July

201

1 –

Issu

e #1

8

Inside: • The John Olsen BN1

• Side Exhaust • Aussie Racers retro • Coming Events

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

“Looks Good! Send your expressions of Interest now”

‘Black Beauty’

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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 Bill Vaughan 0428 359 029 or 5988 4264 president@healeyvic.com.au Vice President Ralph Fletcher 0418 567 218 or 5367 1401 vicepresident@healeyvic.com.au Secretary Brian Aitken 0419 025 858 or 9775 3699 secretary@healeyvic.com.au Treasurer Mike Snelgrove 0418 320 524 or 9379 2836 treasurer@healeyvic.com.au Membership Bill Metcalf 0447 010 145 or 9876 2167 membership@healeyvic.com.au Clubrooms & CMC Chris Coughlin 040 0312 552 or 9822 7712 clubrooms@healeyvic.com.au

GENERAL COMMITTEE

Social Barb Meredith 0417 384 712 or 9499 4610 social@healeyvic.com.au Librarian Barb Meredith 0417 384 712 or 9499 4610 librarian@healeyvic.com.au Website Gordon Lindner 0418 540 920 or 9707 1294 webmanager@healeyvic.com.au Competition-MSCA Rod Vogt 0408 395 240 or 5962 1915 competition-MSCA@healeyvic.com.au Regalia Vacant AOMC-VicRoads Ken Styles 0431 481 082 or 9809 4382 AOMC-vicroads@healyvic.com.au CAMS Tony Barrett 0427 051 297 or 9725 5587 CAMS@healeyvic.com.au Registrar Iain McPherson 9850 3267 registrar@healeyvic.com.au Magazine Editor Harvey Pearce 0419 108 532 or 9836 7596 editor@healeyvic.com.au

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 13

th

of the month.

The Next General Meeting will be held in the Clubhouse, Rosalie Ave Springvale on Thursday July 7th commencing at 8pm

THIS MONTH’S COVER

JOHN OLSEN’S BN1 at BEAUMARIS

Photo: Bill Ingham

Dinner Dance

Saturday 26th November 2011 Bayview Eden, 6 Queens Road Melbourne

LOCK IT AWAY IN YOUR DIARY NOW!

HEALEYS IN THE NEWS

Have you seen the ABC news clip from the Adelaide rally yet? Go to ww.abc.net.au/news/video/2011/04/24/3199464.htm

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

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CONTENTS Editor’s Notes Page 2 Coming events Page 3 President’s Report Page 4 Meeting Minutes Page 6 Cover Storey Page 9 Competition Report Page 11 Side Exhaust Page 15 Island Gateway Page 17 More from Iain McPherson on Healeys that raced in Australia Page 19 For Sale and Wanted Page 20 Insurance Matters Page 21 More 2011 National Rally Photos Page 23 2012 Queensland Rally Page 24

FROM THE EDITOR

I usually write my bits and pieces when I begin collating the magazine.. This month any inspiration has been conspicuous by its absence and, yes, I can hear the collective sigh of relief!. Perhaps one of Gordon’s photos from the last meeting will do.

I had a message from our departed regalia manager Allen Saunders who is “over in the west”. Allen’s new contact details Mobile: 0400 094 468 Email: allen@stonewallconstruction.com.au Phil Walker’s immaculate Chev Corvette Stingray

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

SUPPER ROSTERS JULY Ralph and Linda Fletcher AUGUST Anne and Jeff Gillard

JULY Sat/Sun 2/3

rd MSCA Round 5, Sandown

Thursday 7th

General Meeting in ClubRooms commencing 8.00pm Wednesday 13

th Committee Meeting

Thursday 14th

ROF’s Run North Fri/Sat 22

nd & 23rd Rusty Springs “Christmas in July” Weekend at Avenel

Wednesday 27th

Peninsula Lunch Run – South Beach, 464 the Esplanade, Mornington - Phone 59 74 4443 Sunday 31

st Social Page for details and flyer. Just testing this out in June

(If going on the Peninsula runs please ring the venue to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance and mention the Healey Club)

AUGUST Thursday 4

th General Meeting in Clubrooms commencing 8.00 pm

Sat/Sun 6-7th

Phillip Island - 6 hour relay Sun 7

th Alfa Club Sprints, Winton

Thursday 11th

ROF Run East Sat/Sun 12-14

th Historic Winton (Long Track) Festival of Speed

Sunday 14th

Fang Run – Early Morning Run – See separate note for details Sat/Sun 20

th-21

st MSCA Rd 6 Phillip Island (incl Rd 3, Vic Supersprint Championship)

Sunday 28th

Lunch in Williamstown. Final details and venue in August Magazine, and Gordons block emails. Watch this space. Wednesday 31

st Peninsula Lunch Run – TRIOS CABARET – Cranbourne Racecourse, Grant Street,

Cranbourne. PH 59 963233 (Don’t forget if attending the luncheon, please ring venue 24 hours in advance and mention the Healey Club)

PLEASE MARK IN YOUR DIARY September 25

th Bringing back A Brain Buster drive, simple navigation and questionnaire.

Watch next two magazines for all the details

Barbs Briefings

The Balgownie Drive Day, attracted 26 members, we had 7 Healeys, a Porsche, a Ferrari, an Aston Martin, an E Type, a Cobra, a Mercedes, a BMW, and couple of normal tin tops. A great day was had by those of us who attended.

There are a few more activities happening in the second half of the year, We have Lunch in Williamstown on Sunday 28th August, final details in next month’s magazine. Brian Aitken’s Brain Buster, on Sunday 25th September, and finally the Mini Rally/Border Run is back on the Calendar. Ralph Fletcher has been working hard at fine tuning all the arrangements. The dates of the event will be Friday 7th - Sunday 9th October, 2011. See separate note in magazine. That’s all from me this month. Happy Healeying Barb

******************************************************************************************************************************************

FANG RUN SUNDAY, 14TH AUGUST, 2011 The idea of aSunday morning fang is simple. Early start(8.30 am) couple of hours drive on a variety of interesting scenic roads. Coffee & cake and Home for lunch To join us on the day. Pick up the Monash/Princes Freeway and drive towards Warragul. Leave Princes Freeway at Pakenham/Koo Wee Rup exit. Take first exit at roundabout towards Pakenham. At next roundabout turn left. Meet fifty metres in the car park on the left front of Pakenham Paints. We depart this meeting point at 8.30 a.m. sharp. We chose this meeting place as it is the only safe area to meet and park prior to departure.

A man calls his mother in Perth. "Mum, how are you?" "Not too good", says the mother. "I've been very weak." The son says, "Why are you so weak?" She says, "Because I haven't eaten in 38 days." "That's terrible, Mum! Why haven't you eaten in 38 days?" "Because I didn't want my mouth to be filled with food when you called."

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President’s Report - July 2011

A very short report this month as Carole and I prepare for a short trip away. Yes we are going North again, not to sunny Queensland but a bit further away this time to Alaska. While our Healey will be well and truly rugged up, we do hope that you will be using yours.

Since the last report, we have had a number of functions and it is good to see that we have had a good roll-up. The run to Cowes went well and I know there will be a separate report on this. Barb's winery run was also well attended and I have had good reports on the run there planned by Warren Gartner. My thanks to Arthur Tuckett for organising the ROF's run South to Loch. Good planning ensured that those attending did so on one of those magic autumn-like days; sunshine, little wind and lovely roads to boot.

My thanks, too to Ron Boyle who has offered to look after our Regalia stocks and sales 'until another volunteer can be found'. Ron is actively looking for some new items and would be very grateful for suggestions and assistance.

Barb and Ralph have been putting their heads together to plan the Vic/SA Mini-Rally during October and finalising the end-year Dinner Dance. Make sure that you pencil the dates in as I am sure they are going to be fun events. Another date to mark down is that of the Motorclassica - sponsored this year by the RACV. I missed the exhibition last year and I'm told it was exceptional. The Motorclassica will take place over 21

st to 23

rd, October at the Royal Exhibition Building

and will mesh neatly with an RACV 'City to Country Club' run on the 23rd

. With the Winton 6-hour Relay on the previous weekend, October is shaping up to be a very busy month.

Bill Vaughan

2012 NATIONAL RALLY SUNSHINE COAST QUEENSLAND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

To assist us with our forward planning, the Austin Healey Owner’s Club of Qld Inc would appreciate your expression of interest in attending the 2012 National Rally to be held at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast Qld between Friday 6 April, 2012 and Monday 9 April, 2012.

