Calling All Australians...

[HRSTR5]

Dear Antipodean Cousins,

For several years now i have been dreaming of making a trip to Australia to compete at Philip Island and Targa Tasmania. It finally seems that 2011 will be the year, it suits the young family, and it is 'ok' with my employer to take 6 weeks out for a visit down under. I plan(ned) to bring the Triumph TR5 that i have been racing with moderate success in HSCC Roadsports for the last 6 years, and which my wife and i took to 5th overall in the Targa Florio in 2006.

However there is a significant problem for me ... i have recently spent a small fortune having the Triumph TR5 professionally rebuilt, after several months of delays it was finally delivered to me 3 months behind schedule at Silverstone in time for last weekend's major Silverstone Classic meeting. The new engine failed first time out during qualifying for the Roadsports Race, following a machining failure/error ... the engine builder has acccepted liability and will rebuild the engine all over again (at no cost to me), but the lead time is such that the car won't hit the tracks this season. Consequently I do not believe it sensible to ship it all the way to Oz untested ...

So having more or less committed to our trip to Oz, got permission from my employer, even got acceptance for the TR5 from VHRR for Philip Island and having been in touch with Targa for months I was intending to submit my "Early Bird" application last week; but it now seems that my plans are ruined. This can be a cruel game ...

So the question for the Australian Historic Motorsport scene is ... Is it possible to 'hire' a drive for these two events? Obviously it is likely that it would be two different cars for the two events, but I also race Historic Formula Junior, so a single-seater outing at Philip Island would be great. I would not be looking for a race-winning car, just something that stands a good chance of running properly all the way to the end of each event, and providing me with the once in a lifetime opportunity to compete at these two great events, rather than just spectate ... I am realistic about the cost of such a 'hire'. I am also pleased to confirm that i have a good driving record in my 6 seasons of racing, with just one 'off' - that being one in which no-one else was involved.

If i cannot get a drive, then i would consider offering myself as a Navigator for the Targa Tasmania ... anyone interested?

Look forward to hearing suggestions.

James Owen

[John Turner]

A real shame about the TR5.

For the record, I can say that James has, in my view, been a safe and sensible driver.

Good luck with this, James; hope that soemone can help you turn this situation aroundi

[HRSTR5]

John,

Thanks for your comments. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, although a couple of chats at Silverstone Classic left me with the impression that the Ozzie scene is not going to provide such easy solutions as would be available if these were European events - simple Supply and Demand I suppose. Fingers remain crossed, but breath is not being held!

By the way, thanks for the photos of the FJ at Silverstone. I managed to persuade Emily - aged 3.5 - to help me polish it on Saturday before the Village Fete, where it was 'on display' with some other Classics, so it looks a bit better than it did at Silverstone! I'm certain it'll be quicker with all the bugs off it ....!

James

[zefarelly]

surely you have time to build and properly test an engine???

[HRSTR5]

I'm told two months before the car will be ready again, then October is a bad month for me with some business travelling, a big court case (business not personal at least) and surgery on an old shoulder injury, so the earliest i can realistically get some miles on it is mid-November - great, running around the country lanes in my historic racecar in November! - but i'd have to start committing some (not small) costs well before that to secure shipping and entries, and i'm not about to commit a cent until the car has been 'proven' to some degree at least ... i've lost best part of a thousand pounds worth of entry fees (no refund if you withdraw from Oldtimer... it is in the small print) so far this year with the delays to this car, so you'll understand my reticence ...

Gutted

[zefarelly]

OK, understood, if only partially absorbed . . . build engine, dyno, OR, install, run, rolling road, and get someone to do, or do yourself a few track days?

look on the bright side . . . .

[john ruston]

Have you asked about the the return of entry fees?
If races are oversubscribed and the organisers are reasonable you should get most if not all of money returned if you explain circumstances.

[HRSTR5]

JR, The big one was the Nurburgring Trophy race, and yes i did ask, but they pointed out the small print that no refunds are given ... EUR580. Ouch, very frustrating, they tell me i can still pick up my 'free' shirt ...

HSCC has kindly offered something back for Silverstone Classic as i didn't get to race but a reserve took my place so they had a full grid. It's appreciated.

Zef, you are right this isn't completely impossible, but i'm just not prepared to gamble the costs involved, that's why i was looking for something to hire, figuring i might be able to do it for more or less the cost of shipping etc. - still a gamble of course - hired ride might be a dog!

[rogerwills]

I read the title of the thread and have many inventive and interesting things to call Australians.........

[HRSTR5]

As not one of them has actually responded, I guess they're not listening anyway, so fire away! Anything to do with the rugby by any chance, cos even us Poms have had some recent success, although I'll readily concede that your 20+ point thrashing rather trumps our 1point win!

[GTRMagic]

Short answer is.. you can rent cars for Targa Tasmania, and possibly for the historics meeting, what do you wish to run?

http://www.historicracing.com.au/news.htm or http://www.hsrca.org.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=3 is one place to start... at least ask the webmaster to put you in touch with some of their advertisers...

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by rogerwills

I read the title of the thread and have many inventive and interesting things to call Australians.........

Oooh, Antipodean rivalry rears its ugly head!

James, we do have a number of Aussie posters on this forum but it's only been a few days and I guess, a long shot at that. Try GTRs suggestion and let us know how you get on.

[johnh875]

Roger hopefully they are more inventive than what Kiwis are normally called!

