August Healey Happenings - Austin Healey Club of Manitoba

Volume 26 Number 9
www.ahcm.ca
August 2015
Members Go BBQing, Kruising and Racing
Welcome to the August issue of 2015. This
month we learn about the:
Triumphs in red (TR6), yellow (Spitfire) and
green (TR3A).
• July AHCM meeting and BBQ
The food experience was created by Peter’s
son, Trevor, a full-time chef accompanied by his
wife, Leah, and their two young sons. They had
driven here all the way from their home in
southern Ontario to help with this event. Peter’s
daughter Sharie and her son Christopher also
helped with preparations. Thanks to Sharie,
Peter’s garden and yard were in top shape and
presented beautifully with the flowers and other
supporting adornments.
• Kids Kruise
• Gimli Classic Motor Works Vintage Race
Weekend
• 1990 Jaguar XJS that a member is selling
Upcoming Events
Please check the Event Calendar on the
AHCM web site for details.
July AHCM Meeting and BBQ
Jodi Bolger
We gathered at the Winnipeg home of Peter
Foreman for our monthly club meeting on July 5.
After the 3:00 PM meeting, Club members
gathered outside to enjoy the car show and feast
on the delicious spread set up on a long table
inside Peter’s spotless and well-organized
garage. Attendees brought their classic sports
cars and displayed them along the street and in
front of Peter’s house, along with Peter’s three
Joan Wilkinson, Wendy Jackson, Joyce Lowden,
Waltra Gilbert
AHCM
President: John Davidson
Vice-President: Ted Moorby
Treasurer: Helmut Friedrich
Secretary: Jim Jackson
Past-President: Roger Morcilla
AHCA Delegate: Elaine Davidson
Webmaster: Ed Driver
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor: John T. Webb
[email protected]
August 2015
front cover of the AHCM’s 25th anniversary book,
The Healey Connection – Behind The Rear View
Mirror.
Richard Gibbings, Peter Foreman, John Davidson
Peter’s reputation for paying attention to detail
was evident. Tiny party forks held uniquelydesigned event cards which decorated the buns
filled with “melt-in-the-mouth” pork or roast beef.
Trevor had marinated the meat for many hours
before cooking it, serving it up with a delicious
chutney he had prepared. Many members had
contributed an assortment of salads and spreads
for the food table, prompting some to exchange
recipes. Ana Maria’s corn bread and Waltra’s
spread were big hits.
The weather cooperated all day: a bit cloudy
with smoky haze, but comfortable, especially with
the rain forecast that had held off the entire time.
Frank and Janine Kozmet, Helmut Friedrich,
Rick Unruh
During the course of the afternoon, AHCM
President, John Davidson, presented to AHCM
members, Bob and Joan Wilkinson, a poster of
them in their Austin-Healey as taken from the
John Davidson presents a poster of The Healey
Connection book cover to Joan and Bob Wilkinson
Peter had invited other clubs and individuals
to participate after the club meeting. These
included the Triumph Drivers Club (members
Rob and Linda Hawley came in their newlyrestored TR4A) and to the Mid Canada Mini Club
(member Wade Koll came with his Mini).
Everyone had a great time eating, drinking,
viewing and visiting.
Some
members were
attending their
first meeting.
Richard Gibbings
was there with
his British racing
green AustinHealey 3000 and
Tim and Shelley
Ringland were
there in their
Vanessa and Jeff Luloff
MGB. We were
also pleased to see new members, Jeff and
Vanessa Luloff, driving in her white Triumph
Spitfire.
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August 2015
unusual and colourful panorama for Peter’s good
neighbours and some passers-by. Many photos
were taken. We would sum up this event as a
great success on all counts. Thank you to Peter
and family.
