April 2013 by 'Sarah Gill

HOVERCRAFT Light

The official magazine of the

Hovercraft Club of Great Britain www.hovercraft.org.uk

April 2013

inside

April 13

April 2013 – Spring has finally sprung, or has it!!! We are greeted to spring with 3” inches of snow in Nottingham, however it appears on the grand scheme of things we got away lightly. Reported 20 foot deep snow drifts greeted some parts of the UK.I thought my eyes were deceiving me today, on taking the boys to the annual sponsored walk around Wollaton Park, celebrating the life of Jane, one of my closest friends wife, whom he lost to the vile illness cancer four years back. The temperature gauge in car clicked over to double figures!! My initial thoughts we’re that lease Vauxhall Astra I’m using until my new car arrives, had a major fault like the reported 3 to 4 million Japanese cars currently on recall. But alas, the temperature gauge found an ally with this large yellow round object appearing in the sky, complete with blue background!! So maybe Spring has sprung?

The weekend of the 4th – 6th May sees the opening round of the racing season up north on the farm in Accrington. The last few years the Northwest Branch have organised everything, with the exception

After Magnolls Farm we move onto Nottingham, and Hacketts Lake. Due to a change in land ownership Keith Rhodes has had to undertake a PR exercise with the new owners, The Wildlife Trust!! Keith and the Midlands Branch have also made some alterations to the circuit layout and camping areas, to accommodate for a larger start grid. This new layout can be found within this magazine. Also The Wildlife Trust will be joining us for the weekend, so to ensure a further return to this site we will have to keep the high

05 Chairman’s Desk The latest update from our chairman 06 WHF Welcome 2013 08 Wanted Driver for F3 Hello ECH 2013 Club Anjou Aéroglisseurs

standards we have set ourselves at all of our race sites, and keep the site clear, tidy and rubbish free. Hovercraft wise, I’m certain I’m like many others whom have left it late. This past weekend celebrated the engine and frame mounted, but all the good work has been undone with a little overzealous shortening on one fan blade, so the whole shooting match will have to come out again. I’m certain I’m not the only one whom will also be taking last years engine out of hibernation….. I say hibernation but realistically the Rotax stands as it did when it came in from its last outing at the Big Lake last year. But it was treated to a winter vacation, spending most of the time stood in Ricky Goosey’s shed (or Venom Production line)!!! Anyway I’ll sign off jabbering on as Sarah is waiting for me to email this across to get this issue complete off to print!! Enjoy the magazine and I look forward to seeing you at Magnolls Farm!

14 Phoenix Rising Charlie

23 MHA Model of the Month

16 Santa Pod James Eddy

24 Merchandise Jo Discoll

10 Round One Magnolls Farm

18 Across the Pond Australia

25 Hovercraft for sale www.hovercraft.org.uk

11 Round Two Hackett Lake

20 Forty years ago... Granville Spedding

12 AGM 2013

22 Letter to the Editor John Sciven

09 You can race this Daniel Turnbull

04 Diary It’s a date

The Hov Pod is a 3-seat factory assembled personal leisure cruising hovercraft No kits available, sorry. Commercial craft available.

being the weather!!!! Only kidding, fingers crossed hopefully we’ll have a warm and dry Bank Holiday weekend… however the cynic in me thinks that a sentence with Bank Holiday and Sunny weather in it is a long shot! Saying that we had snow in April, so there is no point trying to second guess the weather or the so called ‘experts’ whom stand in front of the big map on TV waving their arms. It would be nice to spend the weekends at race meetings, 1) not in the rain, 2) fixing things, 3) not rushing about…. However now I’m talking total and utter fantasy world stuff!!

Sale Razor Racing

For further details Web-site www.hovpod.com Email sales@hovpod.com Cover Pic: Clive Mason Photo taken by: Louise Beale LightHovercraft 02

www.hovercraft.org.uk

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Diary 2013 APRIL 20-21

JULY 13-14

AUGUST 31-1

MAY 4-6

JULY 20-21

SEPTEMBER 7-8

Point to point race & cruise Kent www.hovercraft.org.uk

The Chairman’s Desk

Chapter

Chapter Twenty-two, urgency

Cruise TBA www.hovercraft.org.uk

National race meeting Magnolls Farm, Lancs. www.hovercraft.org.uk

National Race Meeting Claydon, Aylesbury www.hovercraft.org.uk

MAY 18-19

JULY 26-5

Cruise TBA www.hovercraft.org.uk

Cruise Irish Raid www.hovercraft.org.uk

MAY 25-27

JULY 27-28

National Race Meeting Hackett Lakes, Notts www.hovercraft.org.uk

EHF Race Meeting Prudhomat, France www.hovercraft.org.uk

JUNE 8-9

AUGUST 5-11

JUNE 15-16

AUGUST 17-24

JUNE 29-30

AUGUST 24-26

EHF Race meeting Grez Neuville, France www.hovercraft.org.uk

EHF Race Meeting Flottsboro, Sweden www.hovercraft.org.uk National Race Meeting Rother Valley, Sheffield www.hovercraft.org.uk

SEPTEMBER 21-22

National Race Meeting Towcester Racecourse www.hovercraft.org.uk

OCTOBER 5-6

Possible Race Meeting TBA www.hovercraft.org.uk

Proposed Internationl Championship Antalya/Turkey - Europe www.hovercraft.org.uk

National Race Meeting Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas www.hovercraft.org.uk

Whilst every attempt is made to keep calender items up to date, some calender items may alter after print or the Editor is not made aware of changes-please check relevant UK or European websites for most up to date calenders. If you know of any changes or updates, or wish an event to be listed, then please contact the Editor at magazine@hovercraft.org.uk

Published by The hovercraft Club of Great Britain Ltd www.hovercraft.org.uk Editors Darren Clarke Sarah Gill

Advertising Rates Issues 1 3 Size 1/4 pg £9 £26 1/2 pg £17 £49 Full pg £33 £95

Distribution Roger Allman Tel: 07765 303755 Contributions Last date for contributions is the a month. LightHovercraft 04

Printed by ADH printing 2 Boyne Rise Kingsworthy Winchester Hants SO23 7RE

20th of

12 £95 £184 £357

Contact the Editor for details at magazine@hovercraft.org.uk

was conducted in an orderly fashion and we gained another valuable Council member in Ros Atkins. For what I believe is the first time, we have four of each gender on the Council. I do not think that it makes us any more balanced. There are events popping up all over the place. At Easter we had a cold but great fun weekend at Santa Pod Raceway drag strip between Northampton and Bedford. There is some great footage available and thanks to Paul Joyce doing the arranging, we are also in possible talks for a similar or bigger event next year.

Russ Pullen did the wise move of cancelling a planned cruise in the South East. He had a problem with wind and it was considered sensible not to hold it. No doubt more events will appear on the calendar. If you have access to a suitable area, please let him know.

National Race Meeting Gang Warily, Fawley www.hovercraft.org.uk

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The AGM was a great party. Apologies if the MC at the presentation dinner was not up to scratch. Please consider a better one for next year. I understand there were 147 members booked for the dinner and it was a terrific way to celebrate another year. The business

Popham Airfield is the possible venue for a Southern Branch hover-in. This is still in the planning process and I am sure the details will be published soon.

North West Highland Cruise Lochcarron, Isle of Skye www.hovercraft.org.uk

Cruise Morecombe Bay www.hovercraft.org.uk

Welcome to Spring. We can all look to the weather for an excuse about the lateness of the hovercraft build. In reality there are not that many who are ready for the new season of racing. The advantage of having non-racing craft is probably the lack of wear and tear.