To register your interest contact chris.miles@ctcplc.com or by fax addressed to 07 3839 9900, attention Chris Miles or go to www.austinhealeyqld.com.au (or download a form from our own website www.healeyvic.com.au).

May we please have your expressions of interest lodged by 31 July 2011, if possible.

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Combined Victoria/South Australia run. Mildura Friday 7th –Sunday 9th October inclusive

Come and share in the fun with fellow Austin-Healey Owners. With interest high both sides of the border I have no doubt that numbers for this weekend will fill quickly!

Accommodation has been booked; Standard room – Queen bed, ensuite, LCD television, mini bar facilities $139.00 or King Spa-room – King bed, ensuite, LCD television, lounge area, mini bar facilities and in-room spa bath $159.00

All within walking distance of clubs and restaurants.

Paddle Steamer rides, winery luncheon, run to junction of Murray and Darling Rivers are just a few of the things on offer. Full schedule in 100’s and 1000’s next month. Come along to sunny Mildura for what promises to be a fabulous weekend. Reserve your spot now! Ralph Fletcher – ralphf@bigpond.net.au Phone (03) 5367 1401 or 0418 567218

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AUSTIN HEALEY OWNERS CLUB OF VICTORIA INC.

Minutes of “General Meeting” held on

Thursday 2nd June 2011

AT 19 – 23 ROSALIE STREET, SPRINGVALE Meeting opened at 8.10pm

Present: 60 financial members

No Visitors

Apologies: Chris Coughlin, Greg Howe, Phyllis Howe, John Raisbeck, Fay Raisbeck, Rex Genoni, John Mason, Bryan Meredith, Barb Meredith

Minutes of Previous Meeting:

Motion that the minutes of previous meeting, held on 5 May 2011, be

accepted. Moved: Ron Boyle Seconded: Andrew Goad Carried.

Matters arising from the previous minutes: Nil.

Welfare:

President Bill Vaughan announced the sad news that we have lost 2 more of our members during the past few weeks – Frank Mornane’s funeral took place last Friday whilst Graeme Slater’s funeral was only yesterday afternoon. They will be missed by all their friends in the Club..

LETTERS

Letter from Denis Walker advising of a spelling error in the data base.

Cheques from various advertisers for passing on to Treasurer.

Invitation to visit Nagambie Lakes Leisure Park

FLYERS

Shannons Melbourne Winter Auction advice

Speed Works advertising brochure (Ringwood based engine machining and building)

MAGAZINES

May edition of AOMC Newsletter

June“Crankhandle” SPCHCC (Southern Peninsula Classic and Historic Car Club) magazine

May “Healeys West” magazine from WA AHOC

May “Flat Chat” magazine from NSW AHOC

June “Goblin Gazette” from Sprite Driver’s Club

E MAILS

1. Invitation to Sandown Raceway Car Display on July 24

2. Advice from CAMS re the new Sport and Club Development Officer in Victoria, Ben Manning.

3. E mailed invitation and Flyer for Watsonia Motor Show on 13 November

4. Veloce Books flyer

5. Veloce Books News – new publication covering MG Midget and AH Sprite.

6. Advice from CAMS re the State Government “Green house Gas Games” initiative for Clubs to raise money by competing in the challenge.

7. E mail from David R. Koch in Texas with list of Healey 3000 parts for sale.

CORRESPONDENCE OUT:

Thinking of you card to Judy McConville

E Mail to AOMC with details of 2011 Committee.

Sympathy card to Carole Slater and Family

Sympathy card to Pam Mornane and Family

REPORTS:

Financial:

Mike Snelgrove submitted the following report:

Operating Account

Opening balance as at 31 March 2011 $27,826.79

Deposits $6,036.98

Payments (+ withdrawals) $14,643.07

($11,393.68 transferred to fixed deposit)

Closing balance as at 30 April 2011 $19,220.70

Special Purpose Account as of 30th

April 2011 $2,842.78

$2,750.00 cheque issued to Marysville Lion’s Club cashed on 5 May 2011.

Term Deposit Account at 17 April $51,393.68

Interest for next 6 months will be 5.9% = $1,520.27 income

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Membership:

Peter Heading was unable to attend the meeting but did provide a note to BV confirming that we presently have 575 financial members including our latest to join, Daniel and Marie Tenaglia.

Social:

Barbara was unable to attend the meeting however she had provided information to Ralph Fletcher to pass on to members. She reported that 27 people attended the run last Sunday with all agreeing that the lunch was excellent as was the drive through the Yarra Valley mapped out by Warren Gartner

With winter well and truly upon us, not much is planned for June/July other than the usual Peninsula Lunches and ROF runs. On this subject, President Bill advised that we were still in need of a co-ordinator for the ROF run south to replace Mike Forrester – unless we get a volunteer, the next south ROF will not happen!.

Mike Snelgrove then addressed the meeting to propose a scheme whereby members who were unable to drive their cars could be picked up and taken on ROF runs by others attending, drawn from a list of volunteers. The meeting agreed that this was an excellent idea and Mike undertook to co ordinate and manage the volunteer roster.

Finally, Ralph Fletcher reported that the proposed Mini Rally with SA members has been provisionally scheduled away from the Melbourne Cup week end to earlier in October – possibly around the week end of 7/8. Preferred venue is still Mildura.

Editor:

Harvey said there was not a lot to report except the magazine was produced in time for early posting this month. He is pleased that our advertising has gone international with Putzke’s “Fahrspass” spares from the USA. Finally, Harvey requested that all articles and submissions for the July magazine be with him before mid June.

Regalia:

BV advised the meeting that while Ron Boyle was prepared to open the regalia stand for General Meetings, we still need a full time committee person to fill this important post. Bill requested that an orderly queue of volunteers form immediately following the meeting.

Competition / MSCA:

Rod Vogt made the following report:

COMING EVENTS

I will be away for July and August (apologies for those monthly and committee meetings)

June and July are quiet for competition. Peter Jackson and Brian Duffy will be competing at Eastern Creek in a Historic meeting on June 25/26th.

Next MSCA event is Sandown on Sunday July 3rd. Put August 12-14th in diaries for Winton Historic (long track) where many of our Healeys/Sprites will be racing or doing regularity.

EVENT REPORTS

1 MSCA PHILLIP ISLAND May 22nd

9 members competed plus 6 from Sprite Club giving 15 of total entry of 105.

Support of our "social group" who came down for the weekend was much appreciated.

Results-

Regularity Rob Raverty 2nd and new fastest lap for Rob

Tim Westover 4th

Bill Vaughan 5th in his new/old Bugeye Sprite

Brian Aitken 8th after a couple of "moments"!

Cary Helenius 9th

Sprint classes

Rod Vogt 1st in Class A, back in the Sprite

Larry Varley 1st Class H in the Historic Williams Special (MK4 BOLWELL with Holden grey motor)

Mark Bird competed but did a head gasket AGAIN

EASTERN CREEK, ARDC SPORTS CAR CARNIVAL May 28/29

Peter Jackson first place in all races for Group Sa 1940 - 1959 Production Sports Cars, and up to 3rd place outright in Race 2 against Porsches etc.

Broke his own lap record by 1.5 seconds - now an incredible 1.51.88 sec

Brian Duffy - 2nd place Group Sa in all 3 races and improved his best lap time at E.C. by 3.75 secs to 1.56.05.

3. HISTORIC WINTON (short track) May 28/29

Fantastic event, great entry of older cars and motorcycles with a very big crowd attending. AHOC should try to organize a run to this event next year. The Sprite Club had a formal tent display, cars on display and sponsored the Group S races!

(a) Group S races

Steve Pike was best Sa car and won the Alan Jones Trophy for first Sa car in the 8 lap feature race, finishing 18th, 21st and 19th in his three races in a field of 29.

Peter Kaiser had his first race in the ex Bill Ingham Gr Sb Sprite and ran consistently with 20th, 15th and 14th placings. Peter won a trophy for "best presented" sports car.

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Rod Vogt (MGB) finished 11th in race 1 and then 18th and 13th in races 2 and 3 after a spin in race 2 and a climb back through the field (progressive Grid)

Hamish MacLennan ran steadily towards the rear in his MGB.

(b) Group Lb Sports and Racing

Graeme Marks competed in the Mac Healey, with a 2nd place qualifying and 5th place finish in race 1. A damaged engine (new block required!) resulted in no activity on Sunday.

