A Letter from the Australian Trans-Am Directors
Well another year has come and gone, and on the whole it was a good year. Numbers were slightly below our expectations but it has been a tough year business wise.
Firstly, let us say thank you to all our loyal competitors and friends, without you there is no Trans-Am. Also to our loyal fans who now stretch worldwide, we appreciate your feedback and support.
We would like to give a big thank you to our K1W1 bros for making the huge effort to get here and for staying for Muscle Car Masters, much appreciated. Sorry about the Cricket World Cup (not).
What do you call a K1W1 running through a paddock with a camera?
(GO BRO!)
Next year we will host three classes to accommodate for people with different expectations and levels of commitment. The outright class of 2015 has been split into class one and two. We begin with class one, Trophy. This is for those who’s budget and expertise are higher. Class two is the Sports class, for those who like to tinker around on the cars themselves, and while they take it very serious they also have other things to do in their lives. The third class is the 5 Litre Challenge, the good old five litres are back for another street fight.
A new points system is currently being looked at. Additionally, there is some thought to limiting the amount of new tyres to two new per meeting, rather than four. I guess we will have to host a meeting early in the new year to discuss this and other issues.
We would like to officially welcome Shannon O’Brien and family to our fold. If all the O’Briens turned up to one of our meetings we would double our fans in one hit! (Gollieee how many are out there, like the Hatfields & McCoys. Never heard of them? Google it!)
Great to see Trappo arrive in his beautiful Mustang (yes another one, I am learning to cope with the help of therapy), he will be a big threat in the 5 Litre Challenge class. Also Tricia our first girl driver, I mean female! We already have some girls, I am sure she won’t be the last.
Looking forward to some new cars early in the year. Harry’s Mustang, Gareth’s Mustang, Dan’s Mustang, Kaye’s Mustang, Russell’s Mustang, Mustang, Mustang, Mustang! Oh and Ian’s Firebird, thank God a Chevy! And later in the year, Len Balme’s Mercury Cougar.
Our calendar is out, three championship rounds at Lakeside and three rounds at Queensland Raceway. A non-championship round at the Muscle Car Masters again but we must have 25 cars so it is up to you. Also, a non-championship round at Morgan Park providing we have enough competitors willing to go.
Well I guess that’s all for the moment. Looking forward to Russell’s Mustang, Harro’s Mustang (with some improvements being made over the summer months), JE’s Firebird, Brett’s Mustang and a couple of others taking it up to the O’Brien clan. I would like to see Anthony stay in the trophy class, Kermit is a very good car and just needs some sorting. I think it will be a very tight class. Also the 5 Litre Challenge with all the usual suspects plus some wildcards, couldn’t pick that one from here but Trappo will be one to watch. That leaves our new Sportsman’s class. Not sure who will be in this one yet, but for a start we will have Alwyn who has come along in leaps and bounds this year, Harry who is chaffing at the bit, Martin’s #8 Camaro also gives it a big effort and Steve’s #5 Falcon Sprint always a hard charger.
Christmas Day has come and gone, that just leaves us to say Happy New Year to our Trans-Am family, friends, fans and supporters. We are all looking forward to the start of the season, it will be HUGE.
Best Wishes
Ian Palmer,
On behalf of fellow Directors John English & Ian Woodward
