THE
SPORTING
MOTORIST
APRIL-MAY
2005
THE OFFICIAL
JOURNAL OF
THE
HOBART SPORTING
CAR
CLUB
The views expressed by the authors and / or the correspondence appearing in this publication are not necessarily those of the Club, Committee, Editor or Publisher.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ………..
www.hobartsportingcarclub.org
For information about other club events, please contact the following:-
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HOBART CAMS OFFICE
Don’t forget if you need any information,
you can contact Terry Curtain on:Phone: 6224 0420 Fax: 6223 7952 email : terryc@cams.com.au
Contact Terry Curtain if you are not getting a CAMS Report.
SOUTHERN TASMANIA WOMEN FOR WHEELS
INC
PO Box 228 MOONAH
TAS 7009
EDITORIAL
Greetings and welcome to the somewhat late April / May edition of the Sporting Motorist. I have had a fairly busy couple of months competing at Phillip Island in late February and then at Mallala over Easter, and just recently an unscheduled work trip to Perth threw the magazine plans into further disarray. Sometime in amongst all this I was hoping to produce the magazine, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. Talking about Phillip Island, there was a contingent of 15 Tasmanians competitors of whom 5 were HSCC members, Chris Ellis, Rodney Creed, Rod Gelston and Lew Bush (plus myself). I am sure there would be a few interesting stories to come out of the meeting. I heard at the last committee meeting that there is the possibility of an even bigger HSCC contingent heading over for the Winton Historic meeting at the end of May. I won’t be making the trek there myself, so if someone would like to send in a short report and possibly a photo or two for our next magazine, that would be great.
HSCC’s most recent event was the April 10th race meeting at Baskerville, covered in more detail later in the magazine. It was the first round of a series recently introduced called the ‘Boss of Baskerville’. The second round will be held at our next race meeting scheduled for June 19th. The points from both rounds will be combined to come up with a ‘Boss of Baskerville’ for each class contested. We were a bit light on entries for the April meeting ( 38 race and 11 regularity ), so the committee is hoping for a greater number for the June meeting. Yes, I know it will be the shortest day of the year and also the first month of winter, but you can’t sit around the fire all the time, so start thinking about that entry NOW.
The club is still short of an Honorary Secretary on the committee. The role is not all that onerous, mainly handling inwards and outwards correspondence, attending the monthly committee meetings to take the minutes and then typing them up. We can supply a computer if required, so if you have any interest at all, give Dennis Burgess or Michael Cowie a ring and they will give you the low-down. (phone numbers at front of magazine). Safe motoring until the next edition.
COVER PHOTO
Taken at the recent Baskerville meeting, Chris Long in his Honda Integra must have been getting just a little anxious as our enthusiastic President Ray Williams explores the limits in his LX Torana just after exiting the esses.
NEW MEMBERS
A lot of new members since the last edition, welcome to all of you, for those competing in Targa, hope you have a great event:
Joshua Priseman Howrah Nissan Skyline Silhouette
Asher Kuiper Hobart LA23 Celica
Adam Halton Kingston Toyota Celica
Greg Hayes Blackmans Bay 1973 Celica
Jonathon Rochester Hobart Toyota Corolla
Anthony Southwell Tranmere Corolla SX, Datsun 1600
David Eyles Lauderdale Ford Cosworth Sierra
Allan Oliver Lauderdale Ford Escort Mk1
Shane Oliver Judbury Datsun 240Z
Blake Kennedy Gagebrook Nissan Skyline GTR V spec.
David Ralph Richmond Nissan Sylvia, Mini Clubman
Jonathan McDonald Lindisfarne
Daniel Biedka Howrah R32 Skyline, VL Turbo
Clifton Campbell Claremont Triton Ute
Ian King New Norfolk
Paul Willcox Montrose Peugeot 205 GTI
Leon Glover Molesworth Range Rover
Danny Maddox New Norfolk VC Commodore
Sam Button Battery Point Mitsubishi Galant
Peter Robins Rosetta
Brendon Weston Dodges Ferry Subaru WRX
Dean Hayes Sandford Subaru WRX, Datsun1600
A lot of new members since the last edition, welcome to all of you, for those competing in Targa, hope you have a great event:
Joshua Priseman Howrah Nissan Skyline Silhouette
Asher Kuiper Hobart LA23 Celica
Adam Halton Kingston Toyota Celica
Greg Hayes Blackmans Bay 1973 Celica
Jonathon Rochester Hobart Toyota Corolla
Anthony Southwell Tranmere Corolla SX, Datsun 1600
David Eyles Lauderdale Ford Cosworth Sierra
Allan Oliver Lauderdale Ford Escort Mk1
Shane Oliver Judbury Datsun 240Z
Blake Kennedy Gagebrook Nissan Skyline GTR V spec.