Several references were made by the course announcers re the passing of Graham Slater who was a stalwart of Group N Touring Cars.

TARMAC RALLIES

The attendance at our meeting of Brian and Linda Dermott at the meeting is a reminder that we should canvas the idea of some of our better prepared road/semi-race Healeys enjoying the Classic/Touring classes offered. I will seek more info from B.D. who is active still but in his XU1 Torana. The 4 round series is Targa Tasmania. Targa Wrest Point (Tas), Targa Classic Adelaide and Targa High Country (N.E. Vic).

Several Sprite Club members competed in the latter in 2010. John Goodall has been the last regular Healey entrant - Classic Adelaide event.

Vic Roads / AOMC:

Ken Styles reported that he has noticed that he has recently noticed a number of mistakes on Vic Roads Club Permit renewal forms. He advised members to check the forms carefully and if errors are discovered, to deal direct with Vic Roads to effect corrections.

Cams:

Bill Vaughan reported that he attended a meeting of Club Presidents at CAMS last Monday evening, where the proposed CAMS Carnival (originally planned 2 years ago for Echuca but cancelled at the last minute) was again mooted. At the commencement of the meeting, it was proposed to try to run the event in October this year, however after considerable discussion it was acknowledged that the earliest it could take place was February 2013! Watch this space!

Cars / parts for sale:

Following his motor failure at Winton Historics recently, Graeme Marks would like to hear from anyone with a spare 100/4 block!

Alan Cant announced that he has an electronic ignition module to suit a 6 cylinder Healey – free to a good home – see him after the meeting.

Ron Smith said that Mike Forrester’s beloved Tri Carb BT7 is now for sale. The car has beautifully polished paintwork, a recent Gary Blackman mohair hood and tonneau and new carpets throughout. Anyone interested should contact Ron.

General Business:

Bill V noted that at the Island Escape held on the week end of 21/22 May last was a great success and thanked all those who attended. There will be a report in the July mag.

Gordan Lindner advised the meeting of the latest information on the Lumley’s insurance anomaly, whereby members who display their cars in museums and the like have found that although other insurers such as Shannons cover their cars, Lumleys do not. Lumleys board have been requested to consider changing their policy. Gordon will monitor developments and advise members going forward.

The President declared the meeting closed at 8.50pm and after a short break for refreshments introduced our guest speaker for the evening, Phil Walker from Unique Cars magazine. Phil had his immaculate Chev Corvette Stingray on display and spoke about his background and role as a Project Manager for Unique Cars, working closely with John Bowe amongst other great Australian motoring personalities.

Phil was able to report that a major feature is shortly to be published on 100/4 cars, specifically Mike Snelgrove’s! We look forward to that with great interest.

Next meeting: 7 July 2011.

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“I DID IT MY WAY - WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS”

THE STORY OF JOHN OLSEN’S 100/4 BN1 RESTORATION

My interest in car restoration is such that I enjoy the challenge of the project, more than the exhibition of the finished car. So, on completion of my last car, I found myself attempting to find better solutions to the problems inevitably raised by a new undertaking.

I have established a network of people whom I can ask for information, and often it was some of these people I could ask to do the jobs that needed more experience than I have.

My previous restoration was a Jaguar XK 140, so the Healey presented a different set of problems.

After stripping the body down, it was obvious that the car had taken a bump at the front right suspension, mudguard and shroud. This had been repaired in the US (from where the car had come) and beautifully done it was (n’t).

The repairs to the panels were quite good, but the chassis had a bend and had been repaired with second hand components. This strangely done repair had resulted in a complete BN2 (2¼ inch wide brake shoe) front brake fitted to the right hand side. How this could be considered suitable as a repair is a mystery! The undamaged left hand side brake was an original BN 1 (1¾ inch brake shoe). Other ‘work’ included badly fitted telescopic

shockers to the front and the rear and ⅜ inch thick steel flame cut rough brackets welded to the thin panel metal. These suspension modifications, while undoubtedly creative, were never going to work.

While most of the body and mechanicals came with the car, there also came an oft repeated promise by the seller of the car that the missing parts and fittings were on their way. Unfortunately, nine years later, I could have still been waiting, had I not bought the promised parts elsewhere.

Body work:

Repairs to the body panels were done by Mark Ingham. Rather than elaborating on his work, I will quote the car’s painter. ‘The panel work was so good that it was an easy paint job. Every little detail had been thought about and the job was executed with great care.’

Body alterations:

Extra welding of the panels around the bulkhead was done to curb scuttle shake.

As I am tall, I need more arm and leg room. I had decided to make a driver’s bucket seat out of aluminium. Bolting it to the floor kept the seat lower by the thickness of the seat runners.

I also had the bulkhead behind the driver’s seat cut and curved to allow the seat to be positioned further back from the dashboard. The overall result is that I am very comfortable when driving and certainly not as cramped as I am in other original 100/4 Healeys. I had a fitting at the upholsterer’s for the seat and had the base foam tailor-made for ride height. The higher seat squab under my thighs offers good support.

The body was also fitted with suitable seat belt anchorage points at this time.

The spare wheel panel was raised to allow a 4½ inch wide rim and wider tyre.

The battery box area now has a divided lid, due to the fixed back rest on the driver’s side.

Car Assembly:

I decided to do something different with the engine bay insulation. In order to provide better heat insulation in the cabin than that offered by AC sheet, I made a sandwich of aluminium panel, insulation cloth and a space age corrugated pressed aluminium. I also fitted a panel of the same make-up on the underside of the floor above the muffler.

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Mechanicals:

Differential and Gearbox:

I read of the overall lighter weight of the BN1 differential and gearbox compared with the BN2. I liked the gear ratios of the 3 speed gearbox. Bruce Dixon strengthened the 4 studs in the rear axles and fitted a 3.66 ratio.

The suspension has up-rated front standard shockers, new springs and a heavier sway bar. The rear suspension has reset springs with zinc rubbing strips between the main leaves, as was the case in the original springs.

The rear shock absorbers are telescopic and are mounted to aluminium brackets.

Engine Bay:

The engine is bored 30 thousandths of an inch above standard bore, a counter balanced crank shaft and a special harmonic balancer along with a mild cam, a gas flowed head and an extractor exhaust.

An alloy radiator was a cheaper alternative to buying a new core for the original brass radiator.

The engine has 1¾ inch S.U. carburettors. The carburettors were aqua blasted before reassembly. This process gives a new look to the alloy. The carburettor linkages have been restored and are similar to the originals.

I designed and made stainless steel heat shields. The challenge was to do it differently. The result is probably good heat shielding of the carburettors, but it is awkward to get at some of the mounting bolts. As they say, for every change you make, you create several more alterations to compensate.

Wheels:

Borrani painted 4½ inch rimmed wheels with 165 x 80 x 15 inch Continental radials have been fitted.

Wiring:

The new braided wiring loom with added relays was made by Wade Jaunzemis.holstery:The seats have been upholstered in green leather and the cabin panels in vinyl similar to the original factory upholstery.

Extra fire wall insulation under the carpet was suggested and fitted during the restoration of the interior by Tim Ward

Steering Wheel:

I made a tracing of an 100 S alloy steering wheel and made the wood rim to suit. Although not a copy of the 100 S wood rim, it is my interpretation of an E type wood rim.

Many thanks to all the people who have helped me with information, guidance and work done. Most of the work that is seen on a restored car is often done by professionals, but there is an amazing amount of work that I, as an interested amateur, have been able to complete.

