Catch up on the action in the Western Australian Lotus community thanks to Eddie Lankhorst’s latest Quokka Talk, for August, 2017, including reports on the John Hurney Sprints & WA Lotus Championship and the August early morning run to the Ford Farm.
Quokka Talk
By Eddie Lankhorst
August will be a hill climb month for Lotus. To start the month we will have Jacks Hill Climb with the Triumph Sports Owners Assoc. This will be a practice run for the big event later when we will be again competing at Jacks Hill for the CAMS Club Challenge.
So far, we have two teams of four cars each. Team one ‘Lots of Trouble’ consists of Steve Metlitzky, Richard Cooper, Andrew Graham and Preston Adams and team two ‘Usually Serious’ consists of Vicky Rowe, Kevin Fitzmaurice, John Edmondson and myself. So, we are in the running for prize money towards our Club with these quick drivers.
Smack bang in the middle of August is Targa West rally, in which we hope to see a few Lotus cars entering into the ‘Drive’ section and enjoying the fun of letting loose on some fun roads, albeit at a speed limited 130kph. I am hoping we can make this an annual event for many more Lotus next year.
Our upcoming events are:
August
- Sunday 6th TSOA Jacks Hill Climb (contact Eddie for Entry Form)
- Mon 14th BOAB Meet n Eat 6pm
- Sun 20th EMR, Guildford 8am
- Sun 27th CAMS Club Challenge Jacks Hill climb
September
- Mon 11th BOAB Meet n Eat 6pm
- Sun 17st EMR 8am from Guildford
John Hurney Sprints & WA Lotus Championship
By Eddie Lankhorst
This sprint day was named the John Hurney Sprints in recognition of the years of dedication John spent contributing to the WASCC club, track, events and organisation, to name a few. Vicky has even written a profile article about John, which by now many of you may have read via the CAMS newsletter issued mid-July. A really good read. Grab a copy to learn about this well respected individual in Perth.
Many of us were keeping a close eye on the weather as the leading days were very wet and cold. However, on the day we woke with a light spray of rain that fortunately cleared as we left home.
As we arrived at the track the surface was still quite wet and cold, which we hoped would dry off once we zoomed around the track a few times. So, after the practice laps were completed the track looked quite good and was good enough for some fast times.
We had only four Lotus make it to this day. Kevin Fitzmaurice did some fabulous driving and did a PB of 1:09:5539. Vicky Rowe did a great time of 1:09:7180, followed by Steve Pretzel with 1:10:5600 and then myself with 1:12:7039.
A good day was had by all and Kevin took home a small trophy for first in class. Well Done Kevin. Vicky was given the encouragement award for her efforts, good work Vic.
EMR to the Ford Farm
By Eddie Lankhorst
This wasn’t one of our usual EMRs. The roads may have been familiar, for the most part, but the destination was something quite awesome.
Departing Guildford, we headed through the picturesque Swan Valley, up through the twisty narrow roads of Brigadoon and O’Brien’s Road to pay our respects to Peter Brock, who lost his life on this road, with a stop at his memorial. Onward we pressed for a coffee stop at Chidlow, before heading on to our destination – the Bailup Ford Farm.
Now, this is a private collection of Ford vehicles all collected over many years. The collection ranges from a Model T Ford through the ages to the more recent models. Most of the collection were of limited models or GT or of some other noteworthiness. The owner being very big in the wrecking game in Perth, obviously would be in the know for buying such cars, sourcing replacement parts and in some cases resurrecting some from the grave.
Even though the it’s the Ford Farm, the collection wasn’t just made up of Fords and there were some special additions including drag cars, hot rods, Ferraris, old fuel pumps, signs, oil tins and then there was the dentist truck.. A most enjoyable day was had by all who attended.
