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And now, for the home
straight. That is for 2001. Yes we have passed the halfway mark and are
now into the serious events of the year. Not that we take our first half
year lightly, well, read what George Louwrens has to report on the
Greytown racing weekend. I was away abroad and therefore cannot comment
first hand on the goings on during that infamous, but all in all, I
believe, a great weekend. After knocking out a panel and straightening a
bend here and there, and
with a quick spray of colour, the cars (and the guys) are ready for
more!
For
the reason I mentioned, I was also not around for the lunch at
O’Hagan’s in Pietermaritzburg, but by all I have heard, it was very
enjoyable.
Constructors
events are always great and the two we have had this year proved no
exception. Mike we thank you for hosting the first one at Western
Electric. The guys really enjoyed the testing and tuning of their cars
on your dyno and the braai just added to the atmosphere. Bugs Theunissen
on the other hand, showed us how a kit car should be built. I for one
just marveled at the build quality and finish to the chassis, suspension
and drive train that Bugs has given to his GT40. I believe the car will
be on the road in the next few weeks and if this dedication to detail
continues, the car will prove be a stunner. (Hark, hark Mr. Tarboton)
The club Rally on 22 April was
fairly well attended but we had expected more members. It takes quite a
lot of planning to organize such events,
so it was disappointing that some of our members were unable to
take part.
Those
that did, enjoyed the day and we all landed up at Rinaldo Center for
lunch. Doug and Karen Wishart were the overall winners, an Alpha club
member followed, with Mike and Brenda van Es and Ron and Felicity
Casteller coming in with decent times. We thank Nick Carter,
Thundersport, Karen Wishart and Vicky Allen for their sponsoring of the
prizes.
On 5
May, because of driving rain and taking shelter in Moby Dick’s, we
decided to stay there and had a good meal in spite of the heavy downpour
that made talking difficult and made us miss Splashes. There is always a
next time.
The
visit to Motor Books in Amamzimtoti was called off due to Cars in the
Park being on the next Sunday, so the event was turned into a breakfast
at Wimpy in Scottsburg. Only three cars started off but we were joined
by another two on the road. Those that did not join in may just as well
cry, as Dave Burton was feeling top of the world and took up the whole
tab for breakfast. Thanks very much Dave, it was great to have you
around.
Of
course ‘Cars in the Park’ was as good as always. We were able to
hold onto our space and just about all our members who have cars on the
road were there. There was
a surprise as well, in the form of two GT40’s down with the Durban
Dash boys.
El
Turko proved to be a change in restaurants with a fair group of members.
Service there could be jacked up. The food was OK. The highlight for
many of those that made it, was the
lunch on Saturday at ‘Under the Marula‘ Shongweni way. The setting
was fantastic, with a table laid out in the open just for us. The view
of the surrounding cliffs and the small clear river running by was
dreamlike. The food was fantastic and the service great. Just a little
expensive for a Saturday afternoon.
The
month of August has a lot going. Starting off on Sunday 12 August
we have Drag races at Matubatuba. The idea is to drive up early
Sunday morning for the races and return the same evening. Contact Doug
Wishart or Andre Roodt for details
Sunday
19 August, we join the Triumph Club for the Graham Cheetam
Memorial Run (British Sports Car Run). Meet at 08h00 in the Blue
Waters parking area. The run is a mystery one but will only be in
the region of 30 – 40 Km. Our club is not joining the rest of the
bunch for breakfast, but will find our own place to hive off to.
For those of you who are keen, after breakfast we may continue to
the “Cars by the River” event in Toti.
Now I
told you to brush up on your chopsticks technique, I hope you have, as
we meet at 19h00 Flyday 31 August, for dinner at Ming Bow
Restaurant in Umhlanga Rocks. Call 561 3608 for directions. That
takes care of August, now for September.
Those
couples who would like a quite weekend away, give Andre Roodt a call to
make your booking. He has organized the Swiss Manor for the weekend 1
and 2 September. The cost is R200 per person sharing. You have to
book with Andre, so start calling. The plan at this stage is to visit
the outdoor car show in Escourt on Sunday morning.
On Saturday
15 September we have
the night run being organized by
the ‘Whiplash Wizard’, Andre Roodt. We meet at 17h00 at
the Voice Clinic, 144 Florida Rd., Morningside. From there
it’s a mystery tour all over town. Don’t forget to bring some
folding money for the dinner.
We
have not met at the Blue Lagoon for a long time. So meet us there
at 08h00 on Sunday 23 September, for a breakfast run up the North
Coast to Princes Grant. Don’t ask me more, ‘I know nothing’
(Manuel: Fawlty Towers), give Andre a call.
On
5, 6 and 7 October, the DURBAN MOTOR
SHOW will take place. Contact any member if you want to put your car
on show. The committee will have to decide how many cars go on once
space has been allocated to our club.
On
Saturday 13 October, we have been invited
to a Club challenge at Go-Kart racing in Edwin Swales Drive.
Give Andre Roodt a call for details.
Please
contact Doug Wishart as soon as possible but no later than 30
September to make your booking for seats for lunch at the Wild
Coast Casino after the Sports Car Run on Sunday 28 October.
Doug can also confirm costs, time of departure and departure venue.
Usually we depart from the Pavilion at 08h00 but you need to be
there much earlier.
A new
event dawns. We have been invited to display our cars during a 4WD
Challenge on Saturday 3 November. The 4 Wheel Drive Club of Southern
Africa are hosting the Provincial 4x4 Challenge at the Durban Off
Road Training Center situated at the old Effigham/Corobrik
quarry. (Call Stuart Scully on 082 451 0738 for directions). The
events start at 09h30 so be there 09h00 latest. Food and drinks
will be available from stalls. If you are interested, but need more
details, contact Andre Roodt.
Our
second last run of the year happens on Sunday 25 November.
The run takes us to Albert Falls with a lunch at Safari Park.
We meet at a lazy 09h00 at the Pavilion (any later and you will
be swamped by shoppers). This time both Doug and Andre can answer your
queries.
This
brings us to the last run of the year, a run which has proved to be one
of the best over a number of years. One most of us look out for, and
that is the East London Drags Run. Once again you need to
do some tricks and get off Monday
10 December. If you are good at it by now, you should manage it.
Both the Saturday and Monday will be spent driving. The Drags take place
on the Sunday. Please contact Doug Wishart before end August
(that’s this month) to get details and make your commitment. Doug is
going to do the hotel booking for our club.
Now
the ladies are involved. Yes, if you want to enjoy a Xmas dinner
with all your madcap speed freak buddies from the club, call one of the
following ladies to book your place at a table. Jan (h) 5649448, Karen
(h) 9035960, or Vicky (h) 4627674.
The
Dinner will take place on Saturday 15 December at the Westville
Hotel. For once we have managed to get a booking in December but we
need to know numbers. So please do not delay, make your commitment with
one of our ladies as soon as possible.
As
this will be the third and last newsletter of the year, the following
notice is important.
This
serves to notify members of the COBRA GT40 CLUB of KWAZULU
NATAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING to take place at 14h00 on Saturday
26 January 2002. The AGM will be held on Nick Carters Business
premises, Gilro Park, 34 Gillets Road, Pinetown. (Next to Thundersport)
A BYO
braai will follow afterwards.
Nick
Carter still has stocks of Cobra and GT40 T-shirts at R60. I have four
Original Cobra (USA) T-shirts ( 1 XXL and 3 XL) at R110 each. Contact me
after hours on 5649448.
That’s
all folks, don’t forget to visit our website, it is looking really
great and surprises many people as far as overseas. Also make sure you
get all your details and changes through
to Doug as soon as you can. There are quite a few empty spaces that need
car details.
Drive
carefully,
Vic
Wait
1 August
2001
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