noj 393. ‘getting luckier’ · photo by david dawson cover design production w & m ingham ....

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4Inside: • Cover story - Widening the Healey experience •SideExhaust •ComingEvents •NextMonth-PatrickQuinnwiththeNOJ393story

The official newsletter of the Austin-Healey Owners Club of Victoria incorporated.

5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1..... Go! GRX 057 ready for the Stelvio

Noj 393. ‘Getting luckier’

Hundreds & Thousands February 2012 1

This Club is affiliated to the Confederation of Australian Motor Sports (CAMS), a member of the Marque Sports Car Association (MSCA) and the Association of Motoring Clubs (AOMC).

We are dedicated to the maintenance, preservation and enjoyment of the Austin Healey motor car.

OFFICE BEARERS

President Paul McPherson 0418 123 925 [email protected] Vice President Bill Metcalf 0447 010 145 or 9876 2167 [email protected] Secretary Brian Aitken 0419 025 858 or 9775 3699 [email protected] Treasurer Mike Snelgrove 0418 320 524 or 9379 2836 [email protected] Membership Peter Heading 0413 769 068 or 9025 6702 [email protected] Clubrooms & CMC Tony Barrett 0427 051 297 or 9725 5587 [email protected]

GENERAL COMMITTEE

Social [email protected] Librarian Mick Smith 0419 553 840 or 9789 7698 [email protected] Website Gordon Lindner 0418 540 920 or 9707 1294 [email protected] Competition-MSCA Rod Vogt 0408 395 240 or 5962 1915 [email protected] Regalia Arthur Tuckett 0418 105 627 or 9571 8324 [email protected] AOMC-VicRoads Ken Styles 0431 481 082 or 9809 4382 [email protected] CAMS Tony Barrett 0427 051 297 or 9725 5587 [email protected] Registrar Iain McPherson 9850 3267 [email protected] Magazine Editor Harvey Pearce 0419 108 532 or 9836 7596 [email protected]

HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS IS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE AUSTIN HEALEY OWNERS CLUB OF VICTORIA INC ABN 21 230 686 083

The statements of opinion or fact appearing within are those of the individual contributor(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Club or its members

Registered by Australia Post. Publication No. VBH 1552

CORRESPONDENCE: P.O. Box 97 Mulgrave, Victoria. 3170. INTERNET ADDRESS www.healeyvic.com.au GENERAL MEETINGS are held on the first Thursday of the month at the Clubrooms, 19-23 Rosalie Street, Springvale. Meetings commence at 8.00pm. CONTRIBUTIONS: Items of interest, articles, technical information, correspondence, constructive criticism, photographs etc., are constantly being sought. Any material for inclusion to the magazine should be sent directly to the Editor, by 13th of the month

The Next Meeting will be held in the Clubhouse, Rosalie Ave Springvale On Thursday 2nd February commencing at 8 pm

There will be a sausage sizzle from 6.30 pm onwards so come early and enjoy the fun!

Our “guest” speaker will be past President Bill Ingham who will give a presentation on past European Rallies and the 2013 Rally in Scotland

THIS MONTH’S COVER

GRX at the start of the Stelvio run

Photo by David Dawson Cover design production W & M Ingham

INAUGURAL WESTERN REGIONAL HEALEY GATHERING at David Kelly’s property, “Toomwilloo”, 180 Inverleigh-Winchelsea Road, Winchelsea

Thursday, February 9, 2012 Starting at 11.30 am All western Region AHOC members and Healey owning non-members, are invited

sausages, hamburgers, bread, sauce, dessert slice, tea and coffee supplied Please bring your own salad items and drinks

Would all interested attendees please RSVP David Kelly, on 0439 872 723, or email:- [email protected] before February 6th

David advises: “Although the telephone book states 180 Inverleigh Road, the actual number on the property gate is 230. It is 1.8 Km from the Princes Highway at Winchelsea going North to Inverleigh (Route C145)”

Printed by GPD Digital 14/9 Elite Way Carrum Downs Vic

mailto:[email protected]�


CONTENTS Coming events Page 2 President’s Report For Sale and Wanted Page 5

Meeting Minutes Page 6 Competition Report Page 9 Cover Story - Page 13 Side Exhaust Page 15 New Members Page 16 Healeys That Raced in Australia - More from Iain McPherson Page 19 How to go Racing Your Healey Page 23 North Eastern & Geelong Groups Page 25

BACK BURBLES

Well, here we are back for another year. More of the same? It’s up to you, the members, to tell us what you want. Suggestions are most welcome. It’s a big change for me. For the first time I’m doing this on a laptop and using a much newer version of MS Word. Sure, the keyboard has the same layout (for the alphabet) but some of the other keys are in unfamiliar places and I do miss the numeric pad on the side. Added to that I’m away from home and have had to call on Gordon to send me a few bits and pieces that I forgot to load onto the USB stick. In this issue there is a “rogues’ gallery” – photos of most of the committee members. It’s supposed to help members put faces to the names. There will also be a short profile on one of the committee each month. Just a little about themselves and how and why they became part of the Healey Community. The first is on President Paul. Watch out committee – you could be next to get a tap on the shoulder. We also have more from a refreshed “Side Exhaust” and the 15th in the series of articles on Healeys that raced in Australia from Iain McPherson During 2011 there was a little in the press about elderly drivers. The old chestnut about safety etc. There is a school of thought that quite a few of us might be on the verge of falling into that category. It made me think about asking who knows the oldest person still driving. I certainly know of at least three in their nineties (including my mother). They all live in the same country town and still lead active, stimulating lives. One of them is 95! They don’t stray too far from home but still have their independence. On the Healey scene The BT7 is coming down here to Rye next week for an extended stay. We have a large garage and plenty of undercover parking for the tintop as well. Peninsula residents may see us on the road quite regularly in the future. Harvey and Marion

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

FEBRUARY Thursday 2ndt General meeting Sunday 5th 5th David Calleja memorial car show. http://showandrally.com.au Wednesday 8th Committee meeting Thursday 9th ROFS drive – South. The meeting point is the Basketball Centre car park - Stud

Rd and Monash F'way - meet at 10:15am for a 10:30 departure. Southerly runs - Arthur Tuckett - 0418 105 627

Sunday 12th 25th Annual Picnic at Hanging Rock, hosted by the Macedon Ranges and District Motor Club at the Hanging Rock Reserve, near Woodend. 25th and 26th *HSRCA Historic Wakefield Park, Goulburn NSW Sunday 26th Late Breakfast run to the Flinders Golf Club – See flyer later in this issue

MARCH Thursday 1st General Meeting at 19 - 23 Rosalie Street, Springvale.8.00pm Sunday 4th *Sandown to be confirmed Wednesday 7th Committee meeting Thursday 8th ROF's North 10th-12th *VHRR Phillip Island Historics 15th – 18th Melbourne Grand Prix 17th – 23rd RACV Fly the Flag Tour 2012

Full details including application Form www.abccc.com.au/FTF/index.php Saturday 31st Great Macedon Grand Tour

APRIL Thursday 5th General Meeting at 19 - 23 Rosalie Street, Springvale.8.00pm 6th – 9th 41st National Austin Healey Rally, Queensland www.austinhealeyqld.com.au Wednesday 11th Committee Meeting Thursday 12th ROF’s East Sunday 15th Myrniong Historic Car Sprints Sunday 29th AOMC/RACV Classic Showcase Flemington Racecourse. Concours

presentation and judging of Road and Show classes.


PENINSULA RUN VENUES – JANUARY TO JUNE 2012

25th January The Baxter Tavern , 117 Baxter-Tooradin Road, Baxter. 59 712207 29th February Lynbrook Hotel, 550 South Gippsland Highway, Lynbrook. 876 97000 28th March Caesars Restaurant, 343 Nepean Highway, Frankston.9 770 0111. (special lunch deals) 25th April Sportsman Club, (behind recreation reserve), South Gippsland Highway, Tooradin. 59 983265 30th May Portsea Hotel, 3746 Point Nepean Road, Portsea. 59 842213 27th June Waves on the Beach, Cnr. Wells & Gould Ave, Frankston. 9 770 0000 Please book at least one day before luncheon and mention the Club’s name when making your 12-30 reservation

TASMANIA

Sunday 17th February – Sunday 3rd March 2013.*

The late Colin Hayes said “The future belongs to those who plan for it” So here I am planning another Ralph Fletcher extravaganza and giving you 12 months notice. How does 14 days and night in Tasmania sound? We will take in Devonport, Burnie, Cradle Mountain, Strahran, Hobart 3 nights, Port Arthur, Bicheno, St.Helens, Launceston 2 nights and back to Devonport for the last night. Approximate costs covering return trip over on Spirit of Tasmania, accommodation excluding lunch and dinner will be around $1,900 per head. Numbers are strictly limited (no more than 15-20 cars) and on first come best dressed basis. To reserve your spot on this fortnight of fun and enjoyment (we had a fabulous time in 2008) please contact me on; [email protected] au 0418 567218 or home on 5367 1401 Ralph Fletcher. *Date may change to take in Longford revival.



PRESIDENT’S REPORT – FEBRUARY 2012

Thank goodness, our transition into 2012 was generally enjoyable and less stressful, compared to 2011 with the flooding across central and northern / northwestern Victoria – and many of those communities still struggling with the aftermath of the destruction of their livelihoods. Over the past couple of months we seemed to have fine days through the week and lousy weather on the weekends. However, on January 15, that changed – the Natter Day was sunny and, 24 degrees, as 55 Healey owners and friends converged on Geoff and Ann Neagle’s lovely property, “Abingdon”, in North Warrandyte. Ann, with Jeane Metcalf and Jo Saunders produced excellent scones (with Geoff’s apricot jam) for morning tea, followed by a great one hour drive, researched by Geoff and Bill Metcalf. Neagle neighbours Barry and Robyn provided the second bbq, to cope with all the required cooking. Many members sampled various vintages of Abingdon Cabernet, generously provided by our hosts. Winding up around 3.30 pm – a relaxing and entertaining way to commence our Healey year – this is not only a lunch for older members – we would like to see increasing numbers of new members enjoying this fellowship. Many thanks to all those who made the day such a success. Last year, our committee worked toward establishing regional social networks of Healey owners, to enable them to join in regular runs and, not feel left out by the majority of organized functions being to them, city centric. Chris Lamrock has the north-eastern group established and, in the third week of January a western regional group, organized by Ross Hodges, David Kelly and Terry Wills-Cooke will participate in a run from Geelong, through Anglesea, to Lorne, Birregurra and, back through Colac. We shall look forward to hearing about future plans from that group. Plans are in their infancy for a northern regional group. Our next function is our February Monthly Meeting on Thursday, February 2nd - with our traditional sausage sizzle from 6.30 pm onwards – so, come early and enjoy the fun! Our guest speaker will be Bill Ingham, covering European Healey Rallies and the upcoming 2013 rally in Scotland – currently we have seven Australian Healeys accepted as entrants.