In alphabetical order these are the people to whom I am grateful:

Steve Cahun

Bruce Dixon

Geoff and Howard, the Healey Factory parts staff

Phil de Gruchy of Lightfoot Engineering

Mark Ingham, Allmarks Bodyworks

Wade Jaunzemis

Geoff Leake

Rod Smith

Peter Sodatis

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COMPETITION REPORT JULY 2011

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 2011 Note change to Round 8

Round 6 Sunday 21st August *Phillip Island

Round 7 Sunday 25th September *Winton

Round 8 Sunday 21st November *Phillip Island CANCELLED & REPLACED BY

Round 8 Saturday 5th

November *Calder confirmed

Sunday December 4th 2011 (to be confirmed) will be Round One for the 2012 MSCA Championship and also for our 2012

AHOC Competition Championship (and the MSCA BBQ/Presentation for 2011),

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 . If you want to get involved ring Rod Vogt on 5962 1915 or 0408 395 240 or email competition-MSCA@healeyvic.com.au . Spectators are encouraged. Entry is free and you are welcome in our pit garage. Competition starts at approximately 9.15am

2 OTHER EVENTS

9th July *Victorian Supersprint Championship, Round Two at Winton

23/24th July *Vic State Race Series inc. MG & Invited British Sports Cars

30/31st July *Historic Morgan Park, Warwick, QLD

6/7th August *Phillip Island 6 Hour Relay (no AHOC team, but Sprite Club is entered)

12-14th Aug *VHRR Historic Winton (long track)

21st August * Round 3 Vic Supersprint Champs at Phillip Island (run by MSCA)

24/25th Sept *HSRCA Historic Wakefield Park, Goulburn NSW

COMPETITION REPORTS

1 MSCA PHILLIP ISLAND MAY 22nd

A very good entry of nine Healey Club members put on a show for our large group of supporters who ventured to Phillip Island for the organized weekend away. It is always nice for the drivers to “show off” a little in front of fellow members. Have you ever wondered, if all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting? Probably not. I think some of our first time supporters were suitably impressed and perhaps a little surprised by the large entry of 105 cars and the standard of the competition. With 6 members also competing from the Sprite Club, the Donald Healey marque was well represented.

Many thanks to Bill Vaughan for organizing the run to Phillip Island, the BBQ lunch at the property of a friend who proudly pulled his 17 Peugeots out of his large single span shed and displayed them in his extensive garden, and the evening meal at the Cowes RSL. Most came out to the race track for Sunday morning before heading to the Kilcunda Pub for lunch.

Brian Aitken (Sprite), Bill Vaughan (Sprite), Rob Raverty (3000) and Rod Vogt (Sprite) departed from their usual pre-race routine and met the social run at the BBQ lunch, Rob being the only one not to have trailered his car down. Our Sunday MSCA Clerk of Course, David Kelly, attended lunch but shared his love with his Triumph friends on Saturday night. Aitken, Vaughan and Vogt showed supreme confidence in their abilities to socialize AND be competitive on Sunday by enjoying the meal and the company at the RSL on Saturday night, but Rob Raverty opted for an early night, we assume – we did wonder if he had had a better offer from Roger! Yes, we have discovered the name of the Team Goat at long last. Taking the event even more seriously by arriving on Sunday morning were those supreme athletes Tim Westover (3000), Cary Helenius (100/6), Mark Bird (100/4), Colin Wallace (turbo Sprite) and Larry Varley in the Williams Special (Holden powered Bolwell Mk 4).

REGULARITY Our members made up 50% of the field of ten. The MSCA results had Rob Raverty best in 2nd

place, Tim Westover was 4

th, Bill Vaughan 5

th, Brian Aitken 8

th and Cary Helenius 9

th. Rob Raverty also managed to improve his best

time at Phillip Island, breaking 1min 34 for the first time. Tim and Cary had trouble free runs and all packed up after three sessions and nearly twenty laps.

Bill Vaughan ran the 998cc green Bug-eye at P.I. for the first time and ran closely behind Brian Aitken in his bigger-engined Bug-eye in each session. Brian had the advantage in a straight line but Bill made up the gap in the twisty bits. In the first session Brian Aitken had a very BIG off trying to keep Tim Westover in sight in his big Healey. The eternal optimist spun at the tight down hill right hander we call MG corner and slid over the damp grass and hit the tyre barrier! Luckily this was done exactly side-on and only left black rubber marks to be polished off later. In a later session Brian did a “three sixty” in turn Two (Southern Loop) which is a fast double apex left hander but stayed on the black stuff this time. I believe President Vaughan was in his mirrors. No one can accuse our Secretary of not trying. Perhaps he was showing off in front of Annette. In Brian’s defence, he had fitted a set of oldish race spec radials that may have gone a bit hard and the day was quite cold with subsequent problems for all of us trying to get good grip. We were very lucky with the weather with many patches of rain missing the track by a few kilometres only.

SPRINTS Mark Bird had two good sprint sessions in the ex racing 100/4 of Peter Kent and Darryl Duff (among others) but persistent reliability problems continue and Mark pulled out of the third session with a repeat of earlier head gasket problems. A 2.10.88 fastest lap earned Mark 11

th place in Class D for Marque Sports Cars 2500 to 3499cc. The

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competition in this group is fierce for the old Healey up against more modern Datsun 240/260 Z , Mazda MX5 turbo, and turbo Lotus Exige! Larry Varley (with brother Dennis supporting) arrived with the Historic Williams Special on the trailer behind the Vanguard ute with a V8 somehow stuffed in the engine bay. Good one Larry! Larry was trying a new set of “period” Dunlop racing tyres in preparation for Historic races in the future. Larry expected the stretched Bolwell with the 2500cc Holden grey motor to be slower on these old spec tyres and his first session did not change his perception. In fact he did a fastest lap of 2.05.08 which beat his previous best at PI last March on the newer spec tyres and won Larry first place in Class H with a trophy to follow. Larry headed for home after two sessions, happy with his day. Yours truly dusted off the Sprite for it’s first run since last November, the Group S MGB having been the priority recently. The first session was difficult on the cold track and I had trouble readjusting to the more direct responses from the Sprite, over correcting and generally feeling quite twitchy. Apparently I made a comment that I preferred the MGB as I stepped out of the Sprite! After giving myself a good talking to, I did three more sessions and by getting stuck in and ignoring my doubts the little Sprite came to heel and we fell in love again! My fastest lap of 2.03.91 grabbed first place in Class A up to 1500cc and was barely slower than my previous best in the Sprite. By session Four I was last one running for Team Healey and did 29 fun laps. Colin Wallace put the Sprite on the trailer early after one lap in the second session with what sounded like terminal damage to the turbo charged, fuel injected Suzuki motor. His fastest lap in his first nine lap session was an incredible 1.56.25! No wonder the car wants to go home. The damage turned out to be only a broken rocker arm.

Colin has always been a member of both the AHOC and the AHSDC and has decided not to renew his Healey Club membership and will no longer feature in our Competition Championship. Colin was an initial important supporter of our Team Healey activities, will continue to compete at MSCA and park with us etc but has started racing in

the State Series in the MG and Invited British class and will join the MG Club as his second club now. Good luck Colin and thanks for your support. I will continue to mention Colin in the despatches when he runs with us.

Team Healey at MSCA Phillip Island Tim Westover ready to go

POINTS TOWARD COMPETITION CHAMPIONSHIP, and 4 fastest laps

Rob Raverty (3000) 905 pts 2.33.96, 2.34.32, 2.34.83, 2.34.91

Rod Vogt (Sprite) 895 pts 2.03.91, 2.04.16, 2.04.49, 2.04.96

Tim Westover (3000) 835pts 2.23.09, 2.24.27, 2.24.68, 2.24.74

Cary Helenius (100/6) 783pts 2.35.06, 2.35.63, 2.37.16, 2.37.23

Bill Vaughan (Sprite) 775pts 2.27.50, 2.27.65, 2.29.58, 2.29.75

Brian Aitken (Sprite) 771pts 2.27.27, 2.28.36, 2.28.59, 2.29.56

Mark Bird (100/4) 613pts 2.10.88, 2.12.58, 2.14.61, 2.14.75

ASSOCIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Larry Varley (Williams SpL) 821pts 2.05.08, 2.05.14, 2.05.96, 2.06.87

2. ARDC SPORTS CAR CARNIVAL, EASTERN CREEK, SYDNEY. 28/29th

May

Peter Jackson and Brian Duffy raced their Healey 3000’s in the Group S Historic races at this event which offered races for Mazda MX5, Marque Sports, Clubmans and featuring the expensive and very fast GT class – Porsche, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Corvette etc. Although not an historic meeting, points were earned toward the Group S Racing association championship (go to www.groupsracing.org.au)Groups Sa, Sb and Sc raced together so Peter and Brian in their Group Sa pre 1960 Healeys ran outright with Porsches, Alfas, Datsun 240, Triumph TR6 and MGB. Peter was first Sa and Brian second in all races.

