VCC SOUTHLAND RUMOUR APRIL 2023

April 2023

Rumour

Southland Vintage Car Club

21 –23rd April 2023

Highland Fling Rally

13th May 2023

Waimea M/cycle run

- details inside

20th May 2023

P60 and P80 Rally

25th May 2023

AGM - see a!ached calling no"ce

14th November 2023

The Bluff to Cape Reinga Bantam Jubilee Ride

25-29th Jan 2024

2024 Na"onal Veteran Rally, 70th Dunedin -

Brighton allVeteran Vehicle Rally and Prince Henry Tour

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT April 2023

Hello fellow club members and welcome to our April report and club newsletter. I am sad to report that our guest speaker for next Thursday is, due to unforeseen circumstances now unavailable. However all is not lost, he will be available for our July meeting, if that fits. Also Terry and Trish Wright will be available to talk men’s health for the June meeting, again if that fits. Howard, Co Club Captain is also lining up a couple of interesting speakers, one of which will be Jordan Michels.

I have had a request from Barry Hayman for somebody to step up and carry on co-ordinating the Wednesday runs. It is not too onerous a job, but when other things get in the way it can be hard!

We are very pleased to report that as a result of a very successful National Motorcycle rally, particularly from the social side of the event, there is now a new fridge/freezer and a new commercial dishwasher in our kitchen. Both these items will greatly relieve the workload when we have functions. It’s hard on our delicate hands to spend so long in the sink washing dishes!!

Belatedly we have asked the late Jim Taylor’s name to be posted in the Passing Lane” section of the Beaded Wheels.

On the horizon, Waimea Motorcycle run on Saturday 13th May and the Post War, Post 60 and Post 80’s rally and pea, pie and pud, Saturday 20th May.

PLEASE PLEASE remember that our AGM is to be the May meeting, put your hand up to help run our fine club, we need you.

At the AGM, a motion is being presented to, make the position of Editor a voting member of the Executive. This means the Editor will automatically be a member of the Executive. The current Executive unanimously support this motion.

We have accepted a price from Fisher Aluminium to replace the steel framed windows on the south side of our building, (one window fell out from rusted hinges). This should happen about June or July.

Well that’s about all I have to report on.

Cheers, Brian.

Mee"ng: 27th April Ariki Lodge

Wednesday Run: 3rd May

George Begg Festival - Howard Kingsford-Smith in his giant killing Mini

The Eunuch at the Orgy - The Bulletin Editor

Last month’s Rumour had the calling notice for the forthcoming AGM attached, unfortunately it did not reflect our constitution. The issue that caught my attention was the indication that the Bulletin Editor was part of the management board. The Bulletin Editor, in their own right, has never been a member of the Management board, although allowed to attend the meeting and speak they were not entitled to vote( hence the title).

This has been a bone of contention for past editors and, whilst editor, I was promised twice it would be resolved and a motion put forward! Then only to be told the branch did not want to waste money on amending the constitution for such a trivial issue (it was incorrectly believed that a lawyer had to be involved).

I understand subsequent editors have also tried to have this issue addressed but were also fobbed off. It was one of the reasons I gave up the editorship and, I said at the time, that I would not stand again for the post of Bulletin Editor until this issue was resolved.

So I have proposed a motion for consideration at the forthcoming AGM - "The post of Bulletin (Rumour) Editor becomes a full member of the Management Board" - this motion is seconded by David Harris.

I was allowed to attend the last Management Board meeting to discuss my comments on the AGM calling notice and my proposed motion to amend the constitutions to make the Bulletin (Rumour) Editor a full member of the Management Board.

After some discussion the management board voted to support and recommend the propose motion. For the motion to be carried it requires the approval of ¾ of members attending the AGM – so please support this motion.

Stuart Francis

Wednesday Run - 3rd May 2023

The run is being done by Barry and Viv. We will need numbers by Sunday the 30th of April. Not sure of meal cost yet, but should be no more than $25.00. Call – 021949531 or 2163639. Our thanks to those of you who have organised runs and weren’t thanked due to no Rumour, or Covid, or other circumstances. We are going to hand over the reins of organising volunteers to do these runs, to someone else, as of June. If you think you would like to do this, please talk to Barry or Viv before the end of this month. Cheers.

Television Appearance

Did you see some of our motorcyclists running up and down Oreti Beach in the first episode of Jimmy Doherty’s NZ Escape. It is still available on the Three Now NZ Website.

