2007 AUSTRALIAN ANNUAL KIMBER RUN

FINE WEATHER, GREAT FRIENDS AND A STRING OF MG’S

Again the indomitable MG spirit was evident! I was worried about the location for the start of the  Kimber Run This year! But why worry! Everyone was happily looking forward to a good run. From all reports the 290 persons who attended the event really did enjoy themselves.
I seriously believe that this event is so successful because of the attitude of the MG fraternity.
If you do have a close look at Beaumont Road on the northern side of Greenhill Road between Glen Osmond Road and Fullarton Roads you would ask yourself how was it possible to park some 160 MG’s in such a small  dead-end street.
Well!, with the help of some very energetic marshalling, given that we were only there for about 15 minutes more the marshalling team of Andrew Pointon, Berry Treffers, Arthur Ruediger, Rod Byrne, Wayne Hough and ICW  by 08.30 am managed it!

This year we tried to comply with the law in not covering the front number plate, Leon & Fay Rosenzweig made this their task, they even brought their own hi-tec sign warning everyone about this. I might add they got up at 04.30 to drive from Winke, near Barmera, to be part of the day! thanks to you both again. Also on hand was Barry Softley who efficiently arranged payment to both of the food providers.
Our past Patron, Tony Hick, was again on hand to set up his wonderful PA system for us to utilise. This certainly adds a real touch of professionalism to the start of the event.
This year hopefully the registration process was quicker as we had separated the sign-on and the issue of the Kimber Run plastic Plaques
 (This year’s colours were orange background and silver writing- quite smart I thought!) I must thank Debbie Pointon, Jenny Byrne, Lyn Stagg, Geraldine Hough and Rebecca Treffers for their sterling help to smooth out the registration and distribution to the participants of their bag of goodies, meal tickets and the plaques, thank you all! And all we had to do was remember our plaque number! How easy was that!
 Also some other members who make the run so seamless; I thank you!
Andre Wilson headed off with a half dozen yellow corflex signs soon after 08.30 to be placed at all the significant corners along the route closely followed by Berry and Rebecca Treffers with the Banners to be put up and both Birdwood Motor Museum ( morning tea) and later at our lunch stop at Barossa Weintal Resort.
Fay & Jim Underwood headed off soon after to be in position for the photo-shoot spot just out of Lenswood, Jim with his brand new SLR camera, purchased only days before! After the Birdwood stop they then set up just before the final few corners into Tanunda. Another couple who put in a tremendous amount of effort, thanks to you both.
By the time you read this report there will be a host of photo’s on the clubs website: www.mgccsa.org.au.
Check it out!
Also early departure was seen by our very enthusiastic regalia couple, Cherie and Colin Chapman.; Cherie has organised special commemorative wine goblets for the Kimber Run, plus she arranged to have a  selection of the regalia to be available up at Birdwood. This was a very well organised part of the event, all down to Cherie and Colin.
The goblets were special because they have a lovely etched drawing of one of the two anniversary  models of MG’s  for the Run, being the MGY’s, (possibly to be followed by the etched drawn MGC. There are only a few left so if you are interested call Cherie.
I do not think that it took longer than the time it would take to empty a bucket of water with a hole in it!; that was all the time needed for all the cars to fire up and, in an orderly manner “head for the hills”.
Last to leave were Doug and Barb Marshall who held back and collected the Yellow Corflex Signs on their way to morning tea, also thank you! And Wes & Chris Bray who collected the signs for the second sector, thanks for doing so at such short notice!
In next to no time all that were left were my MGC, my Ute and the MGF of  Tony Hick to pack up the tables and chairs and Tony’s PA system, thanks again Tony!. My daughter Rebecca very kindly offered to forgo her Sunday morning sleep-in, to drive the Ute. Thanks Becky!
The run this year was shorter giving everyone plenty of time to stop if they wanted to. Approximately one & a quarter hours in two parts, one up to Birdwood with lots of gear changes and corners and then much straighter run from Birdwood through to Tanunda via Mengler’s Hill.
Unfortunately we have to share the road with a number of cyclists on pushbikes and on the first sections this caused some problems, but once clear of Lobethal the roads at that time of day were pretty clear. I would imagine compared to the UK or Europe our roads are a breeze!
By the time Jan & I got to Birdwood a lot of the MG’s were starting to head out, we had had to try and help one of out Mt Gambier group, with a broken clutch, but being intrepid travellers they caught up at lunch having seen the disabled MG safely secured down at the RAA compound at Mile End. MG Sales & Service were to receive the car next day to be looked at by Bob Bazzica. Not to miss out they had a hire car  and accommodation covered under their RAA Plus membership! Well done.

Also I must thank Shannon’s for their wonderful support for this event, all I have to do is ask and they willingly supply bags and useful information
There were several other minor break-downs some fixed by their owners, or by passing MG entrants but Bob Bazzica, (ably assisted by Max Sierp) had his  luncheons peace twice halted to help out stranded MG’s not quite able to cope with the trip!
I am sure that everyone is so appreciative of having men with the level of expertise on the run such as Bob & Max ,plus others, it is a real comfort. Thanks again Bob! & Max!  Also both Shelly Bazzica and Bev Sierp were quite happy for their husbands to go off and help because this was an ideal opportunity to head for the poker machine room! What a shame!
Despite the fact that the total group were split into 4 rooms there was lots of chatter when we arrived! And so many wonderful smiling faces! That’s all that I, as the organiser, wanted to see. That’s appreciation enough for me!
To organise the serving of hot food for such a huge number of people is the stuff of professionals, and the staff at both the morning tea by FJ Café at Birdwood and the luncheon at the Barossa Weintal Resort proved that.
If you are in their vicinity and want quality meals then you will be happy at either!
Not only the precision but also the standard of the meal was a credit to the chefs. I had the deep-sea Perch and it was one of the best fish meals I have had in a long time, wonderful! Plus many I spoke to were of the same opinion regarding the other two choices for the mains, the Roast Beef and the Chicken. --- Plus we just HAD TO fit in sweets didn’t we!! Apple Strudel or Fruit Salad & Ice Cream. Coffee or Tea were also available as part of the package.

Some people lingered awhile not wishing to end the day, but by 3.30 most had left to drive home.
We had MG’s from all parts of the state from Mount Gambier to a contingent from Mildura, all who happily drive 400 K’s or more who always make a real weekend of it.
To all I thank you for the time taken to join in this fabulous opportunity to commemorate a man of vision ---  in Cecil Kimber!

SOME STATISTICS OF THE DAY!!!
ENTRY by Model
We had
92 MGB’s; 15 MGF’s + 3 MGF TF’s: 12 MGA’s; 7  MGTD’s & MGY’s; 5  MG TC’s;  4  MGC’s;  3 MG TF’s;  2  R V8’s and one each of MG 1100; K3; Mg Magnette; Midget; MG TB and 1 ZR.

This was reflected a wonderful colour display in:-
Red  34%; White 16%; Blue & Green each 13%; Silver 5%;  Maroon 4%; Black  & Cream 3% and the balance made up of Blaze; Gold; Orange; Sandy Beige and Yellow.

Until next year

SAFETY FAST

Mike Greenwood – AAKR  Coordinator

HERE ARE SOME MORE PHOTO'S SUPPLIED BY ANOTHER MEMBER GERRALD RANKINE