I would encourage all of you to check the calendar on www.healeyvic.com.au for upcoming opportunities to support our competition and social committees. On February 5, there are two events to choose from: The David Calleja Car Show at Darley Park (Bacchus Marsh), raising funds for the Djerriwarrh Health Service, with many Healeys attending, including Stephen Pike’s Streamliner - $10 entry fee for show cars – vehicles need to be at Maddingley Park before 9.00 am. For CAMS licensed drivers, there is a track day at the Broadford State Motorcycle Centre, for the Historic Touring Car Association of Victoria – large numbers of historic touring cars and classics - $125 entry fee and plenty of practice and timed laps. We have the regular ROF Southern run on February 9 – check our calendar for details – you can meet for the drive at the Dandenong Sports Centre, or proceed direct to the - lunch location. Annette Aitken has organized a breakfast run to the Flinders Golf Club, for Sunday, February 26, with drives emanating from the Dandenong Sports Club car park, just off Stud Road / Monash Freeway and, from Mornington, for peninsula members. Our members do a great deal of work in organizing these functions and, they deserve your support. As our Past President, Bill Vaughan outlined in his December report, we still have a vacancy on our Committee for a Social Co-ordinator. We have many members volunteering to organise or help with events, suppers etc., but, we need either an individual or a couple to co-ordinate our Social function and to prepare notices for 100s and 1000s. If you feel you are able to assist with this most important part of our club’s functioning, please contact our Secretary, Brian Aitken, or myself. In closing, I wish to pass on the 2012 Committee’s sincere thanks to Bill Vaughan and the 2011 Committee for their leadership and commitment to the cultural, competition and social aspects of our wonderful club. In December, we had two long serving Committee Members, Chris Coughlin and Barb Meredith, retiring after distinguished periods of leadership and support for AHOC Vic. – more to come about their contributions in the near future. Paul McPherson

NATTER DAY PHOTOS

More of Gordon’s photos are on the website

http://www.healeyvic.com.au/�


Paul McPherson & AHOC Vic. – a brief profile At the age of 22 I bought a “yellow-ochre” coloured MGB Mk2 and, it was a lot of fun, excluding the constantly faulty overdrive and wire wheels, out-of-round – and, kept me poor! It lasted two years! In the intervening period, all of those costs borne by parents and business people, were much more important than any yearnings to get back into sports cars, although I was keen on both Healeys and Morgans. On a business trip in mid 2000, I picked up a Classic Car mag. at the airport, containing an article by Patrick Quinn, about a comparison between Peter Jackson’s BJ8 Mk1 and a mate’s MGC GT, with comments from Eric Rudd. I lapped up Peter’s comparison but, Eric’s comment had me hooked – he loved the MGC – much nicer to drive than the Healey but, “like comparing apples and oranges – it’s hard to define, but all I can say is that it’s not a Healey!” The search for a suitable vehicle started in earnest and in June 2003, Julianne and I purchased our Colorado Red BJ7 from The Healey Factory. A Californian car, our Healey had been residing in Queensland for approximately. 13 years prior to coming down to the Healey Factory.

Since joining AHOC Vic in September 2003 we have thoroughly enjoyed both - using our Healey and the company of heaps of wonderful couples and individuals we have met, through the club. Personally, we are retired but, active in charities and other organizations, in addition to AHOC. My industry was/is newspaper printing/publishing and, commercial printing. I am still involved in the corporate governance of my family company and with several print industry bodies. It is my belief that by becoming involved in organizations where friendship, knowledge and advice are freely given, a commitment should be made by every member to volunteer their services in support of our AHOC events and functions, when and wherever they can. A large number of members have made AHOC Vic. the success it is today and, they deserve our input and support! You only get out of any organization, what

Paul’s Car - BJ7 063 on a wet winding road you are prepared to put into it! between Dunkeld and Port Fairy, May, 2009 Paul McPherson

FOR SALE Brand new 6 cyl Aluminium Head Fully assembled , lead–free valve seats, top quality valves, guides, springs & top caps $4170.00 Bill Metcalf 03 9876 2167 100/4 parts A70 Head with valves and springs Gear box casings with some gears and attachments and 1x Laygears new never used Crankshaft with mains bearing caps and matched conrods and gudgeon pins Original 100/ 4 rocker cover Front suspension components upper wishbones and shockers lower wish bones springs and plates 4.1 diff with 4 stud rear axles Horn rod New Kilmartin 6 volt battery support with clamp holders Bonnet catch 4 wire wheels Dynamo John Stearne 98171052 or 0418 549 620

AHBN1 - Peter Watt’s BRG BN1 Lots of modifications and of course it has a Peter Watt engine. Peter Watt 0260433556 or 0409147428

100/4 crankshaft 10 thou under standard size and has been machined for the Denis Welch rear seal, ready to use $1800.00 ono. Mark Ingham 0411259229

Pair of HS6 1-3/4” SU carbies $350.00 ONO Ralph Fletcher 0418 567218

BN2 Gear box serial Number I 4690 casting Number AEO 3174 the disc on the top is stamped Type C26A The bell housing is off a BN4 with linkage to convert to Hydraulic clutch. The gear box came with a BN1 I purchase and restored using the BN1 gear box and is not required by me. I was advised the gear box had been reconditioned. There is no Over Drive $1200.00 Keith Bailey on 07 3351 5362 or [email protected]

C/Over Reconditioned clutch bell housing fitted with modified First Motion Shaft seal & re-bushed clutch fork. Suits BN4, BN6, BN7,BT7 ( allside shift Healey’s )Price $180.00 Bruce Dixon on 9511-6097



AUSTIN HEALEY OWNERS CLUB OF VICTORIA INC. Minutes of “General Meeting” held on

Thursday 1st December 2011 AT 19 – 23 ROSALIE STREET, SPRINGVALE

Meeting opened at 8.10 pm Present: 89 financial members

No Visitors No New Members

Apologies: Ralph and Linda Fletcher, Yvonne Thomson, Lyn Hope Welfare: Bill Vaughan reported the sad news that a long standing Club member and Healey enthusiast, Owen

Holmes passed away last Sunday. Owen’s funeral service is planned for Wednesday 7 December – please let him know if you would like to attend. Bill will check to see if Owen’s wife, Chris, would like some Healey cars at the service.

Bill mentioned that this is the fourth loss the Club has suffered during 2011. Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion that the minutes of previous meeting, held on 3rd November 2011, be accepted. Moved: Ken Styles Seconded: Brian Froelich Carried. Matters arising from the previous minutes: Nil. Correspondence In: Flyers Shannons 2011 November Classic Auction – Melbourne. Invitation and Entry Forms to Great Macedon Grand Tour to be run in March 2012. Brochure from Kombat Motor Sport for regalia. Brochure for Victorian Goldfields Railway Invitation to re visit Garage Classics at Williamstown E Mail E Mail from CAMS requesting 2012 Affiliation details and payment. E Mail from CAMS with details of 2012 Victorian Official’s training. E Mail from Ralph Fletcher with research into future Austin Healey bumper badge production. E Mail from Ralph Fletcher re the The David Calleja Memorial Car Show 5th Feb 2012. E Mail from Denis Welsh re new Healey front and rear road and race hubs. E Mail from Veloce re latest “On the Grid” motoring books etc. E Mail from Qld Rally Committee re fund raising for the 2012 Rally. E Mail from CAMS with details of CAMS’ road safety initiative, the CAMS Ignition Program. E Mail with details of the Newstead Automotive Swap Meet, taking place on Saturday the 25th & Sunday the 26th of February 2012. Magazines November / December “Open Topics” mag from Riverina Sports Car Association November “Crankhandle” SPCHCC (Southern Peninsula Classic and Historic Car Club) magazine December “Crankhandle” SPCHCC (Southern Peninsula Classic and Historic Car Club) magazine November “Healey Howl” magazine from South Australia November “Healeys West” magazine from WA AHOC November “Flat Chat” magazine from NSW AHOC November “Goblin Gazette” from Sprite Driver’s Club November HRA News (Historic Rally Association) November edition of AOMC Newsletter incl flyers for Classic Showcase, American Motor Show and Seymour Swap Meet Letters in Letter from Mike Snelgrove advising change of car registration Letter from MSCA requesting nomination of Club Delegate as well as nominations for MSCA Committee Correspondence out Sympathy card to Chris Holmes Letter to MSCA nominating Rod Vogt as our Club Delegate REPORTS: Financial: Mike Snelgrove submitted the following report: Operating Account Opening balance as at 1 October 2011 $15,962.77 Deposits (incl Interest Term Deposit of $1,520.27) $1,640.27 Payments $2,630.76 Closing balance as at 31 October 2011 $14,972.28 Term Deposit Account at 17 October $51,393.68 Mike went on to mention that he considers these are modest sums to run a Club as large and complex as ours.


