Eastside breakfast - Sunday 6th November
Meet up with all the eastside crew tomorrow morning, 8am onwards at the King Bean cafe, Wantirna.
The weather is looking splendid, so while we don't have a drive planned as yet, I'm sure we'll find a spot to go for a fang afterwards.
Last month's drive had the best turnout yet (and the best roads!).
On Karl's suggestion, we headed north from the King Bean to Christmas Hills way, then Healesville, Toolangi, Kinglake.
Some of us got a bit stuck behind civilians. A shame - Hugh & I had the best run ever, with no other traffic up the Chum Creek road.
My golly that yellow Fraser gets along & the tyres were chirping in attempts to stay close.
Also notable was Pigeon Bank road out of Warrandyte - a little gem that Paul Lechner pointed me towards recently.
After more caffeine and chat with the ten smiling drivers in Kinglake we dispersed.
Hugh, RobertW and I blasted down the super twisty Kinglake - St Andrews road, then Buttermans Track to Yarra Glen.
All worth trying out some day.
Sandown historic racing - Sunday 6th November
The VHRR annual historic car race meet is on this weekend.
I went along today and know this: there are a heap of fascinating machines to get up close to, chat with their owners / mechanics & other like minded folk.
Rob Nethercote has his Elfin entered. Sadly he's unable to drive it this weekend, so has handed over the seat to a trusted friend.
Have a look out of him in Regularity, chasing down a white Mustang V8 !
I was there with the MSCA, to spruik our Come + Try day, plus the club in general.
Drop in for a yarn with Bruce + Petrina; easy to spot next to our Fiat 500 course car on the way to the grandstand.
- Gavin
Some stunning machinery on view, but sheez the pit girls have uglied up a bit this year.
Westside breakfast - Sunday 20th November
Westies get their turn in a fortnight.
Mac's Cafe, Sunbury, 8am onwards.
Les tells me he rounded up the "South West Chapter" of VCBG for the Graham Lewis memorial run in late October.
Club members from far flung locations who don't often get along to our meetings shook hands for the first time & decided that more group drives were to be had.
Will there be a post breakfast drive? Go along and find out (or start one yourself).
Club end of year lunch - Sunday 18th November
>>> Please RSVP <<<
It's all systems go for the VCBG end of year lunch. We are again meeting at Rob Roy in Christmas Hills.
Last year's lunch was the one of best we've had yet - pretty countryside, open space, peaceful, an awesome drive to get there and best of all good company.
I particularly enjoyed having partners and other family along that we don't normally see.
Once again, your club will subsidise the lunch, requiring a modest $10 per head for roast lunch + soft drinks.
We do need to know how many will be there.
Please let Arie know how many of your mob are coming:
Introducing new members
Philip Salamone of Roxburgh Park has joined our merry little band.
Sally Bannister of Wallan has also taken the wise decision to sign up with us.
I hope to introduce you to them properly soon.
Sneak preview: Sally is the daughter of our own Don Lewis & loves to drive his clubman.
Dallas Jones of Moriac introduces himself thus:
Hi all, my name is Dallas Jones.
I'm a recently retired trade school teacher with a long history in the motor industry, both in retail and vehicle development. Fascinated with anything that runs on hydrocarbons, have been playing with cars and motorcycles since I was about 10yo. I like to think myself a rescuer and custodian of vehicles for the future.
I have rescued and restored a number of vehicles that were close to being reclaimed by the elements or sent to the crusher, almost all of which I still own. My automotive interests were, until a few years ago, focussed on vintage/classic cars. In more recent times I have become interested in Australian made kit cars.
I bought a stalled clubby project a few years back because I had wanted one for some time. I completed it and now try to get it out for a run whenever I can.
Since then, I have purchased the remains of a Buchanan, another Aussie classic kit car and I'm 4 years into that restoration now. In August I stumbled on yet another classic Aussie kit car, a Purvis Eureka, which has now taken its place in the project line up. In some ways I think I'm a builder first and a driver second. I'm looking forward to being a part of the newest chapter of the VCBG and participating in club activities.
- Dallas
Last month I mentioned Peter Giulieri of Rosebud.
I’ve always had an interest in cars, in particular Holden V8s. Since 1974 I’ve had one after the other almost continuously. I wish I’d kept some of the earlier ones ! Our current Holden is a VF SSV Redline. A number of years ago we purchased a 1971 Datsun 240Z ex Targa Tasmania rally car. The Zed had extensive modifications and I competed in many hillclimbs at Rob Roy, Gippsland Park prior to its relocation to Haunted Hills and Mount Leura.
Some time later I took up flying which consumed a lot of my spare time and I gradually lost interest in hillclimbing. The Zed rally car was sold, however at the same time I purchased a one owner 260z two door in original condition.
