Father's Day breakfast - Sunday 4th September
When your son/daughter/wife/girlfriend/mistress asks what you want, tell 'em "no socks and jocks, thanks - join me with my mates for breakfast".
No family to bring? Don't worry, your clubbie family will be there.
8am onwards at the King Bean in Wantirna.
Following breakfast, we'll head for a drive to the Warburton area.
August's drive was a bit light on for attendees - only Karl + Hugh made the trek out to Diamond Creek, but by all accounts they had fun.
Westside breakfast - Sunday 18th September
The westies gather on the third Sunday morning as ever.
Mac's Cafe, Sunbury, 8am onwards.
In August the magnificent seven went out in their magnificent sevens for a drive post breakfast.
Introducing new members
Kevin Davie of The Basin has joined us.
I am working on a Buckler DD2 which I purchased as a Ford special chassis in the late 70s.
It has been confirmed as a genuine Buckler chassis made for Jon Leighton in 1959. It is the only chassis ever made by Buckler to be in square tubing. It has only raced in Australia and never been registered.
Current work includes rebuilding all the brakes and suspension with lots of repainting. Next job is to make up the footwell and transmission tunnel paneling. After that the new body can be fitted for the first time. Pics are of front brake and split beam axle rebuild with one of the car at Phillip Island and the red mistral is not my car but the body I have is from the same manufacturer.
- Kevin
Ron Woodward of Milawa is also now part of the madness
Hi, my name is Ron Woodward (generally known as Woody) and I have recently joined the VCBG. I am 69 years old and I live with my wife Kathy at Milawa in North Eastern Victoria. I am a life member and past president of the North Eastern Car Club which is located at Tarrawingee about ten kilometres out of Wangaratta. (At the site of the old Tarrawingee race track)
Motor sport has been a passion of mine since my early teens. At about age thirty I built a Datsun 1200 rally car and proceeded to compete in interclub rallies and the odd state championship event. My rallying continued for about fifteen years after which I realised the faithful Datto was no longer competitive and I was getting a bit old for thrashing through the bush at insane speeds.
A MK.1 Cortina resto was started but soon passed on to a younger brother. Then a couple of mates turned up one day with a copy of the Locost clubman book and I was hooked. I bought my own copy of the book, built a construction table, bought a few lengths of 25 square RHS and I was on my way.
Very early on I decided this would be a racetrack car only and therefore not be road registered. Construction continued in bursts over the next few years with everyday life often getting in the way. Sometimes there were periods of six months or more where there was no progress at all. I am sure that this is not an unfamiliar story to other club members, particularly ones who have built from scratch, although at around twenty years to date mine must rate as one of the longer builds.
The build remained faithful to the Locost book until the space frame and suspension was finished. From that point onwards quite a bit is my own construction. Fortunately, I have a well- equipped workshop with various welders, a lathe and milling machine and plenty of other stuff. Along the way I taught myself how to Mig and Tig weld and attended short courses at TAFE to learn the basics of panel beating and fibreglass construction. The only work I had to farm out was some machine work on the motor.
Retirement several years ago meant finishing the build became more of a reality. Finally, several months ago I had reached the point where I could take the almost complete car to a test and tune day at Winton. I came away from that happy that most things worked OK, but with a list of minor things to attend to (as was to be expected). I have also not yet painted the car.
While at Winton I shared a garage with another clubman owner and of course in between track time we got to talking. The other owner was Les Bone and he suggested I should join the VCBG (twisted arm up back convinced me). Although Milawa where I live is a fair way from the big smoke, I do have two sons who live in Sunbury so I should be able to coordinate visits with them with attending the odd club Sunday coffee gathering to get to meet members.
I would describe my clubman as a 1970s spec car with Datsun 1500cc pushrod motor (suitably modified) 4 speed gearbox, live rear end and no electronics. The 4 wheel disc brakes may be a deviation from this. I intend to use the car for club sprints and perhaps the odd hill climb. As mentioned earlier my background has been in rallying with only the odd outing onto racetracks, so I have a bit to learn.
- Woody (Ron Woodward)
Say G'Day to Justin Lewis of Greensborough when you meet him.
About 4 years ago, I looked around at the options for a nice toy in the garage. I rapidly crossed out a bunch of things that I couldn't afford and ended up at a choice between a classic Healey 100 or a more modern Lotus Elise. I watched Youtube videos of Elise vs Clubman at the time, and sensibly concluded that Clubmans were too impractical (whereas the Elise obviously wasn't :D ). I found a supercharged series 2 Exige in a subtle shade of orange, which I am still super happy with. I have done the odd track day, but more prefer seeking out twisty roads with friends.
Some time later, I still wanted an "older" car for the garage (and most importantly now had an extra car space available), with any Lotus being high on the list. I looked at a couple of Lotus XI and similar, til this '84 Caterham popped up and looked like a bargain in comparison. Hence, this is now the mobile garage art that I was seeking. Even compared to an Elise it is tiny and light. I definitely appreciate how easy it is to work-on in comparison, and I am enamoured with the raw alloy panels and brightwork.
Right now, I am trying to convince VicRoads to allow registration - as they are looking differently at its earlier import from HK. Hopefully just a temporary delay, before I can join the Club for road adventures.
- Justin
VCBG outright winners of 6 hour relay
... at least for penalty laps. Otherwise, we finished 35th out of 36 teams.
We had a blast.
Saturday was a lot of fluffing around, strategising, playing on track before nominating a regular laptime for Sunday and learning the procedures for the big day.
