PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
PHOENIX NEWSLETTER OF THE WAITEMATA BRANCH VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND NUMBER 283
CHAIRMAN: CLUB CAPTAIN: 1st OFFICER: SECRETARY: TREASURER: BRANCH DELEGATE: EDITOR: PAST CHAIRMAN: COMMITTEE:
APRIL 2019
BRENDAN LAMAIN
021 132 4557 brendanandterry@gmail.com HAMISH ANDREW 027 296 9665 h.andrew@orcon.net.nz HUMPHREYS STAN SMITH 0274 775 475 vintageaircraft@xtra.co.nz VIV SCOTT 021 837 402 robandviv06@yahoo.co.nz JACQUI GOLDINGHAM 021 445 8811 Pigeon Post GRAEME BANKS 027 500 3806 graban@ihug.co.nz kandmbeesley@outlook.com KEVIN BEESLEY 021 765 860 chicksmart73@gmail.com DI HUMPHREYS 021 025 75624 ROB CHAPMAN, MAX JAMIESON, MIKE GREIG and IAN GOLDINGHAM (Scribe).
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COMING EVENTS Looking Forward……… Month
Waitemata
Other Events
Swap Meets
APRIL
BBQ Run to Brendan’s Place 14
Pomeroy Trophy Banks Pen 6 North Shore Northern Raid 21 Maunga-Moana Rally, Taranaki 26-28
Northland Swap Meet 28
MAY
Kaipara Wings & Wheels 11
JUNE
Branch A.G.M. 6
JULY
R’Oilcan 13
AUGUST
Irishman Rally 1-3 Waikato Double 50 2
Ryders Drive, Dine & Movie tba
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
Kairangi Hillclimb 6 National Veteran Rally Timaru 18-20
UP NEXT…
Club Night - Thursday 4th APRIL Usual place, usual time. See you at the RSA Room, King George V Memorial Hall, Library
Lane, Albany, at 8.00 p.m.
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BBQ RUN TO BRENDAN’S SUNDAY 14 APRIL. Meet at the Old Albany Hall at 1.00, cars will depart from 1.15. The run will include both seal those who want to stay off the options for those sections.
and gravel surfaces. For gravel, there will be seal
For those who cannot make the run, please feel free to join us for the barbeque at 152 Lonely Track Road, Albany Heights, from 3pm onwards. We will provide plates etc, breads, tea, coffee, juice, potato salad, and the house red wine (Montepulciano). Please bring just enough meat and salad for yourselves for the barbeque, and your favourite tipple if you prefer something other than the house wine. Brendan and Terry’s home number is 09 473 6750, Brendan’s mobile is 021 1324557. Please let us know if you intend coming (brendanandterry@gmail.com )
And…
MAY 11 KAIPARA WINGS & WHEELS
IT’S TENTATIVE ONLY RIGHT NOW BUT KEEP THE 11TH MAY FREE FOR A WINGS AND WHEELS AFFAIR AT KAIPARA AIRFIELD, JUST NORTH OF WARKWORTH. DETAILS TO BE ADVISED. Pag e |3
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Plus…
Yes, Stan & Gilly Smith have set the date -
13 July 2019 And the destination has been chosen, if not the route for getting there. But fear not, all (except whether we are going north or south) shall be revealed! In due course. Entry forms will be issued in a month or so. When they are, get yours in early.
Also… AUCKLAND BRANCH MID-WEEK RUN Wednesday 17th April Starts from The Warehouse car park, Westgate. 10-00am for a 10.30am departure. It’ll be a “mystery Run”, I don’t quite know yet where we’ll finish, but come along. BYO lunch, it’ll probably be a shortish run, maybe finishing at a park?
The Dewdrops tel. 09 232 0245 email dewdrops@xtra.co.nz
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PAST EVENTS Looking Back…. There have been a few past events the Editor was not around for; the Tasman Revival Meet, Leadfoot, the Roycroft Trophy Races, Otaua Hill Climb amongst them and about which no internal information has been received to date. However… we do have the following message and photographs in from Tim Hill re the Roycroft Trophy races (and note his comments with regards to the possible Taupo meet, 27/28 April. Entry form and regulations included herewith). “Hi All, Firstly, thank you all for your support at the Roycroft Trophy Races yesterday. With the invited FJs we had a great grid and some excellent racing. I hope that you also noticed that you got practice and 4 races…. Although the usual VCC attrition rate limited the field in the last race. Photos from the prizegiving are up on our FB page and I will try and get some shots of the cars in action posted in the next couple of days. Onwards to Taupo… As mentioned, IF there is enough support, we could run a last race of the season during the Dennis Marwood Classic at Taupo on 27/28th April. At the moment, this is likely to be a 2-day job as we don’t have another category racing who only want a single day (like we do with the Classic Trial at our other events). Running a 1day event for 1 class makes the meeting difficult as you can imagine, so before I commit, we need an indication of numbers and preference. Cheers, Tim Hill” A number of the usual suspects below – congratulations to all and it just goes to show, winners are grinners!
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Ellerslie Classic Car Show – 10 February Thanks to Keith Humphreys for sending in the following: Hi Kevin, Attached are a few photos of the club's display at the Ellerslie Concours. The maroon art deco car fascinated me, it was on the DKW/Auto Union stand and belonged to the "renowned collector" Hans Compter and is supposedly the only one in the world. He says it's a Praga, but that appears to be the name of the coachbuilder?
Beesley Hotchkiss and Bushell Bristol – a study in white and blue
Cheers, Keith.