Kids Kruise
Hugh Arkley
Most of the meeting attendees
Long-time members, Graeme and Joyce
Lowden, brought grandson, Aiden, who fit nicely
in the back seat of their Austin-Healey 3000. Dan
Brown and Sandy Kelly looked smart in their
yellow Morgan. Dyrk Bolger brought his turquoise
rally Mini adorned with Newfoundland Targa
decals. Hugh and Val Arkley had their red
Triumph TR3. Ted and Cynthia Moorby each
brought one of their fleet of classics. Jim and
Wendy Jackson drove up in their white Lotus
Eclat. John and Ana Maria Powell brought their
silver TR6. Steve and Kate Thompson had their
red MGA. John and Waltra Gilbert drove their
blue MGB GT. Alf and Susan Goodall came in
her green MGB. Rick Unruh brought his red
TR4A.
We had a great drive to the air-conditioned
Half Moon in Lockport. It was hot (32ºC) driving
through the city, but the two river drives felt
better at speed. Seven cars took nine kids who
were well-behaved and enjoyed themselves.
They had good appetites.
Thanks to John Gilbert, Graeme Lowden, Tom
Pearson, Alf Goodall and Rick and Barb Unruh.
Gimli Classic Motor Works
Vintage Race Weekend
August 8th and 9th
Dyrk Bolger
Well that was some race weekend! Picture
this: sunshine, a real 1965 Ford GT40,
competitive racing activity with play-by-play
announcing over the PA system, a classic car
show, 1960s music playing with spectators
milling about the race pit area and classic car
show corral. (See pictures beginning on page 6.)
This is the 17th year we have sponsored and
helped organize the Classic Motor Works event
at Gimli Motor Sports Park for the Winnipeg
Sports Car Club (WSCC). We believe this year
was one of the most successful events that we
can recall.
Three club member’s cars
We didn’t see the Davidsons, Friedrichs,
Kozmets, John Webb’s or Don Huebert’s
transportation mode, but they were on site.
Austin-Healeys, MGAs, MGBs, Triumphs, a
Morgan, Minis…all these marques made for an
There were about 38 racers competing on the
weekend, with the majority of racers from out-ofprovince. Racers travelled BC, Alberta,
Saskatchewan, Ontario, Florida and Minnesota.
The flavour was definitely “vintage” as a
significant number participated in the car show
with their exotic and classic sports cars. The top
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August 2015
three winners of the People’s Choice popularity
contest included two Austin-Healey club
members. Third place went to Graeme Lowden
with Joyce’s yellow Lotus Elan Coupe. Second
place went to Warren Schettler and his red
Cobra Roadster that had the original signature of
‘Carroll Shelby’ across the dashboard. Warren
had spent time working with Shelby during his
career. First place was scooped by Peter
Foreman and his beautifully restored British
racing green Triumph TR3A.
The theme of the weekend was a celebration
of 52 years of the Ford GT40, recognizing the
historical achievement of Ford beating Ferrari at
Le Mans four years in a row: 1966 through 1969.
Ford made only 107 of the GT40 cars. We
had the pleasure of showcasing one of these
original GT40s at our event. This particular car
was generously provided by Warren Schettler
who trailered it to the event for display on
Saturday. His car is a “real” unrestored but
pristine 1965 Ford GT40 with original orange and
black paint livery. Given the Halloween-based
colours, this car became affectionately known as
the “witch”.
At the end of day on Saturday, Warren turned
to me and said that he wanted Jodi and me to
get into the GT40 and drive it around the track!
This was a dream come true. I had to pinch
myself! Jodi and I folded ourselves into the car. I
had a bit of trouble as I had to slouch in my seat
for the door to clear my head. I started the car,
much to the surprise of onlookers (what’s he
doing?), pulled out and drove it around the track.
Even though I treated it like I was protecting an
empty egg shell, we both could appreciate the
power and speed potential of this car and were
totally immersed in the amazing history of it all.
Saturday’s exciting racing ended with a
delicious meal of pork roast, salads and the
fixings all provided by the WSCC. People who
came for the weekend had the best of weather
for camping out.
This weekend we also had several special
guests, including George Chapman, Doug Durrell
and Gary Magwood. George is a Winnipegger
and is an honoured member of the Canadian and
Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. He won the
national race car championship in his day and
also served as the National President of the
governing body of Motor Sports in Canada for six
years.
Doug Durrell is a Canadian sports car racer
and car constructor for the past 50 years. He is
best known for his involvement in the building of
the KIKI sports race car.
