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A
very big 2003 welcome to all our members. With the excellent turnout
at the AGM on 18 January, all bodes well for healthy participation in
the events and activities we (the committee) have already been
planning. It was great to have some of our first members of the club
back with us. To Barry Miller and Neil Ryan, we are pleased to have
you back.
On
behalf of our club members, I thank Nick Carter for once again hosting
the AGM at his firm’s premises.
Of
course our constitution prevents a chairman from continuing in that
capacity for more than two years and it was therefore necessary to
vote in a new chairman. As you can see by the letterhead we do have a
new chairman. André Roodt was nominated and unanimously voted in as
our new chairman. We
welcome André, wish him all the best, and sincerely thank Doug
Wishart for all he has contributed over the last two years as
chairman. You will also notice that Doug continues as vice-chairman
and that Paddy Tatton joins the committee to add some fresh blood.
Our
outgoing chairman Doug, and Nick our treasurer.
One
of the first things the new chairman and committee decided on, was to
increase the club subscription. Before you all go off on a huff and
blame the new chairman, consider this. The club subscription has stood
at R100 for many years, each year it was decided that no increase was
necessary as we were able to survive on the subscriptions and a small
profit on things like T-shirts. However, because things are getting
quite expensive and we need to change the cover of our newsletter
(among others), the committee decided to up the subscription to R120.
It is a 20% increase that matches my property rates increase each
year, so I believe it is a fair call and will allow the committee a
little more financial flexibility.
Most
of the members that were present at the AGM settled their subs there
and then and we call on all other members to get their subs to Nick
Carter as soon as possible and no later than 28 February. (2003 that
is)
You
can make use of electronic banking or pay in at your local bank. The
details of our account is: ABSA
Pinetown branch code 505 626 Account for COBRA GT40 CLUB of KWAZULU
NATAL, Account No. 9054401136.
NB. When making such deposits,
please make sure that your reference (name) appears on the deposit
information.
This tickled my fancy: You never really learn to swear until you learn
to drive!
Another point to ponder is this. Why does a dropped bolt always roll
under the car? Surely it
should roll away from the car 50% of the time. That’s where the
#@XX^! Comes in.
One
suggestion at our first meeting of the committee, was that a full
briefing of drivers takes place before starting a run. This will make
sure that all the drivers know exactly the route to follow and what
activities (if any) have been arranged. We also need to come up with
driving etiquette for convoys. Please let me have your ideas on this
score.
The
following is just a suggestion from me.
Driving Etiquette:
·
When
approaching a four-way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires does
not always have the right of way.
·
Never
tow another vehicle using panty hose and duct tape.
·
When
sending your spouse down the road with a petrol can, it is impolite to
ask her to bring back beer as well.
·
Dim your
lights for approaching vehicles even if your gun is loaded and the
crayfish are visible in the back of the car.
·
Do not
lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession.
·
Never
take beer to a job interview.
·
Even if
you are certain that you have been included in the will, do not arrive
at the funeral home in your empty truck.
Let
us get serious for the moment and let me have some suggestions. The
whole idea is to have safer,
helpful and more enjoyable runs.
The
Sports Car Run to the Wild Coast Casino was enjoyed by all. It is a
pity though that, because of the possibility of rain, the concourse
was held under cover and therefore the cars on display could not be
seen in all their glory. However we are very pleased
to announce that the new blue GT40 was judged the top replica
on display. Congratulations to Bugs Theunissen, who has created a
masterpiece and has set a very high standard for future builders.
André
arranged a very successful luncheon at Hillbillies Restaurant once
more. I am also pleased to say that the approach road has been
upgraded and therefore a two wheel drive can get there.
The
Xmas dinner at the Oyster Box Hotel was also a great success and we
thank Jan for organizing this. Not much dancing took place though. I
wonder if the presence of what looked like pro dancers on the floor,
intimidated our members. I prefer that argument against the thought
that many of us may be getting a little ‘on’ in life, and that the
creaky bones don’t stand up to the pace anymore. OK I speak for
myself only.
One
of our highlights of the year is the annual pilgrimage to the drag
races in East London. I was not available to participate last year and
therefore I can make no comment on the events that took place. Even
George Louwrens, who normally contributes a story, failed to join in
this run due to his Cobra having problems. However, André has
promised a story, so find that elsewhere in this newsletter. I have
spoken to a few guys who did participate and in spite of all the rain
going down, and on the return run experiencing rain plus a few car
problems, they really enjoyed the whole weekend.
