DRIPPING WET

The TRA-NZ Newsletter

Meeting closed 8.40pm                                           

NEWSLETTER TO ALL MEMBERS

30/10/07

 Upcoming events

1/ Next race event is the club surfcross day at Mangawhai on Saturday November 3.

Roll call will be at 9am at the boat ramp which will be followed by scrutineering.

After scrutineering boats will proceed out of the harbour at 5 Knots to the surf beach to assist with beach setup

The 5 knot rule is strictly enforced in the harbour.

Racing will commence at 11am.

Race fees are $50 and day licences are $30 each. Club points apply.

All competitors must be aware of the requirements for helmets to be 75% dayglo orange or aircraft recognition red. You will not be able to race unless your helmets comply. (a spray can of fluoro orange will be applied to all offenders). Life jackets must show compliance to NZ standard.

2/ Race entry forms and fees: Rule 706.01 of the TRANZ rulebook stipulates that race entry forms and fees must be submitted 14 days before the event or late fees will apply. In future this rule will be strictly enforced. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! For this coming weekend event an amnesty has been granted by our generous secretary Sandra until midnight Tuesday October 31. If you have not submitted your entry and paid entry fee of $50 by that time the late fee of an additional $50 will apply. You can submit your entry fee by the following means; fax to 09 4786412,  email to sandradavis@xtra.co.nz or deliver by hand to the letterbox at 664 East Coast Rd Browns Bay Auckland. BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE! Not only must you submit the entry but the rules require you to pay as well. This can be done by electronic payment (before 8pm Tuesday), deposit to any Westpac bank or hand delivery of cash or cheque to 664 East Coast Rd. The club Westpac account number is 03 1318 0126601 25. Please use your boat name as reference. If you do not make the deadline of Tuesday night the late fee deadline is midnight Thursday November 1 otherwise you cannot compete. This is essential for heat draws to be established.  Please  note that day licences can be purchased on the day where required. I would suggest that all racers consult the calendar now and consider entering this week for future club events.

3/ Sunday November 4 will be a surfcross event with the emphasis on further training for new members.

 Start will be at 10 am. During the day new members will be able to sit their verbal 25 item questionnaire in order to qualify for their racing licence. The questionnaire will test knowledge of sections 200 and 600 of the TRANZ rule book (available on the web site) plus 5 questions on maritime laws relating to speed restrictions and clearances from the public.

 In addition it is proposed to demonstrate and then test each new crew on the ability to reinstate their motor after submersion at sea. This forms part of our endurance race series scrutineering requirements.

Club points do not apply for this day. There are no entry fees for this day.

4/ Sealing day this year is to be held on Saturday November 10^th at the Greenhithe Motors building, 6 Greenhithe Rd Auckland at 8am

To ensure fairness in the sport and in order to compete in the national series as per rule 509 all motors must be measured and sealed. Note that if you only wish to compete in club days this is not a requirement. Motors with unbroken Tranz seals from the 2006 sealing days do not need to be remeasured. However any other seals prior to 2006 do not comply.

The official club measurer can only accommodate a maximum of 10 boats on the day so you must register with Sandra on a first in first served basis.

The format of the day is that motors will be provided to the measurer disassembled. You may dismantle your motor on the day if you wish and the intention is that crews will help each other with this..In order of registering the motors will then be measured and assuming compliance the motor must then be reassembled at Greenhithe motors by yourself or your mechanic after which it will be sealed. You must make your own arrangements for reassembly. Motors cannot be removed from Greenhithe Motors until sealed (unless non compliant). If there is not sufficient time for re assembly on the Saturday the motors can be safely locked in the building overnight and completed on the Sunday. Greenhithe motors is conveniently located next to a coffee and a liquor shop.

The cost for measuring is $400. This covers a gasket set plus the labour cost  of Engine Specialities Ltd, the official TRANZ appointed measurer. If you provide your own gaskets or only require a partial measure (due to broken seals ) the charges will be less. Charges are on a cost recovery basis only. You must pay on the day. No money, no measure.

If demand is warranted a second sealing day may be held later in the year.

5/ Harbour Swim

TRANZ assists each year with patrolling for the Auckland harbour swim which is this year on Sunday November 25. We require 12 boats for approximately 3 hours from 7.30 at Westhaven boat ramp. Copilots are not necessary (except for ballast). The boats are required only to form an outer guard to protect the swimmers and divert other craft from the area. We are not there to rescue swimmers.

After the race a free breakfast and drinks are available at O’hagans Irish pub in the viaduct.

As well as this during the year TRANZ helps out with rides for kids from organizations such as Koru care, Kidney kids, Rotary, have a go day etc. As with the harbour swim each of these events have 20 club points awarded for each attending boat. Please advise Steve Frogley on 021965246 if you are available for this event

6/ Copilots

Vacancies exist for copilots amongst some of the boats. If any you know of any ex members or friends are wishing to get into the sport please have them contact Sandra. The drivers promise to be gentle!

7/ Gear trailer

It is proposed that the gear trailer be turned into a more graphic billboard by coverage with large screenprinted action photos of your thundercat. It is proposed to sell space on the 2 sides 2200w x 1800h each and on the rear 1900w x 1800h in order to help with maintenance costs of the trailer and race day equipment.

If you have a good photo of your boat and you or your sponsor are interested please contact Brent McConnell on 021560002 or email him at dream@futuredevelopments.co.nz

8/ Rash shirts

The rash shirts supplied for last years promoted series must be returned before November 8^th no matter what condition they are in. As per the agreement each competitor signed there may be a charge of $40 payable to club funds if not returned.

9/ Russell Lichtwarke

You will all be pleased to know that after being that after being tapped on the arse by another boat and a free ride in an ambulance Russell is now out of hospital and resting at home. He is grateful to all who sent their wishes or visited him in hospital. A photo of his arse is available on request.

10/ Next club meeting is to be held on Tuesday November 6 at a venue to be advised. It is proposed that the race fees and format for the national surfcross and endurance series will be disclosed amongst other matters

That’s it

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Revised: October 2007