakefield Park 26 – 27 June

There were 23 entries in this years All Triumph Race. Just about every model of Triumph was represented. There were 3 past winners competing with Roy Davis (Qld.) in the ex-Rutledge GT6 (1978, 1981,1982) and Rod Carey (S.A.) in the ex Byrne/Pierce GT6 (1980) together with Mark Morsillo’s 2005 winning tubocharged Dolomite.

The sidescreens were back in numbers and what a magnificent sight they would have made with all 5 apparently looking pristine for cars that are now 50+ years old. Mark Morsillo and Bill Birney (Vic. TR8) were the fastest qualifiers, but after a spin in the preliminary, Bill started the main race (10 laps this year) from position 5. A storming start saw him lead the field into turn one, but Mark took him at the end of the back straight to go on and win the race. Big improver this year was Geoff Byrne who finished 3rd outright in the Group S TR6.

There was action all through the field and everyone came home satisfied and without any major incidents. Many thanks to sponsors, Glen Coutinho of Mobil Lagoon and Noel Anderson from Sportscar Spares. The class winners were as follows:- 1st 8 Cylinder    $250  Bill Birney (Vic.) TR7V8; 2nd 8 cylinder   $175   Glen Coutinho  TR7V8; 3rd 8 cylinder    $125   Geoff St. John-Cox (Vic.)  TR7V8; 1st 6 cylinder     $250   Mark Morsillo, Dolomite turbo; 2nd 6 cylinder    $175   Geoff Byrne TR6; 3rd 6 cylinder     $125   Ian Watt (Vic.) Mk 2 2.5PI; 4th 6 cylinder     $100   Roy Davis (Qld.) GT6; 1st 4 cylinder     $250   Mark Larmour, Dolomite; 2nd 4 cylinder    $175   Jon Newell, TR7; 3rd 4 cylinder    $125   Andrew Gibson, TR3A; 4th 4 cylinder    $100   Rod Chivas, TR7; 5th 4 cylinder    $75    Gordon Bunyan, Dolomite.

2011 will be the 19th running of the race. Rod Carey, Roger Lange and myself plan to be part of it. Rod may have some performance enhancements by then to elevate him from the middle of the pack. Neil’s car was not eligible for outright racing but he joined the Lotus’s (or is it Loti) for their regularity events with some very good placings – 3rd, 1st, 7th & 3rd. Both Rod and Neil also competed on the preceeding day in the Sprint. For full details, see – http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?27/06/2010.WAKE
MSCA Sprint Rd2 Mallala 4 July
My thanks again to Arrand Ellery, Peter Davidge and Lyle Taylor for joining myself for a day in the bunkers representing the TSOA. The weather was great and we had the best vantage points for viewing all the action. Rod Carey  (GT6) and Neil Martin (TR7V8) were once again our only TSOASA members on track. Rod had a spin where Lyle and myself were stationed and damaged his front spoiler. I reckon the car looks better without it Rod. I believe Neil equalled his best ever time. See results at –

http://www.mscasa.com/results/2010/results_round2.html
FUTURE

MSCA Skills Enhancement Day 8 August

$70 for all participants.  A $25 come and try licence fee for all entrants other than sprinters will be paid by the MSCA.. See our President’s separate article on the website.

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

A TR3A is about to be modified to initially take on the salt lake competition. Michael Clark (nephew of former member Brenton Clark) is pursuing a dream both he and Brenton had to race on salt. Michael is based at Oakbank not far from my home so I will monitor and report on progress. A TR4 chassis has already been acquired to provide more room between the front suspension uprights for the V8 that will rest there.

It is heartening to know that people actually read my articles. I have often wondered from the lack of comment and contribution. This will be encouraging for the incoming 2010/2011 Competition Secretary. Some have taken comments I made in June’s TRAK as criticism. Those more open minded have seen it as a healthy means of raising awareness of issues faced by our club and many other car clubs today. If nothing else, it has generated discussion. It’s up to all of us to do something, or take the easy way out – nothing. Unfortunately/fortunately, I am still young enough that I work, live beyond the Adelaide Hills and have a myriad of ongoing projects. It is therefore difficult to find the time to write this, let alone become more involved in the TSOA. I am not an orphan in this regard but it will take a lot of time and energy to change things, both of which I am lacking.

Food for thought (pun intended) –  15 Triumphs recently competed in a Sprint in WA. Qld, NSW and Victoria also boast big turnouts. We struggle to get 2 in SA. What has happened?

And another thing – whatever happened to shed runs and Technical evenings? I am sure tea and scones could be incorporated.for those needy amongst us. I enjoy variety, and quite frankly, I don’t see it. I will be overseas for a couple of months so I will see some of you when I return in the warmer weather. ‘Good’ I can visualise some saying.

Cheers,

Trevor Lindsay