Membership: Peter Heading reported that we have a total of 230 paid up members for next year so far as well as 10 new members! Bill Vaughan asked that new members be welcomed into the Club when they attend their first events. Social: Barbara reported that the Dinner Dance, though poorly supported was thoroughly enjoyed by those attending. Bill V supported this, saying that the food and band were excellent and everyone enjoyed the dancing. Selwyn’s Fang had 11 cars and went well. The next event is the ROF Run East on 8 December which will be Warren Gartner’s last effort – will be an excellent day running through the Yarra Valley and lunching at Medhurst Winery. (Warren reminded members that they should make every effort to use their Healeys – we are all getting old!) The first event for 2012 will be Natter Day to be held at the home of Geoff and Anne Neagle at 75 Research Warrandyte Road North Warrandyte commencing at 10.30 on 15 January. Barbara went on to say that finally, after serving on almost every committee since she and Bryan joined the Club 25 years ago, she is stepping down next year. She mentioned that she has enjoyed all her various roles and hopes that her latest work as Social Secretary will be picked up by another member to carry the Club forward. BV proposed an expression of thanks to Barbara for all her great work over the years. Library: Barb reported that Mick Smith has volunteered to look after the library next year and that the room has now been cleaned out and the new shelving donated by Denis and Libby Walker is being loaded. Regalia: Ron reported that Regalia now enjoys a new stand obtained from the library clean out and asked that anybody with ideas for regalia speak to he or his successor, Arthur Tuckett. Competition / MSCA: Rod asked members to read the competition report in the December magazine for full details on the following events : 1 Winton Six Hour relay, October 16th, written by our Team manager Graham Palich. 2 MSCA Calder Sunday November 27th, written by Rob Raverty whom I wish to thank for his support in 2011 as

unofficial 2IC at our MSCA activities when I have been unable to compete due to Group S Historic racing clashes. 3 Sandown Historic race meeting, November 5/6th. These events conclude our 2011 Competition Championship season. The full points score table is in the December magazine. Congratulations to Peter Jackson on his third Championship in four years, to Rob Raverty for competing enthusiastically to earn second place in his immaculate and virtually standard road going 3000 ( a true club level effort) and to Brian Duffy on his first Championship placing. The mixture of cars and disciplines reflected in the table is gratifying. Thank you to all for flying the Healey flag at Phillip Island, Sandown, Winton, Calder, Eastern Creek, Wakefield Park and Mallala in Group S Historic and Marque Sports Car races, Historic Regularity and Marque Sports Car Association Sprints and Regularity. Your cars are always immaculately presented and are a credit to our club. And let’s not forget our members who share the same enthusiasm but for various reasons run a car that is “not a Healey”- our inaugural Associate Champion is Tony Rogers in his 1974 Porsche. 4 The final event for 2011 calendar year and the first points scoring event for the 2012 Championship was held at

Eastern Creek Historic Race meeting on November 26/27th. A full report will follow in the February magazine. In summary – Peter Jackson was third outright and first Group Sa car in the two sprint races and the feature 25 lap enduro, beaten only by the V8 powered TVR Tuscan and Chev Corvette in all races. Brian Duffy had a mixed weekend with a couple of minor mechanical problems which saw his Healey fighting back through the field to finish with a 22nd and 10th in the sprints and a DNF in the enduro, although the Healey was running at the end but with only 20 laps completed. Rod Vogt had a forgettable weekend in the MGB with panel damage in the wet conditions in Friday practice and engine problems during the 25 lap enduro.

Editor: Harvey reported that there will be no magazine or flyer for January and all articles for the February magazine should be submitted by early to middle of January. Harvey also thanked all those who send photos for publication but requested that they provide captions to assist with identifying subject matter. CMC / Clubrooms: Chris Coughlin reported that the building is going along well at present with the introduction of a new security system incorporating prox cards just completed. Chris also thanked a member of the Jag Club who donated the Christmas decorations hanging in the rooms. Chris went on to say that after filling the role of CMC Spokesperson since the inception of the Club, he is stepping down this year to be replaced by Tony Barrett. Bill Vaughan proposed an expression of thanks to Chris for all those years of work and noted that it is Chris who every week, stocks the bar. Although Chris will step down as Healey Club CMC spokesperson, he will remain as a member of the CMC. Website Manager: Gordon reported that he has recently commenced a complete overhaul of the web site to create a new look. Although the work is ongoing, he invited members to log on to have a look.


Vic Roads / AOMC: Ken Styles reported that he has agreed to stay in this role for next year and that he has recently heard that roadworthy inspectors are knocking back side exhausts. Ken advised members seeking roadworthy certificates to alter their exhaust to the rear before submitting for inspection from now on! Cars / parts for sale: BV mentioned that he has been contacted by a lady wishing to sell a Mk3 Sprite if anyone is interested. General Business: Barbara reported that Maureen Cant has organised the Peninsula Lunch Runs for the first half of 2012 – see magazine for details. Meeting closed at 8.30pm following which the traditional Christmas Hamper Raffle was conducted by Mick Smith. STOP PRESS! Mick Smith reported that the profit from the annual Christmas Hamper Raffel was an amazing $800.00. BV extended the Club’s congratulations to Mick and Ron (and their helpers!) for all their efforts. Next meeting 2 February 2012.

Brian Aitken - Secretary

ROF’s SOUTH 9th February

Arthur & Jill Tuckett have organised a great Venue for our next South ROF's on Thursday 9th Feb, meet at the Basket ball Stadium Dandenong at 10.15 for a 10 30 departure. The people from down the Peninsula can meet us at the corner of South Gippsland Highway and Dalmore Road just before the Tooradin Airport around 11.00 depending on traffic. We are heading to Bass Valley Estate Winery, St. Helier Road, Loch http://bassvalleywines.com.au/index.php where we will enjoy a Ploughmans Platter with a glass of wine for $15.00 and finish off with Wine tasting.

WHERE I HAVE AND HAVE NOT BEEN I’ve been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I’ve made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. I’ve also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often. I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older. One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! But one place I don’t ever want to be is in Continent.

http://bassvalleywines.com.au/index.php�


COMPETITION REPORT FEBRUARY 2012 COMPETITION REPORT TEAM HEALEY and MSCA NEWS COMING EVENTS Events marked with * count towards the Competition Championship. Sprint and Regularity events require a basic CAMS level 2S licence only. (contact Rod Vogt) 1 MARQUE SPORTS CAR ASSOCIATION (MSCA) CALENDAR FOR 2012 Rd 1 Sunday 29th January *Winton Rd 2 Sunday 4th March *Sandown Rd 3 Sunday 29th April *Winton Rd 4 Sunday 1st July *Sandown Rd 5 Sunday 22nd July *Phillip Is Rd 6 Sunday 19th Aug Haunted Hills Rd 7 Sunday 16th Sept *Phillip Is Rd 8 Sunday 18th Nov *Phillip Island Rd 9 Sunday 2nd Dec *Sandown to be confirmed ENTRY FORMS for these events will be sent to all on the Team Healey email list and are available on the MSCA website www.msca.net.au . Ring Rod Vogt on 5962 1915 or 0408 395 240 or email [email protected] . Spectators are encouraged. Entry is free and you are welcome in our pit garage. Competition starts at approximately 9.15am 2 OTHER EVENTS 2012 Some important events for your diary: 9-11th March *VHRR Phillip Island Historics Easter 6-8th April * Historic Mallala, Sth. Australia 15th April Myrniong Historic Car Sprint 21/22 April * MG and Invited British races Phillip Island 26/27th May *HSRCA Historic Eastern Creek, Sydney 26/27th May * Historic Winton (short course) 14th October *Winton Six Hour Relay Race – 1 or 2 Teams from AHOC COMPETITION REPORTS

HSRCA HISTORIC EASTERN CREEK, SYDNEY November 26/27th 2011. Here I am on the 10th of January trying to write a report on an event run back in November. I can’t even remember what I did last weekend! I have just taken the Group Sb MGB to the engine rebuilder who will then push it over the road to the panel beater, so my memory has been painfully prompted. My therapist thinks I am probably ready to talk about it, although it still feels like I have broken one of the key Rules of the Universe – “Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.” Being my fourth event in twelve weeks, I travelled to Sydney in convoy with Peter and Pearce Jackson (3000) with a rare feeling of “ I think I have had enough for a while.” Also competing were Sydney based trio Brian Duffy (AHOC Vic member), Colin Goldsmith and Laurie Sellers in their Healey 3000’s. The weekend can best be described as a culinary affair. Peter Jackson dined on caviar, champagne and gorged at the Patisserie; Brian Duffy and Laurie Sellers had sweet and sour chicken at the local Chinese restaurant and Colin Goldsmith and I suffered indigestion after sucking lemons all weekend! We battled pouring rain in heavy traffic on the Hume freeway from Goulburn to the Eastern Creek track on the Friday morning with a forecast of more heavy rain for Saturday, throwing my plans for a Friday afternoon practice in doubt. I had never driven the MG there before and there was a 45 car capacity Group S field to contend with. The feature event was a 25 lap endurance race on the Sunday morning, with a compulsory pit stop and optional driver change. Brian Duffy entered a co-driver from left field – Cameron Tilley, who drives a very quick Mustang quite aggressively in the Biante Touring Car

Masters against John Bowe, Jim Richards, Andrew Mediecke and Glen Seton etc. Whoo whoo! Laurie Sellers employed Chad Parish as his co-driver, Chad being of the younger generation and occasional driver of a Shelby GT 350 – he won the Group S races at Phillip Island Historics in 2011. This is getting serious! Then I admit to be completely floored when Peter Jackson announced that HE was prepared to let someone else share his fantastic white 3000. Being prepared to leave the MG in the shed to help Peter out, I was a little disappointed to find he had actually asked Richard Carter. Richard is probably the best open wheeler competitor in Historic racing at present (1966 Elfin Monocoque) after a career in open wheelers as a younger man. He has the same slight build as Peter (so was very comfortable in the Healey), is very smooth, fast and mechanically sympathetic, has raced the odd Healey in the distant past when Ross Bond was our Healey hero, and is a lovely bloke. I still can’t understand why I didn’t get the gig, but let’s move on. Peter was not worried about the prospect of Richard setting a faster lap time than him – he was interested to see if a driver of Richard’s talent and experience could provide feedback to improve the Healey even more. Fresh from two forty minute stints in the Sprite at the Winton 6 Hour Relay I was not worried about doing nearly an hour solo in the B but I did want to start the event on Saturday knowing which gear to be in at different points around a pretty difficult track.

