Wheelspin July 2012 - Sporting Car Club of SA

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The Noel Roscrow Trophy The H Noel Roscrow AM Perpetual Trophy has been inaugurated to commemorate Noel’s work and support of the Sporting Car Club for many years, including his foundation Chairmanship of the Club’s Fleurieu Group in 2003 and for his gift of $25,000 for the purchase of timing equipment for the Collingrove Hill Climb. Noel was still Chairman of the Fleurieu Group after 10 years at the time of his death last September at the age of 85. The Roscrow Trophy is awarded by the Club with the winner being selected by a committee of three, comprising the Club President and the Chairman of the Classic Section and the Fleurieu Group. The First Winner The Trophy was presented for the first time at this year’s Fleurieu Group’s May Day luncheon at the Currency Creek Winery, following a car run in the morning, and the first recipient is Ray Pank. This was greeted with thunderous acclamation – and a stunned look on Ray’s face! Ray has been a member of the Sporting Car Club for 76 years and is its longest-serving Member. His first car was a 14/60 Amilcar which was re-engined with an Essex Four by John McDonough, who later bought the car, and Max Lawton and it became known as the Madconberg Special which, Ray believes, is still around. Ray competed in a variety of Club events, including hill-climbs and trials, initially in a Vauxhall 30/98 in 1936 and, on his 21st birthday in 1938, he bought a Ford V8 in which he also took part in a 50-mile handicap race at Lobethal. When WW2 was declared, Ray bought a new Vauxhall 10 because of its economic appeal – including new tyres! – as it was not known for how long the war might last. Ray served overseas with an army mobile workshop during that time. After the war, he bought a Holden and took part in veteran events, firstly in a 1905 De Dion Bouton which he later sold to Jim Gosse. He also competed in a 1902 Veteran Oldsmobile which belonged to GM-Holden and which was garaged at the Holden family residence on Dequetteville Terrace. When he turned up to drive the car again after the war, he found that the Holden’s house has been used by the Army – and so had the Oldsmobile. The engine needed some welding together as it had received some rough use. The repair work was organised through GM-Holden Director Jim (later Sir James) Holden. Then came a Lancia which Ray fitted with a Terraplane engine. He drove the car in a variety of events, including a hill-climb at Rob Roy in Victoria where he won his class. He also competed in it on the Woodside circuit. In 1950, aged 33, Ray started his own business to represent Australian and overseas manufacturers and is well-known for his representation of Grundfos Pumps and Siemens Electrical. In 1965, joined the Railton Car Club and later the Hudson Essex Club in the US which has 3,000 members world-wide. These memberships have gained him friends in many countries. For his work and support of the Sporting Car Club, Ray was made a Life Member in 1981. He provided the Club with funds in 1999 to buy the 16ha Collingrove Hill Climb following the earlier death of Club member an owner, Bob Angas, who in 1952 initiated hill-climb events on his family’s long-held property near Angaston. Ray did this because of the huge debt he insists he owes the Club for its friendship and support. Ray also served on the General Committee and, with former longtime Secretary, Douglas Verco, acted as a Steward at Club speed events for the RAA of SA, prior to the formation of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport which took over administering the controlling rules and regulations. Ray has had a long association with Goolwa and for many years owned a ‘week-ender’ on Liverpool Road. His neighbour there was another Club member and events competitor, Granton Harrison, whose family made shoes. From any viewpoint, Ray Pank has achieved much in his life and is still involved in many things. And he has a way to go yet, as he is only 95. Ray Pank and his wife Patricia The late Noel Roscrow and wife Ali About the Trophy The Roscrow Trophy consists of a wooden plinth on which is mounted a polished SS Jaguar piston and connecting rod. Such a design was chosen because of Noel’s love of his own beautifullyrestored black 1938 SS which stands inside his house on Hindmarsh Island, next to his billiard table. The piston and rod were supplied by Club Member Digby Thomas from his inventory of spares for his 1937 SS which he has owned for 55 years. Fellow Club Member Rick Medlyn and Digby organised the design of the Trophy, the work being carried out by Goolwa artisans at no charge, such was their respect for Noel. And on the plinth is mounted the first silver shield, bearing the name of the first winner :- RAY PANK.
