Dusty Digest.

December 2017

Thanks to everyone for a great 2017, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all and enjoy your off season.

In this Newsletter

Editor_Note:  Next_Event: 

2018_Calendar_of_Events

The_year_that_was_2017

A_few_Pics 

of the presention night and Christmass breakup

  Club_Championship 

2018_whats_happening Club_Challenge_SDDC

CLASSES

Last_Months_Guardian_Newspaper: 

  So_you_are_thinking_of_coming_out_what_should_I_know:

Please_Read_How_To_ Enter:  We_Love_Our_Sponsors:  Reminders:

 Club_Apparel:  How_to_become_an_Offical: Working_with_Children: Web_Site:  Membership_infomation:  For_Sale:

If you have anything you would like to add or see in the newsletter please email us at news@swanhillsportingcarclub.com.au 

Next Event:

March 10th and 11th Come and Try Weekend

Saturday afternoon Test and Tune including Junior develepment with a Twilight and Social night Test & Tune Sunday, located at The Jack Chisholm Reserve, Sea Lake Road, Swan Hill on March 10th and 11th 2018
Saturday Afternoon Scrutineering from 11.30am Racing from 1pm finish by 5pm Twilight Saturday evening from 7 pm by midnight weather permitting and Sunday Scrutineering from 8.30am Racing from 10am by 5 pm

2018 Calendar of Events

  2018 Calendar

The year that was 2017

Sorry it is a long sory but it was a big year.

2017 is done and dusted for SHSCC. Looking back it was a great year with good size fields all year and our track has been taking the punishment amazingly well. When you consider that we hardly ever dropped below 450 starts per round and 4 of those rounds had 2 days that is 900 starts each. It did get one hell of a flogging with only a little work to keep it up to scratch. Speaking of the 2 day event the pizza night idea was tried out and it has been a great success. Not only for those eating it and that number has just keeps rising but to all whom run the events as it is so hard to know how many are staying.  But, with the pizza nights it is just a matter of adding names during the day and using the phone to order. Got to love that the last one, had over 50 people. That was a good idea Rose Pepers.

Helping out has also come a long way this year. With more people doing more tasks the load is getting shared out and that is important. It makes everyone’s day that bit easier. Lyn Andrew has returned to the Secretary Positon and has really streamlined the whole paperwork process. Just look at the event entry method now. It is much smoother and less stressful to complete your entries on the day, or, you can use the MSA portal. While it is not perfect it does make it very easy to enter all of which relieves pressure on the Event Secretary, Lynne Paynter.

Ruth Vallence and Carolyn Donnan have taken over the canteen and the food is just absolutely amazing. Not to mention the difference it has made to some of us running around like a headless chooks in the mornings, trying to organise the catering and also run the event. The stress has been greatly reduced. Some people have complained that due to the broadened range of foods available, it hasn’t been flattering to their waste lines. Despite this, thank you Ruth and Carolyn.

John and Cindi have done an amazing job of timing and John’s program continues to evolve. We even ran out of horse power in the timing PC and had to replace it with one with more power.

Stacey Paynter finished her Club Chief ticket and helped out during the year as Club Chief which in turn gave some others a bit more seat time. Next year we are hoping to get hold of an enclosure for the staging area where the marshals and first aid personal could be housed in to get them out of the dust and the sun thus will helping with fatigue for the officials.

Hopefully we can run another course in 2018 for Club Chiefs and Scrutineers.

There are some people that have really helped out over the year. Lynne and Ted Paynter really do a lot for the club as there are countless hours involved each year to make it all happen and they are often at the heart of it, as is Neil Albert, Lyn Andrew, Deb Green, Stacey Paynter, Caleb Stewart, Barry Middleton, Carolyn and Neil Donnan, Glen King-Gee, Ruth and Jason Vallence, Glenn McGillivray, Craig Williams these are a few that stand out and have helped me and the club no end during 2017.

With all of the involvement of our members we now seem to be able to run large events with ease. Now it is not hard to put on a 2 day event. If anything it seems to be easier, due I think to the lunch time starts it does not seem as rushed. We have even managed to pull off a couple of twilights which are hard for us as the dust is the big problem at night. The wind drops, the dust hangs and you cannot see a thing, let alone trying to drive competitively in it. But after some trial and error we seem to have found a way to run that so long as there is some wind. And for those who had a go in the dark they did seem to love it. And, it looks so good watching the lights go round this will be continued in 2018.

We continued to support VCAS in 2017 and while the results are not out yet we would hope to see the odd trophy come home to some of our members. We will have to wait until Feb 11^th 2018 at Pakenham VCAS round 1 for that. We are also supporting the series throughout 2018 more detail in our Club Events Calendar.

