Greater Rochester Triumph Touring Club: News

Tech Session: Engine Rebuild Part I: Saturday, January 16, 2010

We have two Triumph engines for rebuilding at these Tech Sessions, from a Spitfire 1500 and a TR3A. The first Session begins with Breakfast at Golden Boys Diner in the Village of Webster at 8:00AM. We’ll adjourn to Bill Rampe’s garage, 476 Whiting Road in Webster for a 9:00 start. At Session I, we’ll tear down these engines and examine and measure for wear. Several members have preregistered for this event and the class size should be kept small, so let George Haynes know of your interest soon. 595-872-6536. There is a $10.00 fee per session. In February, we’ll reassemble after required machining and purchase of new parts.

Winter Party: Saturday, January 9, 2010. Starts at 6:00 PM

Same location as last year: Jack’s Place on the Golf Course in Durand Eastman Park. This is most easily reached from Lakeshore Blvd, from east or west. We have upgraded the buffet menu to include Prime Rib and Chicken French, with appetizers before dinner. This evening promises to be fun and interesting, as we have our first Guest Speaker, Larry Weishaar, former Assistant Service Manager at Best Motors and a very active member of the now-defunct Triumph Touring Club of Rochester, from which we derived part of our new club’s name. We have guaranteed a minimum of 40 attendees so please include this in your must-attend events of 2010. Price is $20.00 per person, with reservations and checks to GRTTC sent to Treasurer Craig Carey at 4 Wenlock Road, Fairport, NY 14450. Final day for reservations is one week prior, January 2, 2010.

Tail of the Snake & Wind Turbine Adventure

16 cars and 31 smiling people did the "Tail of the Snake & Wind Turbine Adventure" Sunday (10/18). And an adventure it was. We left Eastview and did a caravan to Naples where we picked up some of the folks who lived near that area. The weather cooperated nicely, sunny and in the mid 50's most of the day. One brave soul had his top down, his navigator wore a ski mask. We got out and stretched our legs at Joseph's farm market in Naples & some folks took advantage of the sales. Snaking through the mountains, up & down the hills surrounding the turbines was the fun driving part. We got up close look at the turbines. With a wisp of smoke(from the back of my car) and an airborn tunnel of leaves following most cars. The snake can bite you in some spots but all stayed on the road. Then an hour or so for lunch at The Redwood restaurant, where the food is always good. Seems like everyone enjoyed it and some of the drivers, in particular, were showing teeth when they smiled all of the 50ish miles. We'll do something similar next year but this one will be hard to beat. For the moment, we'll just bask in the glow and "Whoosh" of the cars & windmill blades. Joe & Joeanna

Brunch Run to the Krebs in Skaneateles, NY

Starting at the Canandaigua Wegmans parking lot, it was a 55 mile tour to the Krebs in Skaneateles for 12 cars and 23 people, taking as many side roads as possible to avoid going through Waterloo, Seneca Falls, especially Auburn and the busy parts of Route 5 & 20. Needless to say, this route took us through the wonderful NYS countryside and while the fall foliage had not peaked yet, it was a leisurely and practically traffic-free route, but a little rainy.

We all enjoyed the classical style of a typical Krebs brunch, as we were all seated at several tables and the food choices were brought to us. The food and services were excellent, including the champagne!

Due to the inclement weather, practically all of us did not opt for a Mid-Lakes Navigation boat ride on Lake Skaneateles. Some of us went window shopping while the others hung around to talk for a while before heading for home.

All in all, a wonderful and successful GRTTC event!

GRTTC Brunch Run & Boat Cruise - September 27th - RSVP by 9/13 to Doug & Cindy

GRTTC Brunch Run & Boat Cruise
****************************************
This is a two part event. You may choose the following:
Part 1: Brunch only
Part 2: Boat Cruise only
Parts 2 & 3: Both Brunch & Cruise

Part 1.
What: Brunch Run
Where: The Krebs, Skaneateles, NY
When: September 27, 2009
What Time: 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Cost: $25.00/person (includes gratuity and taxes)

Part 2.
What: Boat Cruise
Where: Mid-Lakes Navigation, Skaneateles Lake
When: September 27, 2009
What Time: 3:00 to 4:00 PM
Cost: $11.00/person

Please call Cindy Jack @ 585-248-3872
or E-mail Doug Jack @ djack@rochester.rr.com

The boat cruise will not need any reservations and the cost will be paid prior to boarding.