Carroll Shelby: gone but not forgotten: Known by enthusiasts young and old and all around the world, Carroll Shelby who died recently will be missed by many. Who would have thought that a former chicken farmer from Texas would have had such an influence in the world of motor sport and car construction? He has been called ‘the father of the muscle car. Not only that, but he was often rated amongst the world’s top racing drivers. He was one of those geniuses from the time when there were people who could design cars, build cars, sort their handling and drive them to success in top level competition. Not so well known is that he was one of the world’s longest survivors of a heart transplant, having received his new one in 1990. He founded the International Chilli Society which has raised more than $1billion for charities with cooking contests. Another venture was a safari business in South Africa, and he trained bomber pilots during the war. He was not so successful in another field, having been married six times. A real character! His exploits and achievements live on in your Library. Some of the books you may like are: Cobra Story (on display; Ford Versus Ferrari; Carroll Shelby, The Career of a Great American Racing Driver; Great Racing Drivers of the World, and Aston Martin, A Racing History. Roy Salvadori enjoying his retirement at the Goodwood Festival of Speed FAST, FRIENDLY, RELIABLE AND GONE HIS Roy Salvadori, the fast Englishman with an Italian name from his Italian refrigeration business owning parents passed away recently at age 90 after a career noted for his versatility. His most famous victory was at the 24 hours Le Mans event of 1959 in an Aston Martin with the also late Carroll Shelby. He started his career in MGs and Rileys and moved on to an Alfa P3 and the ex Prince Bira Maserati before forging a long stint as a works driver for many British teams across a range of formulas. Victories were hard to get but places came thick and fast with such cars as Frazer-Nash, Connaught, BRM, Jaguar, Vanwall, 250Fs, Cooper and Aston Martin. He was one who made a successful change from front engined to rear engined racers. We saw him at Warwick Farm in 1962 where he had an unfortunate accident. After retiring from driving in 1965 he managed the Cooper-Maserati team until 1968 when he decided to concentrate on his car business. Since then he has often been seen at Goodwood having a serious ‘go’. In his last years he lived with his wife Susan, the daughter of an early Le Mans winner, above the start-finish line at Monaco. There are many books in the Library with stories about Roy. You can also read about his early contact and lasting friendship with Bernie Ecclestone. Motorwebs (Helpful Automotive Websites) www.knfilters.com.au www.bowdensown.com.au www.trackdriver.com www.roadandracegear.com www.videoVBOX.co.uk www.alexreade.net www.stoddard.com High Performance Filters for cars, and all types of engines Car Care products for Australia and tips, and a great Museum A bi-monthly global magazine published in the UK for track day and racing enthusiasts. Associated with Circuit Driver it contains a lot of technical info and related ads.. Helmets, gloves, shoes, kartwear, mechanics wear, pit equipment, harnesses, seats, leisure wear, luggage. Data logging Motor sport artwork, drivers’ memorabilia, clothing. models Parts for old Porsche and Audi, re-manufactured, genuine and used. Have you a favourite Website? Email me at: ga
Page 1 and 2: JULY.2012 Wednesday 4th July, 2012
Page 3 and 4: Greetings Members & Friends, What a
Page 5 and 6: CLASSIC NEWS COMING MEETINGS Friday
Page 7 and 8: y “Up Hill” HILLCLIMB NEWS Ever
Page 9: HISTORIC RACING REGISTER Hi everyon
Page 13 and 14: SCCSA “TOP GEAR” SECTION MENS P
Page 15 and 16: The wedding was on Saturday the 26t
Page 17 and 18: Meeting On the Move started from th
Page 20 and 21: TARGA NIGHT STAGE The Supaloc Targa
Page 22 and 23: JEFF GRANSDEN’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CEL
Page 24: “101 Years of Motoring” A Picni

Wheelspin July 2012 - Sporting Car Club of SA

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