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Thundercat newsletter   10/06/2008

NEWSLETTER TO ALL MEMBERS

10/06/08

Dear members

Racing has now concluded for the 07/08 season and aside from informal social days over the winter period for the keen, club racing won’t recommence until September when the water and air temperature is starting to improve (Its just too cold for us old folks).

The events this season were all a great success. We were fortunate most venues delivered surf on the day providing for exciting racing and great TV footage for the upcoming programs to be screened later this year. We will keep you advised as to screening dates.

The effect of TV on the profile of the sport cannot be understated and has resulted in renewed interest and a number of new boats to the sport this year. The reality is that TV is particularly expensive and we are fortunate to have an enthusiastic producer in Tony Vercauteren (Goodyear) who puts together a professional (and affordable) package of 6 TV programs which air on TV3 and regularly on Sky. We have even been advised that last years Summer Thunder package was recently featured in South Africa, the home of thundercat racing.

In order for the club to finance its share of the television production it is again proposed to hold the Annual fundraising auction on Friday August 1 2008. This is to be held at Swashbucklers Westhaven Dr Auckland commencing at 7.30pm. It is always a great night but to make this a success we require assistance from every member. Shortly you will be receiving a phone call as to what you can donate to the auction. Please contact your sponsors or any one you know firstly to donate goods and secondly to attend on the night to bid. Previous auctions have raised $20k or more so with everyone’s input it can be a hugely successful and fun night. The extent of funds raised may also help determine the TV coverage for 09.

 The next event in the club calendar is the AGM to be held at Swashbucklers on July 19 2008. The Club annual general meeting is to be held at 3pm and is necessary for the election of the executive committee and to make decisions on the direction of the club for the next 12 months. It is therefore imperative that all members attend. In order to vote you must be a fully paid up member.  The meeting should conclude by 5pm.

AGM election of executive

One of the main purposes of the AGM is to elect the executive committee who will control the direction and management of the club for the next year

This must consist of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer plus up to 4 committee members. Prior to this year’s election the executive has received resignations from

Kerry Wood, the current president plus committee members, Matt Coyne and Tony Vercauteren.

The current vice president Steve Frogley has agreed to re stand for his position as has secretary, Sandra Davis and committee member (and RD) Gary Morrison. Kerry Wood has agreed to remain on the executive committee.

This leaves the position of President plus 2 committee members vacant.

We would ask all members to consider if they can offer management skills (and time) to assist with the running of the club. Race and club events do not just happen on their own! The position of president is one which will receive plenty of support and guidance from the existing executive and suited to an enthusiastic club member so feel free to put your hand up.

Voting papers will be sent by email to all members shortly.

The annual Thundercat prizegiving is to be held on the same day,July 19 at 7.30 pm also at Swashbucklers restaurant and bar. Attendance is compulsory for all members, The cost is $20 per head which covers a generous range of platters throughout the night (cash bar). For those of you who would prefer a full meal we would suggest you phone 3075979 to book a meal at 7pm, prior, in the restaurant section of Swashbucklers and advising you are attending the thundercat event. As always it is always a great social evening. Remember that prizes are not necessarily awarded to the top performers.

In other news you will all be pleased to hear that our club secretary Sandra has finally popped out a healthy 10lb boy Tai. Sandra, the baby and husband Dave are all doing well.

Grant applications to the gaming and charitable trusts are currently being applied for to assist with the running of the club and promotion of the sport. The club had previously hoped to apply for a grant for a van to be used as a replacement for the gear trailer but the criteria of most trusts does not include grants for vehicles so it is likely the current gear trailer will need to be used for some time to come. With this in mind we would like to upgrade its visual impact. It is proposed to use photo images over all 4 sides to create this impact. If anyone or their sponsor has an exciting high resolution image of their boat and $1000 they can have it reproduced onto the gear trailer. This is on a basis of first in first on. Email steve@plumbquick.co.nz if you are interested.

Motor eligibility

As per the rule book every boat competing in a national series must have a motor sealed with the approved TRANZ seals. (note that this does not apply to club days) .In the last 2 years due to the diligence of 2 club members in particular this has resulted in a strict measuring protocol and has  ensured that all engines are equal.

The club procedure for stripping and measuring of motors is as follows;

1/ Members must contact club Secretary (Sandra) to arrange a time for stripping and measurement by the club’s contracted independent measurer. This is currently Engine Specialities 96 Hillside Rd Glenfield Auckland.