This year we got with the program and went computerised with 2 club laptops one for the Event Secretary and one for the Club Secretary. We also setup and are using Google drive to work between ourselves. The club house got connected to the internet with an antenna and some other bits a few of us had laying around but the result is about 20 meg download speed and 4 meg up. Not bad for no phone line anywhere there.  We also setup a Multi-function printer on the wifi network as well as upgrading the wifi networks range to cover the entire track this leaves scope for more things like IP Cameras, Facebook streaming and safety lights. But, at the present it has stream lined the event entry process and we got EFTPOS with that as well.

Scrutineering has gone to 2 lanes at a time and thanks to the help and support of members this has improved in time which is good because field sizes continue to grow. We are currently in the process of putting up a permanent shade sail over the scrutineering area, this will be a great help to those standing out in the sun. See working bees in Club Events Calendar.

A few Pics

These pics where taken by Lyn Andrew Photography

 there are many more on Facebook

Club Championship Points

Looking back at the trophy winners for 2017

Neil Albert 1^st Class C

Neil had a great year. He started it off getting his Hyundai Excel in shape with some new springs some other suspension tweaks, added rally tyres and them made the car look great with some very well done signage of his sponsor Get Reel Productions, which even made the car look like a race car. Then he competed in every event.  Now that is the way to win a class. Well done Neil. He has also wasted no time in getting ready to defend his title for 2018 with prep already well under way. 

Neil Donnan 1st Class D

Neil who has a fleet of Ford Focuses was trying to find the one that he liked the best but it was his faithful silver one that he did the most events in. He managed a very convincing win in class D but I have it on good authority next year’s car will be a bit quicker again. We will be looking forward to seeing in action well done Neil.

Kelvin Jobling 1^st Class E

Jobbo had a great year and not without effort. Early on in the season his car looked like a cat on a hot tin roof, it was nervous and the front was all over the place coming into the bends but partway through he found the problem and since then it has been like a rocket. Nice clean lines and quick. I believe he is also doing some work in the off season and could be VH bound, but, I could have that wrong. Either way, well done Jobbo. It was a good win and he also competed in all rounds.

Blair Clue 1^st Class J and Kalie Vallence 2nd

Blair can drive, there is no disputing that. He is great to watch. He gives it all every single lap. He did a good job this season and deserved to win but he did have some competition in Karli Vallence. Karli  had held the first spot for most of the season until Blair won in the last round and Karli had to retire early with damage.  They finished the season just 18 points apart with Blair competing in 6 rounds and Karli in 8. Well done to you both. You are great to watch. They both will still be in class J in 2018 so it is going to be interesting.

Stacey Paynter 1^st Class L

Carolyn Donnan 2^nd

Rose Pepers       3rd

I have to mention all 3 they all deserving in the Ladies class.

Stacey Paynter was the one to beat all year she is going well in her Mitsubishi Lancer coupe and has it working well. But midway through the season Carolyn Donnan who also has a Mitsubishi Lancer coupe started to work it out and by the end of the season was getting very quick, not to mention excited when she would see the times she was achieving. Rose Pepers was also doing well at the start of the season but was a few rounds down by the end with Stacey and Carolyn both competing in 9 rounds and Rose in 5. Well done to you all but I hope next year a few more ladies take the challenge to you guys. I have heard whispers there could be some more ladies joining the ranks.

Shane Clue 1^st Class P

Terrance Ingram 2^nd

Now these guys where only separated by a point with Shane on 132 and Terrance on 131. It does not get any closer than that with Shane competing in 7 rounds and Terrance 8 and they could not be more different. Shane running in front wheel drive cars and Terrance a VT Commodore they were both great entertainment throughout the season looking forward to continuing the battle in 2018 great work both of you. 

Dylan McFarlane 1^st Class s

Dylan had a lonely time in Class s but he did manage to make some big improvement in his buggy, when it first came out it did not look all that happy on the track but with a few changes it was going quite well. Hope to see it in 2018

Glenn Williams 1^st Class w

Craig Williams 2^nd

Glen King-Gee 3rd

Glenn had an absolute ball in his Subaru. He got to compete in 10 rounds and looked to enjoy them all. Once he did try a Cordia turbo but that may have left more fibreglass than rubber on the track.

Class W did have plenty of contenders throughout the this season with Craig Williams 2^nd in class W was only 35 point behind him and Glen King-Gee only 19 behind Craig well done to you all.