http://www.msca.net.au/�



So I forked out $120 for the two remaining Friday practice sessions and of course it started to rain again just as the first session was called. For my $120 I got four corners only on the first lap. Raining, obviously slippery with three cars in front of me already off and then - under gentle throttle in a downhill right hander – snap right and on to the grass. No control, just a passenger, the MG seemed to take off. I had enough to time to ring Sue on the mobile and tell her “I think I am going to hit the wall.” Talk about the second coming of Nostradamus. Left rear tail light and guard first, then a change of angle and in we go again to wipe out the left headlight and guard for good measure. I have had much faster, more impressive spins but gee it makes a difference when something hard is in the way. Was it slippery when wet/oil/aquaplaning/bad luck/poor skills? No, it couldn’t have been the latter, choose from the first four please. I have seen Jackson, Duffy, Goldsmith, Moloney and Kaiser in similar or worse shape so I should just put it down to another of the Rules of the Universe – “EXPERIENCE is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.” Pulling the guard off the front tyre, I was able to drive back to the pits, to the great disappointment of the tow truck and, yes, the ambulance that had been dispatched. Ruined their fifteen minutes of fame. My only injury was to pride and a stiff neck from looking over my shoulder while watching the concrete wall getting closer and closer. Have a good suck of that LEMON, Rod. My first, and I thought natural, instinct was to put the MG on the trailer immediately and hide it somewhere in the car park for the weekend. Well the racing boys have all been there before and don’t let you off that easily. Peter Jackson and a whole lot of new found friends insisted that temporary repairs would see me mobile again and so it proved. While I rushed to downtown Parramatta in the rain and peak hour traffic for tail and headlight assemblies located by a complete stranger, Peter with some help from others unknown to me, panel beated the MG in to useable shape to accept the lenses using hammers, a bottle-jack and a lot of effort I suspect. When I got back to Eastern Creek with the bits at 6.30 pm there were only the security guard and two men and probably a dog left. Those two men (Peter and Pearce Jackson) and I had the headlight and stop/tail lights in and working and metres of race tape on in time for a well earned drink and dinner at our adjacent motel in about half an hour! Peter and Pearce had even washed the MG while awaiting my return. All jokes aside now, it was an amazing show of support from many of the Group S guys. The camaraderie is a very important part of why we compete. It was a reality check with a definite positive side. THE RACING It rained heavily all night and the track was awash at 8.30 am when the officials at drivers’ briefing declared the track unsafe and cast doubts on starting before midday. We were surprised to be called to dummy grid at 9.20 as first group to practice/qualify immediately after the rain had stopped! With two drivers per car for the Enduro, Group S had two qualifying sessions scheduled for the Saturday morning. Solo drivers could do either or both we were told. Being very wet and with a forecast of clearing weather in the early afternoon I sensibly decided to wait for the late morning session. Think again Rod. Jackson, Duffy and my new garage mates said “Get back on the horse, now, while it is still wet and slippery” WHAT?! I would have preferred a horse if I could have found one, but out I went in the MG with dry mouth and clenched buttocks. One lap down and the heavens opened up

again. I sat on the tail of an experience MG driver and decided that I would use him as a reference point and that worked a treat. The tyres got some grip, slips and slides were controllable but puddles and streaming water on the main straight made aquaplaning a real threat there. Times were slowish but I qualified 28th of 38 and the horse was ridden. Richard Carter qualified PJ’s Healey fastest (wow!)-yes Peter was dry and warm in the pits - Brian Duffy a fantastic third, Laurie Sellers 13th and Colin Goldsmith sucked lemons in 30th with a worrying brake/vibration problem. Those big, heavy old Healeys should not be that good in those wet conditions. Laurie Sellers’ sweet and sour chicken tuned to indigestion on return to the pits when a blown head gasket was diagnosed and the Healey was trailered off to the workshop to return just in time for Sunday morning’s Enduro. Qualifying Two ran in bright sunshine with 95% of the track dry but washed clean of grip but with several crucial areas still draining water across the bitumen. Arriving at racing speed and sliding on the wet patches was not fun. Forty three cars this time with second drivers and solo drivers having their first or second practice, P.J. qualified in 7th (several V8’s found the conditions much more to their liking), Cameron Tilley surprised by putting the Duffy Healey in 4th and Colin Goldsmith was very unhappy with his brakes and slipped to 42nd. Sellers was still in the garage and I qualified the MG in 30th of 43. With time to refuel only, our first race of 7 laps started almost immediately. What a fiasco in dummy grid. The lunch break was cancelled and most Group S competitors were rushing to make the start. When we got there, the officials did not have the grid sheets. When the grid sheet arrived it was based on the wet morning session, not session one and two combined. Those who waited for the drier session two were not even on the sheet! With only 10 or so cars placed in dummy grid, they sent us out on to the track to line up for the start in a random order! Peter and Brian were somewhere up the front near where they belonged, I started 32nd instead of 28th. After 7 laps, Peter Jackson crossed the line in 3rd place behind a TVR Tuscan and a Corvette, both V8 powered. Another champagne and truffle for Mr. Jackson. I improved from 32nd to finish 23rd (perhaps a scotch please waiter) with Brian Duffy just in front in 22nd. On asking Brian it transpired that he had spun on the third last lap which dropped him from 8th place so unfortunately I did not catch with my superior driving. Would you like my lemon Brian? Colin Goldsmith did only 2 laps and took the Healey for work overnight. Colin, you forgot your lemon! Racing was cancelled for the day soon after following an horrific accident in Group N Touring Cars when an out of control EH Holden slammed in to two abandoned Minis parked well off the track at Turn Two. Brake failure or jammed throttle were rumoured to be the cause. Police and outside SES emergency crews took an hour to cut the driver free and rumours spread that the driver had died. It was a sombre end to the day. THE 25 LAP ENDURO At drivers briefing at 8.15 am spontaneous applause greeted the news that the driver was in a serious condition but already out of intensive care.


The mood lifted but I am sure I was not the only driver to be a little conservative in the very fast Turns One and Two in the Enduro race. The EH Holden has roof and full roll cage, old British Sports Cars are probably the least protected bar the early pre and post war specials. A sobering thought .Our Group S cars put on a fantastic show in the Enduro, with no accidents and a good finishing percentage. Colin Goldsmith was a DNF, his overnight work not having solved his brake woes, and lasting only 4 laps. Sour. My weekend finished as it started when the MG started smoking through the crank case ventilation in to the oil catch tank mounted on the fire wall under the air vent which exited right in front of my face- hard to ignore. I started 30th and worked my way up to 22nd in the 41 car field before my compulsory sixty second pit stop (simulating driver change). But on resuming racing the smoking was considerably worse although oil pressure and water temperature were fine but decided to retire before I caused more (financial) damage. Hopefully a top end rebuild will set me up for 2012. So I came in to watch the Jackson/Carter Healey finish in a comfortable third place behind the TVR and Corvette, with so little fuel left that it may have struggled to do another lap. It was a strange experience standing next to PJ in the stands watching his Healey on the track! Break out the Grange Hermitage and a Waygu steak, medium rare for Peter. PJ is the only person I know who can follow you in to a revolving door and come out first. After all his preparation and hopes with Cameron Tilley as co-driver, Brian Duffy joined Colin and myself at the lemon

stall when a simple loose wire sidelined his Healey after one lap with Tilley at the wheel after a great start. Cameron got it going after 5 or 6 laps and handed the Healey over to Brian who ran quickly but retired a few laps from the end. What might have been with our two top Healeys will have to wait for 2012 when the Enduro is to be repeated. Laurie Sellers finished 14th making up many places as second driver after Chad Parish discovered that the Big Healey is not that easy to drive. Laurie was about 6 seconds a lap quicker than the younger Shelby driver and I even caught and passed Chad in the MG just before the driver change stop. Go the old blokes! RACE THREE A 6 lap scratch race finished off the weekend for Group S. Watching from the pit garage roof, I saw Peter Jackson finish just three seconds behind the second placed Corvette with the TVR a further one second ahead-very close! Latte and chocolate mud cake to finish. Brian Duffy finished a fine tenth just one second ahead of Laurie Sellers. Last spotted they were off to the Chinese restaurant for more sweet and sour, extra pineapple please. Could or should I have risked the MG in the shorter last race? Who knows, but at the time I had consumed more than enough lemons. Colin Goldsmith could not get the Healey to start for the last race. At least it was a new problem! We pushed the Healey on the trailer and said good bye after no-one took up the offer of a free racing Healey. See you at Phillip Island Colin. I’m bringing the chocolate.

Congratulations to Peter Jackson for being awarded the ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF AUSTRALIA TROPHY FOR GROUP Sa SPORTS CARS (also won in 2010)

RESULTS OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 2012 COMPETITION CHAMPIONSHIP Points earned, with four fastest laps Brian Duffy (3000) 932 pts 1.57.28, 1.57.64, 1.57.91, 1.57.96 Peter Jackson (3000) 924 pts 1.54.11, 1.54.68, 1.54.83, 1.54.87 ASSOCIATE CLASS Rod Vogt (MGB) 817 pts 2.02.22, 2.02.22, 2.02.94, 2.04.05

FINAL WORD ON 2011 COMPETITION 1 Apologies to Larry Varley and the Williams Special – I failed to score Larry’s efforts at MSCA Phillip Island last August. My excuse is that I was away in the Kimberley and did not attend the meeting and failed to pick up Larry’s participation via the Natsoft website! Larry won MSCA Class H that day and scored the following points toward our Associate Championship, with his 4 fastest laps – Larry Varley 889 pts 2.05.03, 2.05.63, 2.06.00, 2.06.14 And this score moved Larry to 3rd in the final Associates point score. COMPETITORS, contrary to popular belief, I AM only human. Please read my reports and let me know immediately if I have missed you. 2 Final MSCA results for 2011 are now at hand. Equal 5th in Class A in their Sprites with just one event were Bill Vaughan and Rod Vogt. Rod Vogt 12th of 23 in Class B in the MGB with 2 events entered. Mark Bird finished 6th of 25 in Class D competing just 3 times. Some admin confusion had Russell Baker scoring in both Class D and Class E in the 3 point 7 litre Healey so the final points were a bit meaningless. Larry Varley came 4th of 6 in Class H in the Williams Special and Peter Kaiser only ran the modern Mini once in Class J. There was a great battle in Regularity with Rob Raverty finishing 5th of 23 despite entering only 4 events. He scored 69 points, with Brian Aitken next in 6th on 47 points, Tim Westover 7th (46), Leon O’Brien 8th (45), Hugh Purse 9th (42), Bill Vaughan 11th (32), Cary Helenius 13th (23) and Russ Baker 15th (19) in his one run with the road Healey. DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A GO WITH TEAM HEALEY? Ignore the photos above. Come and have some fun with Team Healey at Marque Sports Car Associaton Regularity or Sprints and knock Peter Jackson off his pedestal in the Competition Championship. Just contact Rod Vogt at [email protected] and I will forward an email detailing how to get a basic CAMS licence and how to get started at MSCA track events with Healey friends. It really is very simple and quite safe at that level.

