“Dripfeed” NEWSLETTER OF THE BANKS PENINSULA BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF New Zealand (INC) VOLUME 39, No 5 June 2017 Editor: Craig Cowie 404 Bower Ave, North Beach, ChCh 8083 Ph. 3833-159, e-mail: mcaracowie@gmail.com Club Officers: Chairman:
Craig Keenan
322 1006
Secretary:
Ron Hasell
942 1105
Branch Address: 27 Showgate Ave, ChCh 8042 E-mail: bankspeninsula@vcc.org.nz
AGM / Noggin & Natter: 2nd Thursday of the month.
Noggin 7-30 pm at the Papanui RSA. Upham Room - enter either from 55 Bellvue Ave or the first entrance on the left on Harewood Road (Papanui Road / Main North Road. Thursday 8th June. We look forward to seeing you there. Supper is provided. ____________________________________________________________________________
From the Editor: Greetings to you all. The variable weather hasn’t exactly been conducive to open car motoring, but we had a great turn out to the Hadstock Park Gymkhana this year. A kindly and modest member has kindly contributed the report this year and I have ceded to his wishes to remain anonymous. Not for him, the bright lights and fame. John McDonald has provided the usual plethora of quality photos to accompany the report. Thank you John. Balcairn is coming up soon and we’re looking forward to some really grim and horrible weather in preparation, so as to make our jobs easier when we set the course. The Flemings are again doing food and drinks for us and we’d be grateful to you for supporting them. The menu is below, after the photos and as many of you will know, is good quality and fairly priced. Also coming up is the branch night run. This is usually good fun. Finally, we’ve just had our AGM and had a solid attendance. Our hard-working secretary, treasurer and general do everything man Ron Hasell turned 80 on the day and was presented with a bottle of something toxic and a cake. Many thanks for all your hard work Ron.
Regards Craig If you wish to receive Dripfeed by email, please let us know. _______________________________________________________________________________
Dripfeed June 2017
Ron seconds prior to cutting his fingers off.
Photo: Louise Russell
The 2017 Hadstock Park Gymkhana. When the usual group of outwardly nonchalant but inwardly intensely competitive Banks Peninsula members gathered at Hadstock Park for their annual ploughing. discing and harrowing event, known more commonly as a gymkhana, there was one new ingredient: The Young Ones! The Young Guns!, Yooff! Call them what you will, there they were in such quantities that over a third of the entrants were under 25, which is such a positive sign. Fortunately, youthful exuberance was in general, no match for age and cunning, so the top places went to the more mature members, but it was wonderful to see them having so much fun, driving 70's and 80's cars that they consider old. Maybe the 30 year rule has a point after all. Hadstock is made up of 4 driving tests around a slippery paddock, which was a pleasant change after 3 years of drought. Everyone gets two attempts at each event, as getting confused amongst the cones is all too easy, especially for the more mature members. There was a great variety of cars this year. It was an absolute pleasure to see and hear Michael Pidgeon's Type 37A Bugatti competing, likewise the XK120 Jaguar driven by Courtney Chamberlain, daughter of our generous and tolerant hosts, John and Cindy Chamberlain. Courtney is the third generation of the family to be driving the Jag. There was the usual over supply (i.e. Welcome turn-out- Ed) of highly modified Austin 7's, but these were counterbalanced by the classic DS Citroen of Michael Williams, and the Jaguar Sovereign of Craig Keenan. Neither could be considered ideal gymkhana cars, but both did remarkably well, something to do with age and cunning I suppose. At the other end of the scale Mark Dawber provided endless entertainment in his mercifully rare Toyota Crown Coupe (yes really), as he attempted to get traction in even a straight line. I guess age and cunning doesn't always work. Three generations of the Kear family came in 4 cars, and 2 generations of Dawbers came in 3 cars, thus illustrating the broad demographic that all VCC clubs hope for. Club godfather Peter Croft in his splendid HRG came out to spectate and dispense Delphic advice without exposing the HRG to competition. Dripfeed June 2017