2018 whats happening Club Challenge SDDC

Next Year we have entered a club challenge with Shepparton and District Car Club where we will host an event on July 7^th and 8^th that will also be deemed a Shepparton event. They will do the same on 4^th and 5^th of August at their Mooroopna track which will be also be deemed a SHSCC event. As this is motorsport there will be a winner but mainly it is a club win that each will be chasing. And, yes, this is still the normal class winner as well this should be a great challenge. And for all that take part a good 4 days you are sure to have as camping and social nights are included in both events if you want to take part.

The club with the most points over the 2 events wins the club challenge.

In the 2018 Club Events Calendar there are 16 days of club racing 9 VCAS events and 6 - 2 day events one in Shepparton and 5 single day events so it is going to be a big year.Club points are going to follow VCAS rule next year our Club championship points shall be allocated at each round on the following scales:

Outright: 1st to 10th: 10 points down to 1 point

Class: 1st to 10th: 10 points down to 1 point

2018 SHSCC Club Championship will include all classes listed below and we will for the first time be issuing an outright standing with trophies at the end of the season for 1^st 2^nd and 3^rd outright.

You must compete in 3 rounds to be a contender and also be a current SHSCC member with all rounds counted with the exception of VCAS. The Test and Tune on the Sunday June 4th is counted as is each 2 day event counted as 2 rounds with full points for each day, as is the 2 days at Shepparton where road tyres only will be permitted.

7. CLASSES

7.1 Class P: Two wheel drive Production Cars

Note: The spirit of Class P is for standard and street-driven cars.

Each vehicle shall remain in standard specification as detailed by the manufacturers workshop manual/s,

except where modification from standard specification is permitted by these regulations.

The complete body and all trim of the vehicle must be complete and in place, including all glass / seats.

The following freedoms apply:

Air filtering system is free

Exhaust system is free but must include an effective muffler

The brake friction material is free, but the braking system must be standard

Wheels and tyres are free, with the exception that Hand Cut, Rally Tyres or tyres marked “RALLY

USE ONLY”, “WINTERTREAD” or “MUD & SNOW” or “NOT FOR ROAD USE” are not permitted.

Substitution of the driver’s seat by an improved seat or racing seat is allowed subject to the seat and

mountings being secure.

When rollover protection is installed in the vehicle, the interior trim may be lightly modified to allow

fitment of the rollover protection (i.e.: a rear seat may need a hole cut into it to allow a roll cage tube

to pass through it, instead of being totally removed).

7.3 Class C: Two wheel drive Modified Production Cars up to 1600cc only.

7.4 Class D: Two wheel drive Modified Production Cars 1601 to 2000cc only.

7.5 Class E: Two wheel drive Modified Production Cars 2001cc and over only.

7.6 Class W: AWD or 4WD production based vehicles, which must be recognizably based on a

production AWD / 4WD vehicle. No engine capacity limit.

7.7 The criteria for cars in Classes C, D, E and W are:

oRecognizably based on Production Cars, modified in accordance with these regulations.

oEngine position to remain in the original production car position. Any change to the engine compartment

that involves cutting the firewall is considered a change in engine position.

oEngine manufacturer / number of cylinders (or rotors) must match the original car manufacturer.

oOther driveline modifications are permitted.

oAll panels and windows must be in place, but the material is free. Windows / doors must be operable in

accordance with the original manufacture.

oLarge plastic bumper bars where they incorporate panels for the car must be retained as these are

classified as panels.

oWheels and tyres are free – except where event Supplementary Regulations specifically prohibit or allow

particular types of tyre

7.8 Class J: Open to younger competitors. (Juniors)

Junior Competitors must be under the age of 18 years, on 1 January of the year of competition.

7.8.1 Juniors may compete in any class of vehicle but will be ineligible for class J points in class W or S

vehicles. If a junior enters a class S or W car they shall compete in the appropriate open class

regardless of their age.

7.8.2 A junior competitor whom competes in an “open” class must continue to compete in an “open” class

for the remainder of the year.

7.9 Class L: Female competitors.

Female competitors are eligible to compete in a female only category.

7.9.1 Females may compete in any class of vehicle but will be ineligible for class points in class W or S

vehicles. If a lady enters a class S or W car they shall compete in the appropriate open class

regardless of their sex.

7.9.2 A female competitor whom competes in an “open” class must continue to compete in an “open” class

for the remainder of the year.

7.10 Class S: Purpose-built or special types of vehicles and buggies or vehicles modified in excess

of those specific modifications allowed in classes C, D, E and W. All vehicles in this class must be

fitted with rollover protection. Vehicles without reverse gear, as required in Para 6.1 of these rules,

will be permitted to run although competitors are strongly encouraged to have reverse gear as the

running of events can be affected.

