Dusty Digest. December 2017
Thanks to everyone for a great 2017, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
to all and enjoy your off season.
In this Newsletter
If you have anything you would like to add or see in the newsletter
please email us at
news@swanhillsportingcarclub.com.au
March 10th and 11th Come and Try Weekend
Saturday afternoon Test and Tune including Junior develepment with a
Twilight and Social night Test & Tune Sunday, located at The Jack
Chisholm Reserve, Sea Lake Road, Swan Hill on March 10th and 11th 2018
Sorry it is a long sory but it was a big year.
2017 is done and dusted for SHSCC. Looking back it was a great year with
good size fields all year and our track has been taking the punishment
amazingly well. When you consider that we hardly ever dropped below 450
starts per round and 4 of those rounds had 2 days that is 900 starts
each. It did get one hell of a flogging with only a little work to keep
it up to scratch. Speaking of the 2 day event the pizza night idea was
tried out and it has been a great success. Not only for those eating it
and that number has just keeps rising but to all whom run the events as
it is so hard to know how many are staying.
But, with the pizza nights it is
just a matter of adding names during the day and using the phone to
order. Got to love that the last one, had over 50 people. That was a
good idea Rose Pepers.
Helping out has also come a long way this year. With more people doing
more tasks the load is getting shared out and that is important. It
makes everyone’s day that bit easier. Lyn Andrew has returned to the
Secretary Positon and has really streamlined the whole paperwork
process. Just look at the event entry method now. It is much smoother
and less stressful to complete your entries on the day, or, you can use
the MSA portal. While it is not perfect it does make it very easy to
enter all of which relieves pressure on the Event Secretary, Lynne
Paynter.
Ruth Vallence and Carolyn Donnan have taken over the canteen and the
food is just absolutely amazing. Not to mention the difference it has
made to some of us running around like a headless chooks in the
mornings, trying to organise the catering and also run the event. The
stress has been greatly reduced. Some people have complained that due to
the broadened range of foods available, it hasn’t been flattering to
their waste lines. Despite this, thank you Ruth and Carolyn.
John and Cindi have done an amazing job of timing and John’s program
continues to evolve. We even ran out of horse power in the timing PC and
had to replace it with one with more power.
Stacey Paynter finished her Club Chief ticket and helped out during the
year as Club Chief which in turn gave some others a bit more seat time.
Next year we are hoping to get hold of an enclosure for the staging area
where the marshals and first aid personal could be housed in to get them
out of the dust and the sun thus will helping with fatigue for the
officials.
Hopefully we can run another course in 2018 for Club Chiefs and
Scrutineers.
There are some people that have really helped out over the year. Lynne
and Ted Paynter really do a lot for the club as there are countless
hours involved each year to make it all happen and they are often at the
heart of it, as is Neil Albert, Lyn Andrew, Deb Green, Stacey Paynter,
Caleb Stewart, Barry Middleton, Carolyn and Neil Donnan, Glen King-Gee,
Ruth and Jason Vallence, Glenn McGillivray, Craig Williams these are a
few that stand out and have helped me and the club no end during 2017.
With all of the involvement of our members we now seem to be able to run
large events with ease. Now it is not hard to put on a 2 day event. If
anything it seems to be easier, due I think to the lunch time starts it
does not seem as rushed. We have even managed to pull off a couple of
twilights which are hard for us as the dust is the big problem at night.
The wind drops, the dust hangs and you cannot see a thing, let alone
trying to drive competitively in it. But after some trial and error we
seem to have found a way to run that so long as there is some wind. And
for those who had a go in the dark they did seem to love it. And, it
looks so good watching the lights go round this will be continued in
2018.
We continued to support VCAS in 2017 and while the results are not out
yet we would hope to see the odd trophy come home to some of our
members. We will have to wait until Feb 11th 2018 at Pakenham
VCAS round 1 for that. We are also supporting the series throughout 2018
more detail in our Club Events Calendar.
This year we got with the program and went computerised
with 2 club laptops one for the Event Secretary and one for the Club
Secretary. We also setup and are using Google drive to work between
ourselves. The club house got connected to the internet with an antenna
and some other bits a few of us had laying around but the result is
about 20 meg download speed and 4 meg up. Not bad for no phone line
anywhere there. We also
setup a Multi-function printer on the wifi network as well as upgrading
the wifi networks range to cover the entire track this leaves scope for
more things like IP Cameras, Facebook streaming and safety lights. But,
at the present it has stream lined the event entry process and we got
EFTPOS with that as well.
Scrutineering has gone to 2 lanes at a time and thanks to the help and
support of members this has improved in time which is good because field
sizes continue to grow. We are currently in the process of putting up a
permanent shade sail over the scrutineering area, this will be a great
help to those standing out in the sun. See working bees in Club Events
Calendar.
