COMING EVENTS
 

Oct 26th                                         Morwell Hillclimb *CCE
                                                        Ray DaCosta  5940-1647

October 28th                                   General Meeting & Auction Night

Nov 6th                                          Gunnar Elmgren Evening

Nov 8th-9th                                     Sandown Historic Meeting *CCE
                                                         David Floyd 9509-1392  

Nov 15-16th                                   Geelong Sprints

Nov 28th                                        Hillclimb Night at Clubrooms

Nov 29th                                        DC3 Joyflight
                                                        Robert Thomson 9374-2824 

Nov 29th-30th                                 Wakefield Park HSRCA    
                                                        PH 02 9907-0136
                                                        FAX (02) 9948-3205

Nov 30th                                        Rob Roy Historic Hillclimb
                                                         David White 9850-4795

Nov 29th                                        Hillclimb Night at Clubrooms

Dec 13th                                        Christmas Function & Patrons Night
                                                        Dorothy Tate 9802-4739 or
                                                        Helen McDonald 9589-1217         

*CCE…..denotes Club Championship Event

VHRR Clubrooms are situated at 30-32 Lexton Rd. Box Hill

     LUNCH MEETINGS WEDNESDAYS (NOT CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS)

     RED PLATES SCHEME    Our club Volunteer doing this task  

     is Lloyd Shaw. Contact him on ………0415.351.164

ALL THE ABOVE CLUB ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE WEDNESDAY LUNCH ARE DESIGNATED RED PLATE ACTIVITIES.

2003 Geelong Speed Trials –Nov 15-16.
Following the successful return of the Geelong Speed Trials in 2002 after a two year break, the 2003 Geelong Speed Trials will be staged at its traditional Waterfront venue at Ritchie Boulevard, on the weekend of November 15 – 16, 2003. 

The theme for 2003 is to be historic planes, trains, and automobiles.  The event will also participate in celebrating the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Ltd. (CAMS) 50th Anniversary and the Ford Motor Company’s 100th Anniversary.

Motorcycles will also be a special feature this year, including the revolutionary carbon fibre technology Britten from New Zealand and the return of the equally exotic Hunwick-Hallam.

There’ll also be major displays of classic vehicles over the two days in the Enthusiasts Car Park, and Shannon’s Concourse d’Elegance will be staged on the Sunday. The action runs from 9.00 am till 5.00 PM on both days.

Special guests this year include Gunnar Elmgren, President of the FIA Historic Motor Sport Commission.  Gunnar first joined the Commission in 1987, representing Sweden, prior to holding the position of President of the Swedish Historic Fed'n from 1983 until 1993.He has spent 20 years as a regular Historic racing competitor, and very recently was a class winner in the Nurburgring 1 Hour Historic Sports Car race.

Further details as the event evolves can be acquired via the Speed Trials website – www.geelongspeedtrials.com

Entries open mid September and can be acquired via the net by E-mailing speed@geelongspeedstrials.com

Victorian Historic Racing Register - Regalia

Caps                        $15      Polo Shirts                                 $28
Vests – Reversible      $38      Polo Fleece top – ½ zip                $35   
Rugby Top                $35     Aprons                                       $20    
Wet weather jackets (fleecy lined)                                          $38
Outback jackets         $65      Key Rings                                    $5
Lapel badges              $5        Radiator badges                         $25
Small stickers             $3        Trailer stickers                           $15

New VHRR stock has arrived and will be on sale at the next General Meeting, and Sandown meeting

We will also have our fabulous range of Sandown regalia which will be on sale on the weekend.

Patron Inauguration & Christmas Break-up - December 13th
Official Welcoming and Inauguration of our Patron Sir Jack Brabham plus Club Championship presentations. The Manningham is our venue again.
Bookings ………Helen McDonald 9589-1217 or Dorothy Tate 9802-4739.

The Hewland Story –A Sequel                                  Roger James
The story concluded last month with the statement of Doug Nye that “Mike Hewland is widely regarded as the father of motor racing transmissions.” I began to wonder about this because although he designed a range of unique gearboxes, he started with the Volkswagen box in 1958.

History takes us back further than that. The Auto Union racing car designed in 1934,was a mid-engined 4.4 L supercharged V16 with a transaxle using two drive shafts and a gearbox with a rear entry selector; all clad in an open wheeled tear drop shaped body. Whilst it was very difficult to drive, as Varzi, Nuvolari and Rosemeyer frequently testified, it started the mid-engined domination and its race successes were numerous until the outbreak of WW2.

