Friday, 19th September 2008
Mini Enthusiasts Meeting
Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, 115 Liverpool Road, Ashfield in the Executive Meeting Room (upper level), starting at 7.45pm. All club members and visitors are invited to discuss all aspects of the Mini. For further information contact the chairman Peter Tanner 9639 1858
Gus Staunton Points

Sunday, 21st September 2008
Mini Car Club NSW – Annual Show & Shine
To be held in conjunction with the Lugarno Lions Spring Fair. Gannons Park, Peakhurst. There will also be the inaugural 'Rocker Cover Racing' event in NSW. Get those racer built now!
It’s time to start building your rocker cover racers now in time for its NSW racing debut at the annual show & shine.
Rocker Cover Racing for Beginners
The rocker cover is the very top cover on your A-series engine, which covers, oddly enough, the rocker gear. The two main purposes of this cover are to keep oil inside the top of the engine and to keep dirt, water, etc., out. The third, and no less important, purpose is to use in ROCKER COVER RACING.

If you would like to know the history of this exciting sport, its origins, champions and supporters over the years, don't ask me! I haven't got a clue.

Rules for the competition vary according to the organising committee, vehicle club running the event and types of vehicles expected to be supplying the rocker covers for each event. Size of the track is a major contributing factor to the allowable dimensions of the rocker cover racer.

To simplify the situation, the MCC NSW has adopted the rules from the VMCI set out below in an effort to provide fair and, above all, fun competition for all Mini enthusiasts. As this is an event run by the Mini club for Mini enthusiasts, we have allowed only Mini/A-series rocker covers to be entered. The track for this event has been constructed in a way to easily accommodate Mini rocker covers, and to be transported in a Mini.

At special request, we have also allowed the provision for rocker covers from new MINIs, if anyone has the incentive to actually sacrifice one in the name of the sport.

So what is a rocker cover racer, exactly? Well, it's a rocker cover with wheels, the faster the better. Take a rocker cover, add some wheels (minimum of three if you expect it to go anywhere), put on any extra bit required by the rules (bumper bar etc.) and Robert's your father's brother, you have a rocker cover racer.

Now if you paint it up really nice and personalise it a bit more it will look good too. I'm told that, like Ferraris and Minis, red ones go faster.

Wheels could be those from skateboard/roller skate, toy car, or any other round type moving bit. Some people use CDs or machined aluminium discs (be careful about rule #1) mounted on roller bearings.

If you’re still a bit puzzled about how to go about it, speak to an experienced racer constructor, but don't expect too many secrets to be given away. I've heard a rumour, but can't be sure of its authenticity, that this is how Jack Brabham got started.

So, get cracking and building those rocker cover racers. This could be the start of something big (or small).

Rocker Racing Rules (Supplementary Regulations)

1: This is a fun event. Any person found to be taking it too seriously will be soundly flogged.
2: Any constructor who enters a protest will be automatically disqualified. Oh, that's a bit harsh. Okay, they'll be given a stern talking to, asked to smile more and lighten up a bit.
3: Cars (that's the rocker cover racing variety, not the real things) must be recognisably from a Mini or A-series engine.
3a: A special class will be established for owners of rocker cover racers, constructed from the rocker cover from a new (BMW) MINI.
4: Cars must retain at least 75% of the original rocker cover.
5: Cars must not have any form of mechanical propulsion or steering.
6: Cars must weigh no more than 4 kg.
7: Cars must not be wider than 200mm
8: Cars must not be longer, with all fixtures, than 500mm
9: While the judges' decision is final, all bribes will be gratefully accepted and paid to the VMCI Executive Holiday Fund.
10: Sponsorship logos, racing stickers and car names are all encouraged.
11: Constructors wishing to wear racing clothes, fireproof overalls, helmets, etc., do so at their own risk of being laughed at.
12: Downforce wings, spoilers, air dams, etc., are all permitted provided they come within the nominated maximum dimensions of the car. They probably won't do any good, but we will all get a good chuckle out of them.
13: There is no rule 13. (Superstitious, who me?)
14: Cars must have a bumper bar, or external rigid spoiler or fixture, the full width of the car, no more than 40mm above the track and protruding no more than 3cm from the front of the car. This is for starting and timing purposes.
15: There are no more rules.

Monday, 29th September 2008
Competition Meeting
Directors and their assistants for upcoming events are asked to attend. Contact Ron Adlam 0427 043 854 for venue details.

4th & 5th October 2008
2008 Smart Wax Australian Motorkhana Championships
Monarto, South Australia. Entries close 24th September. Contact editor@miniclub.com.au if you’d like an entry form and supp regs.