These pics where taken by Lyn Andrew Photography
Looking back at the trophy winners for 2017
Neil Albert 1st Class C
Neil had a great year. He started it off
getting his Hyundai Excel in shape with some new springs some other
suspension tweaks, added rally tyres and them made the car look great
with some very well done signage of his sponsor Get Reel Productions,
which even made the car look like a race car. Then he competed in every
event. Now
that is the way to win a class. Well done Neil. He has also wasted no
time in getting ready to defend his title for 2018 with prep already
well under way.
Neil Donnan 1st Class D
Neil who has a fleet of Ford Focuses was trying to find the one that he
liked the best but it was his faithful silver one that he did the most
events in. He managed a very convincing win in class D but I have it on
good authority next year’s car will be a bit quicker again. We will be
looking forward to seeing in action well done Neil.
Kelvin Jobling 1st Class E
Jobbo had a great year and not without effort. Early on in the season
his car looked like a cat on a hot tin roof, it was nervous and the
front was all over the place coming into the bends but partway through
he found the problem and since then it has been like a rocket. Nice
clean lines and quick. I believe he is also doing some work in the off
season and could be VH bound, but, I could have that wrong. Either way,
well done Jobbo. It was a good win and he also competed in all rounds.
Blair Clue 1st Class J and Kalie
Vallence 2nd
Blair can drive, there is no disputing that.
He is great to watch. He gives it all every single lap. He did a good
job this season and deserved to win but he did have some competition in
Karli Vallence. Karli
had
held the first spot for most of the season until Blair won in the last
round and Karli had to retire early with damage.
They finished the season just 18 points
apart with Blair competing in 6 rounds and Karli in 8. Well done to you
both. You are great to watch. They both will still be in class J in 2018
so it is going to be interesting.
Stacey Paynter 1st Class L
Carolyn Donnan 2nd
Rose Pepers
3rd
I have to mention all 3 they all deserving in the Ladies class.
Stacey Paynter was the one to beat all year she is going well in her
Mitsubishi Lancer coupe and has it working well. But midway through the
season Carolyn Donnan who also has a Mitsubishi Lancer coupe started to
work it out and by the end of the season was getting very quick, not to
mention excited when she would see the times she was achieving. Rose
Pepers was also doing well at the start of the season but was a few
rounds down by the end with Stacey and Carolyn both competing in 9
rounds and Rose in 5. Well done to you all but I hope next year a few
more ladies take the challenge to you guys. I have heard whispers there
could be some more ladies joining the ranks.
Shane Clue 1st Class P
Terrance Ingram 2nd
Now these guys where only separated by a point
with Shane on 132 and Terrance on 131. It does not get any closer than
that with Shane competing in 7 rounds and Terrance 8 and they could not
be more different. Shane running in front wheel drive cars and Terrance
a VT Commodore they were both great entertainment throughout the season
looking forward to continuing the battle in 2018 great work both of you.
Dylan McFarlane 1st Class s
Dylan had a lonely time in Class s but he did manage to make some big
improvement in his buggy, when it first came out it did not look all
that happy on the track but with a few changes it was going quite well.
Hope to see it in 2018
Glenn Williams 1st Class w
Craig Williams 2nd
Glen King-Gee 3rd
Glenn had an absolute ball in his Subaru. He
got to compete in 10 rounds and looked to enjoy them all. Once he did
try a Cordia turbo but that may have left more fibreglass than rubber on
the track.
Class W did have plenty of contenders
throughout the this season with Craig Williams 2nd in class W
was only 35 point behind him and Glen King-Gee only 19 behind Craig well
done to you all.
2018 whats happening Club Challenge SDDC
Next Year we have entered a club challenge with Shepparton and District
Car Club where we will host an event on July 7th and 8th
that will also be deemed a Shepparton event. They will do the same on 4th
and 5th of August at
their
Mooroopna track which will be also be deemed a SHSCC event. As this is
motorsport there will be a winner but mainly it is a club win that each
will be chasing. And, yes, this is still the normal class winner
as well this should be a great challenge. And for all that take
part a good 4 days you are sure to have as camping and social nights are
included in both events if you want to take part.
In the 2018 Club Events Calendar there are 16 days of club racing 9 VCAS
events and 6 - 2 day events one in Shepparton and 5 single day events so
it is going to be a big year.Club points are going to follow VCAS rule
next year our Club championship
points shall be allocated at each round on the following scales:
Outright: 1st to 10th: 10 points down to 1 point
Class: 1st to 10th: 10 points down to 1 point
2018 SHSCC Club Championship will include all classes listed below and
we will for the first time be issuing an outright standing with trophies
at the end of the season for 1st 2nd and 3rd
outright.