Small adverts are free to HCGB members and run for three issues unless reqested otherwise. The opinions expressed in any item or article in this magazine are those of the contributor. They do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain Ltd. The entire contents of Light Hovercraft are copyright and permission to reproduce any part must be sought from the Editor. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, we do not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracy.

www.hovercraft.org.uk

Ros Atkins is considering creating a new branch of the club over towards Ipswich and is currently researching the possibility of having a hover-in there. Any members from the M11 corridor and Eastwards should contact Ros if they are interested. Jake Cooper and I are off the Bicton College on 17th April to support a build initiative at that college. Jim Waddell has been the instigator and is also bringing the Cullompton College team and craft to the day. I have heard that Tom/Mark Robinson’s F2 craft will be there as well. If the weather holds it sounds like a good day out that could result in Bicton College (and others) building craft and coming along to events. There is a core of active members in that corner of the country that need encouraging. See you all at Magnolls Farm. If you wish to discuss anything, my contact details are at the back of the magazine. Chris

www.hovercraft.org.uk

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racing licence is needed and that only authorised countries should be able to issue these after investigating the driving history of applicants to see if they meet WHF requirements. A further suggestion has been made: Once the entry date deadline has passed, the organisers pass the list of registered drivers to the WHF Country Delegates to confirm that drivers racing under that country’s licence have completed a minimum of 5 individual National or International races in the previous 24 months.

A rather belated welcome to 2013 to you. This is an important year for us as we urgently seek a host for our 2014 Hovercraft World Championships. There is some news on this later in the Bulletin. We must also resolve various issues that were raised at our Board meeting in Germany last year, and the events that followed concerning protests that may affect awarding trophies. All these issues must be resolved in good time ready for future events. As you can see a busy time for our Officers, Country Delegates and you! Kind regards,

World Hovercraft Championships 2014

WHF 2012 Delegate meeting

As you will be aware the WHF are required, if at all possible, to hold World Championships every two years ~ the next one being in 2014. So far the only country to come forward with a preliminary offer is Germany again. This is only a provisional offer and as there is a considerable amount of preparation to complete before a firm proposal can be submitted, Germany has asked the WHF to indicate that if they submit a full proposal that meets the WHF’s criteria their offer would be accepted.

We would like to remind you of the outstanding issues raised at the last WHF Board meeting. These are listed again below with some additional comments

To this end your Country Delegate has been asked to vote on the following. If you wish to influence his / her decision please do not hesitate to contact them. They have been asked for their reply by the 20th of March 2013. If we do not hear from them it will be assumed that they accept the proposal.

Tony M. Drake JP. President of the World Hovercraft Federation.

“IF GERMANY PRESENT THE WHF WITH A FIRM PROPOSAL TO HOST THE WHF WORLD HOVERCRAFT CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2014 THAT MEETS OUR REQUIREMENTS WOULD YOU ACCEPT SUCH A PROPOSAL?”

P.S. As usual this Bulletin will be circulated to as many people as possible but please pass it on to anyone who you think may be interested.

Although this will mean that we will have successive Championships in Germany (although hopefully at a different venue), the WHF President recommends that you support this proposal.

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5. France proposed that aggressive drivers (driving like bulls) should be penalised.

1. Sweden proposed to change the point system when heats are needed. At the moment the difference in points between 1st and 3rd place are too large. Heat Position

Points

Heat Position

Points

1st 3rd

20 16

2nd 4th

18 14

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th and onward decreasing by 1

2. France proposed a prize to honour hull/craft manufacturers. [Awaiting further proposals from France] 3. France maintains their view that when only 6 craft are registered in a formula there should not be a World title. At the moment the Competition Regulations WHF001 at 9.2. (d) Classification, state 8. 4. France proposed that for safety reasons each Continent should send the WHF a letter which shows their drivers have completed at least two international races in the year of a World Championship. An alternative suggestion was made by Germany that a WHF hovercraft www.hovercraft.org.uk

Are there further proposals or is this already covered by Competition Racing Rules WHF 001 ~ 8.7 C General? 6. Germany proposed that the rules concerning crash helmets, life jackets and back protections should be strengthened.

may be penalised by the removal of 1 point for each occurrence. Drivers who drive over or inside coarse markers may be penalised by the removal of 5 points. Up to the number of points gained in that race. The WHF President and our Technical Director recommend that a decision on this topic is deferred until the end of the 2013 racing season so that we have the benefit of seeing its effect in action. However, if this is accepted you should be aware that it may be introduced at short notice. 9. How should the race course be defined? The race course is reviewed during the course walk, and subsequently defined during drivers briefing, to which all drivers sign on as attending, thus whatever is described at briefing IS the course. 10. How should dangerous driving in the Paddock or pit lanes be dealt with?

It has been suggested that the existing regulations Competition Regulations WHF001 4.2 governing crash helmets and life jackets are left as is, and the following added: It is recommended that drivers wear body armour (tested i.a.w BS EN 1621-1) and a back protector (tested i.a.w BS EN 1621-2).

Technically Competition Regulations WHF001. 8.7 C does not mention confines of a race or course, thus dangerous driving anywhere can be met by a penalty.

7. Protest procedures to be reviewed.

All these topics will very shortly be circulated to your Country Delegate for their comments or in some cases a decision. If you have any views on these issues please discuss them immediately with your Country Delegate.

Your President suggests that an addition is made to the Protest Procedure such that if a protest is lodged which will make a difference to any podium places (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) then a Special meeting of the WHF Board shall be convened before the presentation ceremony to decide the issues(s). The decision of this Board meeting will be final. 8. Competition Regulations WHF001 rule 7.3.G. to be reviewed and rewritten. The European Hovercraft Federation has reviewed this rule and not changed it. However they have introduced an enhancement to it in the form of an additional rule as follows:

11. The WHF Director of Endurance Racing will be submitting future development plans.

Use of Craft Log Books Our Technical Director wishes to remind you that it is essential when entering a craft at WHF events that it has a Craft Registration Document (Scrutineering and Defect Record book) as defined in Craft Registration WHF014. Indeed we would strongly encourage that all our Member Countries adopt this important document so that we have one standard throughout the world.

Hovercraft Manufacturers Association (HMA) The WHF are pleased to note that a group of professional hovercraft builders from Europe have formed themselves into the Hovercraft Manufacturers Association (MA). An “extract” of their press release issued by the HMA Secretary recently is given below: “It is with enormous pleasure that I can announce that the Hovercraft Manufacturers Association was formed on Friday March 8th 2013. The aims of the Association are to develop and mature the hovercraft industry, promoting their use in recreational and commercial roles, represent the industry to the media and legislative authorities and work together to ensure that our members produce safe hovercraft. It is open to all full-time, professional hovercraft manufacturers from around the world and expressions of interest are encouraged from companies who could not make the inaugural meeting. The officers elected were: Chairman : John Gifford and Secretary / Treasurer : Russ Pullen. The HMA hope to strengthen and develop its ties with the WHF, EHF and HCGB Organisations as well as and enthusiasts, distributors and other operators. For more information, contact the HMA via me, the Secretary, Russ Pullen on at +44 (0) 1304) 619820 or russ@flyingfishhovercraft.co.uk ”

And Finally ~ Please do discuss any of the above issues, or other matter that concern you, with your Country Delegate. This way the WHF can take your views into account.

H. Drivers who hit course markers www.hovercraft.org.uk

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Driver for F3

Wanted

Having built a new craft last year with the intention of lending it out to new racers on a weekend by weekend basis (see separate ad in the magazine), the plan was to retire the original ’Little Scrapper’ in 2012. However, one of our new members who first got a taste for racing in the new scrapper ended up taking the original away to have a play with. Justin has done fantastic job of recommissioning the old warhorse, treating the engine to a top end rebuild and the hull to a thorough going over and re-spray and it’s now too good to pension off. This year Justin has upgraded to an F2 but did most of his Novice races in Scrapper 1, and Sam Tudor used it in the Opens at Fawley and Claydon. Whilst it’s not super fast, it has proven reliable and a good machine to learn the varied skills involved in driving and running a race hovercraft over more than just the one weekend. As such we have decided to make it available on a semi-permanent loan to any new member(s) who would like to use it for a whole, or large part of a race season. The craft is a TZR250 powered Eagle, and comes with its own trailer and kit of spares. It’s heavy but stable (maybe too heavy for a younger Junior to hustle), but as proven by Justin, it would make a reasonable craft with which new racers can cut their teeth before making the move into whichever formula you then choose. The only condition is that you are primarily responsible for the upkeep of the craft for the loan period (developing yet further useful skills) but plentiful support and advice are of course available from within the club. Any interested parties should contact Dan Turnbull on 01332 700658