The Jackson 3000 finished 5th and then 3

rd outright in the first two races, heading home three Porsches and a 240Z in

that second race and lowering his own Gr Sa lap record by an amazing 1.5 seconds to now leave it at 1.51.88. After much work post Easter Mallala historics the car ran well obviously but still on its well worn Bridgestone tyres which again were poor off the start line and finally ran out of grip in the last race where Peter finished a very competitive sixth behind the much newer Porsches. Peter returns to Eastern Creek at the end of June with new Yokohama tyres and a definite goal to break the record again and try to go under 1min 50 seconds! Unfortunately I will not be there to watch. I asked Peter where he thought he had improved his lap time and he said he now goes flat out through Turn One – I cannot begin to tell you how brave and skilful that is. I find Turn One at eastern Creek more daunting than Phillip Island.

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Brian Duffy continues to make massive improvements in his 3000, improving his fastest lap at Eastern Creek by a massive 3.75 seconds on his last visit by doing a 1.56.05! Looking back over my records it is interesting that Peter Jackson set a fastest lap of 1.58.44 in his first event at Eastern Creek on 29

th November 2009 in the very newly built Sa

3000. Brian Duffy is now quicker than that BUT Peter continues to improve (now 1.51.88) and Brian’s goal is always moving on! Brian is working hard at reducing car weight and making other improvements (secret men’s business?) and obviously driving harder and better too – his first event at E.C. in May 2010 had a fastest lap of 2.02.45, so his improvement has been massive.

POINTS TOWARD COMPETITION CHAMPIONSHIP and 4 fastest laps.

Peter Jackson (3000) 983 pts 1.51.88, 1.51.97, 1.52.05, 1.52.05

Brian Duffy (3000) 896 pts 1.56.05, 1.56.28, 1.57.03, 1.57.09

3. 35th

HISTORIC WINTON (Short Track) May 28/29th

Thirty five years is a long history and 2011 was celebrated in style with 280 cars and 110 racing motor cycles from the 1920’s to the 1980’s. I had not attended as a spectator for some years and recalled a meeting organized by the Austin 7 Club which focused on older, slower cars and the unwanted interruption of rough and slowish old motor bike events which gave you a chance for a coffee or a walk through the pits to look at the cars. I entered the MGB in the Group S races to tick the meeting off my bucket list and because it was more convenient than the alternative event at Eastern Creek in Sydney. As it transpired, the racing was fantastic in the company of Steve Pike, Peter Kaiser, Hamish MacLennan and Graeme Marks, the crowd of spectators was amazing and the general atmosphere was, dare I say it, equal to the Phillip Island and Sandown events.

Celebrations featured 100 years of Chevrolet, Stutz and Indianapolis 500, 90 years of the French marques Amilcar and Salmson, 75 years of Fiat 500, 60 years of Triumph renown and Mayflower ( could hardly wait!!), 60 years of E-type Jaguar and 50 years of MG Midget. These cars raced and put on lunchtime demonstrations and were represented by their clubs, in the Shannons display area and in the general car park where classic cars far outnumbered the modern car. I must be getting old but these beautiful machines were quite different to the newer and faster marques we see at other Historic meetings. Their technology was fascinating. The motorbike racing was exciting and the level of preparation was much better than I remembered. In my pit garage I had two very fast mid 1980;s (the newest class) Suzuki 1000cc race bikes complete with electric tyre warmers on one side and on the other side was Mick Neeson (famous in his younger days but now in his sixties) with two Molnar Manx Nortons and a unique Suzuki powered special built and ridden by an International rider ( ? McIntosh) from New Zealand. The Molnar is a new replica of the original Manx Norton and each owed Mick close to $100,000.00, but his three wins and two seconds were priceless.

The Sprite Club had an impressive display in the Club display area. The AHSDC also sponsored our Group S races. Our Club had five members racing while the Sprite Club had none but they could barrack for seven Sprites/Midgets entered from a variety of clubs, four of whom had travelled from interstate, plus Steve Pike in the lone big Healey. We had unexpected and very welcome support from Warren Ward, Jeff Gillard, Bruce Dixon, Mark Ingham, Bob Symons, Hugh Purse (across from Romsey) and Brian O’Meara (down from Kyabram.) There may have been others. Jim McConville entered his Brabham BT29 for Geoff Burton to drive.

The SHORT TRACK is the original layout used prior to the extension built approximately 10 years ago for the V8 Supercar circus. It is now the only chance we have to run the demanding short circuit. With only two short straights giving a brief respite from the many tight corners there is no luxury of waiting for a long straight to power past a slower car! Passing cars of similar performance involved a precise move under brakes at the end of front or back straights or waiting for a mistake in one of the corners. The Group S field numbered 28 cars with 5 Sa cars, 13 Sb and 10 newer Sc cars, including two DeTomaso Panteras, two Porsche 911’s, a very quick Lotus Clubman which finished second each race, a V8 TVR Tuscan, Lotus Elan, Triumph TR4 and TR6, Alfa Romeo’s and MGB’s.

Steve Pike was one of 5 cars fighting for the Alan Jones Trophy for the winning Gr Sa car, awarded for the final 8 lap feature race honouring the Austin Healey stalwart who was tragically killed in a road accident on the way home from this event some years ago. This is the same Alan Jones honoured at our National Rally each year, with Bill Ingham the proud recipient in Adelaide at Easter. Steve was top placed Sa car in the first two races and completed the trifecta by winning the Alan Jones Trophy in the feature race, defending his win from 2010. Peter Jackson won the Trophy in 2009 – let’s keep in Healey hands! The big Healey 3000 is not really suited to the short track and Steve worked hard to keep his opposition at bay. I know the Trophy means a lot to Steve.

Peter Kaiser has retired his 100/4 from competition and has been running a modern Mini Cooper in Sprints and 6 Hour races. What a pleasant surprise to see Peter back in the ex Bill Ingham Mark 2 Healey Sprite. His first lap in Saturday qualifying was his first drive in the car after buying the Sprite from Bill and getting it ready just in time for this event. Peter knows Winton very well and settled straight in to the well sorted Sprite and was immediately on pace to qualify 18

th of 29

at 1.14.25, two places in front of Steve’s big Healey. Peter finished 20th, 15

th and 14

th in the three races and won the

Trophy for “Best Presented Sports Car” (I suppose Bill Ingham wants some credit for that). I checked my records and Peter has now gone quicker in the Sprite at his first attempt than his best time in the 100.

Hamish MacLennan ran his red MGB in Group S. We normally see Hamish in Historic Regularity at Phillip Island and Sandown but post-war regularity is not offered at this Winton event so Hamish steps up and uses his full race licence here. Plus he is a local and must know Winton well. After solving a dead battery problem on Saturday (no choice but to buy a new battery at the track – hard to negotiate a good price when desperate!), Hamish then had some good battles with an Alfa, an MGA and three bugeye Sprites lapping around the 1.18 mark.

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Rod Vogt (yours truly) completed the AHOC complement in Group S in the MGB. Pleased and surprised to qualify 12th

at 1.13.05 I was even more surprised to finish 11th in race one on Saturday afternoon just point four of a second behind

the 10th placed TR6 and with a Porsche and one of the DeTomaso’s less than two seconds in front at the finish and well

within sight. I was first MG home, and set a fastest lap of 1.12.57. The queue for autographs starts here! Sunday morning, race two and high expectations of improving race position and faster lap time. Chocolates to boiled lollies! We were held in dummy grid for a long time while they retrieved three broken cars from the previous race, one having put a conrod through the block in turn one and leaving oil in the middle of the corner. Most of the drivers were told of this problem in dummy grid but not all – including Steve Pike and myself – and no oil flag was shown on the warm up lap. We negotiated the start OK and after a hectic first lap I was pleased to be maintaining my eleventh place and making good ground down the main straight in to turn one for the start of the second lap – no wonder I made up ground because the drivers in front were slowing to avoid the oil which I duly found, slid off rather gracefully and watched and waited while the whole field went past. So I started again from last place and next lap I saw the big blue Healey of Steve Pike in the same predicament. Well we had a lot of fun charging back through the field but my finishing spot of 18

th meant starting race

three from 18th and having to work through again on a very slippery track, eventually finishing 13

th and almost back to

where I should have been. I certainly learned some new passing skills.

Graeme Marks raced the Mac Healey in Group Lb Sports and Racing, qualifying an excellent second and finishing fifth in race one in a field of thirty two. This group features some of the rarest Australian built specials of the 40’s and 50’s plus factory Elfin Streamliners and Coopers. Unfortunately Graeme became a spectator for Sunday with terminal damage to the 2916cc Healey four cylinder engine – anyone got a good block?

