Changeover night is coming up. Diary July 3rd at the Howick Bowling Club and help make it a great night!
What an interesting speaker Nicholas Caillol of Toyota Racing was with an fascinating topic "Tomorrows Car Racing."
Nico talked us through some of the history of car racing and the how the cars have changed in response to improved safety and greater performance. He reminded us of the almost total lack of safety when legendary drivers like Sterling Moss and his contemporaries were racing and how many were killed. He showed us pictures of cars that illustrated the many developments that have been added as those cars have evolved from the "devil may care" risks taken by drivers during the fifties right through to the safety equipment used to protect drivers today.
Inevitably we got to electric cars and Nico referred to some of the differences that will come from using electric cars including minimal noise which was greeted with gasps of horror from some - car racing without the noise!! And then there is the lack of fumes - car racing without the smell!! Almost as bad for some. And horror of horrors Nico introduced us to autonomous cars. Imagine racing cars without drivers. Geeks with fast moving devices driven from their computers. What's the appeal in that?
Inevitably we got to hear about the downside of electric cars. At present a Formula E race requires two cars to compensate for the lack of endurance in the current batteries. There is a risk of fire with batteries. When we got to question time there was a lot of interest. One point that was made was that the disposal of old batteries may mean that we replace one problem with another environmental issue.
Wednesday was ANZAC Day when we remember those who served our country in time of war and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. "No greater love has someone than they lay down their life for their friends." Thanks to those Rotarians and their wives who joined us at the Cenotaph on Stockade Hill where I was proud to lay a wreath, with Jim Duckworth's assistance on behalf of Howick Rotary.
A big thank you to Helen Donoghue for running the blood bank program on our behalf and to all of you who have agreed to assist. I was delighted to acknowledge Max Herron as a visitor on Tuesday night. Max was a long-time member of our club.
We still have some members and friends on the sick list. We wish you a speedy recovery.