AHCM

President: John Davidson Vice-President: Ted Moorby Treasurer: Helmut Friedrich

Secretary: Jim Jackson Past-President: Roger Morcilla AHCA Delegate: Elaine Davidson

Webmaster: Ed Driver edriver@sasktel.net

Newsletter Editor: John T. Webb johntaylorwebb@gmail.com

Volume 26 Number 9 www.ahcm.ca August 2015

Members Go BBQing, Kruising and Racing

Welcome to the August issue of 2015. This month we learn about the:

• July AHCM meeting and BBQ

• Kids Kruise

• Gimli Classic Motor Works Vintage Race Weekend

• 1990 Jaguar XJS that a member is selling

Upcoming Events Please check the Event Calendar on the

AHCM web site for details.

July AHCM Meeting and BBQ Jodi Bolger

We gathered at the Winnipeg home of Peter Foreman for our monthly club meeting on July 5. After the 3:00 PM meeting, Club members gathered outside to enjoy the car show and feast on the delicious spread set up on a long table inside Peter’s spotless and well-organized garage. Attendees brought their classic sports cars and displayed them along the street and in front of Peter’s house, along with Peter’s three

Triumphs in red (TR6), yellow (Spitfire) and green (TR3A).

The food experience was created by Peter’s son, Trevor, a full-time chef accompanied by his wife, Leah, and their two young sons. They had driven here all the way from their home in southern Ontario to help with this event. Peter’s daughter Sharie and her son Christopher also helped with preparations. Thanks to Sharie, Peter’s garden and yard were in top shape and presented beautifully with the flowers and other supporting adornments.

Joan Wilkinson, Wendy Jackson, Joyce Lowden, Waltra Gilbert

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Richard Gibbings, Peter Foreman, John Davidson

Peter’s reputation for paying attention to detail was evident. Tiny party forks held uniquely-designed event cards which decorated the buns filled with “melt-in-the-mouth” pork or roast beef. Trevor had marinated the meat for many hours before cooking it, serving it up with a delicious chutney he had prepared. Many members had contributed an assortment of salads and spreads for the food table, prompting some to exchange recipes. Ana Maria’s corn bread and Waltra’s spread were big hits.

The weather cooperated all day: a bit cloudy with smoky haze, but comfortable, especially with the rain forecast that had held off the entire time.

Frank and Janine Kozmet, Helmut Friedrich, Rick Unruh

During the course of the afternoon, AHCM President, John Davidson, presented to AHCM members, Bob and Joan Wilkinson, a poster of them in their Austin-Healey as taken from the

front cover of the AHCM’s 25th anniversary book, The Healey Connection – Behind The Rear View Mirror.

John Davidson presents a poster of The Healey Connection book cover to Joan and Bob Wilkinson

Peter had invited other clubs and individuals to participate after the club meeting. These included the Triumph Drivers Club (members Rob and Linda Hawley came in their newly-restored TR4A) and to the Mid Canada Mini Club (member Wade Koll came with his Mini). Everyone had a great time eating, drinking, viewing and visiting.

Vanessa and Jeff Luloff

Some members were attending their first meeting. Richard Gibbings was there with his British racing green Austin-Healey 3000 and Tim and Shelley Ringland were there in their MGB. We were

also pleased to see new members, Jeff and Vanessa Luloff, driving in her white Triumph Spitfire.

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Most of the meeting attendees

Long-time members, Graeme and Joyce Lowden, brought grandson, Aiden, who fit nicely in the back seat of their Austin-Healey 3000. Dan Brown and Sandy Kelly looked smart in their yellow Morgan. Dyrk Bolger brought his turquoise rally Mini adorned with Newfoundland Targa decals. Hugh and Val Arkley had their red Triumph TR3. Ted and Cynthia Moorby each brought one of their fleet of classics. Jim and Wendy Jackson drove up in their white Lotus Eclat. John and Ana Maria Powell brought their silver TR6. Steve and Kate Thompson had their red MGA. John and Waltra Gilbert drove their blue MGB GT. Alf and Susan Goodall came in her green MGB. Rick Unruh brought his red TR4A.

Three club member’s cars

We didn’t see the Davidsons, Friedrichs, Kozmets, John Webb’s or Don Huebert’s transportation mode, but they were on site. Austin-Healeys, MGAs, MGBs, Triumphs, a Morgan, Minis…all these marques made for an

unusual and colourful panorama for Peter’s good neighbours and some passers-by. Many photos were taken. We would sum up this event as a great success on all counts. Thank you to Peter and family.

Kids Kruise Hugh Arkley

We had a great drive to the air-conditioned Half Moon in Lockport. It was hot (32ºC) driving through the city, but the two river drives felt better at speed. Seven cars took nine kids who were well-behaved and enjoyed themselves. They had good appetites.

Thanks to John Gilbert, Graeme Lowden, Tom Pearson, Alf Goodall and Rick and Barb Unruh.

Gimli Classic Motor Works Vintage Race Weekend August 8 th and 9 th

Dyrk Bolger

Well that was some race weekend! Picture this: sunshine, a real 1965 Ford GT40, competitive racing activity with play-by-play announcing over the PA system, a classic car show, 1960s music playing with spectators milling about the race pit area and classic car show corral. (See pictures beginning on page 6.)

This is the 17th year we have sponsored and helped organize the Classic Motor Works event at Gimli Motor Sports Park for the Winnipeg Sports Car Club (WSCC). We believe this year was one of the most successful events that we can recall.

There were about 38 racers competing on the weekend, with the majority of racers from out-of-province. Racers travelled BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Florida and Minnesota.

