Check out Richard Sutherland’s post on his new project – see below or click on Member’s Cars tab

Welcome, all members to another year of TSOA. Although 2025 has well and truly started, this is our first Fastrack since November. We have already had several club events, including the After Christmas Run on 30th December and Ice Cream Run on 19th January. I was unable to attend either of these events, however I understand from our social secretary, Natalie Farrell that both events were well attended, with around 30 or so members and partners attending each event. The After Christmas run finished at the Blacksmith’s Inn at One Tree Hill, and the ice cream run finished at Fasta Pasta, Port Adelaide. The night of the ice cream run in particular, was quite hot, however I have not heard of any major car problems from any participants caused by the hot weather.

Thanks to Secretary Duane Kaak for chairing the January informal meeting, again in my absence. Due to a communication fail with Sporting Car Club, their management was not expecting us, and our normal barman, Jordan wasn’t there. Duane managed to get into our room, however wasn’t able to open the side gates to allow a car on stage. Ron Corso was going to show his Morgan however it had to remain outside. There was only a select (i.e. small) number of members present, so hopefully Ron can bring it along again when we can have it on stage and shown to a large group.

We are very grateful to Dino and Lisa Vettese for having members to their house on Australia Day, 26th January for a lunch put on by Dino and Lisa. There we around 25 members and partners in attendance and we had a great BBQ meal. Thanks to Dino, Lisa and son Andrew as head chef. It was Dino’s birthday and we were also able to celebrate this in fine form.

We look forward to the club’s continuing success in 2025, with numerous social events planned up until our AGM in August. Stay tuned for information about a celebration of our 60th birthday.

Alex Smithson
President

Feb 18th         (Tuesday Evening) General Meeting at the Sporting Car Club 8.00 pm

Feb 23rd        (Sunday) MSCA Picnic / Presentation Day – Virgara Winery, 143 Heaslip Road, Angle Vale . . . from 11.00 am

Mar 2nd        (Sunday) – All British Day

Mar 16th      (Sunday)  MSCA Super Sprint 

April 6th      (Sunday)  TBA Monthly Run instead of the 20th because that is Easter Sunday

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and ready to start the new year with enthusiasm for the social side of our
club. We have some exciting runs for you to participate in this year and enjoy yourselves with other members as well
as blowing the cobwebs out of your cars by taking them for a run.
By the time you read this in the magazine we have already had our annual Ice cream run. This year because Noonies
was sold, we went to Fasta Pasta. An enjoyable run with 30 people attending, going through Outer Harbour to Port
Adelaide. As well as an ice cream you could have a meal which I did, and It was very tasty. Australia Day will be
celebrated at Dino and Lisa Vettese’s place at Northgate with so far 24 members wishing to attend.
Wednesday February 5th will be our first “Mid-Week” Run for 2025. This will be at the Aldgate Pump Hotel at 1
Strathalbyn Rd., Aldgate. At 12.30 pm. See you there, ring or text Lawrie or Kaye Placing if you wish to attend.
Sunday February 23rd will be a MSCA Picnic/Presentation Day at the Virgara Winery 143 Heaslip Road, Angle Vale
from 11 am.
As Easter is on the 3rd Sunday of April we have organised a run on the Sunday 6th April instead. I will let you know
more details TBA.
It is shaping up to be a very impressive social calendar so far, and we have the 60th Anniversary this year as well.
More on that later.
Hope you can participate with the social side of the club as it is your club, and we would love to see you there.
Natalie Farrell
Social Secretary
0455 250 990

When Richard Sellers purchased the blue TR8 from me Carolyn’s first words to me “we now only have one car”.  So what was I to do!  Look for an affordable Triumph to fill the empty spot in the garage of course!  The quest began, unfortunately it was the beginning of the Covid pandemic and affordable Triumphs had disappeared . . . those that were available were well out of my price range.

In desperation I bought an MG Midget, a Spriget, I could join the Sprite club and catch up with Gordon, one of the three Amigos of Croydon TAFE.