James for Phillip Island contact the Victorian Historic Racing Register (event organising club) as a starting point. I can't really advise but I'd imagine there are some people who may lease a FFord. Another thought there are a reasonably large contingent of South Australians that have Group Kb racing cars (1930's style/components but not original) and I'm sure not all race at each meeting but have no idea whether they would be open to leasing. You might also have some luck with a touring car, try the Historic Touring Car Racing Association.

For the Targa Tas, again contact the organisers, they also routinely advertise wanteds etc in the lead-up to the event. I would expect a modern car would be more readily available, eg an Evo from Ralliart who prepare cars for lots of people, while I'm not sure if there are any classic entries not from owners. There can't be more than a couple of places that hire classic cars for road use, as an example.

Good luck with the quest though, sorry for being rushed and not including links but I expect they sites are easily found.

[AussieTimmeh]

I guess the reason for so few replies is that, like me, most people don't want to post a simple 'dunno sorry'. It's not that people wouldn't be keen to help out, just that most probably don't know how to.

I spend my time with the classic cars, I have an Escort I would like to enter into Targa Tasmania myself for the enjoyment of it only. I couldn't hire the car out because it's not a proven car for competing in these sort of events and that's really what you need.

So, sorry for another post that doesn't really help. Shame about the circumstances and hope some of the suggestions by others help.

[HRSTR5]

Gentlemen, thank you very much for providing me with a few new contacts and suggestions. I'll try to make contact with the suggested parties and see what comes out of it all. Further suggestions appreciated!

James

[socram]

Have you pencilled in the Chris Amon Festival in NZ at Hampton Downs late January as part of your trip? Philip Island is probably a bit late for your 6 week time frame otherwise might be able to offer some help in NZ.

We adopt a far more realistic attitude to entry fees for most events. Get the entry in early - as it is a great help to the promoters. In return, if you had to pull out more than 72 hours before the event, we would probably return 100% of your entry. If events are over subscribed, there should be reserves, if not, tough. As a promoter I budget for up to 10% no shows.

[fpv_escort]

Hi there

We go to Phillip Island every year, its a great meeting, this year there were over 500 entries!!

If you're into open wheelers then the guys to try are, minda motorsport http://www.mindamotorsport.com/, they do arrive and drives as far as I know or even visit, http://www.formulaford.org.au/ these guys are very helpful, just explain your situation and see how you go.

I actually live in tassie and go and watch targa mostly every year. I've finally finished building my mk1 escort 4 door club car which could be elligible for targa at some stage. I wouldn't be kken for leasing it, but maybe a co-driver (split entry costs to some point)??

Anyway, good luck with the quest, I'm sure you'll be right.

Cheers

[John Turner]

Welcome fpv_escort.

[terryobeirne]

bring the TR5. i've got plenty of engines for them in my workshop.

[HRSTR5]

Latest news:

TR - on the mend, new block being prepped, car should be on the road by end of October, I will not commit to any cost-incurring elements until i've done 500 road miles, and hopefully a track session (i may enter the Walter Hayes ... Silverstone in November, yuk!). Car would need to ship early December, so it's all very tight, but i'm cautiously optimistic at this time ...

Philip Island - I'm still awaiting confirmation of dates, i imagine it's going to be weekend before Aus GP, but would be delighted if someone were able to confirm that...

Targa - think i have a probable Copilot but await confirmation - he may bring something else down for other events, such as Longford, but that's all tba at this time, as it'll depend entirely on what costs would be involved.

Shipping discussions still in very early stages, and awaiting to hear what other UK cars might be heading down at similar times for these events, although i think we are sole UK car anticipated on Targa.

Terry O - that's very useful to hear, if we do make it down, i guess i should get you contact details!

Updates soon.

James

[AussieTimmeh]

Great, hope to see the car in Aus. Be sure to include some pictures.

[johnh875]

Phillip Island is Mar 19-21 - http://www.vhrr.com/phillip_island.htm

[inpitlane]

Originally Posted by socram

Have you pencilled in the Chris Amon Festival in NZ at Hampton Downs late January as part of your trip? Philip Island is probably a bit late for your 6 week time frame otherwise might be able to offer some help in NZ.

We adopt a far more realistic attitude to entry fees for most events. Get the entry in early - as it is a great help to the promoters. In return, if you had to pull out more than 72 hours before the event, we would probably return 100% of your entry. If events are over subscribed, there should be reserves, if not, tough. As a promoter I budget for up to 10% no shows.

Last year's first event was a ripper, great atmosphere, terrific track, lot's of really interesting cars.
The professionalism of the whole event was miles ahead of anything I've seen here.
We filmed a story for our Australian TV show In Pit Lane there last year and would love to go back again if we can raise the budget.
Shame PI can't be moved back to early Feb to work together with the NZ guys to get more OS cars across.
Oh and you have the F5000s. They're not coming here this coming season.

[terryobeirne]

if you are still coming, get in touch. plenty of TR5's here including a few very competitive ones.

[HRSTR5]

Car is back with me, picked it up yesterday morning, planned a nice long fun drive home to run it in, but forgot that having fun on British roads is now both impossible due to to much traffic, and illegal cos the speeds limits are pedestrian. Special award to Derbyshire, where they must have found a way of breeding speed cameras ...

Including the run up to Banbury for today's FJ AGM i have completed precisely 500 miles over the weekend, on top of the 270miles and rolling road that the guys had done before i picked it up. All working fine. Would be happy to put it in the container for Oz ... if only we can sort of some other issues ...

Finding cost effective shipping and a way around the very expensive carnet issue are now absolutely top of the agenda.

Invites for both Philip Island and Targa confirmed, as well as a Navigator for the latter.