CAL€NVA'R. THE DIRECTORS CORNER 3AN lA.A'RY STEVE KOHLHAGEN 13 Tech Session SL\spension Systems HAPPY NEW YEAR TIME TO SWEEP OUT THE OLD AND Mike Ml.mson's Home ABOUT THOSE NEW YEAR RESOLU­ WELCOME IN THE NEWBOARD in Snellville TIONS?*! STEVE KOHLI IAGEN 770-979-4907 DIRECTOR 10:00 AM +-Iappy ho", ... So, it's a new year, why do we do this; make resolutions 11 :OQ BVlsiness Meeting - when many from last year were not resolved? I guess it's STEVE CRIPPS DiscVlss VlpcoWling events a time to regroup, see what we want to keep from last CO- DIRECTOR New yea ... bVldget year and set some new goals and an agenda for the com­ P ... oposed expendit", ... es ing year. SHARON YOKELSON 2 way ... adios TREASURER/SECRETARY We're doing that at the Triumph Association too. Windshield decals We're looking at repeating many of the fun events from T ... ophy BVldget STEVE CONWAY '95; Chateau tlan, the south side pool party, the Lake Bur­ MEMBER @ LARGE SVlggestions? ton run, and a Pub Night or two. We took a look at the 12:00 'Ride in the cOVlnt ...y club and what activities would make it an active instru­ to IVlnch ment within the British car realm and we found we have a JEFF HOOLE 2:00Tech Session lot of non running cars in the club. This brings us to the MEMBER @ LARGE See Wlap-Back Page Georgia Triumph Association focus for '96; getting as many Triumphs back on the road and helping to keep them there. JOE EARNEST Febt"L\at"y We're starting the year with three tech sessions; starting RALLY MASTER 8th6:30 PM-9:30 Cat" OVlt with Mike Munson's [ local TR6 racer and owner of many Nieht -Mo's Pizza, 3109 Triumphs) suspension tune up session [ can't drive 'em if HUGH R. McALEER B,..iat"cIiff Rd. the wheels won't stay on 'em & hopefully in the direction NEWSLETTER EDITOR ( continued) 1996 Major Events - 1e ntative -

Date Event Location •••••••••• Feb 10 Car Guys Driving School Road : HISTORIC • Feb 17 Daytona.FL Goody's 300 :RACING SCHiDUU: Feb 18 Daytona Beach. FL • • FEB 24 Rockingham.NC Goodwrench 200 •.SVRA '96 Schedule • Feb 25 Goodwrench 500 Rockingham. NC • • Feb 25 St. Petersburg.Fla Kash N' Karry Florida Grand Prix : March 7-10 Spring Fling • • Moroso • Mar 2 Richmond.VA Hardee's Challenge 250 • • West Palm Beach. FL • Mar 2-3 Car Guys Driving School Summit Point • • Mar 3 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond. VA : March 13-16 Sebring : MAR 9 Atianta,GA Busch Lite 300 • Vintage Grand Prix • Mar 10 Purolator 500 Hampton, GA • 12 Hours of Sebring• • Mar 10 Melboume, Australia • Sebring FL • Mar 17 Nashville.TN Opryland USA 320 • • Mar 17 Homestead Motorsports Complex. Fla (with NASCAR SuperTruck] : March 28-31 Spring in : MAR 23 Dariington.SC Darlingtom 200 • Savannah • Mar 23-24 Car Guys Driving School Rockingham : Roebling Road : Mar 24 Transouth Financial 400 Darlington. SC • Savannah. GA • Mar 30 Bristol.TN Goody's 250 • • Mar 31 Food City 500 Bristol. TN • May 16-19 Victoria British • Mar 31 nterlagos. Brazil : Vintage Grand Prix : • • April 6 Hickory.NC SunOrop 400 : Bkhart Lake. WI : Apr 7 Argentine Grand Prix . Argentina • • Apr 14 First Union 400 North Wilkesboro. NC :HSR 1996 SCHEDULE : Apr 20-21 Car Guys Driving School Roebling Road • TENTATIVE • Apr 21 Hanes 500 Martinsville. VA • • Apr 21 Phoenix Intemational Raceway. AZ (with NASCAR SuperTruck] .2-2/3• Rolex Legends at • Apr 28 Winston Select 500 Talladega, AL : Daytona : Apr 28 TBA Grand Prix • Ford GT 40 Reunion • • Daytona.FL • I.---~------~ EVENTS AROUND THE SOUTH I .:3-1/3SebringEnurance .: ISO R R Y T HAT I DON' T HA V E ANY T HI N 6 TO LIS THE REI • Challenge : I THIS MONTH, I DIDN'T RECEIVE OUR NEIGHBORING 1 : Featuring AI Holbert Memo- : C L U B S N E ~ S LET T E R SIN TIM E TOM A K E T HIS ISS U E. I • rial Prototype Renunion • I L 00 K FOR A CAL END A R LIS TIN G 0 F EVE N T SIN THE : Sebring. FL : I NEIGHBORHOOD HERE NEXT MONTH! .1 • • .------:426/28 presents : .the Walter Mitty Challenge • : Featuring F-5000 & Historic: _BRODt'S • Can-AM Reunion • • Road Atlanta. Braselton. GA • •••••••••••••••••