You must compete in 3 rounds to be a contender and also be a
current SHSCC member with all rounds counted with the exception of VCAS.
The Test and Tune on the Sunday June 4th is counted as is each 2 day
event counted as 2 rounds with full points for each day, as is the 2
days at Shepparton
where road tyres only will be permitted.
7. CLASSES
7.1 Class P: Two wheel drive Production Cars
Note: The spirit of Class P is for standard and street-driven cars.
Each vehicle shall remain in standard specification as detailed by the
manufacturers workshop manual/s,
except where modification from standard specification is permitted by
these regulations.
The complete body and all trim of the vehicle must be complete and in
place, including all glass / seats.
The following freedoms apply:
Air
filtering system is free
Exhaust
system is free but must include an effective muffler
The
brake friction material is free, but the braking system must be standard
Wheels
and tyres are free, with the exception that Hand Cut, Rally Tyres or
tyres marked “RALLY
USE ONLY”, “WINTERTREAD” or “MUD & SNOW” or “NOT FOR ROAD USE”
are not permitted.
Substitution
of the
driver’s
seat by an improved seat or racing seat is allowed subject to the seat
and
mountings being secure.
When
rollover protection is installed in the vehicle, the interior trim may
be lightly modified to allow
fitment of the rollover protection (i.e.: a rear seat may need a hole
cut into it to allow a roll cage tube
to pass through it, instead of being totally removed).
7.3 Class C: Two wheel drive Modified Production Cars up to
1600cc only.
7.4 Class D: Two wheel drive Modified Production Cars 1601 to
2000cc only.
7.5 Class E: Two wheel drive Modified Production Cars 2001cc and
over only.
7.6 Class W: AWD or 4WD production based vehicles, which must be
recognizably based on a
production AWD / 4WD vehicle. No engine capacity limit.
7.7 The criteria for cars in Classes C, D, E and W are:
oRecognizably
based on Production Cars, modified in accordance with these regulations.
oEngine
position to remain in the original production car position. Any change
to the engine compartment
that involves cutting the firewall is considered a change in engine
position.
oEngine
manufacturer / number of cylinders (or rotors) must match the original
car manufacturer.
oOther
driveline modifications are permitted.
oAll
panels and windows must be in place, but the material is free. Windows /
doors must be operable in
accordance with the original manufacture.
oLarge
plastic bumper bars where they incorporate panels for the car must be
retained as these are
classified as panels.
oWheels
and tyres are free
–
except where event Supplementary Regulations specifically prohibit or
allow
particular types of tyre
7.8 Class J: Open to younger competitors. (Juniors)
Junior Competitors must be under the age of 18 years, on 1 January of
the year of competition.
7.8.1 Juniors may compete in any class of vehicle but will be ineligible
for class J points in class W or S
vehicles. If a junior enters a class S or W car they shall compete in
the appropriate open class
regardless of their age.
7.8.2 A junior competitor whom competes
in an “open” class
must continue to compete in an “open” class
for the remainder of the year.
7.9 Class L: Female competitors.
Female competitors are eligible to compete in a female only category.
7.9.1 Females may compete in any class of vehicle but will be ineligible
for class points in class W or S
vehicles. If a lady enters a class S or W car they shall compete in the
appropriate open class
regardless of their sex.
7.9.2 A female competitor whom competes
in an “open” class
must continue to compete in an “open” class
for the remainder of the year.
7.10 Class S: Purpose-built or special types of vehicles and
buggies or vehicles modified in excess
of those specific modifications allowed in classes C, D, E and W. All
vehicles in this class must be
fitted with rollover protection. Vehicles without reverse gear, as
required in Para 6.1 of these rules,
will be permitted to run although competitors are strongly encouraged to
have reverse gear as the
running of events can be affected.
7.11 A vehicle is only eligible for a single vehicle class at an event
(i.e. excepting of classes J and L).
Multiple drivers cannot enter the same vehicle in different vehicle
classes at an event. Unless
modifications to a vehicle during the competition year necessitate a
class change upwards (only) (–
i.e. from standard to modified or modified to specials), the vehicle
must remain in the same class
throughout the competition year. If any driver changes class during the
competition season, no points
already scored in the original nominated class may be carried forward to
the new class.
7.12 While rally tyres are generally permitted in all classes other than
class P vehicles,
We made the paper regularly throughout the year thanks to the Swan Hill
Guardian and Meagan McGregor’s efforts as well as Lyn Andrew photography
and Rob Goff. This was a great effort and made quite a difference to the
club profile throughout the year and we hope to maintain the momentum in
2018.
Tips and Tricks
Ok so it is now all over what should I do to get ready for 2018.
I would start with a good clean up of your car then have a good look
around. You can at this point do nothing or be nice to the car and give
it a service. Oil, oil filter, air filter maybe a fuel filter are great
ideas. From here it is how long is a piece of string.