Well the Midget wasn’t a Triumph and in time Carolyn said I should buy a Triumph, I’m in the Triumph Sports Owner’s Club and I should have a Triumph.  I had a mission to buy a Triumph, a TR7 V8, (and a budget).

Neil a TSOA club member and a good man had a TR7 V8 for sale.  A car Neil had purchased for the 4.6 V8 that he had now fitted to his TR7V8.  I asked if I could have a look at the car then, with a view to purchase.

FIRST VIEWING 20^th April – Hayden and I drove out to Neil’s place for a look at the car.  There it was looking splendid, although there was no engine and gearbox or bonnet but no it looked pretty good.  A TR7 V8 coupe yes.

Hayden assisting with the inspection.

Triumph TR7 V8 registration number RTROO8, odometer reading 37425Km

Neil delivered the TR7 V8 on 2^nd May 2024, with spares, the Engine and Gearbox were to come later.  I wanted to repaint the Engine Bay before installing the engine so arranged for the car without the engine fitted. OK now for the project to begin.

Plan for Monday 6May 2024

Prepare Engine bay for painting.

Pull wiring loom into cabin

Sanding Engine bay 120g disc, wire wheel, hand rub 180-240 dry rub

Mask up where necessary.

Wheels off, for a close look at the underside.

Lets get on with it.  Is there a plan?  The engine bay is the priority, repaint anything that is not red.

Pull the Dash out to remover the Heater and pull the engine bay wiring back into the cabin.

Remove wiper motor, Coil, Coolant overflow tank, Air horns, Brakes master, pipes and proportioning valve, bonnet and lock.

Tuesday 7 MAY 2024

Primer etch and high build. Seem seal, panel joins and over laps the primer.

Starting to strip out the interior, for access.

Stripping back the carpet.

Not surprised that the strip down was straight forward – parts labelled and grouped to assist with assembly in a few weeks or months, the project will have some  interruptions and has no set date for completion.

Right hand side

Left hand side

Ready for masking.

Masked ready to paint, base coat, RED Wednesday 8 may 2024

Mask and spray Base colour coat followed by 2 coats or Clear (from spray can 2Pack)

Painted then masking removed.

Removing the windscreen base trim, revealed surface rust with some pitting of the lower windscreen surround panel.  For safety and further investigation, the windscreen needs to be removed

Interior stripped out; Brake pedal box removed.

After windscreen removed, Lower windscreen surround panel, wire brushed to remove paint and rust.  No serious damage, apply rust converter, etch primer, primer and topcoat.

Decision to paint Black the rust effected surrounding areas.

Look out for the second installment coming soon!

Richard Sutherland

The After Christmas / Before New Year  “Apres” Run on Monday 30th January was enjoyed by a diverse group of TSOA members who travelled an interesting route through the beautiful Adelaide Hills and surrounds ending up at the One Tree Hill Hotel for lunch.

It was nice to see Noel Schmidt out and about after enduring some serious health issues over recent times, and also a few members that we don’t see too often.

Our group of Triumphs was equally diverse with almost all body shapes represented – TR3A, TR4, TR6, TR7, Stag, Saloon, Herald, Spitfire . . .

The Hotel is a gem – beautifully presented with an Irish theme and excellent meals. All enjoyed our time there. Give it a visit if you are out and about.

Thanks to Bill and Margie for organising the run and lunch at the hotel – another quality TSOA event!

Christmas is fast approaching, and I hope all TSOASA members are looking forward to the festive season. I was unable to attend the November meeting due to being on a bushwalking trip in the Grampians, and I thank Vice President Richard Sellars, and Secretary Duane Kaak for once again holding the fort in my absence (two meetings in a row – acknowledged poor form on my behalf).

We have had two successful social functions since the last issue of Fastrak, being the “All Triumph Rally” Observation Run, and the Christmas Dinner. Both these events were well attended, and I am sure, were enjoyed by all members and guests who participated.