(Seems little doubt it is a Praga, a product of the company by the same name based in Prague, Czech Republic who went in for this love it or hate it ‘bent deco’ styling. I’m guessing the ‘karoserie’ badge refers to the body being made in the works. Ed)
Smith Sunbeam, Booth Kestrel Sprite, McDonald Chev Raceabout
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The ‘bent art deco’ Praga
Auckland Brit & Euro Classic Car Show Howick – 3 March Our Leader, Brendan the Fearless, writes… Although I had heard good words said of this event, I hadn’t been before. The show certainly lived up to its reputation and, with brilliant sunshine, it was an extremely pleasant day. There was plenty of room to set up; just as well, as there were over 1,200 cars on display! One had to study the map and follow a
Smith and Goldingham Sunbeams with bonnets up – display purposes only
Adams Sunbeam to the fore
plan to make sure you got to see everything. I have been to quite a few car shows over the years, but there were many interesting cars there that I have only ever heard of or read about. The Citroen SM was much bigger than I thought it would be; it was a real head-turner. I saw Ray Ferner deep in thought, either contemplating how to justify an SM or whether the garage door would shut if he did get it into the garage! One car that would be at home in Peter Benbrook’s
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garage was the new Renault Alpine, very reminiscent of the original and already being touted as a modern classic. The next generation of members were there in the form of Scott Hunter’s two enthusiastic boys, they seemed to really enjoy the day. There was something for everyone; mainly classic era cars but a good number of vintage, and even a few veterans. The process of entering and leaving Roycroft Bugatti, Goldingham Lea Francis. Beesley Hotchkiss in background
the venue was extremely well organised and it really helped to make the day. Overall, an excellent day for the family or for catching up with old friends from other clubs, and well recommended. Brendan Lamain
The very popular Vaughan Beesley Hotchkiss
Ray Ferner’s AM DB4-2 was much admired
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And thanks to Ian Goldingham for some of the pictures.
A good time being had by all…
Scott Hunter & family
Ray Ferner eyes up potential purchase…
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FROM THE THRONE Chairman’s notes, April 2019.
I hope you are all well and enjoying the twilight of a long, hot summer. It must have been one of the best seasons we have had for a long time and great for those who have been able to go touring. Hopefully winter will be kind to us, although some rain now would be appreciated by rural folk and gardeners. The Auckland Brit & Euro Classic Car Show was again a great success. Many thanks to those who provided cars for our display. Photos and a few words are included in this edition. The next driving event will be a Sunday drive, followed by a barbeque at our home, on the 14 th of April. All are welcome, there is plenty of parking. As always, if we are on the road and driving below the speed limit, whether on the flat or on a hill, we should make sure we are aware of any vehicles behind us and pull to the left to allow them to pass in safety. This courtesy is always appreciated and does engender good will towards veteran, vintage and classic cars and their drivers. In this age of increasing regulations we need all the goodwill we can get. Happy motoring, regards, Brendan. ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
FROM THE ED. 24 days, 3,658 miles, a quart of oil, a pint or so of water (not really necessary, but having gone to the trouble of removing the radiator cap I added it anyway, knowing that within 20 miles it would be spat out back down to the level I filled from), a puncture, a fuel blockage (of which more later) and a sufficiency of benzine – the vital statistics of the Editor’s AM90 Talbot participation in the Talbot Antipodean Tour. The organising took a lot of input, some of it tedious, some of it stressful and shepherding the 20 cars and 45 people on tour was quite demanding. Was it worth it? Without doubt, yes. For three reasons. First, the smiles on the faces of the entrants. These developed from expressions of politeness in the beginning to broad grins of enjoyment as the tour progressed. And what an entertaining and intrepid group the entrants were! Most of them tackled our remote back roads with enthusiasm, thumping along over the likes of the Old Dunstan Trail and the Hakitaramea Pass with aplomb, the considerable value of their vehicles notwithstanding and our noise level around the bar in the evenings was quite extraordinary. Second, my rediscovery of the country I live in. As I crested each significant rise or a new vista opened around the bend, I posed myself the question “What are our visitors seeing?” and in this way challenged myself to look anew at what, in most cases, I’d seen before. What can I say but that we live in a truly remarkable country. Just as our visitors were blown away with the variability, the colours, the beauty, the sheer magnificence of the land, so was I. Third, my ‘90’. For years I’ve been something of an orphan, the only N.Z. Roesch Talbot in active service, no similar vehicles to match myself against. My car was not found wanting. I was asked by a couple of entrants on tour what vehicle I’d choose if I had my pick of any. It sounds trite and self-serving, but after a little thought I answered, honestly, that I’m happy with what I have. I don’t think for a moment my Talbot, or any Talbot for that matter, is to everyone’s taste, but my car and what I know it can do, suits me. There is truth in that adage about getting back in proportion to what you put in.
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Other Waitemata Branch members contributed in various ways to the tour. Thank you to Lionel and Mary Rogers for advice on international tour expectations and planning; a big thanks to Vaughan Beesley and to Ian Goldingham for their sterling work under the blazing sun devanning cars from containers and loading them on and off transporters. Thanks also to Pat Bren and Mike Stewart who opened their workshop and Napier home to a Talbot owner in need, and particularly to Mike for the many hours he put in helping said owner get back on the road. And thank you to Jacqui and Ian for their tour photography and to Jacqui and Di H for contributions to the tour packs. Not to forget Ryan McDonald for his work on my Talbot when I was struggling to have it sorted in time. Mostly, though, thanks to Mariette for her support and her tremendous input pre and during the tour. Her care of and for the entrants whist en route has become the stuff of legend. Enough of that. Read on and a shout out to Keith H, Max Belcher and Ian G for their input. If you have news of an event you attended or some other item of interest then scribble it down, no matter how brief or basic and send it to the Ed. who will fill in the blanks, stretch the facts, add the half-truths and be grateful for your input. Kevin Beesley.