We must have your brunch reservations and money by September 13, 2009.

We will leave the Canandaigua Wegmans east parking lot
at 9:30 AM. Maps and route directions will be available at
the parking lot.

Triumph Transamerica Tour Update

Members of the GRTTC and the MG Car Club WNYC successfully caravanned John Macartney and his Stag (Uncle Jack) through Western New York today as part of the Triumph Transamerica Tour for PTSD. Doug & Cindy Jack started out the day with John in West Winfield NY, south of Utica. The caravan met up with George & Beverly Haynes, Bill & Kathy Rampe, Al Wagner (sort of!), and Dick Powers along the way, and were met at Tom Wahl’s in Avon by Joe and Joeanna DeBlaere, Don Radlo, Steve Rossini, Andy and Evan Paris and Jeff Kramer. After lunch, Jeff, Andy and Evan, with the Rampe’s in tow, took off for Lockport and Niagara Falls. Once in Canada, John was to be met and hosted by GRTTC member Tony Fox.
Although this is an important event for a Triumph, the much larger goal is to raise awareness and money for research and treatment for people affected by traumatic experiences – in civilian life as well as in the military.
To donate, or to watch John and Uncle Jack traipse across the US and Canada, go to:
http://www.triumphtransamerica.org.uk
Also, our own Jeff Kramer will be joining the TTA tour to Indianapolis, and then will meet up again with the TTA on the west coast. Best wishes for a safe and successful trip to both John and Cosmo! Thanks also to everyone who contributed to this event with their time, effort and contributions.

See Photos section for pictures from today's event.

TRIUMPH TRANSAMERICA RUN LUNCH IN AVON TUESDAY JULY 28TH!

The long awaited travel plans through our area by John McCartney and his Triumph Stag are finally completed and we want to make you aware of the plans and to invite you to help. For those of you not familiar with this project, John is driving a Triumph Stag through the U.S. and Canada to raise money for persons suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). He began this trip in Florida going north, and this weekend will be in Boston. As a VTR charter we have been asked to assist him in this venture.

On Monday July 27th, John will be escorted from the Boston area to Albany where he will be met by another VTR member and escorted to West Winfield NY (south of Utica) where he will spend the night. Members of our club will meet John on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. and escort him to Tom Wahl’s restaurant in Avon NYwhere we will join him for lunch. From there Jeff Kramer and Andy & Evan Paris will escort John to the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls. These connections with Triumph clubs and owners will continue across the entire U.S. and Canada and will end in San Luis Obispo CA at the VTR convention in late September.

We would ask that all members, who are able, to meet us at Tom Wahl’s in Avon at 12:30 pm on Tuesday July 28th where we will share lunch with John. If you would like to make a contribution to this worthy charitable cause, please bring your checkbooks with you. It would be nice to have a great show of support for this undertaking.

Also there are a few additional Event Rallyboards available for $15.00 donation to the TTA Charity if you would like to join in any part of the caravan that day. They will be available prior from the Haynes, or at lunch on Tuesday.

Doug & Cindy Jack

New Pictures Posted from Summer Picnic and Bob & Ruth Run to Naples

Check out the new pictures posted under the Photos Link at the top. Thanks to our outstanding organizers - Cindy and Doug Jack - for arranging our last two events. Doug was last seen lashing the meat cooler to his TR6 luggage rack with 275 feet of rope - wonder if he was followed home by a pack of slobbering dogs? Thanks also to Norm & Char Wright for opening up their beautiful home and gardens to us for a lovely evening - George and I had a wonderful time, as I am sure everyone did. And who knew the club had our own Rodney Dangerfield?

GRTTC JUNE Meeting / Run to Bob & Ruths in Naples 6/24/09 - RSVP by 6/22

GRTTC MEETING - Wednesday, JUNE 24TH
PLEASE RSPV AS HEADCOUNT IS NEEDED BY RESTAURANT
Due to popular demand - we're going back to Bob and Ruth's! Doug Jack has promised a new scenic route to Naples. Dinner plus a short meeting after. Meet at 5:00PM at Stickley's parking lot in Eastview Mall. Dinner at 6 PM, Club Meeting at 7:00 PM.
RSVP to Doug/Cindy at 248-3872 or dojacyn@rochester.rr.com.