The
first run of 2003 will be a combined run. This is the SPCA
ANNUAL RUN organized by the Sevens Club and the East Coast
Cruisers. Meet at the Pavilion
at 07h30 on Sunday 9 February
in time to get your instructions, pay a R10 per car registration and
drive off at 08h30. We will run a short rally and land up somewhere
for breakfast.
A
very important day comes up on Saturday
15 February. This is the day we are all going to help Doug with
his newly acquired GT40. We will do this in the form of our
established Constructors Meeting and BYO braai. Let us meet at the Hyper
Prospecton at 12h30 and drive in convoy to Doug’s place in Toti.
Once
again we are putting together a dinner/show for our members. The show
that we have selected is ‘Sinderella’
showing at the Langoustine
Restaurant. On Sunday 16
February we can have a two course meal and show for R100 per
person. I need to book numbers so have asked André to get out an
e-mail and phone call to members to make their commitment with me on
5649448 by 10 Feb.
On
Sunday 23 February, we involve the spouses (spice!?) again, in a
breakfast at Firkin Breweries
Pavilion and a run thereafter which Paddy Tatton is organizing.
Meet and park in front of Firkin (so that you can check out your dream
machine through the windows while eating) no later than 08h00 (after 08h00 you may not get parking).
A
police officer stops a blonde for speeding and asks her very nicely if
he could see her license. She replied in a huff, “I wish you guys
would get your act together. Just yesterday you take away my license
and then today you expect me to show it to you!”
On
Sunday 16 March, meet at
the Pav.
by 08h30 and Nick Carter will show us the way back into
town (this can be thrilling) and across to the yacht mole to land up
at the new restaurant ZACS
for breakfast.
On
Sunday 30 March, we meet at
09h00 at the Polo Pony
filling station for one of our longer runs to Albert
Falls Dam. Bring along a braai basket. We may even be able to talk
some of our members into bringing along their boats. Keep your fingers
crossed.
On
Sunday 13 April, André is
arranging a MYSTERY run.
Meet at the Pav. To leave 09h00 sharp.
Easter
weekend falls between 18 and 21
April and Jan has pre-booked the Trout
Farm out near Greytown. This is a farm we have visited before and
is great. There is limited accommodation of up to 17 beds (Allan, the
cottage is not available) , so we will have to take ‘first come
first served’ I am afraid.
You
bring along your own food and drink, pay R65 per person per night, and
if we require the services of a maid, we split the cost. Sounds good?
Please come back to me on 5649448 as soon as possible please.
On
Sunday 18 May, we
have the annual ‘Cars in the
Park’ display. We have to meet early to get to our spot so meet
at Polo Pony filling station
to leave by 07h30. Are
there any members who would like to drive up to Joburg and join the ‘Durban
Dash’ landing up in Pietermaritzburg in time for the show? If
so, please contact André to make arrangements.
On
Saturday 31 May, there will
be a Cobra Corvette Shootout
at Tarlton International race
track. I presume this takes over the normal June/July activity and
therefore we need to plan and organize a club run. This usually
involves the Friday to drive up coming back on the Sunday. Please make
your intentions known to André as soon as possible.
A
Wheels Expo is being planned at the Edgewood College grounds for 5-6
July. Details for security etc. are still sketchy so I will report
back next newsletter.
Those
members that are keen to participate or just to observe the Hill Climb
events at Masons Mill, can contact Thundersport for the times and
dates.
John
Accut has decided to sell his Cobra. I am sorry to hear of this
decision but hope that the car will be sold to someone who will in
turn join our club. John also has numerous spares for sale. You can
contact him on 082 443 8083.
Paddy
Tatton has suggested that we keep an up to date Parts
Page on the website. If you have Cobra or GT40 parts for sale or
know where to get hard to find parts, please let Doug know so that he
can include the info on the website.
Paddy’s Cobra broke its rear suspension on the way back from East
London. I believe the welds gave out on the rear control arms. This is
not the first time this has happened. My advice is to have your
shortened drive shafts and control arms X-rayed for possible bad welds
as a safety precaution.
Doug
is about to upgrade our site, so please let him have more detail on
your cars (I see some blank spaces) and any changes of tel. numbers,
addresses etc.
Cheers
my Chinas, drive carefully,
Vic
Wait 3 February 2003
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