Fast forward to around about commencement of COVID and we decided to sell the 260Z. Over the years I’d collected many race parts for the Datsun, however I’d come to the conclusion it would be a travesty to modify an original car. So the Datsun went, which left one vacant space in our 4 car garage.
I’d had a vague interest in clubmans for a few years as they ticked a number of boxes for me – road registerable, able to be tracked and depending upon the model fairly quick. I soon found a fantastic Elfin, however for various reasons the sale didn’t proceed. Since then I’ve been on the lookout for another Elfin without success. With time ticking by, I decided to give up on the search for an Elfin and when we saw a Leitch Super Sprint for sale decided to purchase it.
In terms of driving, I love windy mountain roads, with one of my all time favourites being Khancoban to Thredbo, which obviously appeals to other clubman owners as I see the National get together will be held in that vicinity this year.
Our other interests include family with soon to be 5 grandchildren, overseas travel, mountain trekking, flying (currently Piper Warriors), live blues music and caravanning.
I’m looking forward to meeting other club members and getting some tips on how to maintain and possibly improve the Leitch.
- Regards Peter
Minutes of Manningham meeting
With thanks to Geoff Ritchie for helping our new secretary Arie Wetsteyn who is suffering from Shagger's Shoulder & is unable to take notes.
Manningham Hotel Bulleen.
Les opened the meeting at 7.30 pm and welcomed Andrew and Simon from the Lotus club. He mentioned we have new member Sally Bannister, Don Lewis’s daughter. Sally is now driving Don’s car and has joined the club.
Business Arising from the previous meeting
* A committee meeting was held on 21st November to facilitate the change of Secretary and the hand over of all the bits and pieces that go with that role to the new Secretary – Arie Wetsteyn.
* Corporate affairs have now been advised of the change.
* Les advised that the Bright Accommodation Park has been sold. The question was posed as to what we do with our annual trip, given that it is unlikely that the new owners are likely to provide the meals that we have come to enjoy from Tracey and Ludy (BBQ and hot breakfasts). Nothing was resolved.
* Les advised that the club was well represented at Ian McInnes’s funeral.
Financial Report
* Richard reported that there had been very little activity over the last 2 months and the cash on hand at the bank remains at around $12,500.00
* The question of the Christmas party was raised by Richard, and it has definitely been confirmed to be held at The Rob Roy Hillclimb. The question of whether to rely on members to provide the labour or have it professionally catered, and the consensus was for it to be catered and a members to pay a nominal charge to assist with the cost.
Club Plate Scheme
* Sandro was not present at the meeting, but Les advised that everything was running well.
Secretary's Report
Arie had provided a report to be read by Les in his absence.
* He has provided membership cards to all new and renewing members since him taking office
* Changed the details on the Consumer Affairs site.
* Completed and sent off the application for us to join the AOMC
* Raised the option of finding an easier and more functional website.
Arie advised that his shoulder will necessitate him being in a sling for the next 6 weeks so he should be available for the next general meeting. The date of that meeting was agreed to be the last Wednesday in January 2023 (And every second month following).
The meeting was then given an extraordinarily thorough presentation by Brad Crick on his build of a DBR replica (and how much precious metal is discarded in the implant business!)
Meeting closed at 9.35pm.
- Geoff Ritchie
A big thanks to Brad for his presentation. It was well prepared, informative and entertaining. Also slightly gruesome.
I'm hanging out to see that curvy DBR1 with its raving rotary in the flesh.
- Gavin
Super soaker
I had a slight whoops with some brake fluid recently.
On the plus side, I finally found a good use for the wife's bicycle knicks.
Upcoming Events
- Eastside breakfast - Sunday 6/11 - King Bean, Wantirna
- Sandown historics - Sunday 6/11
- Westside breakfast - Sunday 20/11 - Mac's Cafe, Sunbury
- MSCA awards + 50th year lunch - Sunday 13/11 - Killara Estate, Seville East (now fully booked)
- Geelong Revival - 25/11 to 27/11 - Geelong waterfront
- Clubman Nationals - 27/11 to 1/12 - Jindabyne (bookings closed)
- Come + Try Day - Saturday 3/12 - Phillip Island racetrack - contact Gavin gavin.eakins@gmail.com
- Club end of year lunch - Sunday 18/12 - please RSVP ariewetsteyn@gmail.com
- Tassie Not the Nationals - 19/2/23 onwards - contact Geoff Ritchie geoffreyritchie@optusnet.com.au
- No evening meeting in December - you'll have to hang on until January
Any clubman goss? Any goss at all? Make it up if you like. Let me know & I can pass on to all.
gavin.eakins@gmail.com
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