For your information our Member Country Delegates are: Australia (2) Austria (1) Belgium (2) Canada (2) Denmark (1) France (2) Germany (2) Great Britain (2) Indonesia (1) Ireland (2) Italy (2) Japan (1) Japan (1) Lebanon (1) Mauritius (1) Netherlands (2) Norway (1) Poland (2) J Portugal (1) Slovakia (2) Slovenia (0) Turkey (0) South Africa (1) Sweden (2) USA (2)

Peter Streader Andrew Stelzhammer Jos Vanderhoven Bob Rennick Uffe Andersen Denis Ragot Michael Rausch Chris Barlow Soegiarto Soejatono David Ryan Michele Scanavino Kazutoyo Matsuda Japan Hovercraft Houssam Chamseddine Siegi Scherrer Christel Martens Ornulf Ostbye akub Furmanski Mario Gonzaga Ribeira Jaroslav Balaz Alex Muha Tayfun Sert Francois Malan Magnus Ivanoff Kent Gano

peter.streader@thomson.net andrew.stelzhammer@gmx.at jos.vanderhoven@gmail.com bob.rennick@gmail.com uffeandersen@hovercraftclub.dk rpm@wanadoo.fr rausch@luftkissen.de chrisbarlow@vfast.co.uk soejatono@yahoo.com hoverireland@yahoo.ie mikiscanavino@libero.it matsuda7@mb.infoweb.ne.jp Ass. jhover@hovercraft.or.jp calaw@cyberia.net.lb hovercraft@intnet.mu martens.hovercraft.nl@wxs.nl hovercraftunion@bluezone.no biuro@pudoszkowce.pl fpm@fpmmotonautica.org info@vznasadla.com info@hovercraft-club.si tayfun@tic.at malan1968@gmail.com magnus@hovercraft.se kentgano@bellsouth.net

(*) number of votes each country has. Please inform our Secretary, Christel Martens, if your country has made any changes. Franciscusstraat 41 6681 VP Bemmel The Netherlands Tel: +31 481-450471 worldhovercraftfederation@planet.nl Hello! Club Anjou together with the Festival Committee of Grez-Neuville will organize the second round of the EHC 2013 on the 8th and 9th June. Grez-Neuville is near Le Lion d'Angers (the home of the Club Anjou). This event will take place as part of the Grez-Neuville Town Festival with fireworks on the Saturday evening. The course, the paddock and the camp site will be similar to the previous races, but this time, we've focused on improving the general organization in order to better meet the drivers', supporters' and spectators' needs. Therefore, we hope to welcome as many drivers as possible. Please, do not hesitate to pass on these infomation to any person who may be interested. Additional Information: - Registration: http://grez2013.anjou-aeroglisseur.com/registration.php Sign-up deadline: 20th, May 2013 - Location: http://grez2013.anjou-aeroglisseur.com/localisation.php - Accommodation : http://grez2013.anjou-aeroglisseur.com/hebergement.php - Nearest shops: Restaurant, bar and sandwiches available on the spot. Shops and petrol station in an area of a few km (at Le Lion d’Angers).

YOU CAN RACE THIS HOVERCRAFT This could be you! Learn to drive, compete, and gain that crucial experience of racing before you purchase your own machine. A craft is available that has been specifically built for new members to have a go at racing. It is a simple single engined craft suitable for new Novices and Juniors, and is available at most race meetings. The skill and insight you gain will be valuable in deciding what type of craft you may wish to build or buy in future. This craft comes with its own trailer, and has a race kit of spares and consumables to see you through a race weekend. You will need to provide: • towbar and number-plate • helmet • buoyancy aid/life jacket • overalls and gloves • petrol • race entry fee • boundless enthusiasm!

Hot food and drink are often available on site. Warm waterproof clothing is recommended suitable for the British weather. At least one change of clothes is recommended, you may well get wet. A donation towards the upkeep of the craft is recommended at £50 for a 2 day race meeting. Club Membership and provisional Novice racing Licence will be required. Get membership at www.hovercraft.org.uk, you will need to register, and then add a paid subscription. Buy your Novice racing licence from the Racing Services area in the club shop, which can also be accessed from www.hovercraft.org.uk Any queries contact memberservices@hovercraft.org.uk You will also need to pass a manoeuvrability test before racing. If you would like a go or to find out more, contact Daniel Turnbull Tel 01332 700658 danielturnbull@btinternet.com Here we have for sale a new Razor (racing) Hull complete with buoyancy, which has never been raced, never had an engine nor fan frame fitted. It is a deep blue with white inner duct and orange base, it will come with (but not fitted) a white seat, white rudders and white flow straigtheners. We put this unit together to time the assembly process, note - there are a few small blemishes in the thin racing gell coat of the upper hull. Going at at special one off price of £875.00

- Saturday dinner (Paella Party) : 15€ for adults / 8€ for children less than 12. -

For more information on hovercraft visit http://www.hovercraft.org.uk

Contact : anjouaero@wanadoo.fr

Club Anjou Aéroglisseurs.

Please contact John Scriven at johnscriven@msn.com LightHovercraft 08

www.hovercraft.org.uk

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ROUND ONE MAY 4-6 Magnolls Farm Magnolls Farm Haslingden Old Road Oswaldtwistle Accrington Lancashire BB5 3RF

Leave M5 at junction 29 Leave M65 at junction 5, left at exit Third left at next roundabout to School Lane (B6231) Continues over M65 and becomes Duckworth Hall Lane Left at the roundabout into Haslingden Old Road Half a mile on, just before the bridge over the motorway, immediately left (signposted) Follow the road, turn right under the bridge into the farm Through the farm into the camping area

C PADDO

REA

GA CAMPIN

ST REA RU A TH EST T

A mostly land based course with a small lake. This course features undulating terrain with quite steep inclines. A fast flowing course with the notorious ‘Telegraph Pole Hairpin’ to catch out even the most experienced drivers! Public Admission Prices: Adults £3 each Children £1 each Charlie Peach, text or ring 07970190262 or email charliepeach&#64;msn.com

ROUND TWO MAY 25-27 Hackett Lakes Round One of the European Hovercraft Federation Championship and Round Two of the HCGB National Championship. The Midlands Branch welcomes all our friends back to Hackett’s Lake for the third year, from Thursday the 23rd May when the site opens up for setting out, a planned media morning on the 24th, your chance to show off your craft and have your own famous five minutes. Those who are able to take time out to help setting up are welcome to come along and camp on site anytime from Thursday afternoon. Main set up of the course, paddock etc will be PM Friday – please try to help from 13.00 if you can make it.

There is a sensibly priced bar planned and a live group Sat night on the J A Stephens Stage. Onto the racing, starting with the two day European event on the 25th and 26th May, with the third day reverting solely back to second round of the British Championships.

There will be some slight juggling of programme with the first two days following European programme with an Open round tagged on the end of each set of races. F3 will be combined with FS races and F35 is probably going to be tagged onto the Novices race. After the last race on the Saturday evening, plans are afoot to hold our first ever “Kids Hover-in”. The plans will be finalised nearer the time, but we are looking to engage and entertain the next generation of World Champions. www.hovercraft.org.uk

PADDOCK CAMPING

CAMPING

There will be no camping fee for Thursday night or daytime Friday.

Point scoring will work with entrants scoring in both the European event and the British Championship on first two days, with accumulated points carried on to Monday.

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PUBLIC AREA

www.hovercraft.org.uk

There is a course change this year to make a larger grid and paddock, which happily also brings the grid and pits much closer to the public with a starting grid similar to Rother Valley so the public can be right next to the starting gate. There is also another important change – the lake is owned by two parties with a boundary strangely staggered across the lake. The previous owners of the other half of the lake (Tarmac) had no problems with our use of the water, but this was sold late last year at auction to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Keith Rhodes has of course been in negotiations with the new owners who, it could be said would be likely to be diametrically opposed to permitting a hovercraft racing event on their water. As things stand this years’ event is going ahead as planned, and going forward in a spirit of co-operation with the Trust it might be that in future years this round of the British Championships is held at the end of the bird breeding season in September.

