NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA

The first, and pleasantly frequent duty, is to extend a hearty welcome to new members:

Mr John Keenan of Western Australia owns a May 1956 MGA with just 56,000 miles on the clock, which was delivered to and remained in Pasadena, California, until 1990. It was restored in W.A. by John Hunting after importation, and is now a R.H. drive conversion in BRG re-trimmed in fawn leather. It will be used in VSCC of W.A. and M.G.C.C. W.A. events. Another new member in W.A. is Mr Ronald Kilcullen, who owns 1934 J2/4212, pictured.

This car was previously in the ownership of M.G.C.C. Vic's Walter Magilton. Mr. Kilcullen writes that the car's original first owner, Colin Keefer, is now in his 80s and recounts memories of driving the car in the Australian Grand Prix at Philips Island in the 1930s.

Finally, and also from W.A., we welcome one of Australia's foremost M.G. enthusiasts, Mr Peter Briggs, whose stable includes 1929 14/40, 1931 M1, 1993 J3, 1933 K3, 1934 NE, 1947 TC, 1948 TC Special, and 1959 MGA Twin Cam. The K3 was pictured in our June 1994 issue.

Many people will remember the outstanding last Grand Prix to be held in Adelaide, in 1995. The tremendous enthusiasm of several hundred thousand fans gave the event a great send-off to its new home in Victoria for 1996. The M.G. Clubs of Australia put their shoulder firmly to the wheel and produced a splendid turnout of cars for the support races, and the entry list is reproduced as a Roll of Honour, taken from M.G.C.C. N.S.W.'s 'Opposite Lock':

GRAND PRIX SUPPORT RACES COMPLETE ENTRANT LISTING
Car Driver	State	Entrant	Car	Colour
1 Lou Molina	VIC	Lou Molina	1946 MG TC Special	White
2 Keith Choyce	WA	Keith Choyce	1937 M.G. TA Special	Silver
3 Philip Bradey	SA	Philip Bradey	1934 M.G. K3	Blue
4 Andrew Willington	SA	Andrew Willington	1953 M.G. TF Special	Aluminium
5 Peter Briggs	WA	York Motor Museum	1933 M.G. K3	Green
6 Robin Briggs	WA	York Motor Museum	1935 M.G. NE	Silver
7 Graham Melocco	NSW	Graham Melocco	1949 M.G. TC S/C Special	Green
8 Ron Townley	VIC	Ron Townley	1939 M.G. TA Special	Red
9 Ken Rowe	NSW	Ken Rowe	1947 M.G. TC Special	Black
10 Jim Catts	NSW	Jim Catts	1948 M.G. TC Special	Green
11 Kevin Shearer	SA	Joan Shearer	1947 M.G. TC Special	Green
12 Barry Hicks	NSW	Barry Hicks	1947 M.G. TC Special	Red
14 Alistair Clarke	NSW	Alistair Clarke	1933 M.G. J Type	Green
15 Ian Mawson	VIC	Ian Mawson	1934 M.G. P Type	Green
16 Alan Heritage	NSW	Alan Heritage	1949 M.G. TD Special	Black
17 Neil McDowell	VIC	Neil McDowell	1947 M.G. TC Special	Green
18 John Ellis	SA	John Ellis	1948 M.G. TC Special	Green
19 Alan Griffin	SA	Alan Griffin	1947 M.G. TC Special	Green
28 Bob Schapel	SA	Bob Schapel	1948 M.G.TC Special	Silver
29 Ian McLennan	VIC	Ian McLennan	1934 M.G.P Type	Cream
30 Doug Gordon	SA	Doug Gordon	1949 M.G. TC Special	Green
31 Adam Berryman	VIC	Adam Berryman	1933 M.G. K3	Green
33 Ross Hodgson	NSW	Ross Hodgson	1949 M.G.TC Special	Black
34 John Anderson	VIC	John Anderson	1934 M.G. PA	Green
38 Peter Statton	VIC	Peter Statton	1949 M.G. TC Special	Red
39 John Payne	SA	John Payne	1933 M.G. J2 Special	Red
41 Gavin Morgan	SA	Gavin Morgan	1932 M.G.C Type	Green
47 Ray Hickman	VIC	Ray Hickman	1947 M.G. TC Special	Red
49 John Gillett	VIC	John Gillett	1949 M.G. TC Special	Red
51 John Playford	SA	John Playford	1949 M.G. TC Special	Blue
54 Bill Schapel	SA	Bill Schapel	1947 M.G. TC Special	Red
59 John Pitman	VIC	John Pitman	1949 M.G. TC Special	Green
73 Graham Smith	SA	Graham Smith	1948 M.G. TC Special	Green
77 Patrick Ryan	VIC	Patrick Ryan	11936 M.G. TA Special	Black
81 Percy Hunter	NSW	Percy Hunter	1947 M.G. TC Special	Silver
98 Graeme Steinfort	VIC	Graeme Steinfort	1934 M.G. P Type	Green
140 Harry Firth	VIC	Harry Firth	1953 M.G. Special	Green

Our member John Hornabrook has kindly sent an article by Bob Jennings which among other cars gives details of the ex-Prince Bira K3, from which I quote, together with photos:
". . . the (Philip) Bradey M.G., was campaigned in Europe by one of the Princes of Siam, Prince Birabongse Bhamubandhu, who raced under the name of "B. Bira". B. Bira was one of the wealthy playboys of the pre-war Grand Prix era as well as being an accomplished driver. He ran the blue M.G. K3 in the light blue colour of the Thai Royal horse racing stables. The car was brought into Australia by John Snow of N.S.W. for the 1936 Australian Grand Prix at Victor Harbour. Later, it was owned by several Adelaide drivers including the late Andy Brown, who drove it to third place in the 1953 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. The late Tom Bradey bought the car in 1959 and it has been in the family ever since, Tom leaving the car to his grandson, Philip, who will return from London to drive the car at the Grand Prix."

John writes of his memories of seeing this car race before Tom Bradey bought it.

He says "In those days they ran races up and down the long flat beach at low tide. Sellicks Beach is now a residential suburb of Adelaide and it would be unheard of." He has a clear memory of the 1936 Centenary Grand Prix at Victor Harbour, mentioned in the article above.

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