South Australia hosted the 2022 TSOA Nationals after a two-year hiatus due to COVID. The 2020 event was scheduled for Port Stephens, NSW but was cancelled due to lockdowns and border closures, and similarly, the 2021 event, scheduled for the Barossa Valley last year, had to be postponed for 12 months due to COVID lockdowns.

The 2022 event had many challenges thrown its way, including a refurbishment of our accommodation venue at Barossa Weintal Hotel (BWH), Tanunda, which resulted in 20 rooms being unavailable. The committee worked closely with hotel management and secured all other available rooms in reasonable proximity to BWH for the first weekend.  We had replacement rooms at the Wine Vine Motel (around 300 metres from the BWH) as well as in Nuriootpa for the first two nights, as the Wine Vine was also fully booked over that period.

As well as ongoing COVID concerns, we were hit with near record rainfall and flooding in eastern Australia which severely disrupted travel for our eastern states visitors. A small number of our registrants either chose not to leave due to flooding or turned back en-route. Those who came via the Barrier Highway had a tough time of it, including some being trapped by flood waters between Wilcannia and Broken Hill on the Wednesday night prior to the start, and having to sleep in their cars.

Although we had over 110 registrants a few weeks out, a total of 89 managed to get through to Tanunda for the event.

We had a particularly successful display day, organised by Ian Rigby on the open paddock next to the BWH.  A large contingent of local members attended in addition to Nationals entrants, and there were at least 70 Triumph cars on show for this event. The rain held off for the duration and this was probably one of the largest Triumph displays we have had in SA for many years. Congratulations to all the winners, with South Australia dominating the winners list, and best car on show being awarded to Noel and Cindy Schmidt for their magnificent TR3A.

We had a lot of heavy rain after that, and the paddock was partially under water for the rest of the week, so it was very lucky we had our display on Saturday.

Around 12 brave drivers headed to Mallala on Sunday, in quite heavy rain conditions, and somehow managed to get their cars onto the track. There were some spectacular spin outs in the wet conditions, but no-one damaged their vehicle or got hurt.  The event was run as a Regularity, and Bruce Pollock from WA was the overall winner.

Monday, was, however the start of people testing positive to COVID, and unfortunately, quite a few of our interstate guests succumbed, and ended up spending most of the rest of the week in their rooms.  Some others decided to go home early, but most stayed the distance.

During the week we had an observation run to Angaston and Mannum with lunch at Swan Reach (winners Ken and Vera-Ann Hannaford from NSW), a trip to Monarto Zoo, and visits to the Carl Lindner Jaguar Collection in Tanunda, and Anlaby Station. This trip to Anlaby was delayed due to flooding of the access road on the scheduled Tuesday, but this flooding had subsided by Thursday. The partner program on the Sunday of the motorsport at Mallala included wine and chocolate pairing at the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, and visits to Seppeltsfield and the Barossa Bush Garden. Despite the rain every day, we were still able to do all these activities without major disruption.

No-one went hungry, with great meals at BWH, the Clubhouse Tanunda, Greenock Tavern, Vine Inn Nuriootpa and SA Company Kitchen Angaston, as well as a catered meal at Nuriootpa Rovers Football Club.

The Ironman Competition is always a highlight of the TSOA Nationals, and Stephen Wade did a great job of organising two challenging events. South Australia were the proud winners overall, and thanks go to Roger and Cheri Lange in the “Catching COVID” competition, and Noel and Cindy Schmidt in the “Waiters’ Walk” competition, who between them, blitzed the other states.

Thanks to the organising committee of Duane Kaak, Rory and Sue Gibson, Peter and Julie Davidge, Ian Rigby, Roger Lange, Dean and Marg Bogisch, Stephen Wade and Sue Smithson, for their tireless work over more than 3 years work on the cancelled 2021, and very successful (particularly for those who did not catch COVID) 2022 Nationals. Thanks also to everyone who attended and got into the spirit of everything we did. We also had a great turnout of SA members of TSOA at the display day, which really added to the success of the week.

Despite all our problems I think everyone left keener than ever to see this annual event continue, no matter what the obstacles.  Bring on Warrnambool, Victoria in 2023.

Alex Smithson

Convenor – 2021 and 2022

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – October 2022

This is a short report as I have been busy with the TSOA Nationals in the Barossa valley over the last week.  The Nationals ended this morning and close to 90 happy participants headed back home this afternoon.

The event was a fantastic success despite some major challenges and all TSOA SA members should be proud of the hard work the Committee did in showcasing the Barossa Valley, the River Murray, Monarto Safari Park and Anlaby Station to our interstate visitors. In particular, I would like to thank Alex Smithson, who led the Committee, for his magnificent effort in maintaining the momentum of the Committee during Covid and ensuring all essential details were attended to for our guests.