2/Sandra will arrange a time and issue a club purchase order for Engine Specs to carry out the works.

3/ The member must pay $500 (fee subject to change) to the club prior to stripping. This fee includes a gasket set plus the time charged by Engine Specs. Obviously if you provide a gasket set or the inspection is only a partial recheck and reseal charges will be on a cost recovery basis.

 4/ Sandra will then email all members giving a minimum of 24 hours notice of an inspection. The purpose of this is to provide the opportunity for any interested parties to inspect the dismantled motor.

5/The member must then also arrange for their mechanic to dismantle and reassemble the motor on the premises as the motor cannot be removed until sealed by Engine Specs. If required reassembly can be done by Engine Specs at their standard hourly rate by prior arrangement

If the above procedures are not followed the motor will need to be stripped and resealed at the offending members cost!!

It is recommended that all racers wanting to have their motors sealed for the 08/09 nationals book early to avoid disappointment. No seals at Whangamata no race!!

Driver Licences

With a large number of new crews driver licences will be a consideration for those who wish to compete in the national series for 09. The requirement is that racers compete in 4 approved events and pass a 25 question oral test based on TRANZ rules (20 questions) plus NZ maritime rules (5 questions) before being issued with a licence (subject to medical test). The pre Christmas events have been designed to allow sufficient time for new crews to qualify. Again no licence at Whangamata no race

Thundercat reunion April 25 2009

Thundercat (Rubberduck) racing was started in South Africa way back in 1988 and eventually found its way to Australia in the mid 1990s and then was brought to NZ in 1995. The formal registration of the THUNDERCAT RACING ASSOCIATION OF NZ occurred in 1999 and April 25 2009 has been chosen as a day to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the association. We would recommend all members consult the website to register for this event which comprises a poker run or similar followed by a social event in the evening. .

Calendar for 08/09 (the bit everyone is interested in)

As each year of Thundercat racing rolls over we are faced with even more bureaucratic red tape and costs for each race event we run. It is as if local and national government has nothing better to do than pass more legislation (and more cost to the end user) just to justify their jobs. Ridiculous examples of this are building consents are now required for tents over 35m2 on the beach (the large Fusion and Thundercat tents would border on this area) plus government is now requiring coastal consents for events in the sea although the exact impact and cost of these are yet to be determined. Some councils are really proactive in helping us to run events whilst others are just a pain in the arse. With regard to costs we are regularly faced with an account for $750 just to advertise a speed limit lifting for 300m of beach for one event. This is up from $80 in previous years .In addition to help secure the Piha event, if anyone has a spare $1000 to donate to the Green Party to save the maui dolphins we run over and kill on race day this would be of great assistance to their re election campaign.

The net result of all this bureaucracy and political correctness is that we now must formulate our calendar and apply for permits 6 months in advance and that members should be prepared for an increase in race day fees to cover these additional administrative costs. With this in mind it is still a cheap affordable motorsport when costed against motor racing or other forms of powerboat racing.   

The race calendar (below) for the national surfcross for 08/09 is based on 6 events in January and February. The club rule book requires that the national champion for surfcross be decided over 5 days. This therefore allows racers to drop one event and choose their 5 best.

Longhaul races will follow the format of last year and the national longhaul champion is the crew with the most aggregate longhaul points. As per last year the running of the high profile long haul events (Cook Strait and King of the Cape) will be weather dependent.

 The overall national Thundercat champion (NZ1) for 09 will be the crew with the most surfcross points over 5 events plus 1 (best) longhaul result.

The Club points championship reflects the crew or boat that supports or is most successful in the greatest amount of club events. Each of the events in the race program awards club points except for the national championship events. In addition club members assist (50 club points per charity event) with events such as Koru kids, Kidney kids, SPARC Have a go days, Sowers trust and Rotary camp for disadvantaged kids plus Auckland harbour and King of the Bays swims .

Note that all events are still subject to permit approval

International events

The 2009 world thundercat P750 championships have been awarded to South Africa and are likely to be held mid 2009.  Entry to the world champs for NZ competitors is generally on the basis of individual affordability rather than qualification due to the budget constraints (read ’no money’) of TRANZ. If anyone is considering entering they should contact the club secretary to obtain approval. The executive is however looking into the re establishment of a Tranz Tasman challenge to Australia in 09 which are always a fun event. More details may follow later in the year.

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Revised: June 2008