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Countdown, engines running and ready for BLASTOFF, the month of May is nearly over but the little bit left will sure be fun, Winton for those choosing to brave the bitterly cold weather and risk of rain and flood or Albany Round the Houses which always guarantees a dry circuit, pity we cannot have both, but once in a while the planets all line up and the last full weekend in May (Winton's date) so happens to coincide with the June long weekend in WA which we all know is Albany weekend away. But onto the news,
Centenary Celebrations at Boulder and Lake Perkolilli
Old hat now but a little post script, I received an email from England last week requesting details of a Lagonda sent from the mother land to Aus in 1935 and whether I had any details, this request came via a contact the Pommy had here in WA who steered him to SPEEDWEST after seeing the newsletter, who in turn contacted me who then put them in touch with our Paul Dean who as we know has the original Perkolilli car and will no doubt be showing his style at Albany. As it turns out the Pom has photos of the car and history of racing in England prior to it coming out to the colonies. A very lucky contact for Paul who now can boast more history for his car.
Winton
Well six West Aussies will line up at Historic Winton and we are all spread out in different classes and categories so watch this space for the results of a WA raid on the Victorian silverware. Lou Symes has that brutish CMW ready to go in Regularity, as does VSCC El Presidente John Davis with the Healey in Group S racing so that will be two trophies. John Rowe is running the Alvis in group K so that will be another in the bag, Bob Pinkerton will no doubt run his usual reliable Pug Special so there is 1st and second in Regularity, then ET will be racing the TS in Group L and then so that's an outright given all that GMC power and I will have a dash at the Handicap with the BMH, must learn a few more of those foxing tricks from you old- older fellars. Which brings me to the next subject? Learning from the past champions.
The Team Owners
With the large number of entries in regularity recently would I be being a little forward if I said that maybe and only maybe some of our vastly experienced drivers might have decided that racing might be just a little too over the top these days?? And just maybe some might like to have their cars still racing but not with their bums in the seat??? And just maybe they are prepared to have a professional drive their cars???? Notwithstanding the obvious, the lap times from a professional maybe a little better than ours, maybe not, maybe at first but a little settling in time may be required, who knows. If I am right and you are preparing a car for a combined regularity/race meeting would you like to have a highly skilled person pedal your car under your guidance and let you sit back and watch for a change and then go out in regularity and show what experience can do? Just a thought because if you agree with this, we might just be able to attract some new blood and show some of the next generation just how much fun our cars really are and what sensation of speed there is when you are propped up in the seat at 130MPH with drum brakes and all the mod cons of a Front engine racer. NOT! Just a thought!!!!!!
Barbagallo 25th Regularity & 26th July Racing
The Clem Dyer meeting is the next show for us. We hope to have a few more starters than the April meeting. Was a touch embarrassing for the competitors, with the Ford's dying and a ring in from Group S (Thanks for that too Nick) there were 4 cars left standing and consensus was that we weren't going out with only 4 cars and put on a poor show so we had to call off the last race. Let me know what you need to run your car at what is the Premier race meeting for our classes. I am sure we can pool some resources and get a good field up to speed and don't forget the regularity opportunities' presented. What about a guest driver for your car? If you know of an eligible car, that won't run for lack of something. Log book, driver or out of date or no license let me know, I may be able to cast my magic wand over it and get it fixed. Remember I have friends in high places.
Thomas A. Benson
NEXT MONTH
News to come.
Winton report.
I am looking for some eyes and ears at Albany to give me an update so I can put some details up. Any volunteers?
I am going to one day tell the story of the Tasmanian Group L sports on the way back to the track but that will have to wait I am afraid, but I hear that there is a three wheeler Moogie coming.
If you are talking to a FER car owner and they don't know about our newsletter, email me and I will put them on the list of cars and drivers I am building up. One day I will find them all.
Calendar Updates always available at Speedwest or the WASCC or VSCC web sites.
Looking for event photos of WA competitors? Forward them on or share them at the Speedwest site which hosts our newsletter, follow this link.
Here is the link to my ham photos of the latest events
And another link to my ham video
If you know of someone who would like to receive a copy of this newsletter send contact address with their email details to Thomas Benson
