Issue No. 14 July 1998
Issue No. 14 July 1998
Well known Qld State Director, Gary Jones, recently retired from his position due to ill health. Gary�s term as State Director for the past 3 years has been a busy one, with many major issues having to be resolved during that time. We hope that Gary will enjoy the new freedom and increased free time he will now have, (already he is back in the garage working on a new project, something that has had to be put on the back burner while he was in the SD position).
Replacing Gary is Darryl Harvey. Darryl was recently elected to the Qld State Director position for the coming two years.
Darryl has been President of Fine Iron Rod & Custom Club Inc for the past 4 years, was the DC Delegate for 2� years, as well as being the Fine Iron QHRP representative. Darryl�s first street rod was a 1935 Vauxhall Roadster, which was purchased in pieces, and after a lot of trial and error was completed in time for Darryl to take part in it at the "Northern Nationals", Parklands, in 1992. When his Vauxhall project was finished, Darryl went on to build another street rod, which is his regularly driven 1947 Chev pictured on this page. Sitting in the shed is his next project, a �34 Ford 5 window coupe.
Over the years Darryl has attended as many runs as possible, enjoys working on his own street rods, and lending a helping hand with other club member�s cars. Now that he is elected as Qld State Director, Darryl is looking forward to the involvement with all the other clubs and individuals members in the State, and is aiming to work for the continuation and safe driving of all Street Rods.
Darryl Harvey, new Qld State Director
The NSW DC has purchased a promotional trailer, which has been fitted out and painted in ASRF colours. The trailer will be stocked with promotional items, its first outing was the Sydney Hot Rod Show in June. Dave Clift has taken on the co-ordination of the project, and asked us to thank all who have assisted in getting it ready for use.
The NCC has voted to include a disclaimer in the ASRF Handbook which will read: "The contents of this publication are a guide only, and cannot used as a reference to a point of law. For a detailed explanation, refer to the ASRF State Director in your State". The disclaimer will be added to the book when the pages are next updated.
The 1998 NCC AGM will be held in Brisbane, on the 18, 19 and 20th of September. All State Directors will be in attendance to discuss issues affecting the ASRF and the sport of street rodding in our country. If you or your club have any issues you think merit discussion at the AGM, please contact your State Director to discuss the possibility of having them placed on his list of agenda items.
Well, finally, after more than a decade of fighting, lobbying, drafting, re-writing etc. etc. etc., we have a document printed by one of our government�s contractors, available through any Qld Department of Transport office, which not only acknowledges that hot rods are a legitimate, credible means of modifying a car, but which actually outlines the legal process available to any and all to build and drive one.
My first knowledge of this fact was the receipt of the actual pamphlet included in my last newsletter, and I must confess my jaw dropped to my waist (or where it should be). Right there in living colour was the very thing we�ve been trying to achieve for what seems like the beginning of time. Even better was the realisation that we had even more concessions than we previously thought possible.
Those old rodders that have been involved in rodding since before the fight began must surely be as amazed and grateful and excited as I am. This is a monumental event, which, judging from the reaction it received at the following DC meeting, is not appreciated as much as I feel it should be. The purpose of this letter is to try to rectify that a little, by thanking all those who have been responsible for seeing it become a reality.
While there is no doubt that Gary Jones was largely responsible for picking up the ball and putting the whole thing together, there is a long list of people who have gone before. Unfortunately, in the main, as we usually do, we used them up and tossed them aside with careless abandon. But this achievement is due to those as far back as John Knack. Unfortunately, I�m not aware of all those who provided input, it�s probably wrong to mention only those my fading brain can recall, but like they say in Mexico "El Steef, El Sheet". To Gary, Mark Bourbon, Tim Bartrop, the TAC members, and anyone else who contributed, in what ever small way, my personal and sincere thanks, for providing one a means of having my pride and joy built, and legally registered, and able to be driven (interstate even) on public roads. Please give yourselves a very large pat on the back.
Speaking of using people up, another State Director has succumbed to the pressure of lethargy, destructive criticism and general lack of support, we heap on any and all of our executive members. While I�m sure Gary Jones would be the first to admit he ain�t perfect, rodding in Qld has advanced tenfold in the few years he held the position. A good deal of this was due to the two National events we held at Parklands. But Gary�s efforts certainly consolidated those, and guided the organisation to a professional, efficient operation that ensure the interest was maintained and fostered, to the extent that Qld is the fastest growing membership.
Gary was in a situation which allowed him to devote huge amounts of time to the sport, everything from sitting under a fly-sheet at swap meets answering tyre-kickers questions, to doing TAC inspections others refused, to saving my arse at the last Qld Nationals. And all (to my knowledge anyway) without even raising his voice.
I don�t believe it�s possible for any of us who work and have a life to fill the role to the extent Gary has expended it, and I am grateful he has conceded to continue as our liaison with the Qld Transport department. I think his successor, Darryl Harvey, is a very brave man and offer my support.
Again, my personal thanks to Gary for a job very well done, often under difficult conditions, over very long hours, in the role of Qld State Director.
John Twidale
Tri-State Rodders (SA) loaned their stretch tourer to SA State Director, Tony Rich, for the �Childhood Cancer Christmas Picnic� to be used for rides for the kids on the day. Grant Eckert and Tony had the tourer running non-stop for 4 � hours, with some kids even electing to keep cruising when Santa arrived. Don Rich�s �58 Mainline was pressed into service, as many kids also wanted a ride in this classic ute. About 30 Harley�s also turned up to give rides also. To see the smiles and hear the laughter of these great kids made our day worthwhile.
Tony Rich
