Hello all,
The year is coming to an end at a rapid rate – 2017 seems to have flown past faster than ever. It’s been a very busy year for the club with many highlights.
2017 highlights
The year started with our very successful 25 Year Reunion. It was a great night catching up with past and present members, crews and their families. There was a heap of club memorabilia, mags, and video footage to get the memories flowing. The highlight was Anthony Koch’s History of Club book. It was fantastic that Anthony was able to get all of that information together. Next was the Bumper 2 Bumper TV show that featured Steve Langman, Steve Howard, Barry Megaw, Jacob Rayner and Lee Partridge. The show did a great job of promoting the club and its members. A big thankyou goes to the Rayner family for allowing us to use their shed for the day.
Focus quickly turned to Round 1 at Winton. This would be the start of a successful relationship with the Australian Pulsar Racing Association (APRA). A good grid of cars started the year-long battle for the 2017 Dandenong Brake & Clutch 2 Litre Sports Sedan Championship. Barry Megaw took a clean sweep and dominated the weekend, we would see the return of Trevor McGuiness to 2LSS racing. Round 2 was the emergence of “The Duck”. The APRA Pulsars were a revelation in the wet at Phillip Island. Forget the 130% rule – the Pulsars took 2nd & 4th outright in one of the races. Round 3 was part of both ASSA and NSSA championships. With Lee Partridge,Vin McNair and Steve Howard taking on the big bangers, Lee was on fire carving his way through the field on the tight Winton layout the track suiting Mike Kyval built car.
Involvement of the National guys in the state championship offered the opportunity for the club to have a non-championship round at Winton. This was to encourage cars to get out of the sheds and onto the track without the pressure of racing with the big bangers. And it worked. Club members Eddie Metz, Ryan Woods, Bob Hampson, Andrew Pinkerton, Allan Kerr, Bill Gibson, Richard Gay and myself joined 10 APRA pulsars on the grid for a great weekend of racing. Eddie and Ryan’s battles were fantastic and Andrew and Allan kept the top Pulsars busy too.
The next round was at Phillip Island with Lee, and Stevo continuing their battle for the championship. Historic Sandown was next on the list with Barry and Eddie joining Steve and Lee. Barry was back on top with Stevo getting a good haul of points for the weekend. Lee got back on the track for Sunday’s races after a short stay in Hospital to give the team enough points to take out the 2017 championship. The final round was back at Island Magic and the rain returned. Richard took out the 2LSS round in the Pulsar.
Well done to Lee Partridge and Mike Kyval for taking out the Championship in front of Stevo and Barry. Lee, Mike and John proved to be a great combination. The RX20 is developing into a real weapon and should be a strong contender for 2018.
2018
2018 is shaping up to be a big year. Lee, Stevo, David Runkel, Vin, Eddie, Bob, Andrew, Richard, Team Hales and Sam Speer are all looking to battle for the 2018 Championship. Plenty of people keen to give Tailem Bend and other events a crack including Barry, Simon O, Lee Uhlhorn, Allan, Trevor, Bill, Ryan, Brendon, Fred Menheere and Steve Langman who aim to make an appearance at selected events in 2018. Jill Hickey, Tony Claringbold and maybe even Steve Newing (who recently bought back his 1200 coupe) are hoping to get cars completed and on the track.
We’re still working hard to build the club back to its former self. But I think it’d be fair to say we’re on the right track and look forward to the future growth of the club. Car at the track, membership and interests in the club is all growing. Not to mention the birth of SA 2 Litre Sports Sedan Association. Looking forward to racing with them at Tailem Bend in October.
On behalf of the entire club I’d like to thank Eddie Metz and Dandenong Brake & Clutch for their support during the year. Without sponsors like Eddie the club wouldn’t be able to some of the things we have done this year. So, if you need brakes, clutches or a car service give him a crack.
The 18th of February will be the Presentation and 2018 sponsor announcement. So, put the date in your diaries. Should be great afternoon / evening with slotcar racing for all ages. The details will be announced soon.
Rest up and enjoy down time with family and friends over the holiday break. Maybe sneak in a little preparation for 2018. It’s going to be a cracker.
Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!
Simon Hales,