America's ~agazine 01 Amateur Motorsports THANKS FOR THE HELP HUGH This past year a few members of the GTA ( other than the Board members) helped with the newsletter and I want to "1Jo' P;~~,,!! thank them again for taking Joe Eamest has a new meeting the time to put together some place that he assures us is THE thoughts to share with us all. place to eat. meet. and look at the Scott Holton kept us abreast cars. The monthly Cars Night Out of his IT TA7. Steve Conway will be set for the 2nd Thursday of '::"-NOTICE- passed info both before and each month. AU dues, ch:mge ofaddress :md other after the Daytona Beach correspondences should be sent to meet. Harold Kelley. JR We will meet at Moe's Pizza at The GeOlgia Tninnph Association. R shared his pride and joy at 31 09 Briarcliff Road. One block Q Box 1138. Tucker. GA. 30085- how well his car fared at the from Clairemont Road. 1138. VTR National. Paul Uttle took us along for a ride in the To get there from·anywhere: AU complaints about the newsletter. mountains and to Gulf Port or it's contents should be directed to MS. Grassroots Motorsports Take 1-85 to Clairmont Road George ofthe Jungle - c/o The Geor­ deserves a big thank you for HEAD EAST gia Tnumph Association. giving me permission to use To the first light - Briarcliff Road - so many of their articles. I Left AU pnnted maten"al ma)' be copied appreciate the help and look Moe's is 1/2 block on the left 3J1d ['('-used WIthout wrItten pcrmis- forward to hearing from more Moe's # 404-320-1258 SIOn. of you next year. . . O ' FEATURE

ver had an MG? A Triumph or Jag? Any British car? Even if you haven't, STORY.BY BRIAN KENNEDY • PHOTOS BY GORDON JOLLEY you've heard stories about how they challenge their owners' patience with their reliability troubles. Particular about the way they are handled, these cars have driven off more than one suitor with their quirkiness. That's why it's good to find a car like William Dentinger's 1956 TR3. Loaded with special Triumph racing equipment, it also enjoys the devotion of its owner, who spends much time searching for rare Triumph factory racing spares to keep the car original. The blue TR3 pays him back with quick, reliable and fun weekends at the track. It's a story that should put to rest rumors that you're better off in something NOT from the Emerald Isle. Dentinger's car is a very early TR3, only the thirteenth such vehicle built with disc brakes. Its significance comes not just from this pedi­ gree, but because of its amazing array of his tori­ cally-accurate competition components. Dentinger says it this way: "The car is very accurate. Everything on it is by Triumph; it has every competition feature that Triumph offered for the car." Basically, the original owner drove this TR3 from the showroom floor straight to the parts department, where he picked up one of every­ thing he could get to prepare the car to race; he then hit the track without, as far as Dentinger knows, ever taking to the boulevards. The Triumph has an extensive East Coast club racing history, though for a brief period in 1974 it was converted to street trim and even won a concours. Dentinger quickly diverted the Triumph from its pampered ways back to its heritage when the car came into his possession, and he has kept it on the vintage circuit since 1979. The car has raced as far south as St. Petersburg, Aa., and as far north as Shannonville, Ontario, from Dentinger's base in Waukesha, Wisc. It has also been east to Watkins Glen and west to Brainerd, Minn. Road America is now the car's home track. Dentinger's greatest vic­ tory was Chicago Historics, where in 1993 he won outright racing in the rain. This is the only Triumph ever to pull off a first overall in that prestigious event. Factory-type modifications include a Detroit Locker rear end, which belongs in a trucj but was a dealer option. The car also wears ten-inch. AI-fin drum brakes on the rear. Not instaIt&i by the original owner, these are Dentinger's contri­ bution to the uniqueness of his ride. It took Dentinger I3 years to find this sel. They're not to be confused with their nine-inch cousins: only 48 sets of these IO-inch drums were ever made, and that was 40 years ago! Often, Tri­ umphs with AI-fins sport nine-inch units adapted from a and fitted with steel linings. Dentinger's are ·the real Triumph pieces, lined with pads custom-made to hi~ all-aluminum IO-inch drums. The car also has anti-roll bars on the front and rear, plus an oversized AI-fin oil pan that takes . ,_ ~ht':Jt;; :; ... :;;; .:~ ~ ~.alr:l(f,:" oil . This f~tllre , ::,J i:\ws thecar-Io flln v,·;·'''''.;i ''l ·'li\·; o<,l ·- -.· . :;! . tdJiiio:!. ':,i:;'; ::L~"i.' :~;:~ :," r,":"=') :: ol1ghlJi i11ag~ nesium American Racing wheels, also an origi­ nal dealership item. The units currently in place