POINTS TOWARD COMPETITION CHAMPIONSHIP and 4 fastest laps

Steve Pike (3000) 959 pts 1.15.96, 1.16.12, 1.16.29, 1.16.37

Peter Kaiser (Sprite) 956 pts 1.14.25, 1.14.57, 1.14.63, 1.14.69

ASSOCIATE COMPETITION

Hamish MacLennan (MGB) 971 pts 1.17.85, 1.18.05, 1.18.07, 1.18.14

Graeme Marks (Mac Healey) 947 pts 1.13.39, 1.13.68, 1.13.85, 1.13.92

Roger the goat has a quiet word with our President who looks concerned

is a coup imminent?

A CLOSING THOUGHT :More people regret the things they didn’t do than the things they did.

ROD VOGT

I told my friend that this morning I waded across a raging river, escaped from a bear in the woods, marched up and down a mountain, stood in a patch of poison ivy, crawled out of quicksand, and climbed up an enormous tree.

My friend said, "You must be some outdoorsman."

"No," I replied, "I'm just a lousy golfer."

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TOO OLD FOR IT? Not long ago, a prominent AHOC member berated Side Exhaust for his competition activities and the stresses it put on the car. “Don’t you realise we are just keeping these cars in trust for following generations? “ he spat, in the same tone of voice used by green politicians haranguing climate sceptics.

The prominent member was offered some free advice about his attitude and what he could do with it.

But in a way, this self righteous er, person, had a point. If we all take our teenage fantasies - or twenties’ memories - out on our poor old Healeys, what will be left in 100 years time for all those Healey Hoons to enjoy ? Probably not much and they won’t mind either - there won’t be any fuel to run them on and anyway the death penalty will have been reintroduced for exceeding the speed limit.

So we might as well get on and have our fun now, just as DMH wanted. Our only bother seems to be that Healey owners who remember a time before speed limits are wearing out. Sadly, it seems that in almost every magazine there is a Vale or two. Although Healeys get younger every year as members spend more and more fixing them up, the same is not true of the owners.

The average age of the classic car enthusiast is apparently 59 years, an age which we all thought totally decrepit when we were wearing kipper ties and flares and camping under the tail tent of our Torana LX Hatches. Now, 59 seems quite young. Indeed, it is often said that 60 is the new 40. And with all those 1946 passion babies now hitting 65, the surge of oldies is really just getting into its’ stride and the pit garage and AHOC club meeting will resemble God’s waiting room more and more.

We are not alone. A recent survey of a well known club of racers - a particularly fierce bunch - revealed that they too were ageing fast. Over half a recent PI grid would be over 65 within 5 years and records showed that many drivers stopped competing when they stopped work. Super often does not reach to a decent racing budget.

So there is that golden 15 year period between the empty nest at 50 and retirement, which is the peak of the oldie track attack. Your best times on circuit or stage will be during this period.

But there is another challenge for ageing heroes. Even for those who can still manage to scratch together a budget for Healey adventures and even a bit of competition, the joints start to stiffen, the girth to expand and the strength to dwindle. Tolerance of heat and cold and wet can diminish after climate control in modern cars. Getting into and out of a Healey, especially one with side intrusion bars, can be a bit of a test.

So if you want to keep up with he increasing youth of your Healey, you have to do something about maintaining your own bits and pieces. Any runners out there will know that if you were a 4 hour marathoner in your 40’s, you’ll probably have been a 50 minute ten kayer in your 50’s and that will have dropped to 55 mins by retirement.

Before long, you’ll be struggling to run 10 kilometres in an hour. But at least you’ll be out there doing your best and keeping up a respectable Vmax and BMI.

Diet is another aspect of delaying the onset of ‘slower times than you used to do’ syndrome. Every morning, keen types will be eating fruit, munching apricot kernels and sucking on coral calcium like mad green hippies. An alkaline system wards off the terrible C disease - or so they say on the Internet, which is always right.

Many find the biggest barrier to everlasting youth is not hand eye coordination, where the anticipation of experience can compensate for speed of response, nor even the flow of adrenaline and will to win. What increases lap and stage times is concentration and processing information.

Many historic racers talk about how hard it is to keep the brain focussed. A few years ago in a Group N race at Sandown, a celebrated legend of the track still racing, was in 8th position and keeping up well with the midfield. Suddenly he surged ahead and passed three cars. This was not due to a sudden recovery of his former powers, but he had failed to process the red flag being waved, such was his intense focus on the basic task of race driving - and nothing else. In all his illustrious career, he had never committed such a crime and the poor fellow was distraught.

Healey racers are often late developers. When Peter Brock gave a pep talk to the AHOC Vic members getting ready for the big race at Bathurst in 1998, he was about to retire. But he was younger than all nine Healey racers except Hardi Kuhn.

Going to the Freestone’s Pie Night in May revealed a wonderful collection of modern and classic racers, with WAP 7 centre stage and resting peacefully after a long battle with Targa Tasmania. Paul is in that Golden Age of Peak Driving and won the GT Production Car Championship in 2010 in the Corvette, came 5th Outright in Targa in the Holden 48/215 and is now campaigning a V8 Supercar in the Fujitsu series. And biking hundreds of miles a month to keep everything fit and focussed.

Peter Jackson is well into his ‘new forties’ and has become our Club’s hero as he humbles many faster cars with slower drivers in Group S events. Peter holds the Healey lap record at every circuit he has raced at and is widely admired by the pundits of historic racing. He has a few more years yet and Peter is at the peak of his game.

Which is why it was so annoying to read the usually well informed Graham Howard’s report of Historic Winton in Auto Action last week, that the Alan Jones Trophy for Group S car was won by a de Tomaso Pantera “This Trophy”, wrote Graham, “remembers the great Austin Healey enthusiast (not the F1 racer and not the radio bloke) killed in a road accident during the weekend of the 1979 Winton meeting. There was only one big Healey, Stephen Pike’s 3000, in the Group S field - a sign of the changing times.”

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Graham, the only reason PJ was not at Winton was because he was standing on the Podium at the NSW Sports Car Carnival at Eastern Creek in the Group S race 2 there. The only change to the times is that we now have a Big Healey at the front of the Group S races again.

Also, it could hardly more appropriate that Steve Pike was in the race, since Steve was a close friend of Alan from the early 70’s, from the time when Steve was one of those in the older Victorian AHOC welcoming members of the fledgling NSW Club on a visit.

Alan Jones’ name also appears on the Club Trophy won in 2010 by Bill Ingham. The Jones family awarded trophies to all the Austin Healey Clubs (for the best contribution to the Club) in Australia and to the Austin Seven Club to be awarded at Historic Winton to the fastest Group S car. Healeys West magazine in July 2007 has an article by Patrick and Caroline Quinn which tells the story of this great enthusiast and racer who campaigned a 100S.

The accident which claimed his life is recounted - he was a passenger, exhausted after a day’s racing at Winton, lying across the back seat of a car which was side swiped by a drunken driver and incurring fatal head injuries

The late Alan Jones poses in his 100S (AHS-3603

It would be interesting to hear from those who knew him what the late Alan Jones would make of the Big Healey racing scene today. From what can be learned from the stories, he would probably be still racing, still promoting the movement for Big Healey adventures in Australia, except now, like many of us who are still going, he would have been working harder to keep his body in as good a shape as his cars.

Once the helmet goes on, age has no meaning; Peter Jackson leading the Group S field

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ISLAND GETAWAY 21/22 MAY

As I sit here looking out of the window at the endlessly falling rain, I marvel at our extraordinary luck last week end! If for no other reason than we enjoyed an almost rain free Saturday and Sunday, it had to be a successful event. As it was, there were other highlights that added to our enjoyment.

Firstly, there was the artfully selected meeting point – out of the weather with food and drink available whilst waiting for everyone to assemble, then an excellent drive thru interesting country. Almost amazingly, everyone who left Caldermeade Farm actually made it to the lunch venue – there was no talk about being lost and not even a hint of divorce proceedings! This suggests that either the route instructions were brilliant or Healey people have mastered the art of navigation – Hmm – good instructions then.

Our lunch spot was the generously provided home of Neil Beddoe on the outskirts of Cowes. To say that Neil “is a Peugeot enthusiast” is one of the all time understatements! He has 15 of them, most absolutely immaculate, many registered and some that are rare and expensive and spanning from very early models to right up to the minute! The other thing he has is a heroic garage that can accommodate 12 cars warm and dry!

