The Official Publication of: THE MG CAR CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA INC. Octagon

The

January 2022

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Clubrooms: 110 Hardy Rd, BAYSWATER. Postal Address: G.P.O. Box 804 Mount Lawley 6929 Website: www.mgccwa.com ABN: 46 629 758 330

MG Car Club of Western Australia 2022 Committee Members

PRESIDENT David Hardie 0421 811 450 dhardie51@gmail.com VICE PRESIDENT Doug Bush 0452 561 398 dougmgwa@msn.com SECRETARY Vacant TREASURER Chris Hart 0418 499 328 chrishart@westnet.com.au CLUB CAPTAIN Annette Gusterson 0417 952 197 richgus@bigpond.com COMPETITION SECRETARY Pete McGrath 0427 750 105 petemcgrath76@hotmail.co.uk SOCIAL CO-ORDINATOR Tony Ford 0400 202 474 tonyford@westnet.com.au EDITOR Rob Hagarty 0417 944 039 octagon@westnet.com.au MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Richard Gusterson 0409 105 957 richgus@bigpond.com SAFETY FAST CO-ORDORDINATOR Terry & Wanda Banton 0407 452 910 terwan@iinet.net.au WEBMASTER Brian Turner 0419 937 930 bfturner@iinet.net.au NON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Patrons John and Val Goff, Tim Harland

Librarians Sarah Fry 0430 564 057 sarah_fry03@hotmail.com

Catering Coordinator Christine Bush 0449 255 412 dougmgwa@msn.com Regalia Chris Hart 0418 499 328 chrishart@westnet.com.au Auditor Rami Brass 0412 081 446 rami.brass@rsmi.com.au Cams Delegate Tony Ford 0400 202 474 tonyford@westnet.com.au Building Maintenance Chris Hart 0418 499 328 chrishart@westnet.com.au Concession Registrar Doug Bush 0452 561 398 dougmgwa@msn.com Southern Chapter Coordinators Ted and Robyn Mullins 0419 925 632 robynted01@hotmail.com

Affiliated with the MG Car Club Ltd (UK) & Motorsport Australia

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We had two lucky raffle winners at our Annual General Meeting! Congratulations to both of the lucky members!

January Contents President’s Report

Birthdays From the Editor

Vintage Stampede Magic Memories

Will Your Spare Tyre Get You Home? Monthly Club Event Calendar

Abingdon the Final Days - Part One Social Report

2021 Club Award Winners AGM Wrap Up

Wacky Races MG Marketplace

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President’s Report

W elcome to the new year of MG motoring

and socializing. I hope you all enjoyed your festive season and catching up with family and friends where possible. It is going to be interesting to see how 2022 evolves as we, in WA, move from relative freedom with closed borders into the brave new world of open borders. Inevitably there will be restrictions that we have not had last year which will bring challenges to our events organisers especially, and your committee generally. Developments will no doubt be communicated via email, the web site and in the Octagon. Your committee had some changes at the AGM . Thankyou to Graham and Moyra for your outstanding contribution to the club over the last ten years as Magazine Editors. Welcome to Rob Hagarty our new Editor. Thankyou to Ian Campbell for your outstanding contribution to the club over the last nine years as Webmaster. Welcome to Brian Turner our new Webmaster. Graham and Moyra have not only done a great job as Editors but have managed the process of changing the Magazine from a paper-based system to an electronic based

system. Ian has evolved the Website from a difficult monster to it’s present much better behaved model we see today. Alley Mulcahy has been our Secretary for the last three years and is unable to continue next year. Thanks for your efforts Alley. Unfortunately, there were no nominations for Secretary at the AGM so we are urgently seeking someone to take up the role of essentially a minutes secretary. We also look forward to having a new member, David Fleming, join the committee without portfolio to see how things work. Thankyou to Doug who has moved to Vice President. As President Doug has guided us for the last five years in a very professional and experienced manner. Doug has kindly agreed to mentor me over the next year. I will much appreciate Doug’s sage advice. We will be looking for a Vice President next AGM with a view of the moving into the Presidency in the future, perhaps a lady? Finally, a few words of introduction about myself. Originally from Newcastle, Colleen and I moved to Perth nine years ago after 35 years in Albury-Wodonga. We were

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In this edition of the Octagon we have had several contributors who have taken

photographs or supplied articles that were used throughout the magazine.

Thanks to Graham and Moyra Mitchinson and Brendon Hagarty.

If you have a story about your MG or had an adventure with it and wish to share it, please send your article in to us. We’d all love to read it!

