Octagon November, 2017

Introducing our new Management
Committee member, JIM SCOTT
Jim, (whose proper name is James), joined the MG Car Club
in 2014. The motivation behind the membership resulted
from a family birthday gift to his wife, Kathie, of a 1972
MG Midget. To qualify for Concessional registration a club
membership was required and so the MG Car Club was
chosen because of the Marque and its club rooms are local to
where they live.
Wanting to be actively involved in the Club, Jim and Kathie
responded to the call for volunteers for QHC 2015 and
assisted in the canteen for that event. For Jim, Hillclimbing
was a totally new concept and he was won over by the sport
by being at and involved at the event.
Jim had been volunteering at the Gold Coast street races as
an event official since 2007 and had not really considered
being on the other side of the barrier as a Race official.
That is, until speaking to one of the Chief Officials at the
Ipswich Supersprint in 2015 which prompted him to start the
process of getting a CAMS Official licence. Jim completed
his trainee licence at the Mount Cotton Hillclimb in timing
and noise monitoring. While the speciality path of choice
was/is Event Command he has never really left the Timing
Shed. Jim has also participated as a Circuit Official at the V8
Series at Ipswich, Gold Coast, Townsville and the AGP F1 in
Melbourne where his team won the Stewards Cup award in
2017. In aiming for his CAMS Bronze Timekeeper Licence,
Jim has performed timekeeping at Qld Raceway Willowbank
for the V8s and Shannon’s Nationals and at the QLD Circuit
Racing Championships at Morgan Park.
Jim’s interest in motor vehicles was encouraged by his
childhood inquisitive nature to find out how things worked.
Growing up, the family vehicle was a ‘58 Volkswagen which
he used to drive around Cash’s Crossing as a 10 year old
on a Sunday afternoon. The VW was supplemented by a
Holden HK wagon in 1971 which was the start of the family
fleet of cars which included Morris, Austin, Mini, Leyland
Marina, then Holdens (FJ and FX project cars) and more.
This ingrained ‘fleet’ mindset continues today with Jim’s
numerous projects - but with vehicles mainly of European
descent.
Jim’s professional background started in the Commonwealth
Bank in Brisbane and later the family moved to Sydney
in 1986 for Jim to follow a career in IT within the Bank.
Leaving the Bank and starting a consultancy business, Jim
worked for the Australian Stock Exchange and Woolworths
on strategic projects in Sydney before Jim and his family
moved back to Brisbane in 1998. He has since worked as
a consultant in Queensland Government, Energy, Resource
and the Not for Profit industries. Jim’s focus in business is
Business Improvement through Analysis, Process and Project
Management.
Nominations for the 2017 Brian Tebble Award
People familiar with the history of Mount Cotton Hillclimb
will know that the late Brian Tebble, an early member of the
MGCCQ, was instrumental in getting the Hill Climb circuit
constructed. In recognition of individuals responsible for the
ongoing work required for the maintenance and running of
the Mount Cotton Speed Hillclimb Circuit, an annual award in
Brian’s name was formed eight years ago. This year another
person will receive the award.
The award recognises particularly outstanding efforts made by
individuals who tirelessly work, sometimes behind the scenes,
to ensure that the facility’s magnificent grounds are always
Jim at work in
the timing shed
at Mt Cotton
Jim and Kathie have 6 adult children and 14 grandchildren. As
a member of the Management committee 2017/18, Jim aims
to implement some business improvement and efficiencies
in the administration of the club starting with an online
membership renewal process to be implemented for 2018
memberships. More information will be forthcoming. Being
involved in the Hillclimb timing, Jim is also reviewing ways
of automating and improving the race timing systems, event
management and timely presentation of results.
Jim aspires to one day compete at the Hillclimb.
Jim likes to listen to new ideas and encourages members to
bring their ideas to the table that would promote and expand
the services of the Club and positively promote motorsport.
looking their best and that events function smoothly. One
person receives the award each year and nominations for
2017 are currently open.
If you know of any member not on the committee or any
non-member who you feel deserves to be recognised for
their efforts this year please let me know through the contact
details below. Nominations will close on Dec 31 2017 and the
award will be presented at the Club dinner and presentation
of trophies in early 2018.
- Andrew Willesden aswillesden@bigpond.com
0410 059 266
The Octagon - November 2017 9