We can expect visitors from the Trust during our race meeting, some may make us aware of their presence, others might not. We need to be on our metal here to show we do care about the properties we use and our zero harm policy. The usual “race on hold” policy will be applied if birds and their chick’s stray out onto the racing line and with out doubt Prickle will as usual be in his element undertaking water born shepherding duties! Have a safe trip to Nottingham, especially those travelling from Europe, and we look forward to seeing you all enjoying the great weather we are going to have this year.

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AGM

2013

AGM 2013 I would like to thank each and every one of the 157 people that attended the AGM and all those that contributed their time and efforts to give talks and set up displays for us. Sadly I didn’t have very much time to enjoy these but from feedback received they were great. Special thanks go to Carla Thomas, your co-organiser and her team for the brilliant table decorations. I also wish to thank Carla and Roger Morton for being there as sounding boards to bounce ideas and suggestions off. I also need to thank Ross Hammond and Nicky Smith for the huge amount of effort made, both with the event preplanning and also on the day, night and Sunday to make the presentation part of the evening a great success. Catherine Lucas also deserves a vote of thanks for sorting out the trophies for the AGM. Also thanks to Prickle for help and assistance with booking Gemma Samuels, our singer for the evening, after a very last minute change to arrangements with the booked band and Jimmy Drew for his help setting up the sound desk and then seemingly spending most of the night behind it. I also need to thank the meerkat collective, especially Jo for the moral, physical and other support over the last months of preparation for the AGM. A huge thank you also goes out to all the volunteers who helped with unloading the van and lorry on Saturday set up and derig and also those involved with the loading out on Sunday morning. To all those that had the chocolate ‘mouse’ as part of dinner, apologies for the typo but as I had run out of card to do a reprint it was left and seem to create humour and a reason to hurl ridicule and light hearted abuse at me. As Chris said at the AGM, after 3 years of helping and co-organising the event it is time for me to hand over the reigns to someone new. I feel that we are very close to being too big for this year’s venue and therefore the time is right for someone to step forward with

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a few new ideas and a new venue for next year. This is a process that I believe needs to start soon as I booked the hotel for this year on 17th May and at that point had no other choice for the weekend availability at the hotel. I am more than happy to help the new organiser/s in a support role to pass on useful info, budget planning tips and spread sheets used to ease the process and hope that one (or more) of you takes on this role for next year. Have a great season cruising, racing and generally enjoying hovercraft. Many many thanks Del Smart

After my first year of hovercraft racing, I thought I would write a little note for the magazine... and... what a year it has been !! What started me off was at the Fawley race meeting the previous year. Paul Joyce offered me a go in the team Meerkat craft. I couldn’t resist, I did my novice test and before I knew it was on the grid !! A little nervous as I had never had a go before, but the race went well... I came in 4th... and I was hooked !! With only a couple of meetings left for the year I really wanted to race again, it was strange for me to spend my days thinking of hovercraft instead of planes !? I contacted Lee Willars as he only lives a few minutes down the road from me, to have a chat and see if he could help in any way. After a visit to the Willars home he offered me the use of a primo hull he had, this was just a hull at first look... no engine, no frame, no skirt... ermmmm... “I did want to race this year” I said !! But with Lee, his dad Ron and myself working hard, and me learning fast, we got the craft together in time for the next race meeting at Claydon House. Another trophy at the end of the racing and my obsession was growing. Then off to Jakes, not before spending more time at the Willars home repairing the craft from my Claydon exploits though!! Jakes Place saw me achieve my first race win... I think my cheers as I passed through the chequered flag, were louder than the engine !? Yippeee So, end of the race season... planning time.... back to my mentor Lee to chat about 2012, what to race, how to go about it, getting a new team mate (Paul Joyce) included... and most important... how to go faster ??! And from these plans Team Toon was born, with Paul & myself racing in ‘Mr Bump’ in F50. Lee Willars challenging in ‘Lightning McQueen’ and Kevin Tunnelly driving ‘Bananaman’ in F1x. The winter season was spent building the craft and myself learning all the time about the process of making the craft etc. It was a great experience to work with someone who knows so much about hovercraft and I did learn a lot. We also shared lots of new ideas, although my ideas seemed to get followed by the phrase “let’s put that one in the bin” !! We did get to use some of them though.. or at least that’s what Lee told me !!

!) she signed me out of the novice class and I was straight into F50... OMG what a difference !! The year progressed well with Paul and I picking up points at each meeting. The Big Lakes was one of my best race meetings despite a few problems, fan blades breaking and craft rebuilding till 11pm. Mr Bump needed a new ‘rear end’ after that race meeting and was back off to Lee’s to get this done. Towcester saw us get our first podium spot, finishing in 3rd for the weekend. It was also the scene of my first crash !! Getting ejected from the craft and rolling across the floor. It was a big shock for me, but with the support and encouragement of my team mates, other drivers and my wife. I was back out in the race re-run. Quickly forgetting the advice to take it easy and finishing 3rd. I also have to add here... I really enjoyed racing against Bernie Hook that weekend... He is Mental Racing at Claydon house was to grab the last few points to try to get that podium finish. Some great racing and also it brought to light the great sportsmanship that exists in this hovercraft family we belong to. Despite being our closest points rival on the race course, Bernie was quick to lend us a vital part for our craft to keep us racing. We ended up being one point ahead at the end of the season from him. So, still mental, but generous along with it !! (Thankyou Bernie)

Prize F35 3rd F35 2nd F35 1st

2012 Team Saga Louts Zoe Deacon High Cross Racing

(additional returnable trophy)

F3 3rd F3 2nd F3 1st

Storm Hovercraft Phil Hall Francis Morales

(additional returnable trophy)

F503 3rd F503 2nd F503 1st

Team Toon Team Beale Team Drew

(additional returnable trophy)

F2 3rd F2 2nd F2 1st

Team Goldney Fred Wilson Team Polfrey

(additional returnable trophy)

F1 3rd F1 2nd F1 1st

Nationwide Fire F1 Raider F1 Daniel Turnbull

(additional returnable trophy)

Open F35 3rd Open F35 2nd Open F35 1st

Team Baker Team Saga Louts High Cross Racing

Open F3 3rd Open F3 2nd Open F3 1st

Stu and Sam Storm Hovercraft The Flying Normans

Open F2 3rd Open F2 2nd Open F2 1st

Team Wiggin James Limburn Team Polfrey

Open F1 3rd Open F1 2nd Open F1 1st

Nationwide Fire F1 Daniel Turnbull Raider F1

Looking back over the year for me... it was GREAT !! I had so much fun, enjoyed some great racing, made new friends, learned lots about hovercraft and racing them on all the different courses. And Mr Bump finished 3rd in F50 for the year... Celebrations for me and Paul at the AGM, but as an extra surprise at the AGM, I came away with the ‘Best Newcomer’ trophy and then the entire collection of Team Toon were awarded the ‘concours de elegance’ trophy (joined by our honourary member and chief craft cleaner Amber Cox)

Open Overall 3rd Open Overall 2nd Open Overall 1st

An amazing year and I have to give a huge thanks to Lee Willars and his family for their help and support. None of these achievements would have been possible without them. THANKYOU

Sir Christopher Cockerell Cup (Council to decide) Jamie Lewendon & Conrad Beale Martyn Scott Trophy – A Passion for Hovercraft

Wouter Castendijk

(Council to decide)

Clive Mason

Chairmans Cup

Dan Turnbull

(Council Chairman to decide)

Team Polfrey Storm Hovercraft The Flying Normans

Branch Trophy North West Branch (returnable trophy – ask Kevin Foster who recipient is) Best Newcomer Clive Mason (Comps to decide) Concours D’Elegance Team Toon (3 craft)~ Lee willars, Clive Mason, Paul Joyce and Kevin Tunnaley Best Race Official Sam ‘Prickle’ Keates (voted on the day) Best Driver Conrad Beale (voted on the day) Geoff Harding Innovation Trophy Rupert Baker

(Council to decide)

The Hovercraft noise reduction award. (Keith Oakley and Bill Deciding) Not awarded this year Drivers Rear of the Year Micheal Metzner

And so the 2012 race season began... I was still a novice at Magnoll’s Farm. I loved the racing just as much as I had before and some more !! A chat with the lovely Race Director, Claire (my wife www.hovercraft.org.uk