With thanks, Rob

members of the Riverina Sports Car Association for 15 years, holding various committee positions including President. I have previously been Club Captain and Vice President of our club. My first ride in an MGB was when my apprentice I was assisting on an overtime shift at BHP in Newcastle gave me a lift home. I was instantly in love with the MGB. I finally became an owner in 1997, when my daughter’s bridesmaid decided she needed to divest of hers. It needed to be to be restored by a little old man with money and time, me!!! Twenty four years

later it is still a work in progress. She was driven across the Nullabor without mishap when we moved to WA. I look forward to meeting you all on runs throughout the year. I am sure it will be

interesting and not without its challenges.

Dave Hardie

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January Birthdays Warm regards to all those with birthdays this

month, from all at the MG Car Club!

If you would like us to wish you a happy birthday, please email the editor with the day and month of your special day and it will be included. You don’t need to let us

know the year though ! :) octagon@westnet.com.au

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From the editor...

W elcome to 2022 and a whole new year of MG social runs, competitive events and club participation. This is the first edition of the ‘Octagon’ under my editorship and I hope it

contains some interesting and engaging reading for club members. There will be quite a few changes to the magazine coming during the next few months and I welcome feedback from members regarding these changes. I also encourage members to contribute to the ‘Octagon’ as much as possible. Remember, this is your club magazine and it will only be enhanced by your contributions! Remember, the new ‘Octagon’ email address is octagon@westnet.com.au Finally, a big thank you and well done to Graham and Moyra Mitchinson for their decade long contribution as editors of the ‘Octagon’. A job very, very well done. I have big shoes to fill! Rob Hagarty

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T his was my first attempt at a regularity, mainly to see how I would handle it before committing myself to either Northam or

Albany “round the houses”. It was going to be a fairly hot day so I fitted the hard top before leaving home which turned out to be a very good idea, especially sitting on the grid.

Arrived at Wanneroo Raceway to find lots of vehicles already there so had a job to find some shade to park under. Rami Brass and Peter Fry were there as were several Mini Car Club and Triumph Sports Car members all eager to show their prowess on the track. After registering and working out how to fit the Dorian (timing) to the front of the car, there was the Driver’s briefing. Then our group was called to the dummy starting grid for the practice session with me lining up at the back. We were waved out onto the track and everyone picked up speed once we did the first circuit. I got to see how fast some of those cars could go as they disappeared into the distance. I thought I was doing ok on the second circuit until I looked in the mirror and saw several vehicles rapidly approaching my rear end then passing in a flash. This happened several times during the practice

and gave me serious doubt as to whether this was such a smart idea or was I completely out of my depth. By the time I came back to the pits I was going to call it a day and give up, but after taking some time and talking to Rami I decided to persevere and was very glad that I did. The runs got easier and faster each time I went round the track with working the correct line to take and a better feel of the car, which performed excellently. There were still vehicles that overtook me but I was now at ease and more aware.

I got closer to my nominated times and found even though I couldn’t match the faster cars on the straight I could stay tight on their rear through the curves. And as there isn’t any sheep stations as a prize I found I could ease off and enjoy the pleasure of driving my wonderful car as

Vintage Stampede Regularity Sunday 5th December

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Results

fast and as safe as I wanted. Another MGB driver, Lenard Kidd was running on a similar time as me, so we had a friendly rivalry over the day. I am now

looking forward to catching up with him at the Albany Event.

Graham Mitchinson

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Sarah

Richard

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Dennis

Tony

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Elan 26R

Will Your Spare Tyre Get You Home? Reprinted from MG Car Club Sydney magazine ‘Opposite Lock’, December 2021

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Aston Martin Vanquish

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CONTACT: MIKE CHESTER ON 0412 295 857

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SOCIAL EVENTS IN JANUARY

All Club members are welcome to participate in these social events. As they are listed on the Club’s events calendar, your concessionally registered car can be driven to, from and during each event. Classic Midweek Brunch Run – Thursday 13th January The January Midweek Run will be held as a Brunch Run due to the likely hot weather at this time of year. The Run will commence from the Olde Narrogin Inne in Armadale, meeting at 9:00am for a 9:15am start (earlier than the usual time). Organiser is Eddie Preston, email prest100@iinet.net.au for any queries.

