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GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA Newsletter No: 1 Dear GSM owners and enthusiasts Some of you may be aware of the fact that the GSM Car Club of SA has for years advocated that a branch of the Club be promoted in Cape Town. Through the years a few attempts have been made, but up until now, not much has happened. Recently, after a few informal discussions with Bob van Niekerk and a few other people, a gentleman named "Peanuts" Fouche, agreed to accept the position of Chairman. Before I go any further, I would like to fill you in on who Peanuts actually is and how he fits into the GSM picture. Many years ago, when the GSM factory was in its infancy, and situated in Bottelary, Willie Meissner had a friend who agreed to build the chassis for all the new Darts. This man was a welder of no mean reputation called Jimmy Fouche, or "Fush". Jimmy moved down to Pretoria with his family, with de Clercque, or "Klerkie" as his eldest son, then eight years old. Klerkie grew up in the GSM racing enviroment and actually became an SA Oval Track Champion for 1992 and 1993 earning the nickname of "Peanuts" in the process. During this time, the GSM factory closed down and sadly we lost contact with the family until a while ago, when luckily contact was re-established and we now have a very enthusiastic Chairman. Now it seems we may be able to get the Western Cape branch off the ground. Firstly we need members, and obviously subscriptions and Peanuts has designed a membership application form that has been filled in by a few people. and we attach your membership card to this newsletter. We also realise that the original club in Gauteng needs members and subs, so we dont want to encroach on their territory, and wish to work closely in conjunction with them. Coincidently the formation of this branch of the club, is taking place at a time when subs are normally due and renewable, and also we find that Bob van Niekerk. the only living member of the original trio of founders, turns 72 on the 5th September. Peanuts has suggested that we hold a social get together to celabrate Bobs birthday on Sunday the 3rd September. This will take place at the Killarney Club House of the WPMC. He has secured the club house from l0hr00 to l7br00 on that day. It will be a bring and braai with a cash bar in the club house. As everything is still in the "embryo" stages of formation, we would like you to attend and bring along anyone who is even remotely interested in our Club. Not only owners of original cars, but "replica" owners, friends and anyone who ever was involved or connected with GSM in any way, will be expected to come along and enjoy themselves. At this stage we have a Chairman and a Secretary, but we need a few extra members on the committee to spread the dicision making responsibility and input from our valued members. A copy of this will also be posted to Gauteng office as it would be fantastic if we can have some of their members down here for the event. Our main aim is to unite you girls and boys out there to share our cars in fun runs, race meetings and also information about the availability of spares, moulds etc. Please dont
hesitate to phone Peanuts for further info you may need or any other
news which you can let us have. The Secretary |