The challenges faced and overcome by the Committee included:

• Postponement of the Rally due to the pandemic
• The loss of 20 rooms at our venue due to renovations
• Floods across eastern Australia (Queensland, NSW and Victoria) in the week before the Rally jeopardizing the arrival of more than 50% of participants. Some had to sleep in their cars west of Broken Hill when rains shut the main highway
• Unseasonal downpours during the whole week of the Rally and finally
• A number of participants testing positive for Covid halfway through the Rally.

Despite all this everyone had a ball and those racing were able to enjoy a tricky day at Mallala.

Don’t forget to browse the social calendar later in this FASTRAK.  Bill and Margie have a very extensive program planned, well into the new year.  Join us at the mid-week Run in November or the Christmas dinner, or all of them!  And we are hoping to get a top car on stage at the next meeting.  See you there!

Kind Regards, Peter Davidge, President

November 9^th – Mid week run to the Bridgewater Inn for Lunch – contact Lawrie Placing for details. Phone 0407286194

November 15th – General Meeting – Sporting Car Club – 7.30pm for 8.00pm start

November 26th – Christmas Dinner – Royal Adelaide Golf Club. See flyer in Fast Trak.

December 28^th – After Christmas Run – meet at Villi’s at Blair Athol at 10.00am.  Details to follow.

January 15th – Informal meeting Sporting Car Club 7.30pm – Rocker Cover Racing

January 22^nd – Ice Cream run – details to follow.

January 26^th – Invitation to Lawrie and Kaye’s place from 11.00am 10 Woodhall Drive, Happy Valley – shared platters and drinks, and check out Lawrie’s shed.

Hi from Melbourne where Julie and I have been since the 15^{th of} September.  We are returning to Adelaide on Thursday 29 September.  Grandchildren duties have kept us here.  It certainly wasn’t the AFL grand final which, in any event, wasn’t particularly entertaining.

We’ve missed quite a bit while we’ve been away, in particular the Observation Run (well done Dean and Lisa) and the last Club meeting (thanks to Alex and Katherine for standing in for me and Duane).  We were, however, able to squeeze in the Club mid-week run to the Duck Inn at Coromandel Valley for lunch.  A very enjoyable social occasion and one which heralds similar events being organised by Kaye and Lawrie Placing over the coming months.

On another front, before I left Adelaide, I decided to replace the dash globes on my TR8 as I could hardly see any of my instruments when out at night (which I must admit rarely occurs).  Dismantle the dash!  Slightly unnerving but somehow, I did it.  Even more amazingly, having replaced the original globes with LED’s, I was able to perfectly reassemble the dash.  I spent quite a bit of time researching what replacement LED’s I should get and where I would source them.  Narva globes came to the rescue, and they were easily sourced from Repco.

Don’t forget to browse the social calendar later in this FASTRAK.  Bill and Margie have a very extensive program planned, well into the new year.  Join us at the Nationals Display Day in Tanunda on 22 October, the mid-week Run in November or the Christmas dinner, or all of them!  You will not be disappointed!  And remember this is the Diamond (60^th) anniversary of the Spitfire.  I am hoping we will have a Spitfire on display at our next meeting.   See you there!

Kind Regards, Peter Davidge, President

Socially Speaking for October

September 7^th was a mid-week run, lunch at the Duck Inn 383 Main Road Coromandel Valley at 12.30pm.  Twelve members participated in the lunch.  Thanks to Lawrie and Kay for organising it.

September 18^th was the Observation run – despite the wet weather, 25 members participated in the run.  Thanks to Roger and Cherie Lange for setting the run and the questions.  Bill and I supplied a gourmet sausage sizzle for lunch – special thanks to Bob Farrell, who helped to cook the BBQ and to Natalie for cutting up all the rolls. Congratulations to Lisa and Dean who won the day and get to set the 2023 run!

October 16^th is the Bay to Birdwood.

October 22^nd – Nationals Show and shine Day – club members not attending the nationals who would like to attend the day, meet at Café de Villi, Main North Road, Blair Athol at 8.45am so we can all travel together. Cars will be on display only; judging is for National participants.

November 9^th – Mid week run to the Bridgewater Inn for Lunch – contact Lawrie Placing for details. Phone 0407286194.

November 26th – Christmas Dinner – Royal Adelaide Golf Club. See flyer in Fast Trak.

December 28^th – After Christmas Run – meet at Vill’s at Blair Athol at 10.00am.  Details to follow.

January 22^nd – Ice Cream run – details to follow.

January 26^th – Invitation to Lawrie and Kaye’s place from 11.00am 10 Woodhall Drive, Happy Valley – shared platers and drinks, and check out Lawrie’s shed.

Margie and Bill.

Welcome to a new TSOA Club year!  The AGM last month went smoothly with most members of the Committee including me as President, being renominated and elected unopposed.  The great news is that we have 2 new members on the Committee – Lisa Macleod taking over from Alex Smithson as Treasurer and Katherine Bradley taking over from Marg and Dean Bogisch as Trak Editor.  Both the Bogisch’s and Alex spent 9 years or more in these important roles.  We thank them for their outstanding service.  We welcome Lisa and Katherine and look forward to them making significant contributions to the running of the Club.

At the AGM it was my pleasure to award the President’s Trophy for 2022 to Ian Rigby our outgoing Vice President (Alex Smithson has now taken up the role of Vice President).  Ian does amazing work for the Club as

• Director of the Day of Triumph and manager of trophies
• Member of the Nationals 2022 Committee and
• Chair of the Conditional Registration Team

Apart from this he leads a very busy work and home life and when he gets a spare moment is busy refurbishing another Triumph (saloon I believe).  Congratulations Ian, well deserved!

Another well-deserved award was given at the AGM to Bob and Natalie Farrell, our newest Life Members.  It was an enormous privilege for me to be President when the Club recognized their outstanding individual contributions to the Club and the Nationals.  They were nominated by a Life Member, approved unanimously by the Committee, and supported by all existing Life Members.  Well done Bob and Natalie.

I would also like to thank co-founder Tony Case for his wise and heartfelt words at the AGM on the tireless work that is done in relation to the Conditional Registration Scheme and the important considerations that need to be taken into account when nominating for and awarding life membership.

Turning to the Calendar, we are now rapidly approaching the end of the calendar year.  Key events coming up are the Observation Run (18 Sep), the Show and Shine Day/Nationals Display Day (22 Oct) and our Christmas Dinner (26 Nov). Further details about these and other events are included in the social calendar later in FASTRAK.  Check it out and get involved!

I look forward to another exciting year with the Club and hope to see you soon at a Club activity, meeting or at the Nationals in the Barossa.

Kind Regards, Peter Davidge, President

Hi. I’ve missed the last couple of meetings, so this might all be academic, but I recall someone saying that it would be nice to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Spitfire by having one on the stage during a club meeting. I have a 1963 Spitfire 4 (Mk1)…so its an early model. I’d be happy to do the honours! Let me know and assuming its not poring with rain I can bring it along to the next or other club meeting. I’ll even swap its currently fitted alloys for the original steelies! Cheers. Peter Spalding.

September 18^th                 Observation Run – meet Feathers Hotel Car park 9.45am for a 10.00am departure – club sponsored BBQ Lunch

September 20^th                 General Meeting – Sporting Car Club – 7.30pm for 8.00pm start

September 25^th                 MSCA – Super Sprints – The Bend (East Circuit)

October 16^th                       Bay to Birdwood – no club event organised, do your own thing.

October 19^th                       General Meeting – Sporting Car Club – 7.30pm for 8.00pm start

October 21^st to 28th        Nationals -Barossa

October 22^nd                      Nationals Show and Shine – members not attending Nationals – meet Café de Villi – Blair Athol 8.45am

October 23^rd                       MSCA – Super Sprints – Mallala (TSOA to provide flag marshalls)

November 15^th                  General Meeting – Sporting Car Club – 7.30pm for 8.00pm start

November 26^th                  Christmas Dinner – Royal Adelaide Golf Club.

August 21^st was the run to Melba’s Chocolate Factory in Woodside. Thanks to Sue and Rory for setting the run for us. Although there were only 7 members and 3 grandchildren who attended, those who went had a great day and certainly boosted Melba’s income for the day!

Our get wishes go to Alex Smithson, Peter Davidge and Sue and Rory Gibson who have all come down with Covid…hope you all feel better soon.

September 7^th is a mid-week run, lunch at the Duck Inn 383 Main Road Coromandel Valley at 12.30pm.  Please advise Lawrie Placing if attending phone: 0407286194.

September 18^th is the Observation run – Meet at The Feathers Hotel Car park at 9.45am for a 10.00am departure.  Club sponsored BBQ lunch.

October 16^th is the Bay to Birdwood.

October 22^nd – Nationals Show and shine Day – club members not attending the nationals who would like to attend the day, meet at Café de Villi, Main North Road, Blair Athol at 8.45am so we can all travel together. Cars will be on display only, judging is for National participants.

November 26th – Christmas Dinner – Royal Adelaide Golf Club. See flyer in Fast Trak.

Keep warm and safe.

Margie and Bill

Here is a link to the recently updated Code of Conduct for our historic vehicle Club Registration scheme . . .

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/registration/conditional-registration/historic-left-hand-drive-and-street-rod-vehicles