Monday, 6th October 2008
Committee Meeting
The committee meets at 7:30pm. If you have any matters for discussion by committee forward your request to the Club Secretary or call your favourite committee member

Friday, 10th October 2008
MCC NSW ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008
To be held at Bankstown Sports Club in the BOGGABILLA ROOM. 8 Greenfield Parade Bankstown. Meeting will commence at 8pm. Presentation of all Annual Trophies and Service Awards. Election of the new committee. Please support the club and help elect the new office bearers. You too could be a part of the organising committee of the club.
Gus Staunton Points

Friday, 17th October 2008
Mini Enthusiasts Meeting
Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, 115 Liverpool Road, Ashfield in the Executive Meeting Room (upper level), starting at 7.45pm. All club members and visitors are invited to discuss all aspects of the Mini. For further information contact the chairman Peter Tanner 9639 1858
Gus Staunton Points

Sunday, 19th October 2008
Breakfast Convoy Run
An early start – heading to Wollongong this year. Full details of destination and convoy in the next magazine.
Gus Staunton Points

Sunday, 26th October 2008
NSW State Motorkhana – Nirimba
Conducted by the Hills District Car Club. Contact secretary@hdcc.com.au for more information.

Sunday, 26th October 2008
Highlands Motorfest
Why not visit the beautiful Southern Highlands around Bowral NSW, just a short 1 hr trip from Sydney. This is the 5th year of the show & shine event and it just keeps getting better. Contact Ken 0438 090 263 for more details.

Monday, 27th October 2008
Competition Meeting
Directors and their assistants for upcoming events are asked to attend. Contact Ron Adlam 0427 043 854 for venue details.

Monday, 3rd November 2008
Committee Meeting
The committee meets at 7:30pm. If you have any matters for discussion by committee forward your request to the Club Secretary or call your favourite committee member

Friday, 7th November 2008
General Meeting
All members and friends are invited to come along to Club General Meetings, at the Veteran Car Club of Australia Hall, 134 Queens Rd Five Dock. Arrive 7.30pm for an 8.00pm start.
Gus Staunton Points

Sunday, 9th November 2008
Motorkhana – Riverstone
To be held at our club grounds, Bandon Road Riverstone (cross the railway line and follow the road down to the end, please shut the gate). Scrutineering starts at 8:00am, drivers briefing at 9:45am, event starts at 10:00am. NO rally, hand cuts, mud and snow tyres etc. Contact Ron Adlam 0427 043 854 or Fly’s answering machine 9740 7415 to check event is on – rain, hail, snow or shine.
Drivers Championship Points
Gus Staunton Points

Sunday, 16th November 2008
22nd Annual Issigonis Birthday Bash Show & Shine
Celebration of the birth of Sir Alec Issigonis – creator of the Morris Minor and Mini. Penrith Paceway, Mulgoa Road (entry via Ransley Rd), Penrith. Judging starts at 10am – presentation of trophies 2pm. Contact Robert Johnston (02) 4731 3097 for more information. Proceeds to Cherrywood Village for the disabled.

Friday, 21st November 2008
Mini Enthusiasts Meeting
Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, 115 Liverpool Road, Ashfield in the Executive Meeting Room (upper level), starting at 7.45pm. All club members and visitors are invited to discuss all aspects of the Mini. For further information contact the chairman Peter Tanner 9639 1858
Gus Staunton Points

Saturday, 22nd November 2008
Twilight Khanacross
To be held at our club grounds located at the end of Bandon Road South, Riverstone, the event will start at 2pm, but you will need to be there by 12.30pm for scrutineering. Officials are always needed, no experience necessary. Contact Ron Adlam 0427 043 854 or Fly’s answering machine 9740 7415 to check event is on – rain, hail, snow or shine.
Drivers Championship Points
Gus Staunton Points

RIVERINA SUB-BRANCH CALENDAR

Sunday, 21st September 2008
Big breakfast and observation drive. Please let me know if you intend on making the run for catering purposes.

27th & 28th September 2008
Queanbeyan Swap Meet, Queanbeyan Showground, Glebe Avenue. Main Swap Day is Saturday including Queanbeyan Ute Show & USA car show on Sunday..Time: 7am – 3pm Saturday & 8am – 3pm Sunday. Sites $15 per day – Lookers $3. Phone: 0427 267 927 Email: qbnswap@hotmail.com

Weekend – 4th, 5th & 6th October 2008
5th MCCNSW Riverina sub-branch Mini Muster
See flyer for more details. Order your 2008 Mini Muster T-shirts now for the long weekend.
Any enquires contact Noel 0427 091 540

MID-NORTH COAST SUB-BRANCH CALENDAR

Sunday, 14th September 2008
Port Macquarie Heritage Display Day
Meet at West Port Park by 10 am for the annual car show. Is always a great day and morning tea is thrown in for entrants.
Please let me know if you will be attending ASAP.
Meaghan 6553 7244

CENTRAL COAST SUB-BRANCH CALENDAR

N/A

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS OF INTEREST