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A NOTICE…… Viv Scott, having served faithfully as our worthy secretary for some years, has informally advised that she will not be standing for re-election this year. And fair enough. She stepped up when we were in need and she has done her stint. Time for you to do yours? The A.G.M is not far away. Please consider putting your hand up to take Viv’s place.
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Subject: CODE OF CONDUCT - Remit to change Club By-Laws
Hi Folks Attached is a remit to change the Club By-Laws. This will be voted on by the Executive at their meeting on 23 March 2019. Please make sure your delegate has received this and are aware on how the branch members wish them to vote. Kind Regards Julie Cairns-Gee Administration Manager It will be interesting to learn at Club Night what happened about this.
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Pretty, indeed – but what is the make? Poster courtesy of Keith H. ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ P a g e | 13
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OTHER NEWS……
a trip around the East cape... Being an account by Max Belcher of some Model ‘A’ motoring and derring-do earlier in the year. Well done those people! Mamaku The nemesis of many and the downfall of the illustrious model A contingent (Keith and Di, Max and Shirley) that set out to conquer the old coach road that goes from Tirau to Rotorua, sort of. Despite signs and notices that threatened all sorts of dire consequences for people who violated their instructions and continued on the road, we blithefully carried on until it was blocked by a large crawler loader that was moving to a new site. A somewhat visceral discussion ensued, the outcome of which meant we had to accept that the ‘road’ to Mamaku was indeed impassable and we had no option but to return and follow the main road to Rotorua. Well, we tried. Our little band pressed on and following a lunch at Opotiki we headed east and took the Motu road to Gisborne. Interesting road. Traffic for bloody Africa. SUV’s, cars, Council tractors cutting berms, lycra clad organ donors on push bikes, all travelling on a very narrow rough road at good speeds. Following a near close encounter of the worst kind on a blind corner followed by a one-way bridge, one proceeded with eyes on stalks. Keith however had the privilege of doing a hongi with the same Ute that we had met. Once the damage was sorted and bent bumpers and mudguards put back to some degree of respectability, everyone continued on to their respective destinations. For us this was the Motu Café, run by the delightful Karen, she being the owner of a very nice, if one can use that term, series E Morris 8 that she displays in front of the Café. Well, you would wouldn’t you. Best muffins ever. (Not sure that is an
appropriate comment, but never mind. Ed) Once the inner man was satiated, our little band of stoic adventurers pressed on through Gisborne, up the coast and eventually arrived at the illustrious ‘township’ of Tokomaru Bay where we had booked an Airbnb cottage. Inquiries of an ethnic gentleman, who was engaged in a never-ending attempt to inhibit the growth of grass, was somewhat unsuccessful but by a series of deductions we eventually arrived at the ‘Cosy Cottage’ that was to be our abode for the next two nights. Cosy Cottage was situated some 100 feet above sea level and was the designated safe point for P a g e | 14
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the area, in the case of a tsunami. I felt much better knowing that. Spectacular view. Since we had been driving for about 12 hours and the relieving of ones’ thirst was becoming somewhat of an obsession, it was decided to adjourn to the local hostelry, settle the hunger pangs and slake one’s thirst. Not a bad pub it was too. Then it was home to sleep the sleep of the just. Dawn arrived and the lawn was alive with rabbits, determined to keep the grass under control. Without any means of dispatching the foresaid animals they had to be left to grow for a future pie. Shirley by now was having concerns about the toilet cistern which was exhibiting all the attributes of an aging gentleman with a serious prostate problem and taking an age to fill. Real men didn’t care and just filled the cistern with a bucket, but those of a more feminine persuasion were determined to sort it and duly phoned the owner, with whom a discussion took place. The outcome of this resulted in the delivery of four crayfish as a placating offering. The bucket continued to give sterling service. Being a nice fine day, we duly set off to investigate and view Tolaga Bay and all the slash that the June storms had deposited on the beaches. And have a look at the wharf that had consumed 5 million dollars in the process of restoration. It’s the longest wharf in N.Z and had a large compliment of people all practicing to improve their fishing ability at the end. There’s a fair bit of wood deposited on the beach, but no doubt time and waves will reduce it to a faint memory in short order. Back to Tokomaru Bay and a short trip to the road end to view the old freezing works and wool stores, (shut down in 1953 when road transport made sea transport no longer viable), where we took the inevitable photos and had the ubiquitous coffee from a pop-up trailer. Temperature of course was at a level that made dry roasting a serious prospect and one was grateful for a sun screen that we had installed in place of a hood even though it meant that egress and exit from the car put one through a series of contortions that made you resemble a pretzel. Right, that takes care of the review of Tokomaru Bay and its environs, apart from a quick trip to Te Puia springs which turned out to be about 42 degrees hot. At that temperature we declined to be par boiled and so returned to Cosy Cottage, the resident marmalade cat, rabbits and the bucket. Sunday day dawned with the usual golden orb emerging from the sea while we ate breakfast and watched ubiquitous lycra clad lads and lasses pound the pavement below us. It was time to go. We loaded up, cleaned the cottage, emptied the bucket for the final time and headed off around the Cape. It’s worth noting here that while there is petrol along the coast, it’s only 91 so if you need real stuff you are out of
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luck. Nice coast road, maraes and bus grave everywhere, biodegrading. arrived at produced the grandiose masquerade we eventually and Julie’s very pleasant We didn’t
drive along the lots of churches, rampant car and yards all quietly Finally, we Tauranga which usual plethora of edifices that as batches and arrive at Ross place where a night was spent. miss the bucket.