The first event is the Slalom, or wiggle woggle for those with a scouting background. Small cars usually dominate this and Avon Hyde in his Austin Special and Brad Govan in his Austin 7 Hawke dominated. The Pidgeon Bugatti did extremely well and Craig Cowie, having a works outing in a Morris 8 sports, proved that age and cunning do work, with a surprisingly good time. The 2 Mini Coopers were also competitive. Test two was The Cambelt, which after many years of familiarity, most mature members can master without error. Yet again, Avon Hyde blitzed the field, with Brad Govan in second place, just ahead of Michael Williams in the DS Citroen, rolling around like the Cook Straight ferry in a southerly. Mark Dawber in the Crown Coupe put on a masterful display of ploughing and may well be offered a job as a tractor driver on Hadstock. Test three was a new one, thus sending shudders of horror through the ranks of the mature members, so the Young Ones were sent out to show them what to do. They did so rather too well but many first runs for the mature members were a total disaster, as change is not embraced by all. Yet another illogical and confusing course for the small cars with the usual suspects in the top places. George Kear junior was starting to break the stranglehold of the Austin 7's, and his handbrake turns were a joy to behold, even though his headlight bulbs were clearly illegal. The protest by the French contingent was ignored by the xenophobic organisers. The Pidgeon Bugatti had an excellent run, correct headlamp bulbs gleaming in the sunshine. Test four was Ever Increasing Circles and is something of a speed event and virtually impossible to get wrong. But the red mist descended upon Brad Govan just as he was challenging Avon Hyde for the lead, and many points were lost. Rod Corbett in his Nelson built Austin 7 Special had another very competitive result, as did Zac Knapp in a Mini Cooper (sort of), competing in his first gymkhana and learning from watching the lines taken by the other Mini Cooper. Great to see. After the dust had settled and the Austin 7 hot-rods and been safely wrapped up in their mink lined trailers we retired to the Rabbiters Rest to hear the results and lodge noisy but futile protests. Inevitably and deservedly, the old master Avon Hyde, in his very clever Austin won by 17 seconds, a massive margin, which reflects both his skill and cunning, and his ability to construct an amazing car. George Kear in the Mini Cooper was second, and Rod Corbett A 7 special third. Of the top six cars, three were front wheel drive and were factory original cars. And so ended another brilliant day of skill, heckling, hilarity, emotional trauma, tolerance and friendship. But best of all, The Young Ones have vowed to return. Andre LeFebvre.
George Kear Senior, MG Midget Dripfeed June 2017
Photo: John McDonald
Avon Hyde mastered the Hadstock field again, this time in a new special.
Harry Dawber, exuberant as always in his Marina.
Dripfeed June 2017
Photo: John McDonald
Photo: John McDonald
Andre LeFebvre. Note the pivoting sunglasses and ……yes, I believe those headlamp bulbs aren’t original. Retrospective protests will all be taken and accepted as correct, even if they’re not. Photo: John McDonald
Michael Pidgeon, Type 37A Bugatti. Just what Ettore intended.
Dripfeed June 2017
Photo: John McDonald
Courtney Chamberlain in the family XK 120.
Photo: John McDonald
The editor thrashing Bryan Smith’s Morrie 8. Erbert wouldn’t be happy! Thanks Bryan. Photo: John McDonald
Dripfeed June 2017
Another Morrie. Neale Elder in an earlier version.
Rod Corbett. Another nice wee A7 special and a good third place:
Dripfeed June 2017
Photo: John McDonald
John McDonald
Second place to George Kear Junior having survived the French challenge regarding his headlight bulbs and gear lever knob alignment. Photo: John McDonald
Zac Knopp in another of the superb Austin Specials.
Dripfeed June 2017
Photo: John McDonald
William Dawber in his Golf. Exuberant like his dad and brother. Pity about the traction!
Balcairn Trial Menu Breakfast Buffet $13.00/head - fried eggs - sausages - baked beans - bacon - hash browns - garlic mushrooms Available All day: Barista coffee- Regular $4.20 Large $4.80 Homemade Muffins and Scones Cold Drinks Lunch: Curried Pumpkin Soup- $3.80 Dumplings- $10.00 Fried Rice- $8.00 Fried Udon Noodles- $10.00 Chips- $3.00
Dripfeed June 2017
Photo: John McDonald
Coming Events (Banks Peninsula Branch events highlighted) Banks Peninsula Branch, Night Run Saturday 17th June, 7:30pm Simeon Street side of the Barrington Mall car park.
Rosco Sporting Trial West Coast VCC. Sunday June 18th Reefton. See above and also an Email from Ron on 1 May.