AGM Prize List 2012 Season – For Prize Presentation

www.hovercraft.org.uk

(decide by the Race Officials)

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Phoenix Rising by Charlie

Seeing out 2012 at New Year’s Eve turns out to be a fitting end to a tough year and true to its form 2012 had me up against the ropes right to the bitter end with a glorious vomiting bug. In my fevered delirium through the first night of 2013 all I could think about was building the new craft. My mind seemed possessed by all the details, the challenges, the shapes, sounds and smells of my first hovercraft in 15 years. To be fair, building a hovercraft has rarely been far from my thoughts since I stopped racing in 1997. Having started at the tender age of 12 as part of a school team, I have been hooked ever since. About two years ago I started collecting bits and storing them in my shed. I eventually came across a tired old mould for sale on ebay and immediately recognised this was my opportunity to build a craft. The fact that I had no workshop, very little surplus cash and all of my time taken up running my own business and having a young family seemed to me the ideal circumstances to set about returning to the sport! It was the small things that made the difference. I made sure I was an HCGB member and got the magazine every month which was an easy win really. Straight away I felt connected to the sport and one step closer as a result. I started reading the resources on the forum and before I knew it I was telling family and friends that I was building a craft. Of course this was completely ridiculous given my circumstances at the time, but perhaps half the battle is getting started? So, one thing lead to another and before I knew it I was planning to build a TZR powered F3 integrated craft. For me, there is something very special about the TZR. As a young hovercraft racer and mechanic for a school team, I lusted over TZR’s, having never had the opportunity to run one ourselves. Having previously run an RD250LC with a stage 2 tune, the TZR was a logical progression. In all honesty, there is also a lot of support, experience and knowledge within the club regarding TZR’s which is great because I am going to need all the help I can get! After several months of looking out for a donor bike, it was clear TZR’s are now not only more valuable but increasingly sought after and are no longer the cheap 2 stroke dream on two wheels they were twenty years ago. That said, I hit the jackpot and found an engine-only Japanese import right on budget. It was clean, complete with low mileage and exactly what I was LightHovercraft 14

looking for. I was so excited it lived on the dining table as a centre piece for about three weeks (starting on my wedding anniversary). Finally – it felt real. The smell of that two stroke engine sitting on my table for three meals a day brought back so many happy memories. Changing a piston at 5am in the camping field between the trees at Stanford Hall, mixing two stroke oil and petrol with a keen eye and not a measuring jug in site, obsessing over loose rags around the craft and the endless promise of the thrill of racing propelling us through countless dead end problems in fields and parks around the UK. The final ingredient required to distil a racing hovercraft eventually materialised. At last, after years of dreaming, I finally found myself in the almost entirely improbable position of being the proud keeper of that holy grail of manhood – a workshop. Yes – a fully resourced, spacious workshop complete with three phase power and a roller shutter. Now there was no stopping me. In practice, I was entirely consumed revelling in the arrival of my third son and managing a growing business. Life has been very full in recent times and I am all the richer for it – in spirit at least. So with all the key ingredients in the mix all that remained was the not insignificant task of building the craft. I’ve given myself 12 weeks in total so with a bit of diary management, support from the family, some late nights and plenty of determination the ball has finally begun its long roll to that first race meeting. So what am I doing? I’m building an F3 TZR powered craft. The mould was very tired and old when I bought it – full of spider cracks and frayed edges with the gelcoat really on its last legs. I have set about making some adjustments to the mould, refining its contours, improving airflow in a few areas and preparing the mould to pull its first pattern. In practice I suspect I will be very lucky to pull more than one craft from it, and already it is proving to be a fair amount more work than I had initially considered. Owing to the poor condition of the surface of the gelcoat (the spider cracks are raised when you run your fingers over the mould surface) I am having to completely rebuild the mould surface from scratch. It already has 5kg of filler in it and there is still a long way to go!

I may be taking the long way round with this, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I spoke to both Dan Turnbull and Ricky Goosey at the Towcester race meeting last summer, and both offered me some fantastic advice and insight into preparing the TZR for racing (thank you Gentlemen – I will no doubt be in touch soon!). Both offered me the same very sound advice - to buy a second hand craft complete and ready to race. Whilst this is fantastic advice and absolutely, undeniably the best, most affordable and accessible route into owning my own craft and getting my racing license, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It’s not that I am foolhardy enough to ignore the advice of two of our national Champions. It’s most certainly not that I am somehow under the mistaken impression that I know better – far from it! Quite simply, the challenge of building my www.hovercraft.org.uk

own craft is utterly irresistible. I will make countless mistakes along the way and no doubt I will be drawing on the experience of the club to help me along with my endeavours, but that seems to me to be in keeping with the spirit of Hovercraft racing. For me it was always as much about the engineering challenge as the racing and for that reason I can think of no better way to make my return to the sport. So with Phoenix Racing rising from the ashes of my racing past, I begin a long, exciting and uncertain journey back to the sport I love. Whilst I’m sure you are all gripped with anticipation at the prospect of a completely unknown junior and novice driver making his hovercraft breakdown debut in the 2013 season, I hope that you will all laugh at the mistakes I make catalogued herein and be entertained by this regular slot in the magazine, as I make my way towards that first race meeting and beyond with my family and craft in tow. Next month I will be sharing thoughts on laying up my first ever hull, how to attack a TZR with an angle grinder and what can a two year old do in the workshop to help build a hovercraft? Until then, thanks for reading.

www.hovercraft.org.uk

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Auto Trader Festival of Power James Eddy Friday saw the arrival of hovercraft club members to a very cold, very muddy field (the sort of mud that makes you taller as you walk and bogs craft down; as found out later in the weekend). Wayne Ravenhall and Paul Joyce had arrived first and started to create a course using traffic cones provided by the Santa Pod crew. After the course was completed, Wayne unloaded the 2 craft (at the opposite ends of the raider range) and set up his luxury penthouse in his trailer – complete with coffee maker, satellite TV and sofa! As the roar of drag cars doing low speed (still about 160MPH) test runs could be heard in the background. After arriving and unfolding her caravan Catherine Lucas busied herself placing “for sale” posters for Ricky’s craft in every possible place e.g. fences, her car and her caravan. The Beale/Lewendon/Ives/ Eastwood convoy with the addition of Ryan Tingley arrived – 2 campers, 1 van, 2 cars and 5 craft on 3 trailers. The campers parked up and awnings were then erected on the small hard standing in the corner of the field. With darkness descending and to the repetitive music and commentary from the nearby dodgems, everyone gathered under the Beale’s awning for the evening socialising. After a trip to the Fuelers Bar (which was pleasantly warm but very crowded) it was back to the campsite where Conrad’s barbeque caught alight causing a commotion and shouting for Conrad who was in the camper at the time. Following the small fire the charge in the Beale’s camper battery ran out leaving it in darkness so everyone decided it was time to retire, with Ryan sleeping in the storage area at the rear of the Beale’s camper and the Ives being split between the two campers. Everyone awoke to freezing conditions. Callum decided to investigate the puddles in the field and returned carrying a 2 inch thick slab of ice. All those with craft started preparations for the first of 3 daily demonstrations. Throughout the weekend the mini tanks (which the public could drive) succeeded in turning a section of the field into a mud bath; everyone except Abi went out on the first demonstration which passed off without incident. Abi missed out on the second demonstration as the Team Beale 447 suffered from a coil failure which could not be rectified until a replacement was brought on Sunday morning but went out in the third LightHovercraft 16

demonstration replacing Callum in the 503 powered craft. The sound of the drag cars and bikes overpowered the noise of any other vehicle (such as monster trucks, jet karts and of course hovercraft). Luckily at any mention of a hovercraft demonstration the snow would begin to fall; this meant that all drag strip activity had to stop, drawing attention to the running engines of the hovercraft equalling more interest. Between the demonstrations the Red Bull RC stunt planes gave a display of the

