MSCA Wrap: Sandown - October 2023
Hi everyone
Welcome to the last wrap of the year. Last Sunday we headed to Sandown for the last round of competition. Now we all know that The Husband has one very important job and that is to get the weather right. It turns out The Husband ran out of coins and could not get the weather dial turned to the sun at all. In fact, I think he turned the knob the wrong way, because it was wet, soggy and cold. I know this because I was standing in these squelchy conditions for most of the day. The smell of egg and bacon rolls cooked by the FPV & XR Owners Club did make it better. A big thank you to our officials, especially our flaggies and grid marshalls, who did their jobs in cold and sodden conditions.
All things considered most of our drivers respected the track and the conditions. Sandown tends to do that to you. There’s something about close armco and wet conditions that makes you reconsider donning your cape and putting your undies on the outside. No superheros required in these conditions. Thankfully most drivers got this memo. It did get a little spicy with two red flags and a recovery all in one run group, and with 6 minutes to go in the last run of the day there was a very unfortunate coming together of car and armco at Dandenong Road. I am very happy to report the driver walked away relatively unscathed. The same cannot be said for the car.
This event was poignant on many fronts. We acknowledged the sudden and tragic passing of Kaye Thatcher, a respected and beloved member of the MG Car Club. Our thoughts and healing love goes out to Kaye’s family and the MG community. We walk with you in your grief.
We honoured our former competition secretary and friend Mark Rae who after a gutsy fight with cancer. The Mark Rae Team Challenge was hotly contested by several affiliated clubs, with the winner announced at our awards lunch in December. We celebrated Mark with a tribute parade lap at lunchtime, joined by his family, a flock of Fiats and his MSCA friends. One of Mark’s final wishes was drive with me on the track in his beloved Honda S660. Sadly, we never got to take that ride before he died, so we took to the track for him instead.
With The Husband’s weather dial stubbornly stuck on rain, Mark rode shotgun with me in his Honda followed by his treasured Fiat X19s as his beloved MSCA community respectfully watched on. As I looked skywards and I asked Mark to please stop the rain, just like that it stopped, right on cue, as we passed through his guard of honour of competitors and officials in pit lane. It was a deeply touching moment and a fitting honour for a good man. A heartfelt thanks to Marisa and the Fiat Car Club, and for all involved in Mark’s parade lap. You have helped the healing.
The last round brought out the trophy hunters, with a few classes hotly contested for P1. The fastest time of the day of 1:19.4 set by Hailong Wang in his BMW M2 Competition, followed by Daniel Leitner with a very tidy time of 1:21. Well done to you both! The ledger is now closed for the year and trophies are being engraved as we speak.
Victorian Super Sprint Championships, Phillip Island, 12/11/23
Hosted by PIARC, the Victorian Super Sprint Championships is a one-day event at Phillip Island. Have you got what it takes to be a Victorian Sprinting Champion? Enter now on the MEECAMs site and give it a go. The Husband and I will be there to cheer on our MSCA mates!
MSCA Awards Presentation lunch, Saturday 9 December
Who will take out the coveted MSCA Outright Champion? Will the BMWCC win the Mark Rae Club Challenge for the second year in a row? All will be revealed. Join us at Massaros Estate to celebrate the end of season and congratulate this year’s winners. Hosted by The Husband, enjoy a two-course lunch with motorsport friends and hear from Cam McConville who will talk all things motor racing. Make a booking via the MA event entry system.
Come & Try Day – Phillip Island, Saturday 2 December
Our Come & Try Day is the next big event on our calendar. The day is aimed at novice drivers and offers a safe introduction to grassroots motorsport. This popular program includes basic circuit driving techniques, classroom and practical sessions and coaching by skilled instructors. The MSCA proudly supports diversity and inclusion in motorsport and we’re encouraging women and juniors to enter this event. This is a great opportunity to get your support crew, friends and family members involved. The event is untimed, so no one will ever know if they are faster than you. Entries are now open for this premier event so spread the word!
MSCA nominated instructors and officials, please also register for this event to confirm your availability.
News flash! The Bend 2024
We’re heading back to The Bend on the Anzac Day weekend on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 April. Make a weekend of it and head over for a double header on Friday and Saturday. This weekend will be co-run by Porsche Club Vic and the MSCA and everyone is welcome to run on both days.
I look forward to seeing you trackside soon
Take care
Petrina