AUSTRALIAN ANNUAL KIMBER RUN

Over 150 MG’s GO TO MANNUM

Annual Australian Kimber Run Report for 2008.

To celebrate the Birthday of the late Cecil Kimber who made the MG Car Company the success that it is, 153 MG’s of different models, styles and colours set off from Adelaide carrying over 300 MG enthusiasts in the Annual Australian Kimber Run.

The destination this year was the historic riverside town of Mannum. We had been to Mannum before in 2004 and everyone enjoyed that day and it was the same on Sunday November2, 2008.

The start of the run was heralded in by particularly well timed claps of thunder, shards of lightning and about 10 minutes of very welcomed rain.

This did not deter the intrepid drivers or passengers because all but 5 entered cars made the trip.

Fortunately our start assembly point on Fullarton Road had a good shelter area suitable to set up the registration tables and general gathering area to view the early MG’s of T Types, Y Types and our feature machines, two beautiful & raucously load K3’s.

The following MG models and numbers were in attendance:-
Two x K3; One x TA; Five x TC; Seven x TD; Three x TF; Fourteen x MGA;
Two x Y Types; Two x Magnettes; Two x 1100; Two x Midget; Eighty Seven x MGB; Three x MGC; Four x RV8; Eleven x MGF; Four x MGF/TF; Three x ZR & One x ZS.

The lead up time from 07.30 until the cars were all sent on their way was a time to catch up with other owners and meet some new ones.
Berry Treffers and his daughter were in charge of the Kimber Run banner had only just arrived to put up the banner to find that his very nicely presented red MGB had no reverse gear and had to take the car home and returned in their city car, well done; and a well deserved thank you for their efforts all day.

VOLUNTEERS START ARRIVING

- Fay Underwood; Andrew Pointon; Graham Loader; Debbie Pointon & Mike Greenwood

The registration was the first task and the volunteer members did a fantastic job in having the queues of waiting entrants particularly small and the efficient teamwork quickly allowed for the next task, putting the Maroon & Silver plaque on the car securely! Each driver signed on and then received their run plaque; a wonderful rally bag kindly supplied by the Mannum Visitor Information Centre; the Run Book and their meal tickets

An event of this size needs a team of volunteers; my thanks to the following who made the day start off on a happy note.
The team handling the registration consisted of Kathy Branson; Jenny Brook; Lynda Davies; Gloria George; Geraldine Hough; Jan Muirhead; Debbie Pointon & Nancy Softley. I wish to thank them one and all for forgoing their sleep-ins, getting up early and helping so enthusiastically.

Out in the rain were a further group of members directing all the MG drivers to park where requested. These all need to be mentioned for doing this thankless task; Bill Branson; Keith Brooks; Rod Byrne; Garry Davies; Wayne Hough; Graham Loader; Mike Muirhead; Fred Neild; Andrew Pointon; Arthur Ruediger; Barry Softley; Neil Stagg & Berry Treffers.

Also I cannot forget to include the three greeters who welcomed the new driver’s, explained the registration process and directed them to registration in Lyn Stagg; Fay Rosenzweig & Jenny Byrne Thank you ladies!
Both Leyland George and Leon Rosenzweig spent the lead up time helping to fix the plaques to their MG’s for anyone requiring assistance. Well done again.

About 0845 those who had arrived heard them coming!!!!

Not one but TWO MG K3’s …. What a wonderful sound they make……

Phil Bradey drove in first in the Prince Bira K3030 and we also were privileged to have on our run K3002 owned by Adam Berryman from Victoria who kindly permitted Tony Parkinson to drive this wonderful machine for us all to see.
The Berryman K3002 car was the pace setter for the 1933 Mille Miglia driven then by Henry Birkin & Bernard Rubin. It retired at Sienna and set a new class record for the distance travelled. This enabled the MG Car Company to win the event with the two other K3’s. Thats 75 years ago!

The Prince Bira K3033 has had success in its later years here in Australia in the 1950’s.

Both of these cars were positioned beside the registration desk for all to admire. Both of the drivers were in period attire and needed to as there are no mod-cons with these machines, pure Per-War race-cars! They also had a special mechanic riding as a passenger, Rod O'Malley no less. In K3030 the passenger gets in first and then the driver whilst in K3002 the driver must be seated first and then the passenger can slither into the seat, no doors to worry about!