acrobatic flying that could be achieved such as hovering metres from the floor in a vertical position. Although being remote controlled were the size of a small car. I’m sure if Clive Mason had been there he would have given it a go to fit into the cockpit. There was also a stunt plane display (one with an actual pilot) that showed his skill by throwing his plane into moves such as flat spins and low passes. With the day’s events finished, Wayne Hill arrived and everyone made their way to the bar where we were entertained by an excellent rock band – Jon Pert eat your heart out! A few took the opportunity for play time on the dodgems and to the disappointment to Wayne Hill nobody would accompany him onto the waltzers. Returning to the bar we found Catherine reminding everybody that it was her birthday (which she had been doing all day) and trying to negotiate with the bar

tender for cheap jaeger bombs – although these negotiations were unsuccessful. Leaving the bar Kev Eastwood developed a case of the munchies and bought chips which he offered to everyone else – probably regrettable since he then had to purchase a second portion. The party then returned to the Beale’s awning; while Catherine went to refill her wine glass in her caravan the rest thought it would be amusing to hide from her in the camper which unfortunately flopped as Catherine immediately guessed their location. Sunday was very much a repeat of Saturday our craft numbers were swelled by the addition of the Finch’s with their F3 craft and the arrival of a replacement coil enabled all 3 Beale craft to run in each demonstration. Today’s weather, albeit as cold as Saturday, was more forgiving on the drag strip activity but the hovercraft demonstrations still gathered a large www.hovercraft.org.uk

amount of interest. Today’s aerial display was a fly over by a P-51 Mustang. In the evening Jamie, Catherine & Conrad went for a walk round the drag car paddock and came across a team stripping a big V8 engine and replacing the liners, pistons etc. The engineer claimed that the engine produced 1000HP per pot!!!! They also went & saw some of the junior drag bike teams. Jamie made a contact that is going to help clear his garage of some of his old engine bits. Juniors (down to the age of 8) are limited to bikes which will do less than 80MPH!! One team had recently been disqualified as the bike achieved 84MPH! The spread of cost in drag racing was big with drivers paying up to £120Kpa for a drive with the top teams down to the junior bikes costing a few grand a year all in. An interesting evening was had with a lady in the bar trying to encourage us to go to Shakespeare County Raceway www.hovercraft.org.uk

where it is all a bit less costly to enter. On Monday only 2 hovercraft demos were held in the morning and early afternoon with a few of our members getting a ride in the Team Castrol F1 craft. Conrad also gave the security lady that members had made friends with over the weekend a few laps sitting behind him in the F1 (see the Facebook video with rear facing camera on her). All in all a good weekend was had by all although being very very cold and very very muddy but lots of fun. Thanks to Paul Joyce for organising/coordinating the event which turned out to be a great PR success for the club. Thanks to Conrad for details on the events of Sunday evening and Monday since I left on Sunday afternoon.

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Letters from across the pond ... Dear Air Cushion Vehicle enthusiast, The next QSH club cruise will be on Saturday 13th April 2013. Visit by Sam Waugh & Lorraine Brighton of Primbee NSW Meet at 96 Muriel Street Redland Bay at 9am for a launch into Lagoon Passage from the terrace behind Peter Venn’s back yard.

Peter Venn began the morning’s event with courtesy rides on Lagoon Passage for club visitors : Cle Sheck and son Aven Sheck accompanied by Sue Davis, then Dwayne Morgan and Mario Cesar. Cle (pronounced “clay”) was told about the QSH club day by Tony Westwood of HCV. Dwayne is a friend of Arthur and Judy Stead and Mario is Bill Toppin’s neighbour. Ben Woodhead turned up at 10-10am but was unloaded and ready to launch in under 10 minutes. The main cruise set off at 10-20am with 7 craft.

There is a picnic table at the Lions Park on the south east of Russell Island and a popular café at the south end of MacLeay Island.

Peter Venn took Bill Toppin and Mario Cesar in the TP6, Arthur Stead whispered along in his 20hp Revtech Renegade powered by a 2 cylinder 4 stroke air cooled Honda engine, Brandon Bull and Amelia Torrance cruised in the Yellow timber Turbo Wedge 225 powered by a 1600cc Subaru EA81, Angus and Lucas Kerr and Ann Torrance followed in the Viper also powered by a Subaru, Neil Budworth expertly plied the smooth waters in his Turbo 265, Ben Woodhead thundered along in the Turbo 265 powered by a Suzuki Swift car engine, and Steven Odgaard took Rita Chaffey in the University Expo 88 Blue Turbo Wedge 240 powered by a 51hp Yamaha 2 cylinder air cooled 2 stroke. At Karragarra Island we met Dale Baxter and Tamara Ward on their cruiser anchored in deep water a short distance from the popular picnic spot. After alighting on the island, Peter Venn ferried them ashore from their boat in the Blue Turbo Wedge 240. We set up a nice morning tea complete with table cloth, silver ware, fine china, and an assortment of cakes and savoury’s contributed by the ladies.

Sam in his 4WD is towing a custom built trailer with sides and electric tilt tail gate ramp. The Revtech Renegade is completely housed together with 2 bikes and an aluminium boat (tinnie) makes for a good roof. Sam and Lorraine’s major ports of call are Maryborough for a motorbike club AGM, Cape York Peninsular and Queensland’s largest body of fresh water, Lake Dalrymple. The last QSH club cruise was held at Karragarra Island on Sunday 17th March 2013. We had our largest turnout of craft on a regular monthly club event in nearly 15 years. 8 hovercraft and 1 boat. 15 people, a silver tea pot and a 3 tier cake stand.

Our president said grace in memory of

RACING LICENCES for 2013 Now is the time to apply for your 2013 racing licence……do it online in the Club Shop at

Des Goss who died 12 months ago. After these delights, we packed up. Peter ferried Dale and Tamara back to their boat in the TP6 then all the hovercraft took to the water for a return via Russell Island and Long Island. The wind picked up and in the rough near the power lines off Rocky Point, Peter lost a lift fan. The hub cracked due to metal fatigue. Ben Woodhead almost made it back to the ramp, but a shaft bearing seized just minutes into Lagoon Passage. Steven and Neil returned to Peter and took his passengers and Angus Kerr towed Ben into the ramp for a wet retrieval. Elaine and Judy supplied lunch for everyone after all the craft were safely back on the terrace. After lunch Peter in the Blue Turbo Wedge went for another short cruise with Arthur, Neil, Brandon, Angus and Lucas up to visit Ross McLeod, however Ross was out doing grocery shopping.

National Rally report from Arthur Stead. Arthur called in to see Eugene last month and has offered his assistance by creating a website dedicated to the planned AHF national rally for 2013. The dates are 28th 29th September 2013. On Wednesday 6th June 2012 during the Annual General Meeting, the AHF branch delegate for NSW volunteered to hold the next national rally at Wyangala Waters Recreational Park near Cowra.

http://youtu.be/y1Qht7N4EgM

Hi All,

You tube clips of me having a go at this hovercraft stuff. I think it went well for the second time.

Doug Evans

Report from Peter and Elaine Venn of their trip through South Australia returning from Western Australia. Hi boys, Just a few photo’s for you of boys things. We had a lovely couple of days with Kevin & Christine Dixon, and they were just so hospitable it made our stay very enjoyable. Kevin offered to take us out to have a look all around Adelaide (of which he is so proud), and to show us his shed and all his toys inc his “hoverbout” and his old MG.

Scat Liberator running again

Additional racing number (1 free per licence)

£10

Date: 17 March 2013 www.hovercraft.org.uk

So I had to be careful to seal the wood well. Wow does it go, acceleration is awesome. It almost leaps out of the water from a standstill. Floats well without power. You can pull spins all day. I have never had a craft that is so nimble. It is a blast.

regards Steven Odgaard secretary Queensland Sporting Hovercraft club a branch of the Australian Hovercraft Federation Inc. (Vic) 52 Utrecht Street Cornubia Qld 4130 Ph 32876814 a/hrs Work 32587586

Jeremy Ludlow

Love Elaine & Pete

Oh! The last picture is how us girls want our gardens to look when you have time.

£15 £20

but are not filled. Yes I did put a drain bung in. There are no grab rails, no electric start, no big battery, just a small one to regulate the power from the engine; it fits in the dash. When I say it is light, it really is; made from 3mm luan, not marine ply.