(See the article later in this edition – Ed)


MSCA NEWS NEW MSCA VEHICLE CLASSES adopted at Committee meeting on December 18th 2011 It has been evident to the MSCA Committee that our long established competition classes were no longer representing the type of vehicles competing in our events, and were in fact penalising the owners of Classic Sports cars. The older traditional Marque Sports cars such as MGB's were being asked to compete head to head with modern Marque Sports cars such as the Lotus Elise. Further examples are TR8's competing against modern Corvettes and GT3's, and Austin Healeys and Datsun 240/260/280Z's competing with the Porsche 911 and Nissan 200SX's. To fix this, the Committee in December 2011 decided on a major change to our Class structure by dividing all existing Classes into Classic and Modern Classes. The cutoff date is January 1st 1986, Classic being up till 31st December 1985 and everything after that being in the Modern classes. Which class the car is placed into is determined by its date of manufacture, or the date of manufacture of the engine, the younger of the two determining whether it is modern or classic. As an example, a Datsun 260Z was manufactured in the late seventies with an "L" series engine, so therefore is in the Marque/Classic class for its engine capacity. If however, it is fitted with an RB30 engine out of a post 1986 Nissan Skyline, or VL Commodore, it becomes a Marque/Modern Vehicle. Putting that same post 1986 Nissan motor in a Healey (the “Nealey”) would make the Healey a Non Marque /Modern car. The existing classification of vehicles into "Marque" and "Non Marque" does not change. Performance enhancements; e.g. engine, engine management, forced induction, may place a "Classic" car into "Modern", depending on the date of the enhancements. The MSCA does not adopt or follow the CAMS or AASA definitions of Marque Sports Car. Cars entering the Regularity event are not affected by these changes – they all run together regardless of age or capacity.

NOTE – All Big Healeys in Sprints are now Class DC – Marque Classic 2500-3499cc Sprites are in Class AC – Marque Classic up to 1499cc

The other big news is that the MG Car Club has joined the MSCA as our tenth club. The MG Car Club are facing the same problems as all classic car clubs – dwindling numbers of competition oriented members leading to problems in running their own circuit competition events. The MSCA regularity competition is seen as an ideal way to introduce MG members to track activities in a safe and low key way and will boost our entry numbers to help cover the ever increasing cost of running our events. Some MSCA sprint events will be included in the MGCC competition championship. The MSCA is the only group catering for the older British sports car at club level motorsport and MG now joins Healey, Sprite, Triumph and Lotus – all we need now is Jaguar! This makes great viewing for our non competing members as spectators. The MGCC will also bring to us a pool of experienced CAMS accredited race officials to help run our events. A CLOSING THOUGHT “Life isn’t fair but it’s still good.” ROD VOGT

IN ILLUSTRIOUS COMPANY – it is not all beer and skittles!

Photos Clockwise from left MG well taped up at Eastern Creek Duffy after coming together at Phillip Island Leake with damaged left “eye Kaiser at Sandown Historics


THE WIDER EXPERIENCE In 2002 the Healey Racing series was still happening but had the impression of becoming limited in the number of Historic Meetings it would be invited to. If I remember right the Interstate Challenge had waned. Most cars had Group 2 log books, no two cars were of the same specs and CAMS had issues with mixing categories on the track. Driving home with the race car in tow from Mallala Historics, I couldn’t help but wonder what to do with my meagre amount of disposable income when Healey racing finally finished altogether. Where would I find anything to equal it, what would be the next interesting phase in my Healey life? I found it! Right where I would have least expected it. I found it in the Club newsletter. I have always been a believer in the newsletter and it didn’t let me down. There it was an ad for a Healey Meeting overseas and it was to be held in St Moritz in 2004. Could we go? The financial controller’s position on the fiscal aspect was not encouraging. No way, I thought, that’s for other folk and promptly forgot it. Flicking through the N/L again a few days later I couldn’t help reading that ad again. The ad promised a welcome party on top of a mountain, dinners at night at Suvrettta House, one of the top 10 European Hotels, travel through the beautiful mountains and valleys of Switzerland it said, then I read it, like a bolt out of the blue, Rally to the Garvia and Stelvio Pass, that did it. Pretty soon the financial controller agreed the funds would be allocated. It wasn’t long after that several others decided they would like to go too, so the meetings (actually parties and mostly at my place) to arrange vehicle shipping started. Coincidently, some preparation of the car needed to start and a decent birthday was arranged for GRX (mostly cosmetic). The drive train and other mechanical bits were unchanged it remained as raced at Bathurst etc. Negative camber on the front, big sway bar, low stiff suspension, race cam, 10.5 – 1 comps happily we found we could get 100 octane from the pumps in Germany and 98 most places. The decision to ship the car to Antwerp was generally built around planning for the whole trip to St Moritz. We would fly to Paris, fast train up to Brussels meet up with Hardy Kuhn and Ruth then get a lift with them to pick up the car. They also had a container waiting at the Antwerp docks. The agent picked us up at the hotel and drove us to the car warehouse. Customs was easy with his help. It was good to see the car sitting there and apart from some messy stuff on the boot lid which looked like someone had started up a fork lift and blew diesel exhaust over it, the car was in great condition. The new paint job looked good. Following the agent around to a service station was the trial run for driving the Healey on the wrong side of the road, “fill up and France is that way” he said. An easy run out of Antwerp took us on to the Auto route des Ardennes. Down past Liege, the starting place for many great rallies, skirting around Reims and down into the Champagne region of France that afternoon. Finally, finding the little B&B it was time for something cold. I said to the maitre’d “my wife likes champagne and could we buy a bottle please” the reply was just a grunt and a shrug with a raise of the French eyebrows. “What does that mean?” I said to Wendy, “I don’t know” she assured me 10 minutes later out he came with two bottles of the best, you drink it not pay for it, sitting down he shared them and

some conversation with us. Everyone wants to know about these cars. It was soon time to head off to meet Hardy and Ruth, Greg and Robyn Nicholls, Dennis and Libby Walker and Harry and Mary in the Black Forest in the south of Germany (Bavaria), but not before negotiating road and tunnel closures. Running a bit late we had to miss the Schlumpf Museum on the way but got in to the Kaiserhof about 4pm. It was pretty hot and I ordered the biggest bier they had even before I got out of the car. Good stuff German beer. A great couple of nights there with the group then off on the long trip to St Moritz but taking in the sights over another couple of days. Bavaria is a beautiful place to drive your Healey, you have the villages, quaint houses, valleys and mountains with snow on them. It is possible to become quite accustomed to it and take it for granted after a while. The awesome height of the Zugspitzer, Germany’s highest mountain with lots of snow was a must do in the cable car. Crossing Lake Constance on the ferry, the Rhinefeld and Neuswanstein Castle had to be seen, a great couple of days. On to the final destination via a bit of Austria and arriving at St Moritz in the afternoon we are on time for the welcoming function on top of the mountain with 5 star service. This set the scene for the rest of the week, top organisation, concours on the lawn, mini track day, and of course the trips to the Stelvio and Gavia. The Stelvio day started almost the way it finished - wet. It was raining when we queued up for the start and most of the way to the mountain. It was a long full day run through villages, valleys with an average speed section and easy navigation. The climbing started, up through forests first then turning more barren then into granite. Up through the cloud line, the snow lines the side of the road. The rain is heavy at times and there is a fog setting in and the traffic is heavy and intermittently stopping.

Stelvio - a shot from 'part way up'

Through the mist there is excitement in the car, I can see the Stelvio road snaking its way up into the fog. The sight is amazing, and it’s hard to see at time, but it doesn’t matter it’s just great being here. There are lots of slow moving cars continually stopping it’s raining again and there are road works going on everywhere. This was not in the script. It did not match my romantic notion of charging up the Stelvio like they did all those years ago.


The lunch at the top was nice and the weather cleared a bit as we descended the mountain.Was this to be my disappointing version of the Stelvio, is this what I had come half way round the world to see and do? No, I soon found we were going back to the alps again the next day as part of the Garvia run. This time it was totally different, better weather, sunshine in fact, clearer roads even a clear and brisk run up the Garvia where the welcoming sign said “benvenuti, Passo Garvia M 2652 (metres) Rifugio Bonetta”, for the lunch stop. After lunch down into the valley and up at least part of the Stelvio Pass again, near the Pass Umbrail and Ofenpass this time in good weather and a reasonable run behind better moving cars.

'top of the Garvia Pass'

There was time to stop for some video on the way to show where we had just been. A final dinner with wine and dancing finished off an unforgettable week. We stayed an extra night then we were off on our own again, over the alps back into Italy, down to Lake Como for a few days then to Tuscany for a couple of weeks

'The view from our hotel room'

The car was shipped back from La Spezia in Italy after a faultless run from Belgium through Luxemberg, France, Switzerland and Austria to Italy much of it on our own with space in the boot for a spare wheel, we left that at home. This was the 2nd European Healey Meeting, we didn’t know about the first, but we were lucky enough to go to the 3rd in Sweden and that’s another story. Why this article in the newsletter now after so many years? It hasn’t been done before to my knowledge and it’s a timely reminder as some of our members prepare for the 4th European Healey Meeting in Scotland early next year. With booking restrictions in place for the 4th event, not so many from here will go, but those who do will have the greatest time. Be at the February Meeting and we’ll show you some images of the St Moritz with a short description. Cheers, Bill & Wendy

PUTTING FACES TO THE NAMES


Christmas is a wonderful time for those great family reunions and celebrations with relatives, where everyone is looking to relax and refresh after another hectic year of work and stress. For many, the tree - often an incongruous plastic Douglas fir - is the focus with gaily wrapped presents piled underneath. This technology may not change but what’s inside the wrapping paper moves ahead fast. Books are old tech it seems - what you need now is a Kindle and then pay almost nothing for the books you want to read but everything you do pay goes to Amazon. That wonderful bookcase shelf laden with your prized collection of Healey Books published by specialists is under threat. But not quite yet gone the way of the typewriter. Side Exhaust was excited to receive two of the latest crop of Healey Books, ‘Mr Big Healey’ and ‘Harnessing Horsepower’, both published by that wonderful enthusiasts’ outfit, Veloce Books. Rod Grainger and Judith Brooks have been telling motoring enthusiasts about their favourite topic for 20 years from remote Dorsetshire, where the roads are less encumbered and the vibes are right for telling car stories. And, dear Member, their portfolio is a rich one which you won’t get on your Kindle. And if it’s Healey adventures you like reading about, then get these books. Norman Burr tells the story of John Chatham in a rollicking, fast moving style which both respects historical detail and grapples frankly with the wild larrikin behaviour of the hero.

"30 years later, at a competitors briefing by Neil Dunn for the Donald Healey Commemorative Race at Bathurst in 1998, Side Exhaust snaps John Chatham, proudly wearing his BRDC shirt, among the audience."

Many of the stories are hilarious and incredible and reveal a torrid private and professional life. How it was this ‘uncontrollable’ aspect of the Bristolean which kept him out of a works Healey drive is well told with plenty of pathos in the account of how Chatham worked with Geoff Healey to develop the diesel blocked 100/4 for the Panamericana race.