The flavour was definitely “vintage” as a significant number participated in the car show with their exotic and classic sports cars. The top

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three winners of the People’s Choice popularity contest included two Austin-Healey club members. Third place went to Graeme Lowden with Joyce’s yellow Lotus Elan Coupe. Second place went to Warren Schettler and his red Cobra Roadster that had the original signature of ‘Carroll Shelby’ across the dashboard. Warren had spent time working with Shelby during his career. First place was scooped by Peter Foreman and his beautifully restored British racing green Triumph TR3A.

The theme of the weekend was a celebration of 52 years of the Ford GT40, recognizing the historical achievement of Ford beating Ferrari at Le Mans four years in a row: 1966 through 1969.

Ford made only 107 of the GT40 cars. We had the pleasure of showcasing one of these original GT40s at our event. This particular car was generously provided by Warren Schettler who trailered it to the event for display on Saturday. His car is a “real” unrestored but pristine 1965 Ford GT40 with original orange and black paint livery. Given the Halloween-based colours, this car became affectionately known as the “witch”.

At the end of day on Saturday, Warren turned to me and said that he wanted Jodi and me to get into the GT40 and drive it around the track! This was a dream come true. I had to pinch myself! Jodi and I folded ourselves into the car. I had a bit of trouble as I had to slouch in my seat for the door to clear my head. I started the car, much to the surprise of onlookers (what’s he doing?), pulled out and drove it around the track. Even though I treated it like I was protecting an empty egg shell, we both could appreciate the power and speed potential of this car and were totally immersed in the amazing history of it all.

Saturday’s exciting racing ended with a delicious meal of pork roast, salads and the fixings all provided by the WSCC. People who came for the weekend had the best of weather for camping out.

This weekend we also had several special guests, including George Chapman, Doug Durrell and Gary Magwood. George is a Winnipegger

and is an honoured member of the Canadian and Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. He won the national race car championship in his day and also served as the National President of the governing body of Motor Sports in Canada for six years.

Doug Durrell is a Canadian sports car racer and car constructor for the past 50 years. He is best known for his involvement in the building of the KIKI sports race car.

Gary Magwood won the Canadian Formula Ford Championship in 1970. He also raced in the Formula One series driving a six-wheel Tyrrell Formula car.

Frank Mancini was also there. Frank is one of the original founders of the Winnipeg Sports Car Club having a membership card with the number “0004”. Frank owns a beautiful MGTC, currently parked over at the Lowden garage where the “Wednesday” club members are working on it.

Sunday racing ended with a Gilles Villeneuve Memorial Pursuit Race and the presentation of trophies to winners. Trophies for the racing winners had the Feature Marque GT40 etched in the framed plaques. The Pursuit Race was a tribute to Canadian race car legend, Gilles Villeneuve, commemorating the 1975 Atlantic Championship race at Gimli.

Gilles Villeneuve won that race in the rain while starting at the back of the grid. WSCC members who were there that day in 1975 reminisced about meeting Villeneuve, and one remembered being tasked with looking after little Jacques while his father raced. Sadly, in 1982 at 32 years of age, Gilles Villeneuve was killed during the last minutes of the “Qualifying” session for the Belgian Grand Prix. We were lucky to have 1975 photos of Gilles Villeneuve provided to us by a WSCC member, and we used these photos for the Pursuit Race trophies.

We are thankful to the many AHCM members, their families, and TDC members, and other friends and neighbours, who came out to this weekend event in support of the WSCC. The

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spirit of participation and volunteerism was evident the entire weekend.

As we all know, nothing gets done at these events without volunteers, organizers who manage the weekend, people helping out at the race track corners, people who prepare the grounds, mow the grass, supply the washroom facilities, etc., and to those who helped us out at the CMW tent and pits. Thank you to everyone! We hope you enjoyed yourselves. This year will be difficult to top.

For Sale: 1990 Jaguar XJS Ted Moorby

Have to make room for the new Morgan project:

• 63,000 original miles

• Arizona/California car

• Has safety

• Starts and runs well

• A little rough around the edges

• Club member price $3,500

• Call Ted at 204 223 3748

Membership If you have not yet renewed, please send your

cheque payable to the Austin Healey Club of Manitoba (AHCM) to:

Helmut Friedrich 317 Borebank St. Winnipeg, MB R3N 1E5

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Pictures: Gimli Classic Motor Works Vintage Race Weekend

Classic Car Show

GT 40 Rollout

GT 40

Dyrk in GT 40

John Rempell’s Mk III Sprite

Joyce Lowden’s Elan

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Peter’s Foreman’s TR3A took first place in the People’s Choice Classic and Exotic Car Show

Peter Foreman (with grandson and daughter)

John Rempel, Graeme Lowden, Jim Jackson and BJ Reid at the car show

Bill Sullivan’s TR250

Doug Durell lining up for the Open Wheel race in his “Bobsy. He was involved with the development of the KIKI sports race car

Warren Schettler’s Cobra

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Warren Schettler’s Cobra with signature

Gary Magwood, former Formula One driver, racing in the Open Wheel class with Gord Leach’s Lotus 61 Formula Ford 1600

People’s Choice Awards (L - R): Graeme Lowden, Warren Schettler, Peter Foreman, Dyrk Bolger, George Ehr (and son)

Icons of local motorsport (L - R): Frank Mancini, George Chapman, Dino and Judy Calvert, Geordie Despins

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2015 Event Calendar Date Location Cost Contact Description

Sep. 18

Bronte Provincial Park, ON

British Car Day; see March newsletter

Sep. 18, 19

Various hughandval@mymts.net Three possible tours coordinated by Elkhorn Automobile Museum; see April newsletter.

Jun. 2016

Kenora 2016 Sunset Country Rendezvous hosted by the TDC and AHCM

Note : If you know about an event that we should know about, please send as many details as you can to the Newsletter Editor (John) so that we can include them in our Event Calendar as information becomes available.

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