Southern Chapter: Golden Valley Tree Park Picnic - Sunday 16th January The Southern Chapter will be hosting a picnic run to Golden Valley Tree Park near Balingup on Sunday 16th January 2022. Meet at Harvey Cheese, Southwest Hwy

Wokalup, at 9:30am for coffee and a 10:30am start. Contacts are Steve and Jessie McDonald on mobile 0409 958 589 or Ted Mullins on mobile 0419 925 632 or email robynted01@hotmail.com. Nog’n’Natter – Tuesday 18th January The monthly Nog’n’Natter will be held on Tuesday 18th January, meeting 7:30pm for an 8:00pm start, at the Clubrooms. A convivial Nog’n’Natter over supper will follow a short briefing on Club matters and events by Committee members. ADVANCE NOTICE Southern Chapter: Augusta Overnighter - Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May 2022 The Southern Chapter will be hosting a run from Bunbury to Augusta Hotel on Saturday 30th April, returning on Sunday 1st May and has extended an invitation to all Club members to participate. The run will travel through wine country, ending up in the beautiful

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The Deadline for items for the February 2022 edition of the Octagon will be

Tuesday 25th January 2022

beautiful south coast town of Augusta. Detailed advice will follow in the February Octagon. Contact is Terry Old on mobile 0427 561 562 or

email terryold01@bigpond.com or Ted Mullins on mobile 0419 925 632 or email robynted01@hotmail.com. Tony Ford

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MG Car Club of WA

Annual Award Winners Congratulations to our club award winners for 2021, presented at the Annual General Meeting on December 16th.

Attendance Award Richard Whitehead

Octagon Award The Entire MGCC

Committee and partners

Best New Member Award Norman & Noelle Else

President’s Award Patricia Shaw

VSCC Champion Sarah Fry

Ladies Champion Moyra Mitchinson

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Ian Campbell received an award of recognition for

his service as webmaster.

Graham and Moyra Mitchinson received an award of recognition for their services as editors.

Intermediate Club Champion Graham Mitchinson

Club Champion Peter McGrath

Outstanding Club Member Peter Hagarty

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Just before we were mobbed by several young ladies

A most enjoyable evening was had by all who attended the MG Car Club

Annual General Meeting on Thursday night, 16th December 2021. The evening began with drinks and a beautiful meal which consisted of various scrumptious salads with ham, chicken and bread rolls. Thank you to the hard working crew who put this together for us again this year, it was very well received. After dinner, we all enjoyed a fruit mince pie and an ice-cream and then got down to business! President Doug Bush opened the December General Meeting first which was a brief affair with various committee members giving short and concise reports regarding the previous month’s activities. The Annual General Meeting then followed with the

outgoing President presenting his annual report prior to the announcement of nominations for 2022 Club President. As there was only one nomination, David Hardie was confirmed as our new President and subsequently took over the running of the meeting.

Each committee position had only one nomination which in most cases were the sitting members. Doug Bush nominated as Vice President and was appointed to the role unchallenged. Rob Hagarty was the only nomination for Octagon editor as was Brian Turner who takes on the role as club webmaster. Sadly, no one nominated for the role of Club Secretary and with Alley Mulcahy retiring after several years in the role, it is now a vacant position. Once the committee positions had been determined for 2022, new club president David Hardie commenced the awards

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presentation for the 2021 year and was ably assisted by our wonderful club patron Val Goff who handed the lovely trophies to each recipient.

Following the award presentations the December General Meeting and Christmas raffles were drawn. David Hardie then made a most pertinent and heart felt plea for members to consider assisting their club by nominating for club committee positions in future years. He rightly stated that constant change on committee is a sign of a healthy

club. We are currently without a secretary and would be most welcoming to anyone who would volunteer to perform this role on the 2022 committee. This is a wonderful club with a current membership of over 340 members. It would be wonderful if one of you would consider joining us on committee and rounding out our committee numbers in the new year. Rob Hagarty

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A quiet end to the calendar year 2021 saw just one event scheduled in November, with just two events planned for December. Over the weekend of the 4th and 5th, The Vintage Stampede Hillclimb and Regularity took place at Wanneroo Park, well Jack’s Hill and the Raceway as would be more familiar names. We had good representation at both events, with Peter Fry, Graham Mitchinson, Mark Rookledge and I taking part in the Hill Climb on the Saturday at Jack’s Hill. With Peter, Graham and Rami Brass taking part on the Sunday for the Stampede Regularity at Wanneroo Raceway. Vintage Stampede Hillclimb – Jack’s Hill – December 4 A reasonably early start saw 32 competitors arrive for the driver’s briefing just before 8am, with us split into two groups. A good mix or regular faces and new competitors, along with a wide variety of cars. As mentioned above, we had four MGCCWA member taking part, with Peter in group 1 and Graham, Mark and I in group 2 (purely alphabetical). Sarah Fry was one of the officials for the day as timekeeper. Group 1 lined up first to do a sighting run with the full group, followed by a practice run and then their first timed run. It was interesting watching them from the top of the hill, where we were lucky enough to have some shade options. Once they’d completed their runs, we followed the same format with group 2. I was lucky enough to be third car out in our group, so didn’t have to wait in the full sun for too long, before moving into the shaded start