Next QSH club meeting:- Tuesday 16th April 2013. 7-30pm. 350 Mortimer Road Acacia Ridge. Staff Room at RC primary school.

Samantha ! no looking this is for Davo OK. The pics of the traps are for David and Davo ! Look forward to hearing Pete tell you all about it on our return.

Photo’s on the dirt road was our little drive on the “old Eyre Hwy” we just wanted to see how the pioneers did it.

£5

The craft has no foam floatation for one. The buoyancy chambers are still there,

I am sure Peter will tell you more when he sees you but for now I will just pass on some pics.

The NSW branch staged the 1999 and 2000 national rallies at this venue with great success.

Novice Licence Full licence

It took me many months to get this craft done. It is done properly in every way.

For sale in Queensland Turbo Wedge 240 $5000 Red fibreglass hull with Yamaha PE485 51hp 2 stroke Single 12 bladed multi-wing fan integrated Thrust and Lift. Segmented finger skirt. 3.97 metres long (13 feet) Craft not assembled, nor registered. Trailer needs repair Spare Yamaha PE485 engine. Contact Graeme Becker Ph 54627576 Ropeley near Gatton.

Kevin is a very interesting man and had all sorts of memorabilia on Hovercraft from way back, and Christine whipped up meals and cuppa’s left right and centre. It was great.

Ps. At Denial Bay they are still in denial about using hovercraft and need to take the tractor out to pull in the boat after oyster farming.

Junior licence

Charges are as below:

Just tested the White Knight, (lightened viper cruiser) powered by a Rotax 582.

The craft is extremely light weight. I removed anything and everything I could.

Permits to hold an aquatic event on Lake Wyangala need to be applied for and once this is achieved the NSW branch will have the green light to stage the rally.

Report from Midge Point, Queensland.

www.hovercraft.org.uk under Racing Services.

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Date: 04 March 2013

Having a go, cheers Steve. There were 8 craft on the estuary terrace and 7 on the cruise to Karragarra Island.

Destination Russell Island and MacLeay Island for morning tea.

Sam and Lorraine are visiting while on their way to north Queensland.

http://youtu.be/FKqcfXKX9WE

Report from Australia www.hovercraft.org.uk

Western

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GRANVILLE

spedding ...FORTY YEARS AGO

IT STARTED EARLY The Chichester Harbour Conservancy Board proposed to introduce Bye-laws completely banning Hovercraft of all kinds from Chichester Harbour. Fortunately after a delegation headed by the then Hovercraft Club secretary met with representatives of the Conservancy Board discussed the proposal, the suggested Bye-laws were shelved and Hovercraft were subject only to the normal Laws and Bye-laws affecting boats. Common sense prevailed. Many such bans have been imposed over the years as we have all discovered.

MIDLANDERS It was reported that the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepoint in Nottingham was to be opened at by the then Prime Minister (Edward Heath) in July. It was suggested that the Club should support the organisers of the area, especially to show that the Club would want areas in which to operate. The ongoing search for suitable sites is always with us.

The ‘craft weighed approximately 400lbs with a ground clearance below the skids of 9”. The craft is the one seen in last month’s magazine with Ernie Wise on board. This hovercraft was the third hovercraft that Dave had built, Vulcan 2 being his most successful. Our engines came from redundant three-wheeled invalid carriages. For any younger members who may be reading this – pictured above is what the Villiers engine looked like. This and a slightly larger version were used on many early light hovercraft. Notice the kick starter above right of the engine. The runner up Hovernaut of the Year was Barry Wilkinson with a very well known ‘craft – “Snoopy”. Snoopy, a modified Caliban 1 ‘craft, was built in January 1997 powered by Villiers 250cc engines for

From my archive – a copy of the Villiers 197cc handbook that Jeff and I used very regularly in the our early days of building. Printed in Nov. 1957.

HOVERNAUT OF THE YEAR 1973 saw a joint presentation of Hovernaut of the year made to Dave Ibbotson and Nigel Beale. Dave’s Hovercraft – Vulcan 2 – was voted Hovercraft of the year at the AGM.

both lift and thrust. Later though, a JLO 340cc engine replaced the original thrust unit powering two ducted multiwing fans and the bag skirt was replaced with an extended loop skirt. For the 1973 season, a 25occ JLO engine was to be fitted for lift. Replacing this engine saved 60lbs in weight. The weight of Barry’s ‘craft was approx., 360lbs and its hover height was 10½”. Snoopy was Barry’s second craft, the first was HovaBova.

CHAIRMAN’S CUP This ‘craft was designed by Colin Knight and was completed in four months for the 1972 season. It was powered by a 20bhp Wankel Rotary engine for thrust driving a ducted propeller and a Villiers 197cc engine for lift driving an eight-bladed multiwing fan. LightHovercraft 20

The very first “Chairman’s Cup was given to the Club by Club President Geoff Harding and presented for the very first time to Keith Oakley. As reported at the AGM of the year, a very popular and well deserved award.

CRUISING DISCUSSION (1973–2013) “There was a lot of talk about competition verses cruising at the AGM. but are we still unable to see the wood for the trees?” This was written after the 1973 AGM! There was a similar sort of discussion at the 2013 AGM. This discussion started in the magazine with a “letter to the editor revolved around issues about where to use this “new form of transport”. It was even hoped that it might have been possible to use the canals. This hope does seem to have been ruled out at an early stage. It was reported that some members were busy seeking permission of local authorities to use coastal beaches.

was suggested that a proper registration system would be needed, similar to that of the RYA for its boats, including a MOT type test and navigation tests. The need for third party insurance was deemed necessary and registration by the Club to curtail pirate hovercraft operation. It certainly took many years to get third party insurance in place. Now the discussion seems to be about whether the Club should support cruising events for non members. Not a good idea – but we’ll see. .

To have cruising ‘craft taken seriously it www.hovercraft.org.uk

www.hovercraft.org.uk hovercraft.org.uk

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John Scriven

Dear Editor, After reading last months magazine that published a letter from Gavin Parson, together with an attempted written proposal that he had presented on his behalf at this years AGM. True this letter was not written in a way that the people attending that meeting could vote upon. However as a hovercraft operator I would like to say that in general I agree with a lot of what he is trying to say, in as much as cruising should not have the same amount of control that racing has now, but at the same time I also understand that the club needs to protect itself against third party claims. I feel it necessary to add that I have known Gavin as part of the south-east branch for many years “I have drunken his beer and had his wifes cooking”. I know him to be a smart man when it comes to things like computer tech. and I have never known him to organise a bad hovercrafting event and as such he could still be an asset to the club (once again), to be clear I also know that when Gavin and Russ Pullen are in the same space there is always a conflict of opinions between them, which can be educational, funny to watch and at times also a pain. Similar conflicts have taken place between Russ and Keith Rhodes, where had the outcome been different we as a club wouldn’t have Russ and/or Keith performing the kind of tasks that they are doing for us now.

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So what would the club have to offer the cruising membership? That too could be simple, as the club currently has branches that in the main sorts out racing side of things. The club could also arrange to have regional hub masters who would hold a data base of the cruising membership informing those in their area what other members are likely to be doing or have done in the area, they could also inform the nearby hub masters of similar information/feed-back and link new members into the local groups. Rules relating to cruising should be replaced with guidlines, as no one will be able to police non-conforming operators and their craft - typically if the state can not stop uninsured car drivers from using the highways, what hope have we stopping people from doing something crazy with their hovercrafts. However a requirement of taking part in a HCGB regatta would be that all enterance must have suitable insurance for the event, where those that do not have suitable insurance can obtain limited cover at a cost from the club for that event and its boundaries only.

Why is all this in the mag and not on our website? That too is simple as this is a club only matter, the mag goes out to the current membership and doesn’t allow non-members to bring our club into disrepute by adding their own twist to the subject. Final soap-box rant - Chris Barlow once said to me, it is easier to chance things from within an organisation than being on the sideline. So lets get this sorted and to that end it is my opinion that there shouldn’t be any reason why a person can’t be a member of more than only one of the clubs, who knows one day we could all be united drinking together again, as I miss their company at the bar and the knowledge that they can share. In the words of Bryan White “Hovercraftings where we’re at! - end of!” John Criven (F50) Razor 100.