Gary Magwood won the Canadian Formula
Ford Championship in 1970. He also raced in the
Formula One series driving a six-wheel Tyrrell
Formula car.
Frank Mancini was also there. Frank is one of
the original founders of the Winnipeg Sports Car
Club having a membership card with the number
“0004”. Frank owns a beautiful MGTC, currently
parked over at the Lowden garage where the
“Wednesday” club members are working on it.
Sunday racing ended with a Gilles Villeneuve
Memorial Pursuit Race and the presentation of
trophies to winners. Trophies for the racing
winners had the Feature Marque GT40 etched in
the framed plaques. The Pursuit Race was a
tribute to Canadian race car legend, Gilles
Villeneuve, commemorating the 1975 Atlantic
Championship race at Gimli.
Gilles Villeneuve won that race in the rain
while starting at the back of the grid. WSCC
members who were there that day in 1975
reminisced about meeting Villeneuve, and one
remembered being tasked with looking after little
Jacques while his father raced. Sadly, in 1982 at
32 years of age, Gilles Villeneuve was killed
during the last minutes of the “Qualifying”
session for the Belgian Grand Prix. We were
lucky to have 1975 photos of Gilles Villeneuve
provided to us by a WSCC member, and we
used these photos for the Pursuit Race trophies.
We are thankful to the many AHCM members,
their families, and TDC members, and other
friends and neighbours, who came out to this
weekend event in support of the WSCC. The
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August 2015
spirit of participation and volunteerism was
evident the entire weekend.
As we all know, nothing gets done at these
events without volunteers, organizers who
manage the weekend, people helping out at the
race track corners, people who prepare the
grounds, mow the grass, supply the washroom
facilities, etc., and to those who helped us out at
the CMW tent and pits. Thank you to everyone!
We hope you enjoyed yourselves. This year will
be difficult to top.
For Sale: 1990 Jaguar XJS
Ted Moorby
Have to make room for the new Morgan project:
• 63,000 original miles
• Arizona/California car
• Has safety
• Starts and runs well
• A little rough around the edges
• Club member price $3,500
• Call Ted at 204 223 3748
Membership
If you have not yet renewed, please send your
cheque payable to the Austin Healey Club of
Manitoba (AHCM) to:
Helmut Friedrich
317 Borebank St.
Winnipeg, MB
R3N 1E5
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Pictures: Gimli Classic Motor
Works Vintage Race Weekend
Dyrk in GT 40
Classic Car Show
GT 40 Rollout
John Rempell’s Mk III Sprite
GT 40
Joyce Lowden’s Elan
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August 2015
Peter’s Foreman’s TR3A took first place in the
People’s Choice Classic and Exotic Car Show
Bill Sullivan’s TR250
Peter Foreman (with grandson and daughter)
Doug Durell lining up for the Open Wheel race in his
“Bobsy. He was involved with the development of the
KIKI sports race car
John Rempel, Graeme Lowden, Jim Jackson and
BJ Reid at the car show
Warren Schettler’s Cobra
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August 2015
Warren Schettler’s Cobra with signature
Gary Magwood, former Formula One driver, racing in
the Open Wheel class with Gord Leach’s Lotus 61
Formula Ford 1600
People’s Choice Awards (L - R): Graeme Lowden,
Warren Schettler, Peter Foreman, Dyrk Bolger,
George Ehr (and son)
Icons of local motorsport (L - R): Frank Mancini,
George Chapman, Dino and Judy Calvert, Geordie
Despins
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August 2015
2015 Event Calendar
Date
Location
Sep.
18
Bronte Provincial
Park, ON
Sep.
18, 19
Various
Jun.
2016
Kenora
Cost
Contact
Description
British Car Day; see March newsletter
[email protected]
Three possible tours coordinated by
Elkhorn Automobile Museum; see
April newsletter.
2016 Sunset Country Rendezvous
hosted by the TDC and AHCM
Note: If you know about an event that we should know about, please send as many details as you can
to the Newsletter Editor (John) so that we can include them in our Event Calendar as information
becomes available.
Thank-you to Our Newsletter Advertisers…
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