GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA

23 May 2002
Newsletter No: 8

Hi all GSM fans, ladies, gentlemen and others.

Once again we are rushing through the 2002 calender as if there is no tomorrow! I sincerely hope that your goals and itineraries are on schedule....., because I promise you mine is not!

In the last newsletter I asked for annual subscriptions to be forwarded, with no response at all. Well, you have lost out! In the interim, the subs have gone up to R100,00 for a single membership and R150.00 per family. (What a pity you didn't pay last month). Unfortunately this increase is inevitable as postage and telephone calls have both increased. Most or our communication with members happens via the phone, as we are only a small club and where Peanuts has been the main "sponsor", it is not fair, the club must carry some of the costs, hence the hike in subs.

Our little club is still solvent, with about R3,500.00 in the bank, a small increase only, mainly due to sales of T-shirts, Dart badges and interest, but we would like to see the position improve. We are currently waiting for ten "Valvoline I.D plates", like the first Darts had, just infront of the battery box. These will cost about R150.00 each. (Space for engine number etc.).

The Cape Town branch of the club grew to over fifty members fairly rapidly and a lot of enthusiasm was displayed, there was really a good vibe, but we would like to hear from all of you! Our website is up and running, (www.gsmclub.co.za) with very interesting info. The latest addition is a complete parts list of the Dart, soon to be followed by the Flamingo and videoclips of what happens on our outings. The part numbers can be found on the web under Spares Catalogue, Parts list. You guys are really missing out on the breakfasts and runs together with especially the Street Rod Club members.

The last outing was a breakfast run to a restaurant called Doodles in Parklands (Table View). This happened at very short notice, so we only had two Darts, Sidney Ehgrenreich and Gert le Roux's and five members. The previous breakfast run to Franschoek, we managed eleven cars, including Koos Kellerman, an "old" member but first time visitor with us. This run was GSM only and we counted about twenty two at the table. We are looking forward to seeing more of Koos at our socials and also at Killarney where he is thinking of giving Johan Walters some competition on the track. Koos has two Darts and a Flamingo now, in various states of repair.

On the 24th of March, at the Multi-Car Club meeting in Parow, John Engelbrecht won a trophy for "Car of the Day"! A very close decision between his and Clarry Taylor's car. Congratulations to both of you for turning out such superb cars.

Enclosed, you will find a new membership application form that we will use in future. Kindly complete yours, even if you are a member and return to us with your subs, and all the info on your Dart or Flamingo. A photo will also be welcome, and it will go onto the web aswell. You will receive a new membershipcard.

We are still working on a few people who own very original GSM cars, but don't see their way clear to join our club, for various reasons. Peanuts and I may not win them all over, but who knowns?, we shall keep trying!

Our membership, is not only local, we also have members as far a field as Canada and P'maritzburg, KZN. (Although we run our "branch" seperately, we form part of the Tvl GSM Club). A member from Pmb is Neil Woodridge. Neil has a Dart which his father Peter Woodrige, raced succesfully in the '60s. Neil uses his car as a road car, after restoring it but he is also an "off-road" competitor of no mean reputation. Neil started on motorcycles in '79 and won Springbok colours in '83. He won the Roof of Africa in '84 on a Kawa KX 500, and also competed in the Baja 500 where he finished 2nd overall in '84. He was S.A. Champ five times on bikes! Then, he switched to cars, starting off with the good old "pypkarre" before graduating to factory sponsored Mitsubishi Pajero's and the Paris-Dakar Rally. In '98 he DNF the Paris-Dakar, but '99 saw him come home 3rd in Class in that prestigeous event. He has also won the Roof in a Pajero, in '99 and thus National Colours in cars. Neil is the only person to have Springbok and National colours on bikes and cars and also the only person to have won the Roof on a bike and in a car! As if that is not enough, he won the 2000 S.A. Off-Road Campionship with Kenny Scholdhammer as his navigator!.

Certainly a member to be proud of!

Next we will endeavour to bring you news of Dr Ted Cardin of Los Angeles who races both a Dart and a Delta in the states.

Our next social event will be a "Bring and Braai" on the 7th of July at Peanuts home at 21 Louw street, Protea Heights, Brackenfell. The chairman, and host, will supply beer, wine and salads, the rest you bring. The event will not be affected by the weather, as it will take place under cover, from 11.00am. We, the "executive" would also like to have a meeting, to find out what you guys expect from us and the club and what pisses you off, after that we can proceed to enjoy ourselves. This happens to be the day of the Silverstone G.P, a TV will be in action.

We have again been invited to take part at Cars at the Castle, with as many cars as possible. Lets think about that please. This happens on the 10th August 2002. This event also has a form of "novelty run" with fantastic prizes for the winning team from a Club.

On the 8th of September the WPMC are hosting a open day for Classic cars and the circuit may be used. They will inform us as to what events will be staged. The Killarney clubhouse will also be available on that day. How about a "Bring & Braai" just for a change! It is also, once again Bob van Niekerk's bithday, which calls for a celebration and depending on how subs come in, the club may be able to sponsor an event for its members!

The 16th of November, is the Multi-Car Club interclub Concourse, at their clubhouse in Parow.

The last newsletter informed you about the very neat concourse winning yellow Flamingo in Durban, well we will try to get the car here for the Multi-Car Club event. We have been told that it is awesome. The car is unfortunately leaving our shores, as it has been bought by a S. A. gentleman that now lives in England, and disigns McLarens. The club was indirectly responsible in assisting Gordon Murray to purchase this car. The main negotiator was Andre Loubser, of whom you will still hear much at later stages. We are very proud of this sale and hold thumbs that he will enjoy driving a car from his home country, despite the fact that he was not the designer. We salute you Gordon and wish you many happy miles in your Flamingo.

See you all on the 7th of July!

Kind Regards

Piet van Niekerk
Secretary