Sprite Club of South Australia Inc. Website by Mojo Design

Federation of Historic Vehicles Survey

Historic Winton 2010

WINTON HISTORIC RACE MEETING 2010

Sprite Drivers Club of Victoria display and tent.

Patrick Kukla our own press photographer and magazine Editor.

On Friday 28^thMay a convoy of gathered out side the Crafers BP at the ungodly hour of 6:30am.We then set off for the WangarattaCaravan Park.On this trip were David Low, Ken Dutch, Miles Jackson, Chris Brine, John Whitburn,Peter Holmes, Bevan Adams, Paul Doube, Barry Edson, Phil Kies, Don Cardone,David and Carol Tye. Travelling separately was Patrick Kukla.

The trip took all dayand we travelled over 900 kilometers. We all arrived safely having driventhrough some very heavy rain. At the caravan park we were split into 3 cabins,and were soon unpacked. As to be expected a good pub was found, the PinsetHotel in Wangaratta.

After a well behaved night we awoke to some very heavy rain.So we all dressed accordingly, heavy rainwear and boots. Then off to the track,and here I had to meet up with Greg Corbin , President of the Sprite DriversClub of Victoria. Greg had managed to secure us a few tickets, some of ourmembers had been given some tickets. Tickets for the two days including pitpasses are $50.00 per head. We managed to offset the costs and only pay $20.00for the people still requiring tickets. Ken Dutch worked the maths. A $30 eachsaving.

On entering the track we made our way to the Sprite DriversClub of Victoria tent, only to see Greg and his wife Terry unpacking all thisdelicious food for lunch. They had salad rolls, wraps, cakes , biscuits and teaand coffee. This was all free to us, and our numbers had been calculated so wecould each have two of everything.

Then it was time to tour the pits or watch the racing. Whata decision ! We chose to tour the pits,and quickly found Max Pegram in his well turned out Bugeye Sprite. OtherSprites Racing were Don Bartley from NSW, Lynden Arnel, and Troy Ryan from ourClub. Arnel and Ryan were racing very close to each other and posing a real challenge.Don Bartley was right up near the front and managed to stay there all weekend.The performance of the Bugeye was quite remarkable as managed to beat a LotusElan and stay close to a V8 MGB. The rain

Max Pegram's Bug-Eye

was not really a problem, but when wefelt like drying off we could always go back to the Sprite Drivers Club ofVictoria and dry off a bit. One of the displays was from the ‘Ferel Sports CarClub Inc, this consisted of cars olderthan 50 years in unrestored condition, but all the mechanicals and safety itemsright up a good standard. So there were battered utes with torn canvas, chooksin the back, dead foxes hanging off the rear, rusting paint work, rabbit traps,and the drivers were dressed to match this image.There were old Ford V8 utes,Morris J van, an Standard Swallow Sports car, the forerunner of the Jaguar.

Left; Max Pegram's Bugeye Motor.

Middle; A 998cc 'A' series motor in a Photon Lotus.

Right; Troy Ryan's car.

Above; The other side of the Photon Lotus Motor

Another very unusual exhibit appeared firstly as a largeplain sided truck, much like a removalist truck. When it was opened a huge1930’s style racer appeared. It was rolled out, and what a sight. The body washighly polished aluminum and under the bonnet was a 27 liter Rolls Royce Merlinengine producing around 2000 horsepower. Then when it was started up the carshook, the ground shook, ladies and

children squealed. It was then shut downand the bonnet lifted to reveal this enormous motor.

On the Saturday night we went to the Commercial Hotel inBenella at the invitation of the Sprite Drivers Club of Victoria, and had agreat meal and conversation with their members. It was here we hatched a planfor next year. Drive over in our Sprites, but take 2 days. This will enable usto make hourly stops and still get to half distance on the first day.

Powered by a Rolls Royce 'Merlin' Engine

On the Sunday we awoke to a much better weather, the rainwas clearing, and during the day it completely disappeared. Again we keptwalking around looking at the various trade stalls selling parts andmemorabilia, and back into the pits. Here we spoke to Don Bartley from Sydneywho had the fastest Sprite on the weekend, taking advantage of the wet weatherwith a new set of wet weather tyres. Could he maintain this advantage now thetrack was drying out? He wasnervous about this a he had two V8 muscle cars right behind him, soneeded to beat them to the first corner, as he had done so in the wet, but in the dry they out gunned him, but he keptthe other quick cars behind him.