Frankly, I don’t have any idea when he finds time to drive or admire his collection since as far as I could see, he has a more than full time job mowing his 5 acres of immaculate lawns and tending his botanic gardens! Anyhow, he somehow manages to do all that AND keep all those cars clean and polished – what a man!

We enjoyed a lazy BBQ lunch with obligatory drinks before drifting off to various accommodation locations to get ready for the evening’s dinner.

A fair number of us took this to mean some more practice consumption of grape based products, subsequent of course to settling the question of nominated drivers for the evening!

Dinner was taken at the Cowes RSL and provided yet another opportunity for Healey people to do what they like most – eat, drink, talk and laugh – all up a nice end to an excellent day.

The next morning, those with the car racing bug (no pun on Sprites intended!) rose early and made their way to the GP track in readiness for the day’s MSCA event – some us doing regularity, and some sprints. The rest snuggled into their blankets and waited for the sun to appear before most joined the petrol heads at the track for a look at what was going on.

Lots of reving of engines, checking tyre pressures and lots of waiting for turns on the track is what was going on, with only yours truly paying the price for trying too hard in terms of excitement on the track!

The only other casualties were Colin Wallace whose Sprite’s “pick a part” engine’s overhead gear threw up it’s hands in the face of pressure from the WRX turbo charger, and Mark Bird’s 100/4 yet again blowing it’s head gasket. Mark is becoming increasingly frustrated at not getting thru a race meeting without mechanical woes!

After observing the usual hours of boredom interspersed with seconds of excitement, all the sane people buggered off to lunch at the Ocean View Hotel, Kilcunda which I understand was excellent.

Sunday wound to a close and it was time for most of us to pack up and head off home – a lucky few stayed on for another night, enjoying every last gasp of a wonderful weekend. What a great idea – combining 2 disparate groups (racing and social) in a week end away – should be more of it is all I can say – oh – and new tyres next time….

Brian Aitken

Thanks Brian for that excellent report. I might have to ask you to them more often.

I can vouch for the meal at the “Killie”. I’ve been there more than once and never been disappointed. I hope some of you took the opportunity to go home via the hills or through Inverloch. Both enjoyable drives on great Healey roads Ed

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AUSTIN-HEALEYS THAT RACED IN AUSTRALIA

The “Golden Years” of motor racing in Australia in the 1950’s created an ongoing enthusiasm for motor sport and the need for more facilities. Unfortunately, at the same time Victoria had lost two important venues – Albert Park and Fishermans Bend.

I have previously conveyed the difficulties the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club had in developing the Phillip Island track. Fortunately, this experience did not deter other Groups from meeting the needs of motoring enthusiasts, so in the early 1960’s there was a flurry of activity to develop other venues to meet the booming interest. This occurred not only in Victoria, but also with Warwick Farm in New South Wales, Mallala in South Australia and Lakeside in Queensland. This reason for this interest was the growth in all spectator sports, brought about by the increased prosperity and leisure time most Australians were enjoying.

The downside of all of this is that this was about the time when motor racing changed from a sport to a business, primarily because of the need to recover the cost of providing the improved infrastructure and amenities.

Fortunately, owners of Austin-Healeys continued to enjoy their cars on and off the race track and figured prominently in this new era.

The progressive Benalla Auto Club developed a track at the Winton Reserve and held its first meeting on the 26 November 1961. The main spectator area of the 1.3 mile circuit was on a slight rise which enabled spectators to view all the racing, and there was good balance of straights and corners for the drivers.

An entrant in the Racing and Sports Cars Division 3 was E Andrews from Orange NSW in an Austin-Healey 100. He had previously raced the car at his home track, Gnoo Blas.

In the Racing and Sports Cars Division 2 was David Fletcher from Deniliquin in his Austin-Healey BN2, and local identity Laurie Knight in his Austin Special. Laurie had previously owned and raced a 100/6 during 1959 and 1960. He had decided a supercharger was the way to go, so following advice from Donald Healey he built his own Special using a supercharged 6 cylinder Austin engine. This car was later called Sabrina – because it was always way out in front. In fact at this inaugural meeting Laurie had 3 wins, and the car was not even properly sorted. David was unable to record a placing.

In October 1961 the construction of a new track north of Keilor on the Calder Highway was commenced, and by the 14th January 1962 the first Meeting was held.

The driving force behind this project was Pat Hawthorn who had been racing the Lycoming Special, and later the ex Lex Davison Aston Martin.

This venue was to be the answer to enthusiasts hopes – it was close to Melbourne , was well planned enabling spectators to view the whole track, and would feature short races of around six laps instead of long processions. The Meetings were conducted by the Australian Motor Sports Club. It was noted that at this stage of the development, spectators had no protection from the elements, but grandstands would come in time – something which never happened.

Amongst the entrants, at that first Meeting, were David Fletcher and Ian McDonald in their Austin-Healey 100s. Both these drivers would go on to own 100/S’ – David bought his later that month and raced it extensively, and Ian bought and sold one in the 1980’s and owned another one in the 1990’s. He used them both in Historic events.

Also at the same Meeting was Rex Burchell in his MG Healey – an MG monoposto with an Austin-Healey 100 engine.

It was reported that, “The Le Mans start for the Division 2 Sports Car event was a crowd pleaser. First to clear the pack was F White in a Twin Cam MGA, then John Stillard in an MGA (he later owned a BN2), followed by Pam Ingram in a Sprite and R Trezise in an MGA . White maintained his early lead to good effect and had no trouble in staying ahead of Fletcher and McDonald both in Healeys. With less than a lap to go, the red Healey of Fletcher moved forward and took front running with Ian McDonald also trying to improve his place but failing to pass White in the run to the post”. Although David won the race outright, Ian won the Production Sports Car section within the race.

Our own Ross Chillianis won the Division 2 Racing Car Scratch Race in his MG TC.

Over 100,000 people attended the first Meeting held by Sandown Park Motor Sport at the new Springvale venue. This event was promoted as an International Meeting and was conducted over two days – 11-12 March 1962. The facility, which was considered to be the most ambitious project of all, was constructed on land owned by the Melbourne Racing Club and was operating before the horse racing course was completed. Drivers such as Stirling Moss, Roy Salvadori, John Surtees, Lance Reventlow, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren were entered In the Sandown International Cup.

The second event on the Program was the Division 2 Sports cars. The 18 car field circulated in procession, lead by Rob Jamieson Jnr in his BN1. The only change in the positions was when Ken Pitts moved his Jaguar into second place. (Ken had previously raced a 100/M). Frank Hook in his BN2 was unplaced.

Later on during the first day David Fletcher entered his recently purchased 100/S in the Kevin Lott Sports Car Trophy over 25 laps with a Lemans start. First away was John Ampt in the Cooper Jaguar (He had previously owned a BN1 in the 1950’s). The event was won by Spencer Martin in the Lotus XV.

Three events later David Fletcher joined Rob Jamieson Jnr and Frank Hook in the Sports Car Handicap over 6 laps.

The Sports Car Handicap over 10 laps on the second day included Fletcher, Jamieson and Hook.

Even though they were now up to 8 years old the Austin- Healeys were not disgraced in the dawn of a new era of motor racing in Australia

Iain McPherson

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FOR SALE

BN1 Austin Healey Parts for Sale Original inlet manifold with carburettors/air cleaners. After-market extractors, generator and starter motor $ 400 Diff assembly brake drum to brake drum with 4.1 diff $ 400 Diff centre 4.1 only 56,000 miles $ 300 Diff centre 3.9 $ 400

100-6 Fibre glass bonnet new $ 120 Front bumper bar assembly $ 220 Ross Chilianis Phone 97812668

REGISTRATION PLATES- After owning a BN4 for 30 years, I have sold it to Geoff Bennett in Adelaide where it is now registered. The Victorian plates - BN4 106 are available at nil cost. (VicRoads have acknowledged they have been retained and can be reused). Greig Provan 9844 3066

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 keithbailey5@bigpond.com 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 100 service manual Laycock de Normanville overdrive handbook Austin Warranty Sales pamphlet (8 pages incomplete and torn)

Open to offers photos available

These items belonged to my late father. I am not sure what happened to his Austin Healey as he used to buy most of his cars new and sell them within a few years. The registration number used to be. I am if there are any interest in these items. Paul Miller <pauljmiller@bigpond.com>

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WANTED

Healey 100/4 engine block. Graeme Marks 0418 367 743

Rear aluminium Cockpit Moulding, for 3000mk1 (BT7) four seater RHS only, Condition needs to be good enough to remove scratches, that is, not damaged. Barry Giddings bdgiddings@yahoo.com.au 94100294 or 0458 910107

The Importance of walking (especially for you health freaks)

Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $10,000 per month.

