MGs great train race to Goondiwindi

Woolf Bonato’s race against Le Train Bleu from Cannes to Calais was a legendary challenge and the inspiration behind the Gold Coast MG Car Club’s event to race the Downs Dasher to Goondiwindi.
More than 45 Pre War, T&Y-Type MGs, along with younger MGs, will face a 200km challenge against the Southern Downs Steam Railway’s finest engine from Warwick to Goondiwindi on the June long weekend.
Organiser Murray Arundell concedes that racing a train along public roads in the 21st Century, because it seems like fun, is not something that the authorities look too kindly on.
“We won’t be sprinting along the highway trying to outrun the loco,” he said.
“Instead, we’ve set out a route which will intersect with that of the train and our cars will be handicapped, to give the train a fighting chance.”
“The MGs route will be around Warwick then via Wheatvale to Leyburn, before returning south for lunch at Inglewood, and then it’s on to Goondiwindