4^th June 2017

Regular TSOA members will know that Neil has done a lot of recent work to his car, small things here and there to get it to rev faster, smoother and handle better, resulting in new Personal Bests at Mallala. His motivation is to keep ahead of me. When I first joined him at Mallala 5 years ago, he was slower than my PB now.

If Neil’s changes would result in a faster Hillclimb time was yet to be proven, then the opportunity arose to participate in the Sporting Car Clubs Come & Try day. Neil didn’t have to twist my arm too hard to join in, Roger also had his arm twisted and the 3 of us entered the recent Sunday event.

We all know it has been a cold start to winter. The official forecast for Springton was -1 overnight. Imagine living in that tree! So as I got up that morning, I donned my thermals before my race attire and I set off at 6:30ish to top up the fuel in my TR7 and met Neil at his place to travel in convoy along some of our favourite twisty roads up & over Tea Tree Gully and beyond. My car had warmed up by Neil’s house and I was thankful I had racing gloves to wear to brave the very cold morning.

Some spirited driving ensued, up through the hills, and shortly before Chain of Ponds, I spied some fancy LED lights, synonymous with Audi, in my rear view (yes, I was chasing Neil again) and Roger joined in our TSOA convoy as the ambient temperature dropped around us. Through Birdwood at 50km/h I nearly had to pull over to call the RAA due to my car underheating. I never thought I’d ever need antifreeze living in Australia until that point. My body was frozen through several layers of clothes, the heater useless and my driving came from the knee as I lost feeling in my toes and feet. I found out later the gauge in Roger’s Audi RS3 reported it as minus 4.5degrees.  Brr.

But spare a thought for the couple of guys who tailed us from Mt Pleasant, making the journey from the City in a Clubman. No roof, no side windows. My TR7 suddenly felt like an oasis.

But clear skies and no breeze made way for an absolutely beautiful winter day at Collingrove. I made sure I was basking in the sun like a lizard on a rock and soon was ready to have some fun.

The day was very well run, beginning with not your ordinary slow orientation drive up the track, but a free go, straight up, so we could feel how it would be at a realistic pace for the day. I cruised up at 47 seconds. Neil and Roger about  42 seconds each.

We all got 4 more runs and plenty of time to talk to strangers about Triumphs and with each other about how to get across the finish line the fastest, comparing times etc. Dave Wilson made a visit in his Saloon to add a Triumph to the spectators car park.

My best time for the day was 41.3 seconds. A PB for me, 5 years ago, the best I managed was 43.5 You can view my quickest 3 laps on YouTube through this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc73I7O-5wo&t=107s

We were all ready for one more run at the end of the day, but it ended abruptly as all runs were completed. We all had big grins on our faces anyway. Neil got a new PB, and of course it was Rogers PB being the first Competitive event in the Audi.

And of course, we knew we had the drive home ahead, now with feeling in fingers and toes, through the twisty bits at more than the recommended speeds through the bends on warmed up tyres and roads. Smiles all round.

Duane Kaak

Sunday 18^th June David Stephens organised a run to Tanunda and we were joined by some TR Register members.  Following Lunch David had organised a visit to a private Jaguar museum – 30 cars on display, 6 in progress and lots in storage . . . wow! what a great experience and a huge thanks to David for organising such a brilliant event.

After another successful weekender, I put to the members at the meeting whether they would like three day, two night weekender in 2018, or revert to two day, one night . . . most people at the meeting suggested a three day, two night, but if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Kevin Foster has given the Editors an update on the Historic Registration to be included in this edition of Trak . . . some discussion was had at the meeting.

The Coorong Mechanical Restoration Club emailed us the info regarding the 4 Clubs tour, which has also been included in the Trak.

’til we meet again

Bill Berlemon

My Car. Photo taken by Duane at the Legends of the Lake hillclimb, Mount Gambier, last year.

Thanks Roger, Didn’t know this existed so will visit more often

From our front door we covered 698km over our three day, two night weekender to the Coorong. With several of our regulars away doing other things we still had 28 Adults and 1 young James Lipsham on tour. One day of rain and two day’s fine provided the perfect opportunity to explore the Coorong which was our aim for the weekend. As usual, the members who attended were a great social lot and good to see some new faces.

As in the past, we try to use local community clubs wherever we can and we supported the Meningie Sailing Club, Lions Club, Golf Club, Automotive Restorers Club, Kingston Bowling Club, and the RFDS. Accommodation at the Lake Albert Motel was good as was their coffee on arrival. AS the Motel was full my family opted for a B&B owned by a friend of Margie’s and in fact was a cost saving.