Waimea Motorcycle Rally - 13th May 2023

Leave The Crescent at 9.30 $10 entry fee Lunch at Balfour Pub at your cost! Donald Ward 0272947692

2024 National Veteran Rally, 70th Dunedin - Brighton all Veteran Vehicle Rally and Prince Henry Tour 25 - 29 January 2024

Otago branch invites you to join us for the 2024 National Veteran Rally to be held in conjunction with the 70th Dunedin - Brighton all Veteran Vehicle Rally and the Prince Henry Tour. Registration details to come shortly.

Contacts: Rally Director- Nicola Wilkinson 021180 3225

Rally Secretary - Trevor Kempton 027 221 5208 or natvet2024@gmail.com

George Begg Festival

The George Begg Classic Speedfest, was created back in 2020, to honour the memory of George Begg. George played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s Golden Age of motor racing, creating 18 very successful racing cars between 1963 and 1974, which competed nationally and internationally.

The second meeting, now renamed the George Begg Festival, carried on where the previous event left off. The Transport World team, put a huge amount of time, money and effort into creating a festival atmosphere like the Goodwood Revival, held in England. A major coup was recruiting, Greg Murphy, Paul Radisich, Kayne Scott, John Bowe and Jonny Reid to compete.

The festival kicked off on Thursday, at the Classic Motorcycle Mecca, with “The George Begg Long Lunch” for VIP guests. Followed that evening by the Begg’s Barmy Rally, a mystery scavenger hunt around Southland, the proceeds going to the charity Cure Kids.

The festival atmosphere starts at the entrance with a giant poster of George on the side of the control tower, the scaffold sign, officials wearing white dust coats, and the circuit and pits dressed, where possible, to look like a period venue. Spectators and competitors were encouraged to attend in period costumes and there was a light hearted feel about the whole event.

Friday was allocated to practice and qualifying and set a weather pattern for the weekend, light rain in the morning, damp track followed by fine weather and a drying track, with perfect conditions by mid-afternoon.

With 9 different racing classes: Historic Vehicle Racing Association (HVRA), Vintage Racing Cars, Touring Cars 1982 – 2000, pre 78 Classic saloons, pre 2012 GTs, All-comers Saloon & post 2000 Touring Cars, Ford NZ invitational, TCR & Super Tourer Challenge, and Porsche invitational, it was a packed and varied programme.

During lunch there were demonstration laps. Greg Murphy took the McLaren F1 M23 for a blast around the circuit. With past stars (who all drove for George Begg): Barry Keen, David Oxton, Jim Murdoch and Leo Leonard, demonstrating four of the seven Begg racing machines. The crowd favourite being the FM5 F5000 (no 21); the sound of the 5litre V8s powering up the main straight would make even Greta Thunberg smile. To remind those that George was really a motorcyclist at heart there was a demonstration of classic motorcycles.

Southland members were involved in all aspects of the event. The Pre 1965 Vintage races were run under VCC rules, Ferg McDowell was Clerk of the Course, Dave Harris was Speed Steward and Lyndsey Troon Scrutineered. A number of members competed or acted as pit crew. However the hero of the weekend was Howard Kingsford-Smith with one win and three seconds in his Morris Mini Cooper S. Neil Longman took a very creditable second in his Mallock U2 mk8.

WANTED:

BSA A7 Rigid Frame (frame & engine plates), Contact Tony Warren, 027 284 25840 Tonywarren369@gmail.com

Early side mirror 160mm X 80mm. Curved with good glass. Phone: Roy Shanks: 03 216 6056 – evenings

FOR SALE:

1974 Reliant Scimitar GTE 3L V6 Automatic. Reg on hold, needs some TLC, sold as seen $3000.00. Ph. Brian 021 366 860 or Barry 021 949 531.

FREE Five 20” x 500 used tyres to keep your restoration off the garage floor.

Phone: Roy Shanks: 03 216 6056 – evenings

George Begg Festival

Vintage Car Club of New Zealand - Southland Branch Inc.

Notice is hereby given that THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of our branch will be held following the monthly members meeting on Thursday 25 May 2023.

AGENDA

Apologies

Minutes of the 2022 AGM Matters Arising

Chairman’s Report

Annual Accounts

Election of Officers

Signatories to Cheque Account

Presentation of Trophies

General Business (Note all General Business is to be in the hands of the Secretary 14 days prior to the meeting)

Nominations for Office Bearers must be in by 11 May 2023

Donald Ward Branch Secretary

How many Office Bearers and other positions do we need for the Club?