In the same 1934 year, the VW was presented to the German public and its creative design featured a flat, air cooled four pot engine with an integral four speed transaxle all cast in magnesium. This was an amazing achievement especially as it was aimed at mass production.

As both these designs came from the mind and hand of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, perhaps it is he who should receive the title of “father of motor racing transmissions.” It’s worth reflecting upon the fact that both these designs were developed seventy years ago and production of the original VW ceased only this year.

Now,  looking to the future, we will be driving electric cars in 10 to 15 years time and, hopefully, my articles on these vehicles will name Dr. Porsche as “father of the electric car”. You will understandably find this difficult to accept, but it’s true. The Lohner –Porsche ( designed by Porche and Jacob Lohner and Co. in Austria) with it’s electic driven motors in each of the front hubs was exhibited at the 1900 Science and Engineering Show in Paris. In 1907 Porsche adopted the internal combustion engine.

However, history must not detract from the significant contributions of Mike Hewland, his achievements in facilitating the modern racing car and his assistance in the development and growth of the racing car industry in the UK. The Brits are very proud of this!

Perhaps,it does not matter who is crowned “father”, but it is no coincidence that I am writing this nostalgic look at two great engineers on Fathers Day.  

VHRR SMALL ADS
1.  Australian Motor Sports Needed to complete collection
I have about 90 issues to swap, trade, or to help others complete their collection. I need the following: 1953: January. 1954: April, October, December. 1955: February. 1960: December.
1961 All ………..
Greg Smith 03-9596-8851 or bugatti@bigpond.net.au

2.  ON-SITE RACING CAR RESTORATION
My mobile workshop comes to you. Full restoration for frames, suspension, steel, aluminium and fibreglass panels incl. fuel and oil tank manufacture. New VHRR Member Damien Petersen Phone: 0412 222 997 Extensive experience on Porsche, Brabham,Ferrari and Jaguar. RING FOR A QUOTE. 

3. VWA Special 1961
Gp.M Log Book &COD Built & raced by Max Jackman. BMC 1800cc with VW running gear. Successful hillclimb & track history. Won class 1964 Geelong sprints and 1964 Hillclimb champ in class. Ready to race. Trailer and spares. CH 1366 Club reg. $17000
Ph. (03) 9432-7775 or www.photoasia.com.au/vwa.htm

Auction Night and General Meeting Oct 28th
Our resident spiv come auctioneer Noel will once again run this annual event. Items please be in at 7.30 PM for marking and cataloguing.  As always we promise a fun night with lots of laughs.  

Gunnar Elmgren Evening 6th November.
The club is having an evening to meet FIA President of the Historic Car Commission. Please keep this evening free and come along to meet our guest who will be also visiting our Sandown Meeting. Invitations will follow to all members.

DC3 Joyflight 29th November
Member Robert Thomson has organised a joyflight from Essendon Airport. Departing for a scenic flight @ 1800 hours for a tour of the bay and Melbourne.  Limited to 28 people cost $105 per head. Booking essential by 15th November.  Robert Thomson 9374-2824   

Rob Roy News & 50th Anniversary           30th November
Reg Hunt will be Guest of Honour at the 12th Historic and Classic Rob Roy Hillclimb to be held on Sunday 30th November next.

His appearance is indeed fitting, as Reg won the Australian Hillclimb Championship exactly 50 years ago on Melbourne Cup Day at this very venue in 1953 driving his supercharged Vincent engined Hunt Special.

Confirmation has also just been received that Dean Butler will enter in his fabulous 1932 Miller 4wd, and will fly out to Australia just to drive the car on the day at Rob Roy.

Enqs: David White 9850 4795 - email; whitehouse@virtual.net.au

THE LAST CHANCE SECTION          HURRY!!!!!

Sandown Entries Close on 6th October : If you need an entry or have not sent it off yet please hurry as you have very few days left.

Membership Renewals: Have been due since the 30th June so if you have not renewed yet please do so. Only those members that are financial will get their Free Sandown Ticket with the next newsletter.

Your last copy of the “Oily Rag” will be sent in the coming weeks. Once again only financial members will continue to be sent what is fast becoming the national voice of historic racing in Australia. (The ADVERT’s are great too.) 

Disclaimer; The views and opinions expressed within this newsletter are not necessarily those of the VHRR Inc. or its Committee and/or its newsletter Editor.  Whilst all care has been taken, neither the club or its officiers accept responsibility for the accuracy of information printed and the quality of any items or services advertised or mentioned in this publication.  Incorporated association Number A 0007117C. The Editor reserves the right to edit contributions submitted for publication.

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