7.11 A vehicle is only eligible for a single vehicle class at an event (i.e. excepting of classes J and L).

Multiple drivers cannot enter the same vehicle in different vehicle classes at an event. Unless

modifications to a vehicle during the competition year necessitate a class change upwards (only) (–

i.e. from standard to modified or modified to specials), the vehicle must remain in the same class

throughout the competition year. If any driver changes class during the competition season, no points

already scored in the original nominated class may be carried forward to the new class.

7.12 While rally tyres are generally permitted in all classes other than class P vehicles,

 Last Months Guardian Newspaper Spread by Meagan McGregor

We made the paper regularly throughout the year thanks to the Swan Hill Guardian and Meagan McGregor’s efforts as well as Lyn Andrew photography and Rob Goff. This was a great effort and made quite a difference to the club profile throughout the year and we hope to maintain the momentum in 2018.

This was Decembers below

Tips and Tricks: for the off season

Ok so it is now all over what should I do to get ready for 2018.

I would start with a good clean up of your car then have a good look around. You can at this point do nothing or be nice to the car and give it a service. Oil, oil filter, air filter maybe a fuel filter are great ideas. From here it is how long is a piece of string.

Check that battery is in tight. Look at your tie rod ends they cop a flogging.

Check your tyres, look at the sidewalls for damage and bulges. Look for dirt under the lip of the rim. Too much and it will go through and end up causing a puncture even if you have tubes. Look at the valve if you have tubes if it is moving around in the tyre it is going to get ripped out take it down and get it fixed. If you do not have tubes go and get some fitted very cheap insurance against rollovers. Most rollovers have a flat tyre involved.

Questions

1: What class are you going to be running in.

Will determine how any changes like going from Class P to C,D or E will allow rally tyres and at that point you might as well go to a weight reduction and gut the interior.

2: Exhaust  - if you are keen, removing the cat and the rear muffler will give a bit better flow and small power gain most cars now days have a small muffler mid car and huge one at the back.

 3: Do you want it to look like a race car, if so plan out a look for your car do not just throw stickers at it. I have found out of late that to get better coverage it is better to have some stand out feature like a plain white car is harder to get in the paper due to the colour is hard to get right in print ( who knew) you may find a local sponsor to help pay for the signage but either way give it some thought first.

4: How serious are you. This where there is no correct answer. Here it just a question for you if you are happy to do laps and have a great time then good. If you are competitive and want to push the limit that is also good but you should be thinking safety. The chances are you are pushing it, so start thinking roll cage, race seats and belts the seat and belt alone give you more control by the fact you are not swing off the steering wheel but you are held in place so you are only steering not hanging on. Roll cage not only protects you by also stiffens your car giving better cornering. 

5: How is the clutch: if you are looking at changing the clutch then why not think about the diff practically in a front wheel drive it is only a bit more effort and you can weld up the diff and then you are in for some great exit corner speed, Rear wheel drives also benefit from better drive and LSD’s are much easier to find for rear wheel drive car.

These will all make a difference to your times and enjoyment but none have changed the power of the engine. That is a whole other story.

Please Read How to Enter
As the club continually grows and race day gets busier and busier, the committee has recently reviewed how we currently process race entries on the day to save double handling.
As you would know from previous emails the Club strongly encourages all those entering to use the MSA portal for race entries of which almost 50% of the field are now doing.

To speed up the entry process on the day we are asking all those racing to please get their car scrutineered prior to entering the club rooms to complete your race entry.
If you have not entered via the portal then you can collect a copy of the Supp Regs from Lyn Andrew from the club room. If you are taking a passenger or are being a passenger on the day then you can obtain a passenger form from Lyn Andrew also.

Please do not line up to see Lynne Paynter (event secretary) until you have had your car scrutineered and have the scrutineer form, completed the Supp Regs (please do not complete a hard copy if you have entered via the portal) and a passenger form if required. You will also need to have your MSA licence as well as your SHSCC current membership card.

You can go to SHSCC website and download the Supp Regs (if not entered via the portal) and a passenger form and complete prior to the day which will fast track you to entering. If you are not entering via the portal you can complete the Supp Regs and email to Lynne Paynter so we know you will be attending eventsecretary@swanhillsportingcarclub.com.au

The Swan Hill Sporting Car Club will, as of the August 2017 meeting, have EFTPOS facilities at the track. You will be able to use EFTPOS to pay race fees and to purchase food at the canteen (please note there is no cash withdrawals). Cards accepted:  Visa, Master and Debit/Eftpos cards.

So you are thinking of coming out what should I know.