Check that battery is in tight. Look at your tie rod ends they cop a
flogging.
Check your tyres, look at the sidewalls for damage and bulges. Look for
dirt under the lip of the rim. Too much and it will go through and end
up causing a puncture even if you have tubes. Look at the valve if you
have tubes if it is moving around in the tyre it is going to get ripped
out take it down and get it fixed. If you do not have tubes go and get
some fitted very cheap insurance against rollovers. Most rollovers have
a flat tyre involved.
Questions
1: What class are you going to be running in.
Will determine how any changes like going from Class P to C,D or E will
allow rally tyres and at that point you might as well go to a weight
reduction and gut the interior.
2: Exhaust - if you are keen,
removing the cat and the rear muffler will give a bit better flow and
small power gain most cars now days have a small muffler mid car and
huge one at the back.
3: Do you want it to look like a
race car, if so plan out a look for your car do not just throw stickers
at it. I have found out of late that to get better coverage it is better
to have some stand out feature like a plain white car is harder to get
in the paper due to the colour is hard to get right in print ( who knew)
you may find a local sponsor to help pay for the signage but either way
give it some thought first.
4: How serious are you. This where there is no correct answer. Here it
just a question for you if you are happy to do laps and have a great
time then good. If you are competitive and want to push the limit that
is also good but you should be thinking safety. The chances are you are
pushing it, so start thinking roll cage, race seats and belts the seat
and belt alone give you more control by the fact you are not swing off
the steering wheel but you are held in place so you are only steering
not hanging on. Roll cage not only protects you by also stiffens your
car giving better cornering.
5: How is the clutch: if you are looking at changing the clutch then why
not think about the diff practically in a front wheel drive it is only a
bit more effort and you can weld up the diff and then you are in for
some great exit corner speed, Rear wheel drives also benefit from better
drive and LSD’s are much easier to find for rear wheel drive car.
These will all make a difference to your times and enjoyment but none
have changed the power of the engine. That is a whole other story.
Please Read How to Enter
The Swan Hill Sporting Car Club will, as of the August 2017 meeting, have EFTPOS facilities at the track. You will be able to use EFTPOS to pay race fees and to purchase food at the canteen (please note there is no cash withdrawals). Cards accepted: Visa, Master and Debit/Eftpos cards.
So you
are thinking of coming out what should I know. First of all Cars Your car is going to be scrutineered so it needs to
be safe we are going to check that is has no loose items inside. The
spare wheel and jack are removed, the battery is held in tight and the
positive battery terminal is covered; that can be done with tape. There
is a fire extinguisher bolted in and is reachable by the driver and in
date. Tyres need to be good and steering and braking should be good.
There should also be a blue
triangle marking the battery location and a red triangle front and rear
making the tow points. If unregistered should also have bonnet pins. Full Spec in Technical section of MSA The drivers
and passengers are the same, you must be 14 years or older and will need
to have a dot approved crash helmet, long sleeve shirt or jumper not
nylon, long pants - jeans are good and leather top shoes. So, the them
here is, stuff that does not burn easily. To cover the legal bits we run under MSA
Confederation of Australian Motorsport and as such all drivers need to
be covered. So, a MSA licence is the go just to see if it is for you,
there is a thing called a day Licence at a cost of $25 – seniors and
juniors - which is then put towards a full 12 month one if you want to
continue. You also need to be a member of the club which is currently
around $45 for a single and $66.5 for a family per year but only after
your first time out there. Then there are race fees for the day $37 for
a single and $60 for a family living at the same address and is a
dependent. Passengers need to sign a form but that is free and
passengers are only allowed in a Test and Tune event. These are the basics for more details
Race Day Clothing.
Drivers need to be aware that there are minimum standards for clothing
on race day and that clothing standards are part of the scrutineering
process. That means that if you are not dressed in your race gear when
the car is being scrutineered, then you will have to produce what you
are wearing. Below is a summary of what can and cannot be worn when
racing. If these standards are not met then you will not pass
scrutineering and will not be able to race.
Polo Tops, Sweats and Hoodies are now available to order from Blue Sky
in Swan Hill with club logo. Please allow adequate amount of time for
them to take enough orders to do a run. Prices for the clothing will
depend on the size. Logos are available for embroidery on the back
(large) and on the front. General Official’s Course- the club needs more Official’s. The first step in the process is to complete a General Official’s Course. Can you please make contact with Lynne Paynter who will advise C.A.M.S. and start the ball rolling. How to obtain Working with Children Card
Swan Hill Sporting Car Club has its own web site www.swanhillsportingcarclub.com.au
Please have a look around the site and see what it has to offer.
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If you have something you want to sell or Buy Email: news@swanhillsportingcarclub.com.au |