Off we went on Monday morning and faced the inevitable rash of traffic trying to return to Auckland. All went well until we were descending the deviation outside of Warkworth when an SUV towed fishing boat, heading south, made a break for freedom and deposited itself on the road in the worst possible spot, blocking any traffic movement south. We went past. The tailback went as far back as Dome valley. Oh dear, never mind. Home by three. Max Belcher ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
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FOR SALE…. 1925 Talbot 10/23 hp QUALITY ENGLISH ROADSTER WITH DICKEY SEAT
New set mudguards. Chassis, springs, kingpins, wheels, all done. Hardware mostly all there, but needs carburettor, starter, second gear. Soft wear - non-existent, no seats or weather gear. One of only two left in New Zealand. $4000. Firm, no tyre kickers, this car needs a proper restorer. Contact Gideon De Lautour. Ph 07 549 4021 or email sendels@xtra.co.nz
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The Great B.M.C. Clean Up Garage Sale. On Site 10.00am to 2.00pm Sat / Sun 4th & 5th of May at 45 Ngarahana Ave, Paremoremo. All the cars have gone; this is the one and only clear out of the large collection OF miscellaneous mechanical components, body parts and extraneous tools of the late Captain Ian Bradley’s estate. Also on sale will be the bulk of his extensive Motoring library. With Ian’s fascination in most marques of Post War British Cars, there is likely to be parts right across the range of BMC, Standard Triumph etc. All you need to do is know what you are looking at! First in first served, no reasonable offer refused, take it away on the day and cash is king! Happy Hunting Contact either Sarah Bradley Ph 021 413 910 or Ian Goldingham Ph 09 445 8811 ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL… The Bee, or not the Bee… About four weeks out from the N.Z. Talbot tour I fitted twin inch and a quarter down draught S.U. carburettors to my 1931 AM90. It was a project long in the making. I’d been picking away at it, off and on, for a year or more, building up the assembly on the bench against an old head and water manifold to get the positioning right. My idea and timing were to have a twin carb unit I could simply swap out for the existing single one, then spend a day or two making up the required linkages, leaving ample of my rapidly diminishing spare time to road test and fine tune the new set- up comfortably ahead of the tour start. The first part of my idea went more or less according to plan: the second, not so much. My twin manifold fitted up sweetly enough, linkages followed without undue difficulty and I was soon off for my first test drive. This started well. Certainly, there was more tuning to be done but I was pleased with improved acceleration and low down tractability. However, pulling up a long hill on my way home the engine began to miss. Not badly at first, but it worsened on a re-run. No doubt about it. A fuel supply problem. Over the next few days I resealed every pipe joint against fuel leakage, I checked for manifold leaks, I experimented with needle adjustment and fuel bowl levels, I replaced the needle valves, all to no avail. The miss under load remained. At the time I fitted the twin manifold I had checked fuel delivery pressure at the carburettors – 2.2 psi which I figured was about right, so no problems there. I stripped down and reassembled the carburettors, then adjusted them, all with great care. On my next test run, the car fairly flew along! Wonderful! After about twenty miles I turned for home and my trouble-free run turned to custard. The miss returned – with a vengeance. I limped homewards with number 4 plug repeatedly sooting up. Why number 4? I ran a compression test, I changed spark plugs, I changed leads, I checked tappet clearances – nothing wrong anywhere. Maybe it was fuel vaporisation? The day of my test run was very hot, as was everything under the bonnet. So, I insulated my fuel lines. No improvement. Cognisant of the adage most fuel problems are in fact electrical ones, I switched my attention to the ignition system. I progressively changed and tested the points, (not much apparently wrong with the old ones) the rotor, the condenser and the spark plugs, putting in a hotter set. I oh-so-carefully reset points gap and synchronisation, timing and tappet clearances. No improvement. Then, by chance one evening I bumped the high-tension lead and noticed it was loose at the coil gland. Close inspection showed that a number of the copper wire strands supposed to make contact in the coil had broken off and were floating around in the gland. I renewed this connection, headed off down the road and the car ran beautifully. Problem solved. It was self-congratulation all round.