Grassroots Motorsports 14 One of the more popular vintage cars on the circuit, Bill Dentinger's

Grassroots Motorsports 1S D FEATURE are the last four of the twelve that Denlinger SHORT TAKES m owns that have no cracks in them. The advantage I of these wheels is their weigh!: they are 30 i percent lighter than aluminum wheels. The draw­ MG MARKET - In the 12/11/95 issue of Autoweek on page back: narrow width at only five inches. Most of 24, Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market, writes that the Denlinger's competition rolls on five-and-a-half I MGB would be a best buy in the under range. to six-inch-wide wheels. This makes for a little '63-74 $10,000 ' ~ taller stance for Dentinger, and hence a slightly Martin suggests to get a 'S~7 model because 0 the uprated 5 more squirrely feel on the track,but he says he's main bearing engine. I think you may see a little increase in willing to give up a little for period origi­ nality. He fears, though, that for safety reasons it interest in these cars because of Martins' recommendation, or will soon be time to retire these wheels in favor worst case, those that are selling will all of sudden feel that their of something newer, However, after talking with car is worth a lot more than what it really is. Besides, those him a while, one learns that he'll make a Herculean effort to find another set before he years have the neat curved shifter that you can really grab ahold goes with something of another vintage. of!!! In 'S8 MG went to a straight shifter. The original en­ gine has been bal­ anced and blue­ TIGER MARKET -In the 12/25/95 issue of Autoweekon page printed. but accord­ 24 Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market, writes that ing to Dentinger, it is not particularly best buy under $15,000 is the Sunbeam Tiger. Martin writes "hot." It is prepared that in the past few months. interest in the Tiger has picked up, at about a 1964 esp. in England where the prices are climbing fast. Martin doesn't level, which means that it has been fit­ feel that the prices will stay at $15,000 for long and will be going ted with 87mm pis­ up. tons instead of the 83mm units, and a mild cam called a ROAD ATLANTA; FOR SALE - The 12/25/95 issue of )/~ racer-or street AutoWeek has a story that tells of how Road Atlanta is once and track cam­ was slipped under again up for sale. The CUN'ent owner. Jim Kanely cites a lack of the hood. The resources to keep the 700 acre complex operating. tranny runs with Kanely states that he would need to sell storage space and/ or factory close-ratio gears. The set cur­ build a kart track to generate business to keep the track operat­ rently installed ing. turns out to be the last of its type. When these gears FORMULA SAFETY - Gary Phelps. operator of Rsce-netreports were delivered, the that a former nuclear submarine captain is being put in charge factory blueprinted of safety in racing. Rea~Admiral Roger Lane-Nott, them so that they could manufacture comander of all NATO submarines in the eastem Atlantic, will replacements. take over as Formula One safety delegate and race director of This TR3 is a rolling piece of his­ the intemational automobile fedaration. ' tory. one of those cars that prompts 1995 MAlE ATt£TE OFTI£ YEAR -Congrarulations to Jacques onlookers to mar­ Villeneuve! The Canadian Press has named him Canadian Male vel at the fact that Athlete of 1995. The press corps specifically listed his Indy ex­ the dri ver i~ ..,illin~ to keep it on the perience as a major factor in their decision. track, and to won­ der at the persis­ The Georgia Triumph Association tence the owner has is a chapter of the Vintage Triumph in finding period­ Register. For those needing info~ correct pieces. Dentingersays that mation concemingthe Vintage Tri­ he is constantly umph Register contact Don Bums hunting for new-old-stock parts for the car, an­ swering every ad he sees. As things stand now, he @ 770-623-9311. Don will send has enough of a stockpile of parts to last hi;n you information about the VTR's through his vintage career, which will go another purpose, events. eight to 10 years. You can't help but admire his .... enthusiasm and appreciate his willingness to keep ~ . ~ .·. , l · . · ·::~~~r ~t>t;·.:~~... i,~\:;·~,:· ~.::~~~ ::~ :.~:'~:I~~' ~Y~~~' .. ~! ..'