Banks Peninsula Branch, Midwinter Dinner Friday 14th July, 6pm. Speeches 6:15 – 7:00. Tai Tapu Hotel. Contact Ron. We hope to present a 60 year certificate, Cost per head after the branch subsidy is $40. .
Balcairn Trial. BP Branch. Sunday 23rd July. Entry form / regulations etc. from Ron. From the Angler’s Arms Hotel at Sefton, head north up Pembertons Road. Turn right at the T junction into Marshmans Road. Straight ahead onto the shingle and turn left about 50 metres before the ford into Flemings Road and follow the signs. Vehicle parking will be in the region of the traditional first test Timetable
8.00 8.30 (sharp) 9.15 9.30 (sharp)
Breakfast at the Farm Assemble at the venue for vehicle inspection Driver’s briefing. All drivers and passengers must attend. Competition begins
Organiser’s Craig Cowie / Craig Keenan. Entry forms from Ron Hasell. Details in June / July Dripfeed. Meals and refreshments will be available on the day.
Garage Raid. BP Branch. Sunday 27th August. Details TBC
Dripfeed June 2017
Hadstock Park Gymkhana 2016- results (place in each test noted in dark column, fastest run per entrant underlined) Asterisk = penalty (5 sec)
Driver
Car
Test 1 Wiggle Woggle
Test 2 Cambelt
Test 3 No name
Test 4 Ever Increasing
Total time (sec)
Overall Place
Avon Hyde
Austin Spl
39.32
37.25
84.19
80.84
53.37
52.88
51.47
222.44
1
George Kear Jnr
Mini Cooper
40.72
39.75
95.07
89.12
58.34
55.20
55.91
239.98
2
Rod Corbett
Austin 7 Spl
41.56
42.15
95.94
91.78
60.75
56.71
55.54
245.53
3
39.65
37.80
DNF
85.07
56.19
55.53
DNF allocated 69.78
248.18
4
Brad Goven
Austin 7 Spl
Zac Knopp
Austin 7 Spl
49.03
47.00
94.90
91.97
57.75
54.36
55.61
248.94
5
Michael Williams
Citroen D
43.94
46.32
107.82
87.66
DNF
61.44
57.41
250.45
6
Alex McNicholl
Austin 7 Spl
51.34
45.33
96.61
94.59
63.44
61.16
59.63
260.77
7
Evan Kear
Austin 7 Spl
51.10
47.93
99.78
95.53
63.44
63.85
60.60
267.50
8
Michael Pidgeon
Bugatti T37A
42.91
45.59
103.20
99.75
63.15
60.75
59.63
269.91
9
Neale Elder
Morris Minor Spl
49.72
47.69
102.04
123.00
64.43
61.72
64.28
275.73
10
Craig Keenan
Jaguar
51.84
51.28
112.37
99.80
64.03
62.50
62.60
276.18
11
Dripfeed May 2017
Driver
Car
Test 1 Wiggle Woggle
Test 2 Cambelt
Pat O’Connell
MGA
48.22
49.07
111.59
Brian Smith
Morris 8
47.16
46.37
104.60
Fraser Kear
Austin 7 Spl
DNF
47.59
109.96
Harry Dawber
Morris Marina
53.88*
50.18
William Dawber
VW Golf
DNF
Courtney Chamberlain
Jaguar XK120
Gus Ellerm
Test 3 No name
Test 4 Ever Increasing
Total time (sec)
Overall Place
63.25
63.75
60.31
276.25
12
68.31
65.59
62.06
278.62
13
104.06
66.35
64.50
62.50
278.65
14
DNF
99.12
71.62
63.78
69.78
282.86
15
52.10
107.82
97.75
66.78
65.78
68.13*
283.76
16
50.96
58.22*
108.86
106.88
66.72
64.34
62.30
284.48
17
Austin 7 Spl
49.72
46.84
115.03
116.18
72.13
84.58
U64.56
298.96
18
George Kear Snr
MG Midget
50.31
52.63
DNF
103.69
DNF allocated 79.54
73.56
307.10
19
Mark Dawber
Toyota Crown
55.62
55.16
116.78
DNF
80.69
66.82
318.24
20
Craig Cowie
Morris 8 / Jaguar
Dripfeed May 2017
44.84 (Morrie)
104.97 (Jag)
104.47
63.94 (Morrie)
DNF
79.56
N/C