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My next run a few days later was a disaster. The car ceased to proceed at all about a mile from home, both carburettor bowls as dry as dust. I turned my attention back to the fuel supply. A fuel pressure test at the carburettors was a surprise – barely one psi. Where had my pressure gone? I dismantled and blew out all the lines, I removed and dismantled the fuel pump – no apparent problems anywhere, but I replaced the diaphragm anyway with one of my old stock spares and promptly ordered two more of the modern fuel proof ones from the U.S.A. Put back together, the pump bench tested out perfectly and the car ran much, much better. Surely, the now very occasional miss I now had was just a case of all my new bits bedding in and a need for some delicate tuning. The new diaphragms arrived later that week and, out of an abundance of caution I decided to install one. After all, the diaphragm I had so recently fitted had been sitting in my stocks for about 20 years so far as I can remember and who knows how old it was before I got it? So, on went the new diaphragm. I started the car, and it ran like a dog! Out of ideas and with my precious spare time now almost exhausted I called in to Mac’s Garage. Ryan worked over my fuel supply system against first principles and satisfied himself all was as it should be. After which the car fired up instantly and ran ever so sweetly – for about ten minutes, then the carburettors began to flood. Copiously. Off again with the pump. The new one-piece nitrile diaphragm was thicker and much firmer than the original layered type it replaced. Noting that it exerted a significantly greater load on the actuating arm and acted with a rather vigorous ‘snap’, Ryan figured the nitrile diaphragm was over pressurising the system. Out with the new diaphragm and back in with the old one. Started up the car and… over 50 or so test miles, no more trouble. No misfiring. All was well. Or was it? A couple of days into the NZ tour the car again began missing on long pulls and would then foul number 5 plug. Why number 5? It didn’t always happen – some days it rarely happened at all and if it did the plug would clear itself; other days I had plug 5 out for cleaning several times. Then one morning the car stopped altogether. Fuel bowls bone dry. Very little action from the pump. At the side of the road I checked and cleaned both the inlet and outlet valves – all good, nothing wrong there. On removal, the diaphragm looked alright to me, but I replaced it with the last of my old stock spares. No improvement. My companion at the time suggested maybe the fuel tank vent was blocked. Unlikely, given its dimensions, but I vented the filler cap sealing washer. No improvement. Fuel line perhaps? Attaching a length of hose, I blew out the line. Well, I tried to blow out the line. I went rather blue in the face before finally managing to get bubbles through to the tank. Had it been blocked or was it simply the pressure required to clear fuel out of three metres or so of copper tubing? After priming the fuel pump the car fired up immediately and ran perfectly. Missing much reduced thereafter, still a problem from time to time under sustained load, but of decreasing occurrence and severity as the days passed by. We arrived at Twizel quite early on the third to last day of the tour and I, like most others, took advantage of this to have a general check and fiddle under the bonnet in preparation for the remaining run into Christchurch. To my surprise I noticed two rather large objects floating about in my petrol pump filter bowl. These objects were cylindrical in shape, hollow, about 5mm in diameter with one being of slightly larger circumference than the other, both about 3 mm long. Obviously, they had been drawn through the fuel line from the tank, but what were they? Close inspection after having removed them from the bowl showed them to most likely be sections of the abdomen of a bee, or wasp. How did a bee or wasp or whatever it was get in to my fuel tank? Unlikely that it flew in whilst I was filling up. Did it crawl in through the vent pipe and fall into the associated Hobson Telegauge sender unit and pickup point for the fuel line? Who knows, but the car ran ever so sweetly all the way home and has continued to do so ever since. No more missing, no plug fouling. Had this bee or wasp, bobbing around in my fuel supply system, coincidental with the fitting of my twin carburettors, been the cause of my misfiring all along?
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DESPATCHES…. If you aren’t mentioned in despatches it means you aren’t telling the Editor what you are up to. ➢ Insult of the month, from when insults had class. "He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway) ➢ A few our overseas entrants on the Talbot Tour had high praise for the quality and condition of the NZ roading network. In their view, the standard of maintenance and repair here was far superior to what they were used to in the U.K. Quite a compliment, really, when you consider we spent most of our time on quiet rural roads, staying away from the main arterial routes as much as we could. And, on reflection, yes, our roads are pretty good.
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➢ The above cover shot, sent in by Keith H, poses an interesting and nowadays somewhat improper question. Wonder what the answer was back then…? ➢ Also from KH, sent in with the following caption: This 1923 Delage 2LCV racing chassis was originally run with a 2-Liter V-12 racing engine, which failed to finish its first race. In 1924 the car was sold to a private campaigner who changed the engine to a 12-Liter HS Aero V-8 engine. The car is currently for sale on PreWarCar.com from which these photos were copied. More detail on its history can be found there. Not for the faint of heart in either price or performance. (Known, I think, as the Delage Bequet Special? Ed.)
➢ Whilst on the subject… how about this for a wonderful colourised version of a circa 1925 photo featuring another Delage, one of three known at the time as ‘La Torpille’ (the Torpedo), this one, I think, the 10,688 cc 60-degree v12 Land Speed Record car. Blow up the picture and get a good look at the driver’s face – it is the most classic example of a “grim look of determination”.
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
➢ And from William Hearne, Diatto and Ansaldo owner now resident back in NZ, domiciled in Oamaru after many years’ absence from our shores… “Bugatti-Diatto AVIO 8c 1919. During our near 15 years in the Northern Hemisphere we met some most interesting folk who were utterly devoted to the Veteran and Vintage movement and the preservation and restoration of superb cars. One such fellow was located in Denmark but used to stay with us on his visits to the U.K. as he suspected that I must just be the right fellow to source parts needed for this aero engined project. Whilst Richard ['Scalders'] Scaldwell was completing the rebuild of my 1922 G.N. Akela the impressive engine of this project was sitting right next to my G.N. Sadly 'Scalders' never got around to doing anything with it so, it was taken away and now several years later here is the superb result. The 15 litre SOHC engine was commissioned by Bugatti and built by Diatto. When Bugatti first started Diatto were a much bigger concern with the
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
plant to undertake such a project. I won't go into a full history, but any interested parties can google 'Bugatti-Diatto AVIO 8C 1919.
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
➢ And thanks again to Keith for this 1926 shot of "A Birkenhead Transport Ltd bus negotiating the mud at the corner of Glenfield Road and High Road". Together with a present day shot of the same place - Glenfield Shops and Mall just down the hill. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A11043.