The observation run was through some less travelled roads via Humbug Scrub and Williamstown to Lyndoch where the first 10 questions were set. We then drove through the western part of the Barossa Valley to Greenock, for the balance of questions, and a barbeque lunch at Greenock Centenary Park. There were familiar names on the winners list, being Dean Berlemon and Lisa Macleod, who seem to win it every second year, and then run it in the off years. Well done once again Dean and Lisa.

At our club meeting on Tuesday 19^th, we welcomed new members Charles and Carol Onody to their first meeting. They have purchased a Spitfire Mk 3, and we look forward to seeing it on stage at a future meeting. The new Life Membership criteria, the draft of which has been fine-tuned by VP Richard, is now to be given to existing life members for comment.  We have had some significant motor sport activity as advised by Duane, and Roger Lange gave a quick summary of the 2024 WA Nationals. I have provided a report which is contained in this edition of Fastrak. There we no cars on stage, however Bill Galler presented a photo slide show of the restoration of his Spitfire.

Our Christmas dinner held on Saturday 23^rd November at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club. This is a terrific venue with great views, a spacious and very well-appointed dining room, excellent staff, and a first class, 3 course meal. We are very lucky as a club to be able have this facility each year. Social Secretary Natalie Farrell, and our regular Christmas Dinner organiser, Sue Gibson did a great job making sure everything went smoothly before, and then on the night, and I thank them for all their efforts to make it such a successful evening. We presented club awards, including the President’s Award to Natalie Farrell, Vice President’s Award to Dean Berlemon, and Clubman Trophy jointly to Bill and Margie Berlemon. All the winners at the Day of Triumph, Competition and All Triumph Rally trophies were also presented.

We have three further social event in December and January, being the After Christmas Run on 30^th December and Ice Cream Run on 19^th January, details of which are included in Fastrak. All club members have also been invited to Dino and Lisa Vettese’s house on Australia Day, 26^th January for a lunch to be put on by Dino and Lisa. Address is 20 Vickers Vimy Parade, Northgate. More details will be circulated in mid-January, but I am assured that this will be an event not to miss.

As I will not see most club members until the New Year, I wish everyone an early happy Christmas and look forward to the club’s continuing success in 2025.

Alex Smithson

President

Here we are again another year nearly gone. We had a wonderful time at the End of Year Dinner and the Trophy
Presentations went well. The food was good the venue excellent again. I would like to thank everyone concerned for
helping and making 2024 an enjoyable time for all of us. I call this club “My Happy Club” because it is. Everyone
helps everyone else.
Now the next thing is Christmas! I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy new
year. Enjoy the break with family and friends and we will see you in 2025.
The “After Christmas Run” will be held on the Monday the 30th December. Meet at Modbury Civic Park, at 10.30 am
for a run to the One Tree Hill Hotel.
We have the Ice-cream Run again this year but not ending at Noonies but Fasta Pasta at Port Adelaide where you
can have ice-creams as well as tea and coffee or you can have a meal if you like.
26th of January 2025, Dino and Lisa Vettese are hosting a BBQ lunch at their place 20 Vickers Vimy Parade,
Northgate. They are kindly putting on this BBQ, no need to bring anything just yourselves and have a great time. You
can bring your bathers if you so desire. There is plenty of room and shelter. Please RSVP with a text to Dino on 0412
444 052.
Hope to see you all at our Triumph events. Keep these dates in your Calendar.
Natalie Farrell
Social Secretary
0455 250 990

Built and maintained by an enthusiast in Sweden, this has to be the the coolest Spitty EVER!

The 43rd TSOA National Meeting which ran from Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th October 2024 is over and once again, our compatriots in the West put on a great week which was enjoyed by all who attended this year in Albany. There were 82 registered participants (34 from WA) with SA having a smaller than normal contingent of 8 members. Due to limited accommodation and large venues in Albany, WA decided to keep numbers lower than the traditional 100 plus registrants of most National meetings.