Side Exhaust crossed paths with John Chatham twice. The first occasion was during the Modsports era from 1966 onwards, when Stuart Hands was campaigning Gary Bristows’s ex-works car, XJB 876. Except that wasn’t really XJB - it was all the good bits rebuilt onto a standard and very light chassis with flared arches and 10’ slicks.

"In the Modsports Paddock at the Austin Healey Club Silverstone meeting in 1968, Side Exhaust snaps John Chatham checking out the opposition"

The story of how this happened and how the car was then restored for resale has already been told in this column - and you can still see the original wooden steering wheel at AHOC’s rooms in Rosalie St, my booty for being helpful. As a competitor in UK Austin Healey Club events in a Healey Silverstone and a Stuart Hands helper, I found John Chatham to be all that Burr describes - very friendly but ruthlessly competitive. Stuart was his main rival and I was the enemy team - so I trod carefully during the discussions on legalities . Stuart Hands regarded Chatham as the only opposition that mattered and put everything into beating him. XJB got ahead sometimes but mainly DD was faster. I don’t think we knew DD 300 had half inch wider wheels, as has now been revealed, and I’m sure there would have been a very big argument if we’d spotted it. The second occasion was at the Donald Healey Commemorative Race for Healeys at Bathurst in 1998, which only has a brief mention in the book. Chatham was there as a guest driver in a slowish car and when I reminded him of our last meeting 30 years before, to my astonishment he remembered all those arguments. He also told me with much glee about another demon tweak we never knew about - the central sliding peg rear axle locator. What? Yes, Chatham welded a peg onto the axle and had it slide up and down in a bit of channel on the frame to improve lateral location with the very wide rubber and dumped the Panhard rod. But apparently it makes a hell of a din on the road. Funny that.


Of course, the winner of that memorable all Healey race was Dennis Welch, who was Chatham’s Austin Healey racing and business rival. It was a bit disappointing that Burr did not tell us anything about the relationship between these two strong and determined characters, with similar passions and aiming at similar markets over the same period - Chatham in Bristol, Welch in Burton on Trent. As it stands today, Denis’s son Jeremy (recovered from that severe accident at Montlery) now runs the thriving race parts engineering and race prep business while JC is still building cars for clients and his sons are no longer in the business. It is truly remarkable that the Austin Healey marque has been blessed with three Healey entrepreneurs with worldwide reach - Welch, Chatham and our own Rob Rowland. That we have Rob’s new Healey Factory just down the road is even more amazing and all we want now is the book about the Rowlands. This would definitely be one for Veloce. Stuart Turner’s account of Pat Moss Carlsson is only a bit about Healeys. Well known to the Australian AHOC after his visit here and his many very entertaining talks, Turner has completed a fine and well researched biography of a very significant sporting figure, who advanced the cause of women in sport enormously during a period when that was a topic. He also deals with the loves of his subject which is quite interesting - we certainly never knew at the time that Pat went out with John Sprinzel. Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom gave the Austin Healey marque the first of its five outright victories in international rallying by winning the 1960 Liege, by far the toughest and most gruelling event of the ‘heroic’ era. It would turn out to be one of only four outright victories she would win in her 21 year rally career. Turner’s respect and awe of this 1960 achievement still shines through the words he uses to describe the events. He struggles to make the degree of endurance and personal discomfort and tolerance of risk and extraordinary

car control exhibited by these two mid twenties girls relevant - even believable - to a modern audience. At one stage, he tells how Marcus Chambers was so concerned about the patch up repairs carried out to the Healeys gearbox he got Eric Carlsson to follow her on the road in one of the Austin A90 ‘barges’ - and he promptly put in the second best times on those stages. Any ladies who whinge about gearbox heat should know that these two young girls drove their monster without sleep for four days and thousands of kilometres through dust and heat of summer without the tunnel fixed down and with the ‘box fuming from a dodgy front seal. If anyone wants to know how the term ‘will to win’ translates to motorsport, get them to read this tale. It is well known that Pat was very wary of the beast, especially in the wet. It came close to killing her at the Solitude circuit when a sleeper impaled the car when she slid off in soaking wet. Turner retells the story which went the rounds a few years ago that when reunited with URX in modern times, she did not want to even sit in it in case it would ‘get her’ 40 years on. Thanks to Kilmartin’s adjustable front damper mounts, these days we can get a bit more negative to help tame the wet weather understeer. Peter Browning has already recounted the Liege triumph in his 1995 book ‘The Works Big Healeys’ (Haynes ISBN 0 84529 966 1) with much more detail and more eyewitness accounts, including Pat Moss’ own, and this is clearly the authoritative version. But Turner’s effort is new and fresh and for all of us who value our Healeys today and enjoy these 50 year old cars as if they were new, it helps us remember that it was a couple of young girls who showed us all how to do it. For all its grunt and glory and reputation as a ‘hairy chested’ sportscar, this crude old thing loves nothing better than a gentle, delicate and confident touch to find balance and grip. And despite the many advances of the high tech world, so far the gentle, delicate confident touch remains an exclusively human capability.

NEW MEMBERS

We welcome to The Club Grellan and Mairead Symes Tim and Sharryn Jenkinson Garry Kindley and Meg Hansen (BN1 from NZ, to be put on club plates) Sam and Haruko Cassels. Sam is based in Singapore (BN2, 100M) Greg and Jacky Philp (BN2, 100M) Stan and Bernadette Hudson (1965 Mark 3 Sprite) Mervyn and Jill George (1964BJ8) Frank and Angela Cassar John and Rosemary Byrne (1967 BJ8, being imported from England and another metallic golden beige)

A footnote to our articles on NOJ 392 In December the “other NOJ (393) was sold at auction for For a World Record £843,000NOJ 393 was one of the cars involved in the tragic accident at LeMans. See http://www.bonhams.com/eur/press/6299/


Yesterday my daughter asked why I didn't do something useful with my time. She suggested I go down to the senior center and hang out with the guys. I did this and when I got home last night I told her that I had joined a parachute club. She said "Are you nuts? You're almost 75 years old and you're going to start jumping out of airplanes?" I proudly showed her that I even got a membership card. She said to me, "You idiot, where are your glasses! This is a membership to a Prostitute Club, not a Parachute Club!" I'm in trouble again and don't know what to do! I signed up for five jumps a week! Life as a senior citizen is not getting any easier...

They were funny looking buildings, that were once a way of life, If you couldn't sprint the distance, then you really were in strife. They were nailed, they were wired, but were mostly falling down, There was one in every yard, in every house, in every town. They were given many names, some were even funny, But to most of us, we knew them as the outhouse or the dunny. I've seen some of them all gussied up, with painted doors and all, But it really made no difference, they were just a port of call. Now my old man would take a bet, he'd lay an even pound, That you wouldn't make the dunny with them turkeys hangin' round. They had so many uses, these buildings out the back," You could even hide from mother, so you wouldn't get the strap. That's why we had good cricketers, never mind the bumps, We used the pathway for the wicket and the dunny door for stumps. Now my old man would sit for hours, the smell would rot your socks, He read the daily back to front in that good old thunderbox. And if by chance that nature called sometime through the night, You always sent the dog in first, for there was no flamin' light. And the dunny seemed to be the place where crawlies liked to hide, But never ever showed themselves until you sat inside. There was no such thing as Sorbent, no tissues there at all, Just squares of well-read newspaper, a hangin' on the wall. If you had some friendly neighbours, as neighbours sometimes are, You could sit and chat to them, if you left the door ajar. When suddenly you got the urge, and down the track you fled, Then of course the magpies were there to peck you on your head. Then the time there was a wet, the rain it never stopped, If you had an urgent call, you ran between the drops. The dunny man came once a week, to these buildings out the back, And he would leave an extra can, if you left for him a zac.


DECEMBER ROF’s RUN

The annual pre-Christmas ROF’s drive and lunch was organised again by Warren and Heather Gartner. Not only did they organise a wonderful drive through the Yarra Valley, a great lunch venue and fantastic food. They also managed to order a great Healey day “weatherwise”. Now not everyone followed the script! It’s a bit of a puzzle when you pass parked Healeys in Healesville, go by the book and find those cars at lunch before you and the best seats taken. The usual suspects all arrived in time for lunch. This is not an event just for Healeys. Jags, Porches, BMWs and others made up the group. As usual at that time of the year we took great delight in helping Wozza and Heather celebrate their birthdays and at the end of lunch the Christmas Elf tempted everyone with her sweeties. There was a concerted effort by some to get their cars out of the sun during the early afternoon. We need to remind Leon to stay on the left of all the other cars when parking so that his side pipes don’t blow dust over beautifully polished Healeys. Warren says he’s not going to organise another one!! You’re a big boy Woz but there’s strength in numbers and we reckon we’ll get you back next December.

Photos by Gordon Lindner - More on the Website

DECEMBER MEETING

More of Gordon’s photos are on our website


AUSTIN-HEALEYS THAT RACED IN AUSTRALIA Some of us wonder how we are going to find enough money to pay for our first Austin-Healey, and for the more adventurous, how we are going to start racing it. For Jim McKeown it was a relatively easy decision when he won a raffle which consisted of a Ford Zephyr, a caravan and 500 gallons of petrol. He promptly sold these and bought an Austin-Healey BN2 which had done 1300 miles. He reworked the head, fitted a Le Mans kit and went racing. Jim had previously raced the Platypus Special, a 1500 cc BMC powered car, but his first competition event in the Austin-Healey was at Templestowe in September 1957

where his time was 2nd in the class. The new one and three quarter mile unsealed track at Tarrawingee was opened two months later by Cr K Diffey. His son Ian was to buy a BN1 in 1965. Jim entered his Austin-Healey under the banner of the Platypus Stable and managed three first placings. For the April 1958 Meeting at Tarrawingee the Programme advised that “Frank Coad has his Vauxhall Sports Special in top condition. He should have some excellent battles with Jim McKeown, in the Austin-Healey again. McKeown holds the sports car lap record”.

RACING RESULTS - JIM MCKEOWN 1 September 1957 Templestowe 65.35 sec 2nd in class 5 November 1957 Rob Roy 30.31 (Compared to John Roxburgh in the 100/S 30.27) 10 November 1957 Tarrawingee Sports Car scratch 1st

Sports Car Handicap 1st Sports Car Handicap Final 1st.

