Story: Russell Sturzaker
From the Archives …..
Definition: Plural noun: archives. A collection of historical documents, or records, providing information about a place, institution, or group of people.
Club Awards - The Don Tryhorn Perpetual Plaque On the Club Website, under Club Info there is tab called Roll of Honour, and it is in this section that we show listings of Past Presidents, Life Members, Club Champions, Hall of Fame Winners and the holders of Other Club Awards. In this issue of Porsche Parade we take a look at the background behind the Don Tryhorn Perpetual Plaque, we’ll look at Don - the Man, the Award, and some of his Achievements.
where he performed virtually whatever jobs were available and through most lines of work; ranging from accounting, supermarket operation, through spec building and even logging.
964 3.6 Carrera RS – Signal Green (1of only 77 RHD Cars Built) Volvo P1800 & Triumph TR3A (a couple of Don’s fun cars)
Away from the Club, Don owned the Pine Hill Caravan Park on the Warburton Highway at Lilydale.
Some of the other Porsches that Don had owned included …. 911 3.0 RS (1of only 5 RHD Cars Built) 964 3.6 RS – Rubystone Red (1of only 77 RHD Cars Built) 911 3.2 RSR Replica 993 3.8 RSR 911 2.7 Carrera – Bronze 911 2.7 S Targa (1974) – Black (Don’s first Porsche)
His interests also included visiting interesting places such as Tibet, and he was particularly interested in martial arts (which can be useful if the natives aren’t friendly once you arrive). During these various pursuits, Don found time to become actively involved in a number of sports, principally swimming, weight-lifting, football and martial arts. His interest in sporting cars developed in parallel, commencing with a string of Triumphs - TR3A, TR4 and TR5, through to a Bathurst Monaro, L34 Torana, an MGC and a Volvo 242GT for those other moments. However it was in his first Porsche a 2.7 911S Targa that Don’s skill as a driver really developed, seeing him take out the coveted National Motorkhana Title at the 1985 Easter Nationals. But it was in his next Porsche, a 2.7 Carrera in which he became Class 2 - Club Champion in 1982. During this time Don also became one of the founding Members of PORA (the Porsche Owners Racing Association), which was the beginning of Carrera Cup Racing here in Australia.
DONALD PHILLIP TRYHORN 3 Aug 1942 – 28 Dec 2007 Family: Daughters Julie & Tanya Joined PCV: June 1979 Don’s first PCV Event was a Tonimbuk Motorkhana on 8th July 1979 – Result Equal 17th PCV Committee Positions Held: Social Secretary - 1982 /1983 Treasurer - 1983 / 1985 Vice President - 1985 / 1987 Club Achievements & Awards:
Other Porsche models soon joined Don’s stable, with his skill as a driver being rewarded when he became Outright Club Champion in 1985 following this up again in 2006. Don also raced overseas, particularly in Macau where he was both a member, and advisor to the Hong Kong Gentleman’s Racing Club, which eventually became Porsche Racing Hong Kong. The members there affectionately called him “Mr Don”, and as Don was not a big man, he was also respectfully referred to as the “Little Man from Australia”. Don enjoyed any form of motorsport that included a Porsche, and it was with best mate, and fellow club member Dennis O’Keefe that the two enjoyed great times competing in many Targa Events in Don’s Signal Green 3.6 litre 964 Carrera RS.
Class 2 Champion in 1982 Outright Club Champion in 1985 and 2006
Don Tryhorn in his 3.6L 964 RS Don’s Story Don Tryhorn had, by his own admission, been there and done that………… Coming from a Victorian country background, Don’s varied interests took him to most parts of the world including Australia, the Middle East, SouthEast Asia, Europe, New Guinea and Central Asia,
Don and Dennis O’Keefe beside Don’s 3.6L 964 RS at Mt Buller Sprint Some of Don’s Stable At Don’s passing he still owned 993 GT2 (1 of only 7 RHD Cars Built) 964 3.8 RSR (1of only 11 RHD Cars Built) 911 2.7 Carerra RS (1973)
The Don Tryhorn Perpetual Plaque Commencing in 2008, the Don Tryhorn Perpetual Plaque was raised to incorporate the Outright Club Driver Champion of the Year Award, which recognises the best vehicle & driver combination in relation to overall participation, performance and skill. It is clearly intended that this award is for the most consistent driver overall across a range of performance and skill related driving events. A Plaque worthy of celebrating the tenaciousness, skill and true competitor that was Don Tryhorn. For anyone wishing to read more about Don’s time in the Porsche Club of Victoria, you can visit the Club Website at www.pcv.com.au and under the heading of CLUB MAGAZINE & PUBLICATIONS and under Magazine – 2000’s, Issue 1, 2008, then on pp 12 & pp 13 you will find the following fabulous article ……
Written by another of Don’s friends, and one of his fiercest competitors in Peter White. So do yourself a favour, it truly is a great read, and gives a further insight into the man who will always have his name on The Don Tryhorn Perpetual Plaque. Author’s Note: Having known Don from the day he joined the Porsche Club of Victoria, until his sudden and unexpected passing in December 2007, I was fortunate to have been one of those who were able to call him their friend. Writing this article has indeed brought back some fabulous memories of times that both I, and many others enjoyed in Don’s company, from Sprint Meetings, Social Events, Ski Weekends, SA/Vic Interclub Meetings at Mt Gambier, to the Interstate National Meetings, Pool Parties and serving on the Committee, Don was always there with his cheeky grin and fabulous sense of humour.. I would also like to thank, Dennis O’Keefe and Kaye Tankard for assisting me with information and sharing some of their recollections of Don’s time with us, and of the enviable range of Porsches that he owned while we knew him ….
ISSUE 1, 2021
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