Woodland Regalia Store Now Available - New Cold Weather & Holiday Items!

The Woodland Design page dedicated to GRTTC regalia is now up and running!

Here is the link:

www.woodlandsilkscreen.com

Once you are on their website, click on the GRTTC link to the left under "Categories".

The Woodland regalia is primarily for items with the embroidered club logos. There are jackets and fleeces available in both mens and ladies styles.

Thanks to Laurie at Woodland for the work and effort in providing this on-line regalia program for our club! Order turn around will be approximately 2- 3 weeks, with a pick-up or mailing option.

****ALSO - NEW items have been added to the Cafe Press Regalia website - mousepads, travel mugs, etc. Check them out at: www.cafepress.com/GRTTC

If there are additional items you would like to see please contact Beverly Haynes at bhaynes1@rochester.rr.com. The items will be revised on a seasonal basis, or upon request.

REPORT FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN TRIUMPH CHALLENGE IN YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN

Ten members of the Greater Rochester Triumph Touring Club drove to Ypsilanti, Michigan to attend the National Convention of the Vintage Triumph Register, held August 4 thru 8. There wasn’t much caravanning.

Bill and Kathy Rampe (TR3A) and Ned and Julie Paulsen (TR3A) drove to Canada first, to meet up with some Ontario Stag owners who then drove to Port Huron to enter Michigan.

Joe and Linda Fazio (TR6) visited family in Michigan first.

Bob Harris (Spitfire) and Rob Houseknecht (TR6) traveled together.

Bill Henningson (TR3A) and Dave Wightman (TR4) also traveled together.

Allen and Elaine Hess (TR4) visited friends in Ohio.

Beverly and I (TR4A) soloed, choosing to drive through the states and avoid two Canadian border crossings.

Once there, we met for the Welcoming Reception Tuesday evening, where we were entertained by the Spinal Tappets, a group of Triumph-owning musicians from the Illinois Sports Owners Association. We had been introduced to the Spinal Tappets in Rockford, Ill. at the VTR Convention in 2005 and they had added several new tunes to their repertoire. Some were:

   “Flatbeds, Parts and Money”
   “While My TR Gently Leaks”
   “Grindin’ Thru The Gears”

All were genuine tongue-in-cheek Triumph versions of popular songs of yesteryear.

Although the band overpowered the vocals in their live performance, the CD which everyone received has that better modulated. Good thing, as the words are the best part, despite the fact that all were all fine musicians, too.

On Wednesday, everyone had a choice of, “Catch the Leprechaun Rally” or a Winery Tour or a Tech Session. Beverly and I spent a couple hours assisting with the “48-Hour Spitfire Rebuild” and then attended the Chapter President’s Luncheon. There we learned about how the well-established clubs operate and have survived. Discussed were: club finances, newsletters and websites. Many clubs are suffering from officer burnout and the challenge of recruiting new and younger members. This meeting could have gone on much longer than the allotted two hours!

On Thursday morning, we headed to the autocross site, where we found a long but simple course waiting for us. Competition got off to a slow start and ended with an event-shortening rainstorm (see separate autocross article). Others shopped, or attended Judges’ School or helped with the Spitfire Rebuild. An Auction was held in the evening but we were disappointed with the small number of items available, especially compared to other convention auctions.

Friday was car show day, with the usual Concours Judging competition and Popular Choice voting. The show included a 1935 Triumph Gloria from Texas, 4 Triumph 2000's, and a replica of "Buttercup" which George got to drive off the trailer. Again, the results of the show are in a separate report.

Almost every day, there were hints that our application to become a Chapter of VTR was going to be approved but no confirmation until the Awards Banquet on Friday nite. I’m pleased to report that we were indeed approved. That was the beginning of the trophy presentation and we (GRTTC) received our share. There were six trophies for the car show and four more for the autocross. Rob Houseknecht took home two, one for each competition! Congratulations to Rob and the other winners from our new club!