David Ralph Richmond Nissan Sylvia, Mini Clubman
Jonathan McDonald Lindisfarne
Daniel Biedka Howrah R32 Skyline, VL Turbo
Clifton Campbell Claremont Triton Ute
Ian King New Norfolk
Paul Willcox Montrose Peugeot 205 GTI
Leon Glover Molesworth Range Rover
Danny Maddox New Norfolk VC Commodore
Sam Button Battery Point Mitsubishi Galant
Peter Robins Rosetta
Brendon Weston Dodges Ferry Subaru WRX
Dean Hayes Sandford Subaru WRX, Datsun1600
BASKERVILLE RACE MEETING
10th April
The weather was fairly kind to us for most of the day; a bit of rain towards the end of the day added some excitement for those competing. The rain also helped produce one of the closest finishes that I have seen with only 0.64secs separating the first 5 cars in the Group N handicap race. It looked much like a precision-driving exhibition as they came through the last corner on to the straight to get the chequered flag. As mentioned earlier we had 38 race and 11 regularity entrants which was reasonable, but the race committee is hoping for a few more for the second round of the ‘Boss of Baskerville’ series to be held on June 19th. Most competitors would have picked up their individual result sheets so I won’t print them all out here. As most would be aware the results are also all available at:- www.natsoft.com.au.
Boss of Baskerville Round 1 results
Group ‘N’ & Invited HQ Holdens
1st – Anthony Frost 33 points 1st – Andrew Bird 35 points
2nd – Warren Bryan 27 (count back) 2nd – Paul Mitchell 26
3rd – Scott Waters 27 3rd – Nick Walker 24
3J Improved Production Formula Vee
1st – Leigh Forrest 36 points 1st – Kieran Glover 35 points
2nd – Anthony McKenzie 32 2nd – Peter Chopping 30
3rd – Andrew Webster 22 3rd – Nino Bocchino 24
Sports Sedans Targa & Sports GT
1st – Scott Calvert 30 points 1st – Mark Perry 31 points
2nd – Michael Elliot 24 2nd – Tony Horsham 25
3rd – Warren Bryan 23 (countback)
Regularity Driver of the Day
1st – Mick Williams 129 points Kieran Glover – Elfin Formula Vee
2nd – Yogi Burghart 124
3rd – Michael Grant 11
Best
Presented Car John Ziegler Chev Camaro |
MEDIA RELEASE
CHANGES TO COMPANY BOARD
Following a meeting of
the directors late last week some changes have been made to board positions
of Motorsports Tasmania Pty Ltd. At the meeting the inaugural chairman of
the company, Mr John Pooley, submitted a letter of retirement from both chairmanship
and directorship of the company. Mr Pooley advised that with new business
projects and continued growth within his main business, Performance Automobiles,
he regretfully needed to give his full attention to these enterprises. Members
of the board expressed disappointment at this decision, noting Mr Pooley
has been instrumental in lifting circuit based motorsport in Tasmania back
onto a professional footing from the position faced five years ago when the
company was formed to purchase the assets of the Hobart Sporting Car Club.Following acceptance of his retirement, members of the Board then elected Mr Russell Paterson to the position of Chairman and Mr John White as Deputy Chairman of the company. In accepting the position, Mr Paterson praised the huge amount of work undertaken by Mr Pooley in the formation of the company, seeking the investment of shareholders, setting up a company structure and
guiding the fledgling company to the successful position it now holds. . John Pooley is a remarkable man with a strong vision of where the company should be directing itself and I am sure the board will continue to work towards fruition of his vision" commented Mr Paterson. . The company's relationships with stakeholders in our business venture, competitor and officials groups as well as the Tasmanian Government of Paul Lennon will stand the company in good stead for many years to come. he added. Mr Pooley has advised the Board that he will continue
as a motorsport competitor and will retain a keen interest in the progress of the company through his shareholding.
Russell Paterson is no stranger to management of the company I having been an active Board member since the first annual meeting of the company, and has been the company secretary since that time. Mr Paterson is the CEO of B & E Ltd and is an active motorsport competitor as a long time Targa Tasmania entrant. He lives and works in Launceston and sees this as no impediment to the company as directors of the company come from all around the state. . We are proud to be a truly statewide Tasmanian company. he declared.
John White, the new Deputy Chairman is a successful businessman from Devonport and is another successful motorsport competitor in both circuit racing and Targa Tasmania. Mr White has a particular interest in the development of the facilities at both circuits.
Mr Paterson said the company has made strong strides since the inception, firstly bringing back national level events to the state with the Procar Series and more recently the return of the V8 Supercar Series for what was the first year of a five year contract. The assistance of the Tasmanian Government cannot be understated and the company will continue to work towards improving circuit facilities and extending the number of national level events brought to the state as well as promoting local motor racing events.
Board members are actively seeking a replacement director and further discussions on this matter will take place at the next board meeting in February.
For further information contact Russell Paterson on 6348 3322 or the company manager Dick Caplice on 6231 3536 or 0418 140 001
STILL WANTED
Honorary Secretary
As mentioned in the editorial the club still needs an Honorary Secretary to serve on the committee. The main tasks are to deal with incoming and outgoing correspondence, take minutes at committee meetings (once a month) and then type (word process) them up and mail them out to the committee prior to the next month’s meeting. It is not necessary to attend every committee meeting as there is always someone to fill in short term. If you can help out please give Michael Cowie or Dennis Burgess a ring. They would love to hear from you.
Support our Sponsors
The recent meeting at Baskerville was helped greatly by the sponsorship and assistance given by the following organisations:-
Autobarn Women for Wheels
Motors Holden Southern Cross Television
Don Towing Service New Norfolk True Value Hardware
The
XEROX SHOP also deserve special mention for their assistance
at
the meeting as well as their continued support by printing the
newsletters
at no cost to the club
BITS and PIECES
Cost of Racing:
For those competitors who complain about the cost of competing (myself included), here are a couple of examples from recent interstate events plus a perspective from an overseas article.
Phillip Island: approximately 450 competitors.
Friday private practice - $120 – 2 x 20 minute sessions.
Race entry -$290 – 15min qualifying, 2 x 5 lappers, 1 x 8 lapper.
Garage or marquee space for the 3 days - $160.
Mallala: approximately 140 competitors.
Friday private practice - $80 – 7 x 20 minute sessions.
Race entry - $210 – 15min qualifying, 3 x 5 lappers, 2 x 8 lappers.
Garage for the 3 days - $70 for interstate entrants.
A recent article in the November 2004 British MotorSport magazine notes that “ if you go motor racing it will cost you, and if you go racing in an old car, it will cost you a lot.” The writer then claims that an alternative to the major historic meetings is offered by the British Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC), at circuits like Mallory Park. The so-called affordable alternative has entry fees of 140 pounds for a 15min qualifying session and a 15min race, which works out at about $A350. The USA apparently has a similar, one-race concept for some of their historic race meetings. It seems to me from the above, plus other observations, that the bigger and more prestigious the race meeting, the more it costs to compete.
Here in Tasmania, we certainly need more entrants to make our race meetings more financially viable, and to present a better show for the spectators. If we could double the number of entrants, I think that would be about ideal from an entry-cost, versus track-time, perspective. How we go about encouraging more entrants, I have no idea. We can only hope to chip away and try different things. The recent ‘Boss of Baskerville’ series plus the cash prizes was the most recent attempt by the committee to try to boost entrant numbers. The upfront fees for track hire, CAMS permits etc. etc. give us very little maneuvering space to try different things, when we have moderate entrant numbers. The committee is always open to suggestions from members on how we could improve on our local race meetings.
Considering all of the above, it still seems to me that in Tasmania we do fairly well in the amount of track time we get versus the entry fees charged.
Outstanding Trophies:
At the last committee meeting I noticed that there were three trophies awarded from previous race meetings that had been left at Shannons (Argyle St) hopefully to be picked up by the recipients. They are for Michael Conacher, David Ayes and Richard Gray.
Xmas get together:
Our Xmas charity/family/demonstration laps day has moved forward to 20th November this year. In discussion with the Make a Wish and Multiple Sclerosis people this would make it much better timing for them and hopefully we will have a lot more participants this year.
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PRIVATE PRACTICE
(Important Notice)
Members of Hobart Sporting Car Club enjoy a benefit in regard to track hire with Motor Sports Tasmania. As a member of HSCC you are able to use Baskerville or Symmons Plains Motor Racing Circuits for private practice at the rate of $55 each visit. Normal hire rate is $99. There are some rules that all users must follow: • Baskerville is not to be used prior to 9:00 AM any day • All users MUST vacate the circuit by 5:00 PM • Vehicles must be in good mechanical condition • Safety helmets must be worn. • Cars and bikes must not be on circuit at same time. • All users must complete an indemnity form Failure to follow the rules of use will incur penalties. Before travelling to Baskerville or Symmons Plains it is recommended that you contact the caretaker as the track may be exclusively booked out to other users. CARETAKERS Baskerville: Dave Wells 6249 2071 Symmons Plains Barry Watts 6398 2952 |
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TRACK AVAILABILITY
SYMMONS PLAINS & BASKERVILLE
RACEWAYS
Track hire is now being
handled by Dick Caplice:- (03)
6231 35360418 140 001 dickcaplice@bigpond.com |
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