February 1958 Tarrawingee Sports Car Scratch 1st Sports Car Handicap 1st Sports Car Final 1st

27 April 1958 Tarrawingee Sports car scratch Sports Car Handicap Sports Car Final

4 May 1958 Rob Roy 30.92 sec 16 June 1958 Phillip Island Bill Thompson Memorial Trophy

Racing and Sports Car Scratch Race Sports and Closed Car Handicap

In August 1958 Jim entered an XK140 Jaguar in the Geelong Speed Trials, and later bought the re-bodied Vauxhall Special from the Coad Brothers, which he renamed the Jewitt Holden. He went on to race a Lotus Cortina as part of the Neptune Racing Team which was formed in 1964, and then a series of Porsches which culminated in second place in the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1970.

Jim McKeown at Tarrawingee

In 1976 Jim bought a partially restored BN1 228009 from Mike Kirby and joined the AHOC. He completed the work and has owned this car ever since. Paul Hawkins bought the BN2 from Jim towards the end of 1958. Paul and another friend, Harold Closter, who owned a silver blue BN1 registered GKC 258, were driven up to Croydon by Owen Holmes in his red BN1 registered GTS 177 to pick up the car. Owen had bought his car in October 1958. The two cars took off with the hoods down in the pouring rain – Owen couldn’t keep up with Paul, who disappeared in the spray.. Paul had previously owned an MG TC, and had met Terry Valmorbida’s brother while they were doing National Service. He was introduced to Terry and they became

good friends – driving their cars at racing speeds around the streets of Melbourne. His enthusiasm and persuasive personality enabled him to convince Terry to allow him to race his 100/S at Phillip Island in March 1958 and at Albert Park in November 1958. At the Geelong Speed Trials in August 1958 he equaled the time of John Roxburgh in his 100/S. Obviously this inspired Paul to buy his own Austin-Healey which he only used as a road car. Why use your own car when you can race someone else’s 100/S, which he continued to do until he left for England in December 1959? Paul worked for Percy Makin in Heidelberg and then for John Roxburgh. In his book “Hawkeye”, Ivan McLeod explains some of the antics Paul got up to with the Austin-Healey, and makes the comment that that the police couldn’t catch him - and they tried every time he drove it. One night after selling his 100/M, Bruno Taverniti in his new Porsche Speedster, and Paul were having a race along Toorak Road South Yarra when a pedestrian stepped out in front of Paul who swerved, but the Austin-Healey slid backwards though several verandah posts. In Court an eye witness tried to describe the speed of the car, to which the Barrister responded that if that was the case, then Paul must have been travelling at over 100mph? Paul sent the car to Bob Baker to have it repaired. Paul managed to damage the car again and must have realised his future on Melbourne roads was a bit uncertain, so he sailed for England at Christmas 1959 in the company of Owen Holmes and another friend, Bruce Dowling. Owen had sold his BN1 a couple of weeks before, but the only money Paul had was the money invested in the Austin-Healey which he had left with a friend to have repaired and then sold on his behalf. On arriving in England Paul managed to get a job as Chief Mechanic with Healey Speed Equipment, a subsidiary of the Donald Healey Motor Company. He persuaded John Sprinzel to also give Owen a job and later Terry joined


them. They were all employed in Grosvener Road London where they were responsible for pre-delivery and the fitting of speed equipment to Austin-Healeys, including the Sprites. With his persuasive manner he was also able to convince Donald to give him a drive of a Sprite at Aintree in April 1960 where he managed a fastest lap for the Class. Paul went on to race a Works 3000 at Sebring where he was 1st in class and the Targa Florio where he was 2nd in class. At Le Mans and Sebring he was 1st in Class in the Super Sprite. He raced all sorts of Sports Cars, and Saloon Cars at the highest level. He also raced a Brabham-Ford and a Lotus –Climax in Formula One. Sadly he was killed in a Lola Chevrolet at Oulton Park in 1969, and he was only 31. The identity of this Austin-Healey has always been a bit of a mystery to me and I have always thought it was the same car Bryan Thomson went on to race. When the racing results of Jim and Bryan are examined in detail, and with the involvement of Paul Hawkins, it is obvious that two cars must have been involved, as their period of Austin-Healey ownership overlaps. When I have previously spoken to Jim about the Austin-Healey he had raced he could not recall the registration number. So the identification of the two cars remained a mystery. I must acknowledge the assistance Owen Holmes provided with the background information on Paul. Sadly Owen passed away in November, before we could catch up and view some further information and photos he had been able to dig out. One photo taken shows the three Austin-Healeys outside the Phillip Island Hotel but Paul’s car did not have a front plate on it – close, but not close enough to solving the mystery.

The BN2 of Paul Hawkins, and the BN1’s of Owen Holmes and Harold Closter outside the Phillip Island

Hotel. Paul and Owen are standing beside the Holden

At Owen’s funeral I found out that he had been quizzing

some of his old friends and they had been able to magnify a glimpse of a partial registration number in another photo they had. This was enough for me to narrow down the identity to a car which turned out to be first registered GLU 855, and was BN2 228951. Jim McKeown has since confirmed that this is correct, even though the number plate is taped over in a photo he has. I first recall seeing this particular car in Carlton in 1968. By now it was registered HOT 294 after being registered HDL 959 in 1960 and having an engine change along the way.

Cowper Street in 1970

By now the front shroud contained an oval opening, similar to a 100/S, but filled with a mesh grille. The car then turned up in M1 Motorways in Camberwell and was bought by Mike Corcoran from Sandringham in1970. Mike got a job on the West coast of Tasmania and took the car down there with him. While there the car was used for many trips between Rosebery and Hobart. Ten or so years later he returned to the Mainland where he purchased another shroud and fitted an original grille. Over the last 30 years the car had little use because its past was starting to catch up with it, - only being driven between garages as Mike moved homes. Mike passed away a couple of years ago but his family has retained the car and is currently having it restored. The chassis showed many signs of extensive damage accrued over the years, and has now been replaced. The only evidence of any modifications is a fabricated manifold for the 13/4 inch carburettors. As an aside – some time ago I worked with a leggy blonde who told me she used to go out with a fellow who had an Austin-Healey. I asked if she could remember his name. “No, but I can remember the registration number of his car – HOT 294”. My guess is that there are a lot more stories associated with this car. Iain McPherson

WARNING TO OUR MEMBERS - BEWARE OF SCAMMERS Member Gary Fitridge recently place a want ad in Hundreds and Thousands. He was contacted by someone from Liverpool in England. Discussions regarding payment resulted in Gary Googling his name and it appears thattly he targets MG, Triumph and possibly Healey enthusiasts placing “wanted” adverts. He askes for payment by Western Union.


Retired Old Farts & Wannabe's

2nd Thursday every Month - Meet at 10.15am for a 10.30 sharp departure What you need to know; This is an official AHOC activity. We drive on the 2nd Thursday of each month. We drive for about 1½ hours, plus lunch and other stops. We aim to drive North, East, West and South… turnabout. We use Free/Tollways whenever possible to get out of town - eTAG! Meeting points; North - Excelsior Hotel Motel, Cnr Mahoneys & Edgars Rds Thomastown - meet at 10:15am for a 10:30 departure Northern runs arranged by Mike Snelgrove - 0418 320 524 East - Kilsyth Club car park, Cnr Canterbury & Colchester Rds - meet at 10:15am for a 10:30 departure Easterly runs arranged by Warren Gartner - 0418 536 350 West - McDonalds, Western Hwy & Westwood Dve (Melway 25 A6) - meet at 10:15am for a 10:30 departure Westerly runs - Mike Snelgrove - 0418 320 524. South - Basketball Centre car park - Stud Rd and Monash F'way - meet at 10:15am for a 10:30 departure Southerly runs - Arthur Tuckett - 0418 105 627 Now…..the "big picture" stuff; Visitors with "other" cars are welcome. If it's not Healey weather….bring a tin top! This is not just a boy's day out. Send drive suggestions to the appropriate organizer above. If you want to go a bit faster than the guy in front - overtake him and have fun. We obey the road laws……yet we still have fun!


