In 1976 the NSW Aero Club held the first NSW Air Race which took place over a period of 10 days. At that time Southern Cross Gliding Club (SCGC) had a Sperber RF5B, a 17m two-seat tandem motor glider with a retractable main wheel.

Dennis Matthews was an instructor at SCGC. Werner Geisler, a former member of SCGC, was a founding member of Bathurst Soaring Club (BSC) and has at various times been President and CFI of BSC and President of NSWGA.

Dennis and Werner’s other claims to fame were that each had been fighter pilots in WWII – unfortunately not on the same side. Dennis flew Spitfires, Typhoons and Tempests for the RAF during 1943 - 45 and was awarded a DFC. Werner flew Messerschmitts for the Luftwaffe during the last few months of the war. Contrary to popular urban myth they never did meet in air to air combat.

They had however become good friends so decided to enter the Sperber in the Air Race. They correctly predicted that the publicity their partnership would attract would be valuable in promoting gliding.

One of the elements of the race was fuel economy. After the first day they quickly discovered that a motor-on climb and motorless glide, with the Sperber’s 26:1 glide ratio would cover – albeit somewhat slowly – very large distances with minimal fuel consumption. (The rules were changed for the second, and final, Air Race). They won the fuel economy part easily, were last in the speed part but managed to come third overall, for which they received a very handsome silver cup.

Also in 1976 15m Class commenced internationally. With the favourable exchange rate of four (yes four) D marks to one Aussie dollar, many Pik 20B’s, Mosquitoes, LS3’s and ASW20’s were imported and 15m Class started with a flourish. NSWGA needed a trophy for their new class so in early 1977, Werner and Dennis presented their cup for award to the 15m Champion. It was duly named the Werner Dennis Trophy.