Saturday night found us together at the San Remo Hotel. This is Les + Brenda's local boozer, so we knew we'd be looked after. Family + friends joined the fun.
Sunday commenced with a 'piper playing Scottish tunes on the grid, while helmeted drivers steeled themselves for the battle ahead. Team VCBG 7s committed a strategic blunder by putting its resident lunatic in for the first stint. All cars were arranged from quickest to slowest nominated time, with Charles starting in 7th place. After one lap, he'd passed two cars. After two laps, he was leading everyone. From then, Charles and an equally mental Honda Civic driver kept swapping first place, until the black flags came out for both boy racers. Up to the tower for a formal telling off "no racing! no beating 1:55!".
We gave the regularity a good crack & indeed some of our drivers were excellent at it. Chris Randall showed his experience, pulling out most laps within a second-ish of his target. Others varied a bit / a lot more. This was despite some high tech signalling equipment (coloured tape on carboard) operated by Hugh Charlton, Robert Williams and Arie Westyn on the pit wall and team coaching / lamingtons from Greg Oates. Moral support came from Wesley Inkster, Trev Reeves, Paul Lechner and the Charlton/Bone/Pratt/Eakins families.
Michael Schumacher had Ross Brawn - we had Les Bone. Our Team Chief did his best to keep us under control, before declaring that the last hour would be a free for all: as long as we didn't break the forbidden 1:55 barrier, just go for it. This was hilarious - cutting up the field who were all still valiantly aiming for their own laptime. So different to a sprint meeting with a big mix of cars on track.
A huge thanks to the whole team for a fun & crazy weekend.
5 cars in one garage? No problem!
Annual general meeting done & dusted
31st August 2022
Manningham Hotel & Zoom
Apologies: Bob Rule, Rob Nethercote, Don Lewis, Robert Williams, Roger Kerr, Dave Down
Business Arising
- That VCBG join AOMC. Les Bone stated that based on our current membership of 105, we would be on the lowest cost bracket to join AOMC, and the meeting agreed to join on a show hands.
President's Report
Les expressed his appreciation for all the helpers including the committee and all the volunteers who make the club work as well as it does. He also stated that The VCBG is recognised by Motorsport Australia as an active supporter of motorsport in Victoria.
Moved Geoff Ritchie. Seconded Terry Warne. Carried
Secretary’s Report
The end of calendar 2021 saw the club receive a grant from the government via Motorsport Australia which covered the cost of bringing the website up to date. Unfortunately, our application for funds in the next round of grants was not successful and we therefore missed an opportunity to hold a speed event early in this year. Grants have since dried up, but I am sure that we will do better if/when the next opportunity comes along.
The beginning of this year saw us travel to the wilds of East Gippsland in an experiment to see if it would make a viable alternative to the Hamilton weekend. Digger Dave provided the guidance for those who wanted to have a blast through the backroads on some great, albeit dampish roads. I believe that this will replace the Hamilton weekend.
Membership has continued to increase, despite the environment – or perhaps it is because the environment has forced a lot of folk to find things closer to home to be done.
I haven’t done much to the website this year, although it is now able to be amended/updated relatively easily, or through the professional who has supported us over the last 2 years. Note that if you see any aspect of the site that could/should be updated (or deleted), please let a committee member know. Please do not be shy with sending us photos of your cars for inclusion on the site.
Bi-monthly meetings have resumed at the Manningham Hotel with around 45 members making the journey every second month. A lot of effort by Les has resulted in some interesting and informative presentations.
Membership renewals have been good, although there are many who are yet to make their payment for this year. CPS participants should note that their participation is reliant on their being financial.
Just a reminder, don’t forget the trip to Tassie at the end of Feb next year.
Moved Geoff Ritchie. Seconded Terry Warne. Carried
Treasurer's Report
Richard Cole presented the Treasurers report. The club is in a similar position to last year with an excess of funds on hand, and looking for a project/opportunity on which to spend some of the accumulated funds.
Moved Richard Cole, seconded Tim Woods that the report be accepted. Carried.
The question of members who have not renewed as yet was raised and it was agreed that Gavin would put final warning in the next newsletter.
Election of Committee
President Les Bone Proposed by Will Charlton Seconded Geoff Ritchie
Vice president John Pitman Proposed by Dave Perry, seconded by Gavin Eakins, Carried
Treasurer Richard Cole Proposed by Geoff Ritchie seconded Gavin Eakins
Secretary Arie Wetstyn Proposed Dave Perry Seconded Geoff Ritchie
General Business
Tim Woods provided an update on the shambles that is Vicroads and their emissions testing dilemma. There does not seem to be any light on the horizon. In July the Kangan TAFE (who had been doing all testing) broke and has not been fixed their equipment. Vicroads are still seeking a solution.
Tim Woods demonstrated his camber and bump-steer gauge.
Gavin Eakins provided a summary of the MSCA Come & Try day which will be held on Saturday 3rd December at the Phillip Island Track. He recommends it highly whether participants plan to race or not. The MSCA is particularly encouraging ladies & juniors.
Hugh Charlton provided a visual record of the Philip Island 6 hour relay and the fun had by all who participated.
Chris Randall spoke about the benefits of fitting in-board suspension to his clubby.
Les Bone reminded everyone about the Tassie trip in Feb 2003.
Meeting closed at 9:30 pm.
Got something interesting to share with the club in the next newsletter?
gavin.eakins@gmail.com
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