INTRODUCTION TO HEALEY MOTORSORT COMPETITION

LICENSES FOR BEGINNERS As a current financial member of our club which is affiliated with the Confederation of Motor Sport you can start competing in speed events by applying for a Level 2 Speed CAMS License. Fill out simple forms (available from Rod Vogt – see Committee contacts in magazine) answering seven questions re your health and for $103 you have a 12 month license. No driving test or doctor’s medical is involved. A Level 2 S license enables you to compete at Club level (MSCA) Sprint & Regularity events, at various open Historic race meetings in their Regularity events and at Hill Climbs. WHICH EVENT AND HOW TO ENTER It has become very difficult for individual car clubs to organize a driver training day or sprint meeting for their members due to the increasing cost of track hire and the need for a large number of experienced officials in place before CAMS will grant a permit. Entering a Marque Sports Car Association (MSCA) event is the perfect way to start and you can become part of our Austin Healey Owners Club Competition Championship. WHAT IS MSCA? Marque Sports Car Association is an alliance between the Austin Healey Owners’ Club, the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia, Austin Healey Sprite Drivers’ Club, Bolwell Car Club of Australia, Club Lotus Australia, Fiat Car Club, Nissan Datsun Sports Owners’ Club, Triumph Sports’ Owners’ Association and the Sports Owners’ Club of Victoria. MSCA is organized by a voluntary Executive Committee plus a delegate from each club. As well as cars from the above clubs, there is a large number of classic and modern marque sports cars which compete at MSCA events. Only members of the organizing clubs are eligible to compete for trophies, although we do have visitors enter from other clubs. You can experience Phillip Island, Sandown, Calder, and Winton race circuits, and Morwell Hill Climb. Events are professionally organized and run to meet CAMS and AAASA standards of safety. Nine one day events are offered each year, usually on a Sunday. SPEED EVENTS. HOW DO THEY WORK? These events are NOT RACES. They are timed laps at a race circuit. The field is spread out to provide space between the cars, and is flagged off at intervals from pit lane. The first lap is a ROLLING START (no standing start) warm up lap and timing starts on crossing the start/finish line for the first time. We use Dorian electronic timing system which allows larger run groups (up to 20 per group at Calder, Winton and Sandown, 26 at Phillip Island). With a run time of 10 to 15 minutes per session, and up to 4 sessions for the day, you can achieve more than 25 timed laps for the day. (A) Regularity The Regularity component is designed for those competitors who choose not to run at race speed but to drive their vehicles at a pace of their own choosing for their own enjoyment. It is particularly aimed at drivers of valuable cars or older, fragile cars, who do not want to risk damage or stress to their cars by driving at race speeds in the Sprints. Regularity is a competition of achieving consistent lap times . Dicing by competitors is prohibited. Whilst overtaking of a slower car is permitted, it can only be done when safe for both cars, and once a competitor has been passed they may not re-pass the car that passed them for the remainder of that lap. If a faster car should want to pass, indicate by clearly pointing which side they should overtake and maintain a steady line while they do so. The driver of the passing car will then know that you have seen him. In the morning, a timed practice session is conducted (during which drivers can do whatever speed they are comfortable with), after which each competitor will nominate a designated lap time for the event – YOU choose your time. Then you do your next timed sessions with the aim of achieving your target time on EVERY lap. For each lap on which the competitor records a lap time faster than his nominated time, a penalty of two points per tenth of a second of the error shall apply. For each lap slower than his nominated lap time a penalty of one point per tenth of a second of the error shall apply. The winner is the competitor who has completed the required number of laps and has accrued the least penalty points. (B) Sprint Sprint Class Marque Classic DC (2500 to 3500cc) for the quicker Big Healeys, and Class Marque Classic AC (up to 1499cc) for the Sprites. MSCA says “not to be seen to be racing”. Aggression is frowned upon but you can drive as fast as you can and pass anywhere, but SAFELY. The fastest 2 laps are taken into account. You should get up to 4 timed sessions with a chance for more if the day has run smoothly. Fastest Class DC cars do Winton long track in 1:39, Sandown 1:26, P.I. 1:52 and Calder 1:07. Fastest Class AC Sprites do Winton long track in 1.46, Sandown 1.35, PI at 2.02 and Calder around 1.15 SAFETY All cars are scrutineered for safety and must meet the Supplementary Regulations of the meeting. Meetings are run to CAMS or AASA standards. Senior officials monitor driver behaviour – inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. This is a TIMED EVENT NOT A RACE. You compete on a race circuit with a smooth surface, good vision, all cars are going in the same direction and with a limited number of cars on the track at one time there is ample room to run off the track without car damage. Repeated laps lead to building of confidence, predictability and improved performance. TO ENTER Download a form from the MSCA website www.msca net .au or join the Team Healey email list and have one sent to you for each event. Entries become available about 3 weeks before the event and close on the Monday before unless already fully subscribed. Entry fees for 2012 are $180 for Winton, Sandown, Phillip Island and Calder, including hire of the Dorian timer. Entry fees are subject to change if costs increase. Note that it is your responsibility to return the Dorian timer at the end of the day. If you take it home it is your responsibility to return it to BENDIGO ! It’s loss will cost you $500!!!

http://www.msca/�


PREPARATION Need 2 separate fastening systems for a front opening bonnet – bonnet strap or leather belt through grill will do. Tyres to be fitted with metal valve caps. Fit a fire extinguisher not more than 3 years old, complying with Australian Standards 1841 of at least 900g capacity and secured via a STEEL BRACKET, within easy reach of the driver. The arrow on the gauge must be in the GREEN zone. Don’t buy a cheapie! All loose objects must be removed from the vehicle A blue TRIANGLE indicating position of the battery or isolating switch. Roll bar is recommended for open cars but is NOT compulsory. A supplementary return spring on each throttle - standard on Healeys Battery secure and positive terminal covered (electrical insulation tape will do) Cover forward facing glass (headlights) with a clear covering – office supplies “contact covering sheets”, cut to size, works well. You may be required to run with headlights ON in poor weather conditions. Operating brake lights are compulsory (bring spare globes). Safety equipment - For open cars, a full face helmet complying with AS1698 standard. In case of fire, all competitors must be dressed in long legged trousers and long sleeved shirts or other outer clothing made of non-synthetic material. You do not have to buy a “race suit”. Fully enclosed LEATHER shoes, no synthetic sports type sneakers. Lap sash belts are adequate (you do not need a race harness in Regularity but advised for Sprints) and they will check their condition and look for an Australian Standards tag. A maximum NOISE level of 75 Decibels must be observed at Sandown and Phillip Island. You will be black flagged if you exceed the limit and given one chance to rectify the problem. A 2nd offence will result in exclusion. Not compulsory, but a good modification is a TOW HOOK front and rear. If you break down the recovery vehicle will expect you to attach a tow rope to get you back to the pits. An oil breather catch tank is not necessary for cars registered for unrestricted road use. Fit a radiator overflow catch bottle of at least 600ml capacity. Fit correct race numbers in the correct position – on both doors. You will be scrutineered to ensure all above supplementary regulations have been met. In addition they will check seat condition and mountings, condition of cooling system and hoses, fuel lines and fittings, steering freeplay, no oil leaks etc., play in hubs, rear vision mirrors, no structural rust/body cracks and body clean with no excess damage. Have your car clean and in good condition and you will be fine. A service and tune before an event (keep brake fluid fresh) will minimize the chance of a wasted day. ON THE DAY Arrive early. Gates usually open around 7am. We park as a group. Immediately prepare the car – remove all loose items and spare tyre and put your tool kit, chair etc behind your car. If you have your race numbers put them on, and your blue triangle marking battery position. You can secure a race number for the season if you are a regular. Otherwise your allocated number for each event will be notified as part of your entry confirmation. Numbers can be purchased at the event. Cover headlights with clear material. When the RACE OFFICE opens, take your CAMS LICENCE and CLUB MEMBERSHIP CARD and complete paperwork. You will be given a windscreen sticker showing your run group. The scrutineer will initial this when you pass scrutineering. This is your pass on to the track. You will be given a scrutineering form – place under windscreen wiper. Buy race numbers at the office if needed and put on doors. You will be given your DORIAN timer – put in COLES cloth shopping bag and attach by closing passenger door on the bag, next to sill. We will show you the system. Go to scrutineering bay. The sooner you go the shorter the queue. You do not want to miss your first run, and Regularity is usually first. They want to see your helmet, fire extinguisher, battery, under the bonnet and boot. Have them open and ready, with your scrutineering form at hand which they will keep. Race numbers must be in position. Make sure your sticker is signed by the scrutineer. A compulsory drivers briefing will be held after scrutineering finishes (sometimes before!) at around 8.45 to 9am. First run group will be called to dummy grid for a 9.30 start. (Regularity is usually first). Keep track of which run group is running – you may miss your call for subsequent runs. There is enough pressure without a last minute panic. LEAVE YOUR EGO AT HOME. Your team Healey mates will help you through you first event or two and suddenly it will all seem so simple. One note of caution – check your INSURANCE POLICY. You are unlikely to have cover on the race track.

SOME PEOPLE JUST HAVE TOO MUCH TIME ON THEIR HANDS! To write with a broken pencil is pointless. When fish are in schools they sometimes take debate. A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months. The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground. The batteries were given out free of charge A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail. A will is a dead giveaway. If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed. With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress


Ramblings from the errant North East scribe

Well we have finally got our North East Healy group up and running and have now run a few events. It all started when 3 Healy owners living within 15 Kms of each other got together for a Sunday dinner around September last year. We couldn’t believe that there were 3 all centred around the little town of Alexandra. Our group has now grown to 8 cars – all living within cooee of each other We only have one objective and that is fine food, fine wine, and driving some of the greatest roads in the North East of Victoria Two highlights of 2011 were: Jamieson run and lunch On our first outing we had 5 Healeys including Robert and Jane Jones who had come all the way from Brisbane to pick up their pride and joy from the Healey Factory. What better introduction to Healey motoring than a run up to Jamieson over the newly sealed road that is a competitive stage for the Targa High Country rally. Once the cars had cooled down it was on to lunch at the Kevington pub. The pub goes back to the 1800’s and is nestled in a steep gorge with the headwaters of the Goulburn river at the back door. Food first class – white tablecloths or pub grub On the way back we ran into Side Exhaust and they will join us for future dining and driving experiences. Fang run and lunch with the Healey Club At the end of last year we decided we would join the Club for lunch at the Narbethong Hotel. For those that missed it, what a cracker- Two of our group were heard to be muttering about adding E types to their garage.

Given the fang runs the Club now runs we decided we would not be deprived of such jollies and arranged our own fang on the way to Narbethong . There is a road that climbs out of Marysville and ends at the Lake mountain ski resort. This road was, in the recent past, used as a hillclimb venue.Well the passengers (is girls not appropriate?) all decided that Marysville was a great place for coffee so off went 5 Healeys. At the top it was wonderful to hear exhausts ticking and electric fans whirring as the cars took a break.

North East group at the Jamieson Brewery

We have also had runs to Yarra Glen for lunch at the Hotel - Really good pub grub- and afternoon tea at Tarrawarra Art gallery Yes we crashed the official opening of an exhibition - champagne and cucumber sandwiches were the order of the day! We cruised as a group to the Euroa Show and Shine where John Scott added another trophy to the cabinet. Well done John. Our group has an eclectic mix of cars including Porsche, Ferrari, MG TC ,MGTF, Rally Cooper S, even a Pre War MG and a Singer LeMans. We are not planning a calendar of events ; just spur of the moment runs that anyone can call. It all depends on the weather and the desire to dine in the great eating houses of the North East including private homes PS Robert and Jane Jones have returned to Queensland and have joined the Healey club. We look forward to meeting them again at the National Rally this year

****************************************************************************************************************************************** Ross Hodges organised a short but sweet run from Mt Duneed to Birregurra via Lorne for the Geelong Chapter. It was attended by a total of 11 Healeys no Hybrid’s or Tin Tops. just pure Healeys A very well put together little run with lunch at the Birra Café. Old friends from Melbourne attended (Grieg & Elaine Provan) plus a couple of ring-ins from the Big Smoke who couldn’t even find the start point (names withheld). Attendees were Greg & Robyn Nicholls, Eric Patterson & Friend Chris,Ed & Barbara Jenz, John & Denise Anderson, Brian, Tracey & Connor Jose, Richard Fearon, Barry Collett (a new member we hope), Ross & Lorraine Hodges, David Kelly, Geoff Wills, & the 2 ring-ins from the big smoke Well done Ross - it’s looking good down there. let’s hope we get a HUGE turn up at David Kelly’s on the 9th of February of all the Western District & Geelong Healey’s Members & Non Members Bill Metcalf

A.C.N. 006 848 362

646 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, Vic 3132 Ph: (03) 9872 3900 Fax: (03) 9872 4445 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.healeyfactory.com.au

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noj 393. ‘getting luckier’ · photo by david dawson cover design production w & m ingham ....

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