➢ You may recall this picture on the back of the last ‘Phoenix’, captioned “Apparently taken at Ohakea back in the day. But which day?” Well, this message was subsequently received, for which we are grateful. Thanks Renton. “Hello Editor, The photo on page 27 of the latest Phoenix is taken at Pukekohe circuit not Ohakea. Having done many days marshalling there in the past (and racing as well) I recognise those brick sheds and of course the grassy hill behind. Keep up the good work, Renton Murray” ➢ CARNAGE ON OUR ROADS! A 3,600 mile accumulation of assorted wasps, butterflies, moths and bees extracted from the Beesley Talbot radiator. It is to be hoped they considered their passing as a magnificent end to their time on this earth.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
PHOENIX The OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER of THE WAITEMATA BRANCH of the VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF N.Z. INC. 200A Greenhithe Road, Greenhithe, Auckland 0632
CLUB NIGHT THURSDAY 4th April 8.00 p.m. at the RSA Room, King George V Memorial Hall, Library Lane, Albany. Take Exit 410 Oteha Valley Road. Travel west along Oteha Valley Road, ahead through 2 roundabouts and straight ahead at Traffic Lights into Albany Highway then almost immediately RIGHT into Library Lane then very soon go right again into the parking area. The RSA Room is at the rear.
Sent in by Keith H. Melle Mona Païva (a dancer, I believe, possibly Greek? Ed.) in front of a Talbot, elegance contest at the parc des princes, Paris, 1927.
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
Competition Number
For Race Secretary’s Use Only
HRC DENNIS MARWOOD CLASSIC MEETING – BMMP Taupo
Sunday 28th April 2019 Driver / Entrant Details: Driver’s Name:
1st time Driver (3 or less events) (tick………….) 1st time Competitor at Venue (tick………….)
Physical Address: Postal Address: (to confirm acceptance of entry if sent by mail) Email Address: (to confirm acceptance of entry if sent by email) Telephone - Home
Telephone – mob.
Telephone - Business
VCC Competition Licence Number
Civil Drivers Licence Number
Financial Member of the following VCCNZ Branch: Required for statistical purposes Age Group (please circle appropriate):
VCC Membership Number Date of Birth: ...... / ...... / ......
Under 18
18-25
26-35
36-60
61 plus
Entrant: (to be completed in all cases if Entrant is other than the driver. Licence must be presented at documentation) Entrant’s Name Postal Address Email Address Telephone - Home
Telephone - Business
Telephone - Mobile
Entrants Licence Number
Licence Expiry Date ...... / ...... / ......
Vehicle Details Vehicle Make
Vehicle Model
VCC VIC No
Registration #
Capacity in cc
Year of manufacture
WOF Expiry date
Vehicle History: Please complete this section (Continue on separate sheet if required – this helps
with commentary during event)
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019 1. Indemnity: I have received the Supplementary Regulations and all other regulations or Articles for my entry to this Meeting and agreed to be bound by them and by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand speed regulations. In consideration of the acceptance of this entry and of my being permitted to take part in the Meeting or Events detailed, I agree to save harmless and keep indemnified Vintage Car Club NZ, MotorSport New Zealand Inc., The MotorSport Company Ltd., and its Shareholding Car Clubs, and Race circuit owner / operators. All the owners and tenants of private property traversed, and the respective officials, fellow competitors, servants, representatives and agents from and against all losses, actions, claims, expenses and demands in respect of death, injury, loss or damage to persons or property of myself, my drivers, passengers or mechanics or any other persons whatsoever howsoever caused arising out of or in connection with this entry or taking part in the events this entry covers specified notwithstanding that such death, injury, loss or damage may have been contributed to or caused by the negligence of the Inviting Club or MotorSport New Zealand Inc or any of their respective officials, servants, representatives or agents or by any other person. 2. Ability to Control a Vehicle Declaration by Driver: I declare that should I at the time of any event this entry form relates to be suffering from any disability of any kind whether permanent or temporary which is likely to detrimentally affect my control of my automobile or my fitness to drive, I will not participate. 3. Vehicle Conformance with Schedule A Declaration by Driver: I I declare the vehicle detailed on this entry form complies with the vehicle safety items set out below and will be presented on request to an appointed scrutineer or Technical Officer complying at all times with the safety and eligibility requirements detailed in the VCCNZ Speed Regulations/National Sporting Code and its Appendices and Schedules.
CATEGORY 1 Critical Safety ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢
Helmet and Overall Seat(s) and Mountings Braking System Safety Harness Fire Extinguisher Steering System Roll Cage Wheels and Tyres
CATEGORY 2 Non-Critical Safety ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢
Engine and Transmission Power Unit Mounts Lubrication and Cooling Systems Battery Ignition Switch/Circuit Breaker Interior Cockpit Fittings Reverse Gear Throttle Return Wipers and Demister
CATEGORY 3 Non-Safety ➢
➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢
Body Condition and Suspension (not affecting Critical Safety items) Rain/Tail Lamp Front Doors Bulkhead Rear Vision Mirrors Starter Motor Oil Catch Tank Fuel Tank
➢ ➢ ➢ ➢
Competition Numbers Sponsorship Decals Exhaust System Body Appearance and Aerodynamic Aids
I acknowledge that where any breach of the Safety Schedule is found during a Scrutineering Audit I may be not be allowed to compete and may subject to penalties under the National Sporting Code where applicable and my signature below indicates my acceptance of this undertaking. 4. Consent: I consent to the details contained on this form being held by the Inviting Clubs for the purpose of the promotion and benefit of the Race Meetings concerned, and Motorsport in general. I acknowledge my right to access and correction of this information. This consent is given in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993. Signature of Driver:…………………………………………………………..Date: ………………….. Signature of Entrant:…………………………………………………………..Date: ………………... Emergency Contact: NAME…………………………………….PHONE……………………………….RELATIONSHIP…………………………………….