required gear to tum your new Triumph 0' inlo a bonafide racer. '

Grassroots Motorsporfs 16 Short Takes II Bob Ragan's Businessman Donald "The GTA 10 Years Ago this Month " Trump has been involved The TRUMPET in discussions with India­ January 1986 napolis Speedway officipls about a proposed 1.25 This month's newsletter reported on the TA6 engined Spitfire. He com­ mile asphalt oval at 1985 Christmas party held at the George pleted mating the TR6 engine to the Bridgeport. Conn. where II restaurant near South lake Mall. Twenty Chev 5-speed transmission, and set city authorities rejected three GTA members attended, with Billy the engine/trans into the engine bay. Trump's proposal to build Ragan being recognized for driving his TA A number of clearance problems a casino. Cost of the pro­ over 100 miles (each way] to attend the were encountered and solved. posed track was esti­ dinner. A good time was had by alf who mated at $200 to $300 attended. The 1986 Calendar of events in­ million. cluded: An invitation and map was included to the Contractors rebuilding Super Bowl party planned at Dave 1/26 Superbowf Party the at Roessner's home. There would be sev­ 1/29 Quarterly Membership Meet­ West A1is, WI. discovered eral TVs available to watch either the Su­ ing that the original track per Bowl or some TA videos. 2/15 Electrical Tech Session was built over bridges 3/15 St. Patrick's Day party and debris and had no Dennis Riley reported he had found a 1/ 4/19 Trip to Columbus Ga. foundation. The discovery 24 scale model TA3, made in Japan. In 4/30 Quarterly Membership meet­ boosted cost estimates .spite of the instructions being written in ing for rebuilding the oval Japanese, Dennis was making progress 5/17 Stone Mountain picnic and track to $1 .9 million. on the model. Laser show. . 5/30 British Car Day Indianapolis Speedway Hugh said his good bys as outgoing Di­ 6/19 TRA National meet, historian Robert Laycock. rector and thanked GTA members for Charlottesville. Va. 81. died at Avon. IN. after their support during the previous 2 1/2 7/4 Stone Mountain Parade a lengthy illness. He b& years. During this time period. under 7/19 Swim Party gan working at the track Hugh's direction. membership grew from 7/30 Quarterly Membership Meet­ in 1949 and attended 1 0 inactive members to 100 active mem­ ing every Indy 500 from bers. 8/? Meet with Carolina Qub 1915to 1993. 8/14 VTR National Meet. The -Bits and Pieces- article included a Greensburg Pa. Nascar spokesman Kevin suggestion for each TA owner to carry a 9/20 Fall Rally and picnic Triplett said he does not fire extinguisher in the TR. Also reported 10/18 Halloween Party expect 'any major change' that Dennis Riley's article on the resur­ 10/29 Quarterly Membership as a result of wind runnel rection of a Triumph was published in the Meeting tests of Fords and Triumph Registry of America national 11/1 SVRA Regional. Road Atlanta used in the newsletter. 12/6 Christmas Party tour's final 1995 race at Hampton. Ga. Billy Ragan reported on progress of his See you next time. Charlotte Speedway dis­ tributed a record NEW AND USED PARTS $268.750 raised by its TSIMPOBTED Children's Charities groupataChristmastree -800- 543-8848 - ORDERS - INFO ONE 1-41.384-3822 lighting at the speedway. SHORT TAKES I -.tl~ [)1l?~£T ()12~ £()I2N~12 Winston Cup News ~T~V~ I\mLIlAf7~~ Penske Speedways an­ t:UltlrlLNXI nounced that a newly subsid­ iary of International Speedway pointed]. Then a brake tech session in February ( always a good idea to be Corp. headed by Nascar presi­ able to stop what one has put in motion J. and in March we'lI have an engine dent Bill France has acquired tune up clinic to get all those horses to run at peak performance. a 17 per cent interest in 's planned Cali­ Now some of us need a little more than an aftemoons' work done on our fomia Speedway and' interest Triumphs. so we will be profiling area repair and restoration shops in the in Penske tracks at Brooklyn. greater Atlanta area and Georgia. As much as most owners of British cars MI and Nazareth. PA. have an interest to do a lot of their own work. sometimes whether it be lack The announcement said of knowledge. lack of tools. or lack of time ( a biggie J. one just has to get the Penske will own 68 percent old check book out and pay a professional. of the Califomia track and Kaiser Ventures will own the As for those who do have time. knowledge. patience. and a big set of ham­ remaining 15 percent. France mers. we will also profile area parts supply houses. and his family own controlling interests in tracks conducting If you have knowledge of a auto repair shop that works on British iron or a Winston Cup races at parts store that stocks Standard. Austin. or Leyland numbered parts. give Daytona Beach, Fla. me a call at 77G-973-4889 or drop a note to the club mail box - PO OOX Eastaboga. AL: Darlington. SC: 1138. Tucker. GA 30085-1138 to aid in compiling facility data. and Watkins Glen, NY.

