The Council of Motor Clubs

HELD ON 6TH JUNE. 

COUNCIL OF MOTOR CLUBS
FORUM ONE/2009 - HCRS
Held at the Western Suburbs Australian Football Club
6TH JUNE 2009
President, K. Toovey welcomed delegates and club members to the meeting.

DATE: 6th June 2009 TIME: 10:45 am
IN THE CHAIR: K. Toovey, President  
ATTENDEES: 70 Delegates and members attended.  

K. Toovey addressed the Forum and advised delegates to please be aware that the Forum is not an opportunity to complain about the RTA and that any legitimate complaints should be dealt with in the appropriate manner through the RTA.

Delegates were reminded that HCRS is a privilege, which allows historic motoring enthusiasts to use their vehicles at a lower cost and that members need to present the Historic Movement in a positive light to the General Motoring Public.

K. Toovey then invited the Secretary General Mr T. Thompson to address the Forum re the Club Plate System.

T. Thompson advised that the system began in the mid 1950s, through the National Transport Commission as a Permit to Move Historic Vehicles and to bring everyone into line to operate via a standard set of rules.   The present system came into being in 2002 when computers took over the process and the colour oriented plate scheme needed to change.

• T. Thompson briefly explained the 1259 Form and stated that the RTA advises they are happy with how the Historic Movement handles HCRS.
• There is a lot of documentation on the CMC and RTA website regarding HCRS.
• The CMC endorses and recommends the set of rules formulated by the Mercedes Benz Club, and is titled Recommended Model Rules for HCRS, under Information & Coming Events. 
• The CMC has drafted a letter to the RTA regarding out of date statistics and contact details. The name and phone number of the Club Registrar should be kept private. Also in this regard T. Thompson advised that Post Office box addresses were better as club addresses, which fall outside the general Sydney area (i.e. Penrtih etc) are being deemed as ‘country areas’.
• The CMC has requested that the RTA allows members of ACT clubs, who live outside the ACT, in NSW, to compete in ACT club events.
•  Unauthorised used of HCRS vehicles needs to be stamped out.

 
Who is eligible for HCRS plates and how do you get them?

• Owners of vehicles on HCRS must be a ‘paid-up’ member of an RTA-recognised club in order to hold valid HCRS, and be allowed take their vehicles on club runs.
•   Vehicles should be kept as close to standard as possible and must be a minimum of 30 years old. Run-on models, replicas and kit cars, must also be a minimum of 30 years old.

 
How are vehicles inspected and authenticated?

• When authenticating vehicles for HCRS, the criteria to be followed is stated on the Eligibility Form and says that HCRS-eligible vehicles must be 30 years or older from the year of manufacture. 
• The RTA has advised that they do not wish to arbitrate on standards and that clubs should be self governing in this regard. The CMC also will not arbitrate in this area, though they are happy to assist regarding accepted standards, when required.
• Proof of ownership may be authenticated by producing two receipts of major repairs together with a Statutory Declaration describing the process of the rebuild and a letter from your Club Registrar saying the vehicle has been on the club’s list for however many years. 
• A blue slip is not required
• Club Registrars / Inspectors should provide their club with a resume of experience to hold the position.
• Register the name of your club’s Inspector with the RTA stating he/she is nominated and approved by your club to inspect vehicles for HCRS.
• Pink Slips are strongly recommended by the RTA for HCRS vehicles, especially post WWII vehicles, and a qualified member needs to sign off on ‘specials’. A list of Pink Slip Inspectors will soon be available on the CMC website.
• Brake testing on older cars is not generally required. However, the notation “BRAKE TEST NOT CARRIED OUT” should be written on white forms. If there is no dual brake system, a test is required.
•  If you club holds an inspection day for all HCRS holders within your club, the Declaration of Roadworthiness is valid for 42 days.
•  A Safety Inspection Report is required on your vehicle if you club is less than 2 years old.

What restrictions are placed on the use of HCRS vehicles?

• HCRS vehicles must only be used on gazetted club events or invited runs or for road testing following repairs (see below) as authorised by your club Registrar.
• When road testing vehicles on HCRS, following repairs, adjustments or when a vehicle has been unused for a period of time, the term “reasonable distance” applies and can be set by your club. There are no set kms. The CMC advises that phoning or emailing your club Registrar for permission is best practice. Running in a motor no longer applies.
• If your Registrar is unreachable, it is suggested that a message left on an answering machine, or sending an email to advise of a “maintenance run”, would be appropriate.
• HCRS vehicles are only allowed out of the State for 3 months at any one time.
• The CMC endorses the set of rules authored by the Mercedes Club governing HCRS, a copy of which is on the CMC website and is titled Recommended Model Rules for HCRS, under Information & Coming Events.
• Insurance for extended runs is covered by HCRS as it includes a CTP component. The low number of claims has recently reduced the rate. 
• With regard to school formals and wedding, you should apply for permission from your Club Registrar for direct involvement.   No remuneration should apply in either situation.
• HCRS vehicles used in film or television should accept a fuel allowance only; again no remuneration should apply. 

What constitutes and event under HCRS?

• Any event listed in your Club’s magazine is acceptable.   It is a good idea to carry a copy of your club’s magazine when on runs, as authentication for any officials that the event is legitimate.
• Club Committee should only run approved events as unlisted events can be problematic.
• Some clubs have not allowed members to attend CMC events in HCRS-plated cars as the CMC is not registered as ‘a club’, with the RTA.
• You do not need the permission from your primary club registrar to go on a club run. Refer to your club’s rules for clarification if in doubt.

Invitations from clubs/community groups to their events?

• A community event requires the Club Registrar of your primary club to give permission for members to take part and the community organisation should send a written invitation to the event, which should again be presented to the Registrar of your primary club.

What responsibilities do clubs have regarding records?

• 1259 Form.   Clubs should keep a log of movements and records of mileage.
•  It is good practice to have a Sign-On sheet at club events.

Q & A

• Roll cages and roll bars are not acceptable in most instances. 
• Where period options, accessories and modifications are involved, refer to you Club’s rules. But, they must comply with RTA guidelines.
• Regarding the eligibility of ‘look-alikes’; again this is a club decision.
• Individuals cannot add a model category to the RTA list. This is up to the RTA staff on the day. It is difficult to have anomalies corrected. 
• A Safety Inspection Report is required on your vehicle if you club is less than 2 years old.
• Seat belts should be fitted to HCRS vehicles by a professional. Having seat belts fitted to a HCRS vehicle is matter of personal choice, but they MUST be used once fitted, and if they are removed, you are liable to be booked.   You cannot be booked if there is no seat belt fitted. 
• Club rules apply to non-Marque members, and modified race cars
• It is the responsibility of clubs to ensure that events are documented and that members behave in an acceptable manner when taking part in events.
• There is no change to the options for eligibility.
• Modifications must fall into the rules at the time of manufacture, not current rules.
• Cars fuelled by LPG gas are not eligible for HCRS unless it was originally fitted, such as old taxis etc or trucks. There is no rebate on HCRS cars.
• As stated previously it is up to individual clubs to decide what modifications are acceptable.
•  Not all clubs have common registration dates. 3, 6 or 12 months is acceptable.

K. Toovey asked for suggestions from the floor, for future forums. 
The meeting closed at 12:30