First of all Cars

Your car is going to be scrutineered so it needs to be safe we are going to check that is has no loose items inside. The spare wheel and jack are removed, the battery is held in tight and the positive battery terminal is covered; that can be done with tape. There is a fire extinguisher bolted in and is reachable by the driver and in date. Tyres need to be good and steering and braking should be good.  There should also be a blue triangle marking the battery location and a red triangle front and rear making the tow points. If unregistered should also have bonnet pins.

Full Spec in Technical section of MSA

 The drivers and passengers are the same, you must be 14 years or older and will need to have a dot approved crash helmet, long sleeve shirt or jumper not nylon, long pants - jeans are good and leather top shoes. So, the them here is, stuff that does not burn easily.

To cover the legal bits we run under MSA Confederation of Australian Motorsport and as such all drivers need to be covered. So, a MSA licence is the go just to see if it is for you, there is a thing called a day Licence at a cost of $25 – seniors and juniors - which is then put towards a full 12 month one if you want to continue. You also need to be a member of the club which is currently around $45 for a single and $66.5 for a family per year but only after your first time out there. Then there are race fees for the day $37 for a single and $60 for a family living at the same address and is a dependent.

Passengers need to sign a form but that is free and passengers are only allowed in a Test and Tune event.

These are the basics for more details

We Love Our Sponsors:

Meagan from Get Reel Productions has a special offer for club members. A personal profile video where she will attend the track or another location and guarantee a minimum of 2 hours filming focused solely on the individual’s car, driving etc. The completed video is compacted into a 20-45 minute highlight reel complete with music, titles and special effect overlays. Normally priced at $250, Meagan is offering a 50% discount, available to club members for $125. Bookings are essential, please contact Meagan on 0438 615 077 meagan@getreelproductions.biz
Country Tracks 4WD Accessories & Exhaust Centre is located in Swan Hill and is renowned for offering a comprehensive range of accessories from the most credible and respected brands in the industry.  There are accessories for any 4WD vehicle and any type of 4WD user. Customers have the option of having the accessories fitted on the premises, thereby saving them valuable time and money.  14 Chapman Street, Swan Hill VIC 3585(03) 5032 1448 http://www.countrytracks.com.au/
Coburns Earthmoving specialises in earthmoving and excavations including dam construction, road construction, irrigation, subdivision and general earthworks throughout Victoria. Contact: Gary Saville Location: Nyah, Victoria Telephone:03 5030 2234 Mobile:0427 302 957 Email:gary@coburnsearthmoving.com.au http://www.coburnsearthmoving.com.au        Lazy River Motor Inn with over 2.5 acres and lots of parking. Great for race cars on trailers!!! 188 Murray Valley Hwy Swan Hill Phone 5032 2123 www.lazyrivermotorinn.com.au
We buy all types of scrap metal in all of Swan Hill, Kerang and the surrounds. Call us and we will come to you. Swan Hill Scrap Metal buy all types of scrap metal, we can pick up from your business, farm or home. All metals including steel, farm machinery, engineering offcuts, data and electrical cable, aluminum, copper, lead batteries, brass or anything metal. Call us and we will do the hard work for you. We are open from Monday to Friday and are available on Saturdays by appointment only.  (03)503249803 Quin Drive Swan Hill
Lyn Andrew Photography. Photos taken at each race event are available for purchase. $20 for copy of all the pictures taken of your car that day with at least 5 edited pics if you supply the USB. $30 for the above if I supply the USB.

   Reminders

Race Day Clothing.

Drivers need to be aware that there are minimum standards for clothing on race day and that clothing standards are part of the scrutineering process. That means that if you are not dressed in your race gear when the car is being scrutineered, then you will have to produce what you are wearing. Below is a summary of what can and cannot be worn when racing. If these standards are not met then you will not pass scrutineering and will not be able to race.

Club Apparel.

Polo Tops, Sweats and Hoodies are now available to order from Blue Sky in Swan Hill with club logo. Please allow adequate amount of time for them to take enough orders to do a run. Prices for the clothing will depend on the size. Logos are available for embroidery on the back (large) and on the front.

How to become an Offical

General Official’s Course- the club needs more Official’s. The first step in the process is to complete a General Official’s Course. Can you please make contact with Lynne Paynter who will advise C.A.M.S. and start the ball rolling.

How to obtain Working with Children Card

Working with Children

Membership infomation

Link to Membership information From Joining to MSA Licences

Web Site

Swan Hill Sporting Car Club has its own web site www.swanhillsportingcarclub.com.au

Please have a look around the site and see what it has to offer. 

For Sale

If you have something you want to sell or Buy Email: news@swanhillsportingcarclub.com.au