The Model Hovercraft Association was formed in 2004, with a view to bringing some organisation to the development of model hovercraft, which previously had been well served by relatively isolated pockets of interest. The Association’s activities include lectures and films, videos and other visual material on all aspects of model hovercraft from research, through construction and operating. Visits to locations and firms/manufacturers of interest, and social events are also organised. The Association is run by a Management Committee consisting of those with experience in appropriate fields. Prior to September 19th 2004, when the MHA was formed, a group of hovercraft modellers had been meeting on a regular basis at the Hovercraft Museum at Lee on Solent, Hampshire, to discuss model hovercraft and run their models. This group, called the Model Hovercraft Group, formed after the successful International Model Hovercraft Seminar held on the 18th/19th October 2003. The group enjoyed several presentations and guest speakers covering several aspects of hovercraft, full size and model. They also constructed a water feature for use during racing days at the Museum as well as a round the pole demonstrator so that children could have a go. The group felt that as the interest was growing in model hovercraft around the country that a more formal organistion was required and hence the Model Hovercraft Association was created. If you are fascinated by model hovercraft, or hovercraft in general, and you want to join an association of like minded people, you've come to the right place. With an increasing interest in radio

www.hovercraft.org.uk

www.hovercraft.org.uk hovercraft.org.uk

controlled and other model hovercraft, the Model Hovercraft Association was set up to carry the development of this interest forward. If you are interested in any aspect of model hovercraft, whether it be research, design, building, or operating, then the Model Hovercraft Association is for you. This is true if you are an already established expert,or are just starting out. Following an Inaugural general meeting held on the 19th September 2004 at the Hovercraft Museum, Lee-on-Solent, the Model Hovercraft Association was formed. The principle aims and objectives of the MHA include:• The encouragement of interest in the building and operation of model hovercraft. • Research, education and discussion on the design, operating and trading aspects of model hovercraft and the understanding of the technical principles involved. • To hold meetings to further the objectives above and to present papers, films, videos etc, and to exchange information. • Regular distribution of a Newsletter. • Establishment of a database and library for books, photographic materials and papers on the history and development of model hovercraft. Johnscriven@msn.com

Model of the month Model Name: Hover Marine HM218 Model Scale: 1:20 Model Size: 1140mm long, 381mm beam Number of motors: 1 x lift (brushless), 2 x thrust (speed 600 brushed) Power source: 3 x 8 cell NiMh Skirt Type: Rigid side wall, bag bow and stern Materials: Ply and balsa Interesting feature: Side wall craft with water props and rudders. Working fire monitor. Build time: 3 Months

FT, PARTS A A R HELP!!

Looking for the original photo as need the best quality for personal use

TS SKIR

So why am I writing all this about Gavin Parson? As a racer I can not understand leaving my family at a set-off point with nothing much to do apart from waiting for my return as I go off on a two hour cruise up a river somewhere with my mates, yet at the

So what can we do about it? The answer is so simple leave cruisers to do their own thing, which is unsupported by the HCGB as they will do that anyway. The HCGB can then focus on arranging hovercraft regatta’s where multiple craft can assemble and take part in things like the “Treasure hunts” where the importance of this kind of event has re-awakened the art of cruising, these regetta’s being a HCGB event should therefore be formally controlled by the club, it goes without saying that anyone wishing to take part in such an event must understand that they will need to comply with the club rules or not come out to play.

D N

Gavin in his time has done both racing and cruising, and a few years ago one of his kids started Juniors at the age of about eleven, note - that this once kid, could also be a fully active member in his own right.

same time I can be sure that cruisers can not relate to us racers driving around in circles not taking the time to look at the surrounding views. The point is, each to their own as there’s more than two sides of hovercrafting.

HOVE RC

Letters to the editor

And there’s more - racing has its lap timing equipment that gives all kinds of facts about what is going on during the racing, I know that sometime ago Keith Oakley was playing with a GPS system that would pin-point the position of a craft, you might say “so what” as most cruisers have their own GPS now and that would be true. But the Keith add-on style of GPS would enable the people holding the HCGB regatta to know the location of the craft taking part, and to monitor is a machine has been stationary for sometime and therefore knowing where to send help if needed (as an example someone like Gavin, being another computer tech guy could help Keith with this task). And similarly just like the “Treasure hunt” get the local coast-guard involved, with the free loan of flairs and other equipment on a sale or return basis.

Please contact either: johnscriven@msn.com or funkydarkangel@hotmail.com

RAZOR RACING

LightHovercr LightHovercraft 23

Prices of HCGB Logo Merchandise Soft shell jackets – black or navy £35.00 including embroidered club logo on breast & back Fleece zipped jackets – all colours £22.50 including embroidered club logo Hoodies – all colours (other than orange) - £ 20.00 including embroidered club logo Ladies fit short sleeve T shirt – all colours – £12.00 including embroidered club logo Ladies fit long sleeve T shirt – all colours - £15.00 including embroidered club logo Men’s short sleeve T shirt – all colours - £12.00 including embroidered club logo Men’s long sleeve T shirt – black only - £15.00 including embroidered club logo & printed logo down right sleeve Unisex short sleeve polo shirts – all colours - £15.00 including embroidered club logo Unisex long sleeve polo shirts – all colours - £17.00 including embroidered club logo Baseball Cap - £7.50 including printed club logo Woolly hat - £7.50 including embroidered club logo Fleece hat - £7.50 including embroidered club logo Kids Hoodies - £14.00 including embroidered club logo on breast Kids Zipped Fleece Jackets - £14.00 including embroidered club logo on breast Kids short sleeve T shirt - £6.50

including embroidered club logo on breast Mouse Mat - £6.50 All-in-one race suits – navy – N/A Two piece water proof sets – black £25.00 Puncture repair kits - £1.50 Kids ear defenders - £7.50 Ear caps – £1.00 Lipsyl - £1.50 Sun cream - £3.50 The Hovercraft Story Book - £8.50 5 Postcards in frame - £22.50 4 Postcards in frame - £20.00 Powered Model Kit - £15.00 Combat force Hovercraft - £3.50 Logo Pens – 40p Thermal Mugs –£6.00 Mugs – £7.00 Key rings –TBA Wrist bands - £1.00 Umbrellas – £15.00 Cotton Shopping Bags – £5.00

Only available to HCGB members Hoodies – orange - £20.00 including embroidered club logo, own name printed on right breast (optional) and HCGB Marshall on back. Unisex short sleeve T shirts – orange - £7.00 including printed club logo Sweatshirt – orange - £17.50 including embroidered club logo, own name printed on right breast (optional) and HCGB Marshall on back

Hovercraft for sale BBV F3 F3 shaft driven BBV Red and green hovercraft powered by a Yamaha Tzr 250 engine. Prefect beginner craft comes complete with a trailer to transport. This craft is ready to race. Grab a bargain for £1800 the lot. For any more info or questions please Contact Ricky Goosey on 07875335702

Contact Clive Mason Mob – 0772 9783989 Email – clivemason33@yahoo.com

F3 Meteor Racing Craft Fully recondition hovercraft currently being carried out, available in any colour that the customer would like, integrated hull fitted with standard TZR 250 engine. Brand new set of skirts fitted. This can be built to any spec wanted. Price depends on spec wanted. From £1700 upwards Call Ricky Goosey: 07875335702

www.hovercraft.org.uk

Need to sell our VENOM F50 built 2012 with Rotax 503 FAC , due to my cousin Kim stopping racing. Nearly NEW craft , three laps in Nottingham & four heats at Worlds; fantastic craft even out for it first time at Worlds & doiing 4 of 6 heats still 11 th place. Comes with moveable splitter a airguide box under it. Think £3,500.00 would be a fair price? Contact tel. 0032 497899829 Jos in Belgium or here. Tony Broad & Conrad know the craft ! Craft is currently in Belgium, but could be delivered to Calais for collection. jos.vanderhoven@gmail.com

local branches most of the local branches meet regularly, normally in a pub, to sit around and chat hovercraft or organise an upcoming meeting or event. feel free to contact them and they will be more than happy to welcome you along to the meetings.