My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60. Now he's 97 years old and we have no idea where he is.

I like long walks - especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

The only reason I would take up walking is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.

I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing...

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LUMLEY SPECIAL VEHICLES INSURANCE FOR VEHICLES PLACED ON DISPLAY IN MUSEUMS

At the June general meeting, Gordon Lindner made members aware that in the past, Lumley Special Vehicles have not insured vehicles on display in museums. He was made aware of this by his brother Ray who was going to leave his Valiant Ute at a Queensland Chrysler Museum and also has been asked to leave his Valiant Ute at the Maffra Gippsland Vehicle Collection while the Commercial display is on for the next couple of months.

Ray asked Lumley Insurance if the vehicle would be covered while on display at a Museum, their reply was no as it is a public display and is not covered under their Policy, even if he told them of the new address they consider that it is on consignment. Think about it. If you intend selling your vehicle or leaving your car in a museum. I left my Healey at the Maffra Shed a few years ago uninsured!!

Ray has spoken with the Maffra Shed. They do not have the display vehicles covered under their Insurance.

After much lobbying by Gordon, our members and members of other motoring clubs Lumleys have now changed their position and will insure you vehicle in a museum.

Conditions apply as set out in the following letter from Lumleys. Gordon has asked that the letter be published so that members know their position.

Hello Gordon,

Lumley Special Vehicles management have just finished up in a meeting where the 'museum situation' was discussed. I am very pleased to say that the decision has been made to allow Lumley Special Vehicles customers to display their vehicles in a museum and still be covered by their policy, with some conditions being requested.

Customers *_MUST_* call us and tell us of their intention to put their vehicle on display in a museum. They need to tell us the location i.e. which museum, where the car will be displayed, the duration the car will be on display for and supply us with information, from the selected museum, of their security features. The same document that Ray supplied with his application (see the attached document as an example).

Please pass on this information to all your members, I'm happy we have been able to accommodate to our customers needs.

Gordon, I want to thank you and Ray, and the members that emailed about this issue.

Please feel free to call me at any time and let me know if you have any further questions on this, or any other matter.

Regards

Andrew Gottschalk Sales and Service Specialist Members should note that the cover appears to only apply to cars on display in museums. If you intend to sell your car on consignment or display it at MotorClassica or the F1 Grand Prix it may not be covered. It is in your interest to contact your insurer. Ed

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Interesting Year 1981

1. Prince Charles got married

2. Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe

3. .Australia lost the Ashes tournament

4. The Pope Died

Interesting Year 2005

1. Prince Charles got married

2. Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe

3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament

4. The Pope Died

Lesson Learned? The next time Charles gets married, someone warn the Pope.

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Targa Tours launched in Tasmania, Adelaide and the Vic High Country - with a special deal for AHOC

In response to a huge demand for participation in tours at the four Targa events, Octagon has now decided to provide them in line with the tour held at Targa Tasmania since 2004. And if at least three AHOC members enter, significant club discounts are available.

The Targa Tours create an opportunity to experience the thrill of driving on some of Australia's greatest driving roads when they have been closed for competition without the pressure of competing or having to modify your Healey. Not everyone wants to drive their vehicles hard and this Tour is just what a large number of people have been asking for - to be part of Targa but as a tourist.

The Targa Tasmania Tour follows the same course as the competitive sections, driving in convoy ahead of the field over the closed road Targa stages at the normal road speed. Participants get to preview the course in 'packets' of up to 15 vehicles, lead by an organiser’s course vehicle, usually driven by a retired competitor or official who knows the roads and their stories - because every Targa road has so many stories to tell.

And although the normal speed limits apply, you really do get the racers eye view and some of the roads you drive on vie for the title of the greatest driving roads in the world. If your Healey has earned a 50th birthday present, give it a trip down these roads.

Walther Roehrl, voted the best ever rally driver by Europeans, says that there is nothing to compare with Targa roads. Jim Richards agrees.

From the drivers seat of your Healey, you can look down the barrel going over the top of Cethana, where a few minutes later the competitors will be 'threading the needle' at 250 kph under the wires of the long nine right. And you'll experience the daunting crests on Riana where even the rally Healeys get big air flat out in overdrive top. And nail that wonderful series of flowing apex on the main road to Rosebery.

In Adelaide, you can feel what it's like coming down the Gorge Road using both sides of the road, cresting Mt Lofty or driving past the crowds watching from the end of their driveways on Coromandel.

As we all know, some roads are just extra sensational in a Healey, and in the High Country, you can experience one of the greatest there is as you slalom up the hill out of Whitfield onto the Whitlands plateau. Or let the torque in overdrive third heave you up the Big River hill climb on the newly sealed Eildon road. Using all the road. With time to take in the views.

What happens in the Tour

Participants in the tour have the opportunity to mix with the competitors in Targa Tasmania and get to showcase your Healey at the vehicle expos which accompany each event and where a crowd of surprisingly knowledgeable people will want to talk about your car. And each Tour participant is invited to attend the events' social functions.

Although the Tour is designed for people who want a chance to experience something unique in the enthusiast world, it also provides a way for anyone who fancies having a go at Targa one day, to get up close with the event, feel the roads, the camaraderie, the sense of challenge and achievement and answer the question: "how would I go at this ?". And if there is one thing which is needed in Targa, it's some Big Healeys again. The late John Large, who was instrumental in developing the event, said that no car evoked the spirit of the classic era of rallying better than the Big Healey and he always sought out Team Healey for special encouragement back when there were four or five cars running.

Tour cars are not required to have roll over protection systems but are required to travel with fire extinguishers and safety triangles. Participants are required to hold a CAMS Level Two Speed Licence and your Healey needs a CAMS Log Book - both easy to get and AHOC is there to help. Each tour car is issued with the same Road Books as the competition cars which provide comprehensive details of the course. It is important that the crew member in the left hand seat learns how to read the Tulip diagrams in the Road Book (again, AHOC has many lady experts on this) so you can follow the touring route between the closed special stages.

Crews are required to report to the security park - that's where all the competition cars have spent the night, while you will have been able to use yours to go to and from your hotel or to dinner - 20 minutes before their due time of departure. They are then to report to their vehicle and prepare to leave when instructed to do so by the Tour Leader. It will be a very early morning start because the Tour goes at the head of the field, but it does mean an early return, allowing plenty of time for an afternoon rest before the evening's entertainment.

At the start of the Targa Stages, participants are to queue behind the Tour Leader vehicle on the side of the road as directed. The Tour Leader vehicle will give two minutes warning prior to departure when participants must be in their vehicles, with seat belts done up.

During the stages participants are to follow the Tour Leader car through the stage in convoy and normal safe driving practices are to be adopted at all times. Speed will be as per the posted limits, even though the road has been closed to public traffic. Overtaking is not permitted, unless a vehicle in front has slowed down and the driver has given a clear signal. At the finish of stages participants must slow down and be prepared to stop, and then continue to follow the Tour Leader vehicle into the next transport stage.

Where and when and what it costs - and maybe an AHOC deal

There are four Octagon Targa Events:

• Classic Targa Adelaide 14th - 17th September 2011 (loops around Adelaide)

• Targa High Country 4th - 6th November 2011 (based on Mt Buller, loops around Mansfield)

• Targa Wrest Point 28th - 29th January 2012 (based in Hobart, runs down the Huon Valley)

• Targa Tasmania 17th - 20th April 2012 (Launceston, Strahan and Hobart )

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The cost of entry for the touring section of the Superloc Classic Targa Adelaide is $3,590; however, if at least 3 cars belonging to AHOC enter, then the entry can be reduced to $2,990, saving $600 or 17%.

The entry fee for Targa High Country is $1,790 or with 3 entries that can be reduced to $1,390 or 22%.

The entry fee pays for everything you'll need for the event, which is a long list including souvenir event door panels and the all important road books.

OK I'm interested - what next ?

So we can arrange the deal with the organisers, best to contact Brian Dermott to discuss your interest first on briandermott@bigpond.com or phone 0419 381 270

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE 2011 ADELAIDE RALLY

Malcolm McGregor Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WE HAVE MOVED…..

646 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, VIC, 3132

Please talk to us if you are considering selling or buying a Classic Sports Car

PHONE: (03) 9872 3900

www.healeyfactory.com.au