garage ready for David to send me on my way. I went reasonably hard on the practice run and found that the circuit was trickier than previous layouts I’d experienced at Jack’s Hill. A left turn halfway up the hill was followed by a very sharp right, a fast tight loop, then back down the hill for a bigger loop up to the finish line across the familiar twisty finish into the stop garage. My ABS brake light kept coming on intermittently, causing me to have and then lose ABS assistance, which typically wasn’t working each time I entered the finish garage, causing front driver’s wheel lockup on each entry. Luckily the car still stopped well. The first proper timed run felt good but was still tricky. And I was glad to get back out of the car and roll down my race suit which was getting rather warm. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, with not too many wrong ways, but quite a few garage penalties. The banter was great as always whilst we waited for our 2nd and 3rd timed runs, as group 1 went back out again. Peter Fry setting times for us all to aim at, as he looked composed on the tricky circuit. I was lucky enough to get back to the pit area in time to watch Graham and Mark go around each time. I was amazed to find that my 2nd and 3rd runs had exactly the same time, even though I’d tried different braking points and shifting gears in different places too. Well, I guess I found my limit! All in all, a great event, in hot and sunny

conditions, on a tricky but enjoyable circuit.

WACKY RACES with Peter McGrath

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Results

Coming up in January 2022: Sunday 22nd January – Autokahana at Coogee, organised by the TSOA. Event de-tails to be sent out via email. I’m reliably informed by Bruce Pollock, the Competi-tion Secretary at the TSOA, that this event will be an afternoon event, with a free barbeque following the completion of all runs.

No news yet on dates for events beyond January. I will make sure to pass these on as they become available. If you have any queries with any upcoming events, please let me know. And as always, if you hear of any competition events that we haven’t promoted, let us know, so we can keep your fellow MG drivers informed. Wishing you all a happy new year. Here’s to a rapid and fun January. Pete McGrath

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Do your bit, SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS

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$750

MGB suitable for competition.

Mark 0417 092 139 mtrook@iprimus.com.au

Advertisers please note :- Advertisements in MG Marketplace will be limited to three lines and one image as from

the March edition of the Octagon. Please ensure the picture is not larger than 1Mb in

size. Information when selling a vehicle should include year of manufacture, approx. miles or km travelled and any modifications or extras included in the sale. Thank you!

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I have some MGB spares if any of your members would be interested * One steel bonnet slight damage on front right corner. * 4 wire wheels with tyres (NOT CHROME) * Exhaust parts and various other bits and pieces. I want to get rid of all of it as moving house

All free to good home just pick-up Clive Winter 0438 287 658 or clivewinter@bigpond.com

Workshop manual - new 8th Edition, volumes 1 & 2 Un used T-300AD100 fault reader with extras, works on all MGF models, New ignition set cap, rotor leads, plugs, New water tank pressure cap plus used water tank Replacement set used door handles, 2 clocks. New underbody long engine to radiator pipe assembly

Mike Smith 0413 837 282 m7rs@icloud.com

MGF parts

$750

MGTF 1500

1954 Manual

Darren Mascurine 0405 644 203

Willow Grey, matching engine and chassis numbers and custom plates included.

$55 000

Any condition considered, prefer registered, price

MGA Roadster

Negotiable Kevin 0478 436 235

MGB Roadster

1966 Manual

Peter 0457 023 522

Fully restored, perfect condition, currently on 404, Number plate included, in Carramar

POA

MGF Trophy 160

Manual

Milena 0413 153 466 milena2@y7mail.com

Very good condition, regularly serviced, Electric windows, power steering

$9 000

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MGB Roadster

1969 Manual

David 0427 768 538 janddavrho@outlook.com

Excellent condition, Tartan Red, seats, trim, carpet and hood in good order

$24 900

MGB Competition Roadster

1968 Manual

Dennis Fair 0419 944 427

Not registered, Cams logbook, single weber. including trailer, will separate. Lots of new parts.

$25 000

Weber Carburettor

Daniel Leary 0439 694 820

With Manifold, linkages and fuel regulator

$400

Serviceable 3.9 Diff or complete Diff Suitable for 62 - 67 MGB

MGB Differential

John Tillman 0427 323 610

Manual, very good condition, mechanically sound, without rust, Preferable with back-ground history.

78 - 79 MGB Roadster

Neil Magee 0408 603 012 neil.t.magee@gmail.com

The black vinyl pad that runs along the dash of MGB, (crash pad / dash pad)

Dash Crash-pad

Mark 0417 092 139 mtrook@iprimus.com.au

Remember, advertising submissions for the Octagon end on the 23rd of each month.

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