A Marshals View

THE SOUND, SIGHT AND SMELL OF VINTAGE RACING IN THE HILLS AND VALLEY

Over the October long weekend, on the streets of Lobethal and Charleston and the roads around Tanunda and Angaston, history came alive with beautiful, historic racing and touring cars for the Lobethal Grand Carnival, Historic Touring and the Vintage Collingrove Hillclimb. 

I was lucky enough to be able to drive our MGTC in the Lobethal event and Wayne drove at both Lobethal and Collingrove. Many other Club members toured the Barossa Valley and the Hills in their historic cars, joining other like-minded enthusiasts for leisurely lunches and dinners at strategic towns as well as watching the competition and demonstration events.

Chris Bucknell beside the R Type

Clubs from all over the country and the rest of the world sent cars or groups of cars to Lobethal, to the Historic Touring and also the Vintage Hillclimb. The Delage Club of Australia joined in the touring and set up wonderful displays of their cars at Collingrove and at the Sunday night dinner at Peter Lehmann’s Winery, where our Patron, Ed Ordynski, was the guest speaker. A number of our club members also attended this dinner and heard the fascinating stories about Ed’s rallying career.

The presence of Allan Tomlinson, the replica of MGTA number 12, in which he won the 1939 AGP and the Alfa Romeo P3’s made it all a memorable occasion.

Allan Tomlinson beside the replica of his 1939 winning MG TA

I will never forget the sound and smell of the Alfa’s as they started up in the Lutheran Church & School complex car park area roaring and snorting methanol mixed fuel.

L to R Tony Parkinson, Jim Stranberg,Peter Giddings, Jon Shirley & Mary Shirley, Sharon Stranberg, Wayne

On Sunday, Wayne and I were able to have lunch with the American visitors who had brought their Alfa Romeo’s and a Delahaye T135,

Delahaye T135.

including Jon Shirley, ex CEO of Microsoft, and Peter Giddings, the famous historic racing driver. Jim Stranberg from Colorado and his wife Sharon have a well-known restoration business in USA specialising in Bugatti’s and Delahaye’s and his vehicles have won at Pebble Beach.

Peter Giddings in the 1934 Alfa Romeo P3

During the weekend, both at Lobethal and Collingrove, I had several interesting conversations with Allan Tomlinson, who vividly recalls the discussions he had 70 years ago with Lord Nuffield and others after he won the 1939 AGP in his substantially modified. All the modifications had been done in WA and Lord Nuffield wanted to know how he had achieved the speed and performance from the TA. As Ed Farrar said “it is wonderful to be able to talk to someone who actually spoke and corresponded regularly with the likes of Cecil Kimber and Lord Nuffield” without whom the History of MG would not be the same.

Terrible Twins

During the last session on Sunday, I had the privilege of being driven around the Lobethal track with George Hetrel in his lovely French Racing Blue 1927 Bugatti Type 35C. What a wonderful experience! To be out there with all those lovely old cars including Phil Bradey’s K3, the Alfa Romeo P3’s, a fabulous 1936 Delahaye T-135, also from America, and a 1948 Lago Talbot T26C, also French Racing Blue, was something to remember for a long time to come.  

1948 Lago Talbot T26C

I will not say any more as the pictures speak for themselves, except to thank all the members of our own Club who came and worked tirelessly as volunteers at the events. They remained friendly and cheerful with everyone throughout the long weekend, despite the cold weather - they were a credit to our Club.

L to R Arthur Wayne and Fred at Collingrove

Wayne with Allan Tomlinson signing our MGTC bonnet

Geraldine Hough

HERE ARE A SELECTION OF PHOTO'S TAKEN BY OTHER MG CAR CLUB MEMBERS AT LOBETHAL

A COLLECTION OF PHOTO'S TAKEN AROUND THE TRACK BY DEAN BURNSIDE

MORE STUNNING SHOTS TAKEN BY FAY UNDERWOOD at the START

REPORT by Wayne & Geraldine Hough

GUN IT!!” I yelled at Geraldine over the noise. She had just drifted our MG TC through the right-hander at Mill Corner and we were presented with a near empty track ahead. We roared up the Main Street of Lobethal, the crowds of spectators cheering from both sides as we flashed past. Then, just outside the town limit, the real glamour cars of the event caught up. Phil’s K3 roared past, Chris’ R type went by with the engine screaming at top revs. Two beautiful, blue Bugatti’s, line astern, flew past us. We had been magically transported back to the fabulous 30’s and the era of the racing heroes of speed.

This was how it felt for us, being part of the Lobethal Grand Carnival.

The Lobethal Grand Prix circuit is one of last street racing Grand Prix circuits remaining in its original form – 14Kms of long straights, hairpin bends, sweeping curves, narrow bridges and huge gum trees either side waiting to embrace those who exceed their driving skills.

87 cars divided into 4 packets and 35 motorbikes divided into 3, took part in a “spirited demonstration” to celebrate the glory days of the Australian Grand Prix races held at Lobethal from 1938 to 1948. Several of the cars that competed at the original Lobethal events were present and still performing.

The event, held on October 11th and 12th, took place in glorious sunshine. Entrants came from all over Australia and bought a selection of rare and lovely machines. Spectators marvelled at the beauty of all the cars and bikes assembled together on the grass of the Lutheran school oval. It was a spectacular sight of row upon row of exotic road and racing cars and bikes.

As participants in this wonderful event, we appreciate the enormous commitment and vision of the organisers of the Carnival. Our thanks go to the community of Lobethal for allowing us to take over their town for 2 days.

The final highlight for Geraldine and I was being awarded the trophy for “Best Presented Car in Category 4”. Tony Parkinson, the event Director, presented the trophies. Chris Bucknell, also an MGCCSA member, received the trophy for the “Best Presented Car in Category 1” for his spectacular and very rare 1935 MG R type.

It is planned to run the event again in 2009, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 1939 Australian Grand Prix that was won by Allan Tomlinson in his MG TA.

WE INTEND TO BE THERE!