Much photo taking for some time and a crowd of appreciative aficionado’s gathered around the machines.

Behind the registration desks I had asked our marshals to park all the older cars undercover and after a short drivers briefing sent the T Types then the MGA’ off with the other older models, holding the MGB’s and faster MGF’s etc back for about 5 minutes.

A number of our marshals headed off before the main groups including Doug Marshal who was putting up the yellow Corflex  octagon signs at significant corners; also Fay & Jim Underwood were off to take photos. Our forward marshal contingent in Berry Treffers; Arthur Ruediger; Gary Davies & Neil Stagg away to be ready at Nairne to receive the first arrivals onto the oval.

President Fred Neild was in charge of waving them all on their way from 09.10, he did warm to the task with some encouragement; we may have to send Fred off for more lessons.

The next time I saw all the MG’s was when Jan & I arrived at Nairne Oval, by now the day was sunny and crisp after the showers and the oval setting was a sight to behold, so many different coloured MG’s in neat semi circles, absolutely stunning picture against the brilliant green grassed area.

The morning tea put on by the combined Nairne Oval Committee was a credit to them, lovely selection of sandwiches and cakes and there were plenty for everyone.
A brief stop and then on towards Mannum.

One of our Mount Gambier participants had some bad luck just before Monarto with an oil hose splitting and the resultant loss of all the oil meant the motor was not going to go any further! Leyland George stopped to lend a hand but the RAA had to be called.
We had also lost one of the Magnettes when three of the wheel studs sheered on one of the wheels; fortunately they got home safely albeit very slowly down the freeway.

The forward marshalling group were again on hand to “rack them & stack them” on the Mary-Ann Reserve on the banks of the Murray River. This reserve has a lot of gum trees scattered around and the boys did a great job in getting everyone happily parked on the lawn, even a spot for our MGC was left. Jim & Fay had just arrived and we walked around the back of the Mannum Bowling club to the Pretoria Hotel together.

What a wonderful sight to see so many friends all settling down to enjoy what was a very enjoyable meal. Despite the fact that the staff had to serve some 300 people no one seemed to be concerned that there was a delay at all, everyone was busy chatting to their neighbours. A friendly atmosphere.

I started the speeches after most had had their main course around 02.00 pm unfortunately the microphone was a bit suspect and some did not hear the speeches very loudly, but we persevered.
The Coordinator of the Mannum Visitor Information Centre, Alison Farley spoke about the historic town and very enthusiastically welcomed us all to visit the Centre just down the road and look at all the photos of days gone by plus the vivid sights of the 1956 flood. Soon the Paddle Steamer Mary-Ann original engine will be ready to start, David Broadbent one of our members is the engineer involved in the restoration program.
I know a lot of our couples did go down and view the Museum and of the others; I am sure if not this time; then at some time in the future.

The next speaker was Tony Parkinson, the Director of the Lobethal Grande Carnival which was a very successful re-enactment in the spirit of the 1939 Australian Grand Prix (Won by Allan Tomlinson in an MG TA). Tony gave us an insight into what we could expect to be happening in 2009. The event will be bigger and better with a lot more of the original vehicles from 1939 being brought to Australia for the event with both MG and Alfa being the feature marques.
Our final speaker was His Honour the Mayor of the Mid-Murray Council, Ian Mann AO, who spoke to us about the difficulties the area is experiencing on a number of levels. He was however very positive in enforcing that the River is not finished, there are still plenty of things to do and see around Mannum.

While we were only there for a short time it is hoped that we made a small mark in support of their town.

Thanks again to everyone who attended and made this such a great event to organise, just seeing all the smiling faces is thanks enough.

Mike Greenwood - AAKR Coordinator.

NB: Thanks to Jim & Fay Underwood and Gerry Rankine for sending me a selection of Photo's used above.

And here are some more photos from Saxby & Sue Fitzjohn   Driver: Tony Parkinson - Mechanic: Rod O'Malley Two K3's before the off We treat TC's like royalty! Please note how immaculate K3030 is looking At Nairne Oval! Now its sunny Now for morning tea So now all the hoods can come down K3002 at rest!