Austin 7 Club (S.A.) Inc.

IN BRIEF

In 1953, a group of people, keen to foster motoring activities centred on the Austin Seven motor car, got together and the Austin Seven Club of S.A. was formed. They rebuilt their Austins for road use and at weekends used them in road trials and sprints. After a few years, as the desire to go faster grew, many built special versions of their Sevens - lightweight sports bodies, lowered suspensions and more powerful motors were the way to go. One member, Garrie Cooper, did this and named his cars 'ELFIN' and went on to become the largest manufacturer of sports and racing cars in Australia.

Since those early days, the club has grown into one of the larger car clubs in South Australia and our members have been prominent in local and Australian motor sport.

The wheel has turned full circle, as now many of our members are again restoring and rebuilding Austin Sevens as well as other historic motor cars. A book on the first 50 years of the club is available from the treasurer.

WHAT DOES THE CLUB DO TODAY?

Within our membership, there are three main areas of interest:

AUSTIN SEVEN INTERESTS

The club caters for members who have an interest in rebuilding and restoring 'old' cars - NOT NECESSARILY ONLY AUSTIN SEVENS. Anyone with such an interest is welcome in the club.

Once rebuilt and running, these cars are used on touring runs, held each month. These runs are either organised by the Club or run in conjunction with other, similar interest clubs.

The Club has a service of offering members assistance in obtaining spares for Austin Sevens only.

MOTOR SPORT

A. Motor Racing

Circuit motor race meetings are held at Mallala Motor Sports Park during the year.

Various classes of cars compete, for example: Sports Sedans; highly modified saloons with powerful engines. Formula Ford; racing cars built to strict specifications, using Ford 1600cc engines.

Improved Production; saloons with limited modifications. Roll cages are recommended though not necessarily compulsory, therefore some people use their road cars.

Historic Racing & Sports Cars; pre 1978 racing and sports Cars.

Other classes are catered for; more information is available from the competition secretary.

B. Motor Sport

Members keen to compete against each other in club level sport, compete in:

Super Sprints; held at Mallala, as for circuit sprints but more than one at a time.

Regularity; held at Mallala, this event is for people who do not wish to drive the car at its limits. The objest is to complete a number of laps at a nominated lap time.

Hillclimbs; similar events to the above except that the course is up a hill.

Autokhanas; test drivers skills in car control. A short course is laid out on a dirt or bitumen surface and competitors drive against the clock.

The Austin Seven Club organises a number of events each year and is always seeking volunteers to assist in it's running.

SA Rotors

SA Rotors are a group of members who are enthusiasts of Rotary Powered cars. A regular monthly meeting is held on the second Saturday afternoon of the month.