They last three races on the programme proved why you should nevergo home early, they were fantastic. The Pre-War cars are really incredible towatch as the drivers have no fear atall, as they slip and slide , it is much more exciting to watch than modernracing. There outright speed is quite surprising. The Group Sa, Sb,Sc sportscars, where the Sprites race was a great race although we all would have likedto have seen the Sprites finish closer to the front. Troy Ryan Mark 3 Sprite1275 cc (our Club

The 'Feral Sports Car Club

Member) was racing tow to tow against Lynden Arnel MG Midget 1275cc and Don Bartley Mark 3Sprite 1275cc was running about 5^th. The Bugeye got pushed off thecircuit on the first corner, and although undamaged, had to drive very hard tocatch the back of the field and then pass a couple of cars. Max Pegram thedriver of the Sprite mentioned that several years ago there were 8 or 9Bugeye’s racing at Winton, and he had recently contacted the owners, with theintent of them Racing at the Tasman Revival Meeting at Eastern Creek inNovember 26^th-28^th. Hope he is successful !

Then finally it was all over and we went to the pub had ourmeal and retired back to our cabins to review the weekend. A decision was madeto re-book the three cabins for 2011. So if you would like to join us next yearwe may well need extra accommodation. Bookings need to be made deposits paidabout March 2011, direct to the WangarattaCaravan Park,not as before through me.

When Motor Racing was dangerious and sex was safe.

David Low

Trip to Tasmania Feb 2011

A trip to Tasmania has been planned by Tony Bennetto of Bug-eye Barn. This was originally scheduled for November 2010. Now it will be most likely be the 18th February to 1st March 2011.

I myself have become a little less excited by our short runs we have, and while I enjoy them, something more exciting and out of my comfort zone would really further enhance my Sprite experience. Most of us have been to Tasmania, and driven around it and found it most enjoyable, but in your Sprite along with other Sprites it would take the trip to a new level. Recently we had Donald Gordon from Scotland at our meeting, give us a talk on the 'Chase of the Haggis' in Scotland, and some mention was made that we could organise something similar. Well we could of course, but here we have a ready made trip oganised for us.

The tour will leave Melbourne via the Bass straight Ferry and drive around the island in easily managed legs, visiting the West coast, Hobart for a few days, moving up the east coast to Launceston. Staying in some towns such as Strahan for 2 nights so you can go on the Gordon River Cruise or the Steam Train ride, also if the weather is really good you can leave your soft top in your motel room. Will arrive in Hobart so you can go to the Salamancia markerts.

February has been chosen because the weather is most stable and the days are longer.

Tony has organised Tasmanian trips before and is able to draw on previous experience to ensure the trip runs smoothly.

Upfront costs will be the Ferry booking, and the accomodation will be pay as you go. Motels will be booked in advance, and be in the medium price range, however you can option to stay in other accomodation.

Interest has been received from Sprite owners from other states and it is intended we meet the Tasmanian Sprite owners during the tour.

Of course you will need to get your Sprite in good order for such a trip, but there is over 6 months to do that.

So at this point I am seeking expressions of interest, so let me know if you are interested by return email.

Here is a bare bone itinerary;

TASMANIAN SPRITE TOUR FEB 2011

Provisional Itinerary

Friday18^th February – evening departurefrom Melbourneon the Bass strait ferry for over-night journey (We’ll arrange safe storage oftow cars and trailers in Melbournefor interstate participants contemplating this method of getting their Spriteto the ferry)

Saturday19^th February – arrive Devonport.Breakfast at the Anver’s chocolate factory! Short journey to Wynyard (overnight stop) with various options –via Cradle Mountain, via Penguin/Ulverstone or viaStanley(historic village)

Sunday20^th February – depart Wynyard viaHellyer Gorge (famous Targa stage) to Strahan, (overnight stop) on the wild west coast via Cradle Mountain(if you missed it the previous day) or the historic mining towns of Waratah andZeehan.

Monday21^st February – stay in Strahan. Options– Gordon river cruise, or the Wilderness railway to Queenstown (bothexcellent!)

Tuesday22^nd February – as above. Options- whatever you didn’t do on Monday!(cruise or railway). Short drive to Queenstown (overnight stop) over another Targa stage road.

Wednesday23^rd February – to Hobart via Derwent Bridge etc. (overnight stop, will be just acrossthe river from the centre of the city, with great views)

Thursday24^th February – stay in Hobart. Options – drive to PortArthur, to Mt Wellington, tothe Huon Valleyor to historic Richmond,or just hang around Hobart.

Friday25^th February – stay in Hobart. Options as above.

Saturday26^th February – a.m. visit Salamanca market! Beforedeparting Hobartfor Bicheno on the east coast (overnightstop)

Sunday27^th February – stay in Bicheno. Options– visit FreycinetNational park, visit EastCoast wildlife park, visit the world’s smallest seahorse aquarium or spend aday at the beach at Bicheno.

Monday28^th February – travel to Launceston (overnight stop) Lots to see and dohere.

Tuesday1^st March – am hang around Launceston.Lunch at the Motorsport themed Longford pub before returning to Devonport toboard the overnight ferry back to Melbourne.