The TSOA boosted the local economy by around $6,500 and an estimated $1,500 by members plus fuel!

A discussion needs to be had for next year whether we regularly have a 2 night, 3 day weekender or 1 night, 2 day event and the occasional 2 nighter….Decisions….decisions…..decisions…..

‘til we meet again

Bill Berlemon

JULY

Sat/Sun 1st/2nd              Super Sprint & All Triumph Race/Regularity Wakefield Park Goulbourn

Wed 12th                          Mid Week Run meet The Pavillion Greenhill Rd from 9.45am departing 10.30am

Sun 16th                           MSCA Super Sprint

Tues 18th                         General Meeting Sporting Car Club King William Road Unley 8.00pm

Sun 23rd                           Christmas in July meet Burnside Town Hall Carpark 9.45am for 10.00am departure

Tues 25th                         Informal Lunch – Cafe Buongiorno Mitcham 12.00 noon

Sun 30th                           Modern Regularity C/Championship Mallala

AUGUST

Tues 15th                         AGM Sporting Car Club King William Road Unley 8.00pm

Sun 20th                           “No Sheet” Run meet Civic Park 10.00am

Sun 27th                           MSCA Super Sprint

Neil Heywood’s beautiful Mk III GT6 at the 2016 Day of Triumph – worth a spot on the front page of our website, don’t you agree?

The Breakfast Run on 23rd April organised by Ian Rigby ended in Lyndoch with 15 members cooking breakfast in the Lyndoch Recreation Park.    The weather was perfect and the Lyndoch Craft Fair was on, which a few people went to after breakfast.     Thanks to Ian for organising.

The mid week on 3rd May is being organised by Graham Jones and meeting at Joan’s Pantry in Hawthorndene at 10.00am for coffee before setting off for a run through the Hills ending up at the Inglewood Hotel for lunch.

The weekender is getting nearer and Margie & Bill have again put together a very good value package for us all.   This year the weekender is heading to Meningie and Kingston.   We will be stopping for two nights in Meningie with activities organised for each day.   We are sure all those who attend will have a full weekend of action and friendship.     These weekenders take a lot of organising and Margie & Bill certainly had added frustration with the breakdown of their car when doing all the routing over Easter.

David Stephens is organising a run on 18th June meeting at 10.30 for an 11.00am departure at the Unley Shopping Centre Carpark Unley Road Unley.   The run is heading to Tanunda and the Tanunda Hotel for lunch.     Contact David for more details.   See advert in TRak.

Sue & Alex Smithson are putting together a run on Sunday 23rd July meeting at Burnside Townhall at 10.00am.   This is heading to the Old Noarlunga Hotel where we will enjoy a
Christmas in July themed lunch for just $15.90 a head including dessert.   See advert in TRak.

There are still a few vacant spots on the Supper Roster so if you are able to help, please contact either Margie, Sue or Peggy and put your name down.   Thanks to those people who have already volunteered.

Cheers

Peg-Sue

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

SUNDAY 23^TH JULY

Meet at Burnside Town Hall Car Park  10.00am on the 23rd July

We will have a picturesque drive through the Adelaide Hills and Southern Vales. Destination – Old Noarlunga Hotel, 38 Patapinda Road

for a hearty Christmas Roast with all the trimmings.

Only $15.90 per head including dessert.

If you would like to get into the Christmas spirit, you could decorate yourself and your car with Christmas trim.

Details- Sue Smithson ph 0409 675 343

Chicken and Salad in the park……What’s this all about?? That question I wrote in the February report was well and truly answered on Sunday 19^th March at Heywood Park, Unley Park. We dropped off our chairs and tables as requested, went on a great run for about 1 hour through our fabulous Adelaide Hill and returned to find a fabulous spread ready and waiting for us – Chicken, salad and fruits a plenty! We all went home well fed! Thanks to Peggy and Sue for organising this event.

A good crowd turned up for the Informal Lunch at Café Buongiorno, Mitcham.  Good to see a few blokes turning up to these events.

Don’t forget the Historic Race Meeting at Mallala on the 22^nd and23rd April.  Refer to the Sporting Car Club or Mallala Motor Sport Park websites for details.

Our annual Weekender is fast approaching and Margie and I will be checking more details over Easter. 27 People have booked so far – a great value 2-night weekender!

Helpers needed for Sunday May 7^th Mallala MSCA 6-hour regularity relay. A great day for the volunteers with some very close action supporting our drivers.

See the club calendar for all future events and get involved.

’til we meet again

Bill Berlemon