FOR ENTRY TO BE CORRECT, PLEASE ENSURE SIGNATURES ARE COMPLETED PRIOR TO POSTING Note: If Driver and entrant are the same, only one signature is required to cover the (1) Indemnity, (2 & 3) Declarations and (4) Consent Enter and pay on-line www.motorsportentry.com by 22nd April 2019 Make Cheques Payable to HRC Events Send to VCC Hooters Vintage Race Series. c/o- HRC P.O Box 28-140, Remuera Auckland 1541
Schedule of Fees: HRC Dennis Marwood Classic Meeting - TAUPO Entrants: 1 day Sun. 28th April 2019 ENTRY FEE $295.00 : Extra $1 Timing cost TRANSPONDER HIRE $1 LATE ENTRY/LATE PAYMENT FEE $20
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date Entry Received: ....... / ....... / .......
Chq / Cash Total amount ………………….Receipt Number: ........................
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
NAME: DATE: VENUE:
HRC Dennis Marwood Classic Meeting TAUPO – Hooters Vintage Race 28 April 2019 BMMP Taupo
SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS PARTS ONE & TWO Written 25 March 2019. HRC Dennis Marwood Classic Meeting, Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, TAUPO 1. JURISDICTION
This event, promoted by the Historic Racing Club, will take place at the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, TAUPO on the weekend of 27/28th April 2019. The VCC races (Hooters Vintage Race Series) will be held under the provision of the Vintage Car Club of NZ, section 23 of the VCC Branch Manual. The Vintage Car Club Race permit for the event is: TBA The MotorSport NZ Permit Number is TBA 2. MAJOR OFFICIALS
2.1 Organising Committee Chris Watson
chris@grandprix.org.nz
0274 827 542
09 377 0732
Tim Hill
tim@hrcevents.co.nz
021 614600
09 377 0732
2.2 Secretary of the Meeting Tim Hill 2.3 Officials of the Meeting Clerk of Course
TBA
Time Keeper
TBA
VCC Scrutineer
TBA
VCC Speed Steward
TBA
VCC Clerk of Course
TBA
A list of the Officials of the Meeting will be posted on the Official Notice Board. 3. VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS The race is scheduled for the following classes or types; • • • •
VCC Cars, Pre 31st Dec.1945, Pre 31st Dec.1960, Sports cars and or single seaters with a year representation prior to 31 st Dec.1960, Saloon Cars pre 31st Dec. 1960. Pre-1965 FJ as agreed by VCC National Speed Steward and Motorsport NZ Historic Commission Chairman.
Log Books/ VIC’s All race vehicles must have a Log Book. If a vehicle is found at the Scrutineering Audit to be technically at variance with the specifications and modifications as recorded on the Official Application Form, the vehicle may be prevented from competing. Tyres must be as per Log Book.
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
Vehicle Identity Certificate: All vehicles must either have a Vintage Car Club of NZ VIC or Motorsport New Zealand Issued Certificate of Description, and it must be presented at Documentation. Race Wear: Basic 1 layer race suit with fire retardant or woollen underwear is the minimum. A 2 Layer Race Kit (race suit, boots, Gloves is appropriate). Cotton overalls or overalls containing polyester or nylon fabric will not be permitted. 4. ENTRY CLOSING DATES, ENTRY FEES & ACCEPTANCE OF ENTRY
4.1 Entry Closing Dates The entry closing date at normal fees is 10:00am Monday 22 nd April 2019. The entries must be PAID for (by either Bank Transfer, Credit Card or Cheque) and all monies to be received by HRC before the normal entry closing date. Entries or payments received after the normal entry closing date of 10:00am on Monday 22 nd April 2019 (including ALL pay on the day) will be subject to late entry fee of $20. No entries will be accepted after 5pm on Friday 26th April 2019. Entries should be done on line at www.motorsportentry.com if this is not possible, postal entries will be accepted up to 10:00am on Monday 22nd April 2019. Postal entries will attract a $20.00 administration fee. Please post these to the following address. Secretary of the Meeting P.O. Box 28 140 Remuera 4.2 Entry Fees Hooters Vintage Race Series - Entry $295.00 per driver. ($1 Transponder Hire) Late fee and entry fee $315.00 4.3 Acceptance of Entry Acceptance of entry will be emailed on or before Thursday 25th April 2019. Competitors requiring circuit passes before this date please note on entry form and they will be posted when the entry fee is received. Competitors are reminded that they must be registered with series organisers to compete in this meeting; they should have also read and understood the series regulations. It should also be remembered that starters are limited by the track licence and entries for classes which are oversubscribed will be taken on a first come first served basis, the entry is deemed to have been made when payment is received. 4.4 Competition Numbers While every effort will be made to give competitors their requested number this may not always be possible especially if the competitor is entered in more than one class. In the case of a number change every effort will be made to notify the competitor as soon as possible, the organiser's decision on these matters will be final. Race numbers can be purchased from the Race Secretary for $5 per number. Each vehicle is required to have a set of number/s on each side of the vehicle. 5 COMPETITOR REQUIREMENTS & UNDERSTANDING
5.1 Competitor Requirements In signing the entry forms, competitors are deemed to fully understand the relevant articles and regulations as contained in the VCC Speed Regulations, Section 23 of the Branch Manual. 5.2 Licence Requirements Race Licence - Current VCC Competition Historic Racing Licence (HRL) – Minimum Or Current Motorsport Race Licence. Classic Trial crossover entries must hold a MSNZ M Grade Licence. P a g e | 29
PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
