MG NATIONALS
THEY’RE ALL HERE
There are few tasks in the automotive world more prone to disaster and devoid of thanks than organising a major car-club gathering.
Finding decent accommodation and venues at affordable prices, keeping participants entertained and fully fed are skills that qualif y event organisers for sainthood. However, not even divine connections can do anything about the weather.
This year’s MG National Meeting centred on the Redland Bay region of Brisbane, with a display venue that backed directly onto beautiful Moreton Bay. Trust me, it is a beautiful spot – you just had to be able to see it between the constant showers and occasional sub-tropical torrent.
Weather aside, this was a very special event. In January 1970 the first MG Car Club National Meeting had been held in Sydney and this year’s Brisbane gathering celebrated the Nationals’ Golden Jubilee.
MGs of all ages, styles and types came from all parts of the country including a couple of Bs that drove from Western Australia and a Tasmanian contingent. Participants weren’t there just to socialise and show off their cars either. The week-long programme included drives to various locales around Brisbane, a motorkhana and – for the brave – a chance to challenge the Armco and big trees on the Mt Cotton hillclimb course.
Easter Saturday was Concours d’Elegance day and around 120 perfectly-presented MGs would squelch their way across lush grass to almost fill the vast expanse of Cleveland Point’s G. J. Walter Park.
Despite intermittent deluges, judging did proceed. Judging a wet car takes special skill and experience and no one was going to ask even the most dedicated expert to go