My wife, Sue and I met up with three vehicles from Victoria on our first night in Ceduna. Unfortunately, another Victoria couple, Peter and Jennie Lane failed to get past Port Augusta, when the electrics in their near new Mercedes Sprinter camper van blew up, also locking it in “Park”. The Merc had to be loaded onto a flatbed truck (dragged up with rear wheels locked) and it and their TR6 and car trailer were brought to Adelaide. As I understand, the camper van could not be repaired in Adelaide, and so it was transported back to Melbourne. Getting both the TR6 and the trailer back may have been a further challenge for the Lanes, but we did not hear how this problem was addressed.

Portion of the NSW group met up with us en-route to Border Village, and we travelled with them and the Vics then to Balladonia and Esperance. Some of us stayed two nights in Esperance and were able to have a meal with Roger and Cherri Lange and Stephen Wade, who left after us and finally caught up with us in Esperance.

Albany is a great location with lots to do and see. TSOAWA, once again put on a great week with scenic drives, lots of sights to see, and great meals as well as traditional great camaraderie from the TSOA national family. Accommodation was at Motel Le Grande, a family run motel with lots of room and very hospitable staff.

Our first event was the welcome dinner at the motel on Saturday which was a great night, and has a “sea” theme, bringing out the best of the creativity of the rally delegates. No prizes were given, however Barrie O’Shea from Victoria dressed as a pirate, complete with parrot on shoulder, was one of the stand-outs.

On Sunday we all washed and polished our cars (albeit in light rain) and headed into town for a show and shine in the Alison Hartman Gardens, in the heart of the Albany town centre. We all agreed that this was probably the best show and shine venue in living memory, and there were many locals who came out to see our vehicles. No trophy was awarded, however there was a “people’s choice”. The winner of this was a very smart TR3A (curiously owned by a man from Esperance who was not a Nationals delegate or even a member of TSOA). The “peoples’ choice” places were dominated by WA cars, although I did manage to get 5th place with my TR5.

Monday was a “Funkhana” at Sounness Park, Mount Barker. Councils in WA seem to be much more amenable to motor sport than in other parts of Australia, and we were able to have a “there and back” drive through cones and longer straights, with everyone encouraged to participate. Times were recorded, and a certain red TR7 V8 driven by our own Neil Martin was (surprise) the quickest vehicle. There was initially a plan for multiple runs, however a combination of rain and complaints from neighbours ended this plan.

We had an evening meal at Albany Golf Club, and the first “ironman” event was held prior to the meal. For the uninitiated, there is an annual competition between the states, of essentially novelty events, with the winning state taking away the perpetual “Ironman” trophy. This is very large, quite unattractive, is hard to transport and must be brought by the winning state to the next Nationals. Naturally, it is keenly fought over, with each state hoping to win this highly sought-after national trophy.

The first round was a golf putting competition, and our crack team of Roger Lange, Neil Martin and Lawrie Placing were near unstoppable, being just pipped at the (flag) post by the Victorians.

Tuesday was the observation run, again to Mount Barker and then on to lunch at Boston Brewery in Denmark (WA, not Scandinavia). Again, SA did very well, with Sue and me winning the event.

We had a free day on Wednesday although there was a cruise on the good ship Kalgan Queen for those competing in the Quaranup Time Trial on Friday. This cruise was over Oyster Harbour and into the Kalgan River, with Captain Jack, the very knowledgeable and entertaining guide. The rest of us were able to visit various Albany attractions including the fabulous ANZAC Centre, and fort museum.

We had dinner at Le Grande that night, with a quiz after dinner run by sponsors, David and Jenny Markich. Questions were mainly either car (particularly Triumph) or history of Albany related. Those who had done the trip with Captain Jack had a definite advantage on the Albany questions, which I think explains our table’s dismal performance.