When applying for or renewing your Historic Racing Licence (HRL) you will now be asked for a Medical Declaration. Do you currently or have you ever suffered from any seizures, blackouts or heart conditions, or any other medical issue which may interfere with your ability to safely drive a car in a VCC Speed Event? If you have answered YES you will be asked to give full details. The following points are also on the HRL Form and you will need to be continually vigilant about the issues raised. A medical certificate to confirm your fitness to safely compete in a VCC Speed Event may at the request of the National Speed Steward be required before issuing of a Historic Racing Licence. Knowingly withholding any relevant information in regard to the above question will result in the immediate cancellation of the Historic Racing Licence for a minimum period of six (6) months. If during the validity of the Historic Racing Licence the holder should suffer from any medical condition as outlined above, they must advise the national Speed Steward accordingly, who may suspend the licence and request a medical certificate to confirm the Holder’s fitness to take part in a VCC Speed Event. 5.3 Drivers Briefing Drivers briefing will be at 08.30am on Sunday 28th April 2019 in the paddock area. The briefing will cover starting, finishing and emergency procedures and the meaning and use of flags, and lights if used. All drivers must take part in at least one official practice prior to competition commencing. Any driver who is not present at the briefing or does not complete practice must personally contact the Clerk of Course 5.4 New Drivers Any driver(s) who have not previously competed at the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, TAUPO must indicate the fact on the entry form and attend the New Competitors Briefing sessions. Competitors who have not competed at 3 race meetings must attend New Drivers briefing. These briefings will be held immediately after the driver’s briefings and will take priority over any series briefing. 5.5 Competitor understanding In signing the entry forms competitors (Entrant and Drivers) are deemed to fully understand the Motorsport NZ National Sporting Code and its relevant Appendices and Schedules. 5.6 Re- Start Procedure Where fewer than four laps have been completed the re-start will be deemed as a new race/event and will be restarted using the original grid positions. Should a second stop occur, the race/event will be declared complete and a result declared based on the last completed lap. If no laps have been completed, the organizers reserve the right to abandon that race/event or to re-run it later in the meeting. 5.7 Non Sanctioned Series Organisers and Competitors in a series which is not sanctioned by Motorsport New Zealand are governed by the current Motorsport Manual for Scrutineering, Eligibility and Disciplinary Purposes. Series disputes must be resolved by the series organisers as the meeting officials are not empowered to make rulings on series which are not sanctioned by Motorsport New Zealand. These decisions may not affect any grid determinations and all races will be run in accordance with Schedule Z.
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
6. DOCUMENTATION & SCRUTINEERING AUDIT INSPECTION
6.1 Documentation Will take place at the Paddock Office commencing at 12:00 noon on Friday 26 th April 2019 Recommencing at 07:00 Saturday 27th April 2019 and on Sunday 28th April 2019 at 07:30 6.2 Scrutineering These inspections will occur concurrently with documentation. Competitors must present themselves at Venue Documentation for the checking of licences and Log Book after scrutineering. Only the entrant or their authorised representative, holding written authority, shall be permitted to accompany the car during its scrutineering audit. The Vehicle Safety Statement has extra requirements : • • •
Crankcase Breather: Crankcase breathers fitted “Where possible without modification to vehicle” with suitable catch bottle. Cooling System: Non-sealed cooling system fitted with overflow catch bottle. The use of non-water based coolant is strongly discouraged. Sump Plug: To be wired in place for all circuit events. If your vehicle does not meet these requirements it will be refused entry.
7. POSTPONEMENT CANCELLATION ABANDONMENT & ORGANISERS RIGHTS
The organisers reserve the right to cancel or abandon the meeting or part thereof should less than the minimum number of entries as prescribed in the regulations/articles not be achieved. In most other instances the minimum number is 100 entries. In most cases the minimum number of entrants for a class is 10. For reasons of Force Majeure should a meeting or part thereof be cancelled any entry fee refund will be made only at the discretion of the organisers. Full refunds will be paid to competitors who advise in writing. (email: info@grandprix.org.nz ) before 5pm Friday 26th April 2019 8. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. Circuit Hire - Testing The circuit is available for private hire by contacting Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, TAUPO for a schedule of dates, hire conditions and applicable fees. Race Car Test Day Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, TAUPO will be running a Race Car test day on Friday 26 th April 2019. All competitors who wish to avail themselves of this opportunity, please book direct with Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, TAUPO. All drivers must report to the circuit office to sign the terms and conditions indemnity form and pay the appropriate fee before testing. B. Fuel Competitors, Teams and other organizations handling Fuel should familiarize themselves with The Motorsport Code of Practice for Fuel Handling. C. Circuit Width A competitor may use no more than the full width of the circuit which is defined as being the area between the outer edges of the white line along each side of the sealed surface D. Abuse of Officials
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PHOENIX Number 283 APRIL 2019
Abuse of any event official will result in immediate exclusion from the event, with no refund of any entry fees paid. E. Insurance Competitors are advised that the MSNZ insurance has an excess of $3,000. With any damage to the track, the competitor will be required to pay the first $3,000 of any claim. 9. PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
The intended Programme of events will be emailed 3 days before the event. In accordance with Appendix Four Schedule Z the organisers reserve the right to amalgamate or delete any event or cancel any race should less than 10 entries be received by the closing date. Practice: There will be 15 minutes practice time. VCC Races – There will be 3 races during the meeting. Format TBA. Notes: Competitors entering races which are part of a series must have the series organiser approval prior to entering this event. Any Competitors requiring GST receipts please note this in the entry field comments field.
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