Also this time of year we are looking to get back to using the cars as part of each event with a fun drive or rally before or on the way to each event. To Bill France visited the con­ keep you informed of the upcoming events, we will have atlas the next three struction site of Burton months events listed on the front page of the Trumpet. The event list will Smith's proposed Texas have dates, times, and details so you can plan ahead to attend. Speedway. France said, he said he didn't foresee any Now. what we need from you: the Georgia Triumph Association membel"­ changes in the schedule for ship. as an added New Years resolution, to participate in atlas two events '96 or 97' but then again. in '96. (Other than British Car Day J A lot of effort. time. and sometimes 1997 isn't here yet. money are put in by individuals whether it be by taking a whole day to set up a rally course. organize cook outs, or shoveling out their shops to put on a expressed tech session. Let's show these volunteers that you appreciate their efforts frustrati'on that Nascar has by showing up to an event. planned exhibition races in Japan when ·We haven't even We realize most people have a lot of things going today. between work, reached out to the Midwest family. and other interests, but wee encourage you to support your car club or the West Coast in our own by participating as it is not a given it will always be around. country."

We hope you like our ideas for '96 and will see you soon. Newly crowned was unhurt when he was Yours for better Triumph motoring thrown from a horse on a 1 G­ ~t!Z-v!Z- day vacation in Hawaii

Gordon was named driver of ~ ~.~ .....- the year by the Eastern Motorsports Press Associa­ ~R~:~!;:~s~~;a~~~~~ce • tion .. . . • Barry Rosenberg 4000 Atlanta Road • 5 na, Georgia • 432-841 1 B .DNDGue. ~ Built by Bond in Ass ociatio n with Standard Triumph and available from Standard Triumph dealers. LUCKY YOU!

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Call for a quote Ed Toth 404-299-sns New and Used Parts 129 Chestnut Field 257 DEKALB INDUSTRIAL WAY 1-800-241-0869 Part sandblasting & Peachtree City, Ga. Fax: 404-299-6155 Auto Servicing Available 404 631-1842 DECATUR, GEORGIA 30030

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~~~=------~~ 7 DIRECTIONS TO MIKE MUNSONS '\ PHONE # 770-979-4907 FROM THE NORTH - NORTH EA&T 1-85 TO EXIT 40 PLEASANT HILL ROAD 'SO TR3A. Dismantled. Solid floors. GO SOUTH < AWAY FROM THE MALL> wire wheels. Everybit of $2.000 GET ON RONALD REAGAN PARKWAY - TO END worth of brand new parts go with CROSS OVER SCENIC HIGHWAY ONTO this car. $3400. Call Steve PINEHURST ROAD Kohlhagen 770-973-4889 TO FIRST LEFT - ENGLEWOOD WAY \J TO LONG STREET ON LEFT uOr J SPITFIRE - 1966 Mark II: Green. 2067 LONG STREET JOn Very good condition. Needs brakes. c $1.000 Call Joe Earnest - 770- \1 ',0 941-7719 FROM THE SOUTH - WEST 1e esS 11 1-285 TO STONE MOUNTAIN HWY 5 Your Ad could be here! Remem­ GO PAST STONE MOUNTAIN TO HWY -124 ber! GTA members can run ads for TUREN LEFT ONTO HWY 124 an unlimited number of issues. Non TO PINHURST ROAD - RIGHT members pay a very reasonable TO FIRST LEFT - ENGLEWOOD WAY $5.00 for two issues. The Trum­ TO LONG STREET ON LEFT pet is sent to 15 other VTR chap­ 2067 WNG STREET ters so your ad will be seen by lots MIKE'S PLACE IS ON THE CORNER of Triumph folks. ~ ~ rl"iiiii'i-~porti([aiiipiitait[i~ Ric Cline~ J r.~ Owner Specializina in Repair of British PHONE and Japanese Cars 770-931-3850 4 142 Arcad ia Ind ustrial Circle PAGER Suite D 770-388-2422 Lilburn. GA ,.. ..., T :N" • H r a II1II W y c 1-85 k C < 4142-0 Arcadia 29 s EXIT 4# 39 BEAVER Arcado Road RUIN ROAD ~------~. .