Thursday morning was a social run including morning tea at Porongurup and lunch at a function centre in an old shearing shed known as Henderson and Hwang near Mount Barker. After lunch, the second ironman event was held at H&H. This was a game of bocce, and our team was Sue Smithson and Stephen Wade. This pair was on fire (as it were) and won the competition comfortably.

The previously mentioned Quaranup Time Trial was on Friday. I did not attend this event as I was in the second group to do the Kalgan Queen cruise, however again, surprise, surprise, Neil Martin was the fastest car in the event, much to the chagrin of the organiser, Bruce Pollock who noted that whenever Neil competes, no-one else gets a look-in. It was agreed some years ago that the previous perpetual Competition trophy is no longer relevant, so Neil got the accolades but not a trophy. We had a meal that night at Rustlers Steakhouse.

Our final day was a brunch at Whalers Galley Café at the former Albany Whaling Station, and some of us then had a guided tour of the facilities, learning about the grizzly history of the whaling operations. In the afternoon, we had time to load cars on trailers and attend the National Delegates meeting.

There was a presentation dinner that night at Le Grande. The theme for this night was car related, and this gave attendees a broad canvas upon which to dress. The only perpetual trophy on offer was the Ironman trophy, which South Australia won after placing second and first in the two events. Our team celebrated this famous victory long into the night.

Breakfasts each day were at the motel (other than the day of the brunch), and we had evening meals most nights either at the motel (three) or at other restaurants/hotels/community facilities in Albany, all of which were of very good quality.

The week was fantastic, and whilst the interstate contingent was comprised mainly of people who are regular Nationals attendees, we met or renewed acquaintances with a lot of people from the WA TSOA club, which continues to grow and has a high participation rate. The organising committee, particularly convenors Ron and Leigh Marian did a great job of making sure the week ran very smoothly, and everyone in the club really pulled their weight to make it such a great event. Jeff van der Plas was MC for the week and did an amazing job of humour and efficiency which really added to the enjoyment of the week, as did Bruce Pollock who acted as Sergeant at Arms to point out any misdemeanours which delegates may have committed during the week.

On the last night, John Stokes from NSW gave a presentation on next year’s Nationals to be held at “The Anchorage” 5-plus star beachfront resort at Port Stephens in October 2025. This was very similar to the presentation John made at Margaret River W.A. in 2019 for the 2020 Nationals which were eventually cancelled due to COVID. The 2025 Nationals will be a great program in such a fantastic location. Registrations will be opening soon, and demand is expected to be high. Although there were no delegates from Queensland in attendance, we are informed that they are progressing well for 2026 with the event to be held in Toowoomba.

Lawrie and Kaye Placing flew to Perth and hired a car for the week, Sue and I, and Roger and Cherri Lange towed our Triumphs there and back on trailers and Stephen Wade drove his Stag each way. Our return trip was relatively uneventful, and we enjoyed the company of them and sundry other interstate participants at Norseman, Border Village and Ceduna over four days of long drives between overnight stops.

Thanks again to TSOA WA for putting on such a great week.

Alex Smithson

Greetings, all TSOA SA members from the TSOA National Meeting in Albany W.A. As I write my report, we are half way through a great week of camaraderie with fellow TSOA members from around Australia.
The South Australian contingent comprises, my wife, Sue and me, Roger and Cherri Lange and Neil Martin (all who towed their Triumphs here), Stephen Wade who drove his Stag, and Lawrie and Kaye Placing who flew to Perth and hired a car for the week. There are some 90 delegates in total, and we have enjoyed a great time so far, driving around the picturesque south western corner of our continent, and having great food, fellowship and fun. I will provide a more detailed report for next month’s Fastrak.

Thanks to Richard Sellars and Duane Kaak for running this month’s meeting in my absence. I look forward to seeing a great turnout of members at the observation run on Sunday 3rd November, starting at the Tea Tree Gully Hotel, after we make the big trip back across the Nullarbor.

Alex Smithson
President