The trip home was uneventful, except for a thunderstorm on the Thruway as we neared home. It was accompanied by a brilliant rainbow against the dark gray sky, and was an appropriate ending to a great trip.

The cars, the company of our friends, the gracious hosts from the Detroit Triumph Club and the enthusiastic VTR members from all over the country were all greatly appreciated and enjoyed on this trip. We are already looking forward to the VTR Regional on Jekyll Island in Georgia next year - the hotel and the pool are right on the beach!

George & Beverly Haynes

GRTTC Award Winners at VTR/NATC August 2008

Our club was well represented at the awards banquet on Friday night! Here is a list of the GRTTC members who were recognized:

CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE CAR SHOW – 8/08/08

FIRST PLACE:

JOE FAZIO - TR6

ROB HOUSEKNECHT - TR6

BRUCE KROBUSEK – STAG

BILL RAMPE – TR3A

SECOND PLACE:

DAVE WIGHTMAN – TR4

THIRD PLACE:

BILL HENNINGSON – TR3A

AUTOCROSS – 8/07/08

FIRST PLACE MODIFIED:

BEVERLY HAYNES – TR4A
GEORGE HAYNES – TR4A

2ND PLACE MODIFIED:

BOB HARRIS - SPITFIRE

2ND PLACE STOCK:

ROB HOUSEKNECHT – TR6

AUTOCROSS RESULTS – VTR CONVENTION 2008

AUTOCROSS RESULTS – VTR CONVENTION 2008
George Haynes

One of the events offered at a VTR National Convention is an Autocross. This year there were about eighty entrants, which were divided into three separate heats of about 27 entries each. The drivers in each heat were responsible for Course Marshalling during one of the other heats.

Of special interest to me are the “Hot Dogs”, those cars which are very specially prepared for autocrossing, which are usually trailered to the event and driven by experts. These are the guys or gals who compete for Fastest Time of Day and we weren’t surprised that Marty Sukey went fastest in his race-prepared Spitfire - in something like 59 seconds.

GRTTC members who autocrossed were: Bob Harris (Spitfire 1500), Rob Houseknecht (TR6), Dave Wightman (TR4), Bill Henningson (TR3A) and Beverly and me in our TR4A.

The course was long, looping out to a remote corner of the parking lot and returning via the same route, which made for long runs, usually in the mid-70-second range. Some beginners were closer to 90 seconds.

We were told that we would have only two runs each because of the large turnout and long course. The first two heats went well as well as first runs in the third heat. Fortunately, everyone but Bob Harris and I were in the first or second heats, but we were in line for our second runs when the rains came and we never got them. Darn! My first run was fairly quick but sloppy and I was looking forward to a neater Run 2. Oh, well, that’s “racer’s luck”. Everyone scurried to get tops up and trunk contents back inside, but not before quite a few cars were mighty wet. Sure, the rain stopped, but it left the course wet and shorted out the timing gear so the event was over.

Fast-Forward to the Awards Banquet later that evening. I’m pleased to report that both Beverly and I won our respective classes (in my case, I don’t know how; she drove well). Both our times were 68-seconds and a fraction. She’ll soon be beating me! Second-Place trophies went to Bob Harris and Rob Houseknecht. Bill Henningson and Dave Wightman had fun but finished out of the trophies.

The downside to competing in the autocross is that it often takes all day. That usually means missing out on some other activity and the convention is only 3-4 days in length. Can’t do ‘em all!

Website Update

The website is up and it works! We still have a few kinks to work out but everything is working and seems pretty stable. This site allows club members to upload pictures of their cars, ask or answer questions in the forums, write about their car, a trip or something else in the blogs, plus more. Getting onboard is as easy as signing up for an account, email Andy and you can get access to the different features based on what you want to do. We are looking for forum moderators, bloggers and others to keep the content up to date and fresh. We can talk about what else we would like to do at upcoming meetings. If you run into any problems send Andy an email or call.

Greater Rochester Triumph Touring Club Website is up!

The Greater Rochester Triumph Touring Club website is up! Welcome all. Browse around, upload pictures of you car, ask questions in the forum, feel at home. Feel free to sign up and send an email to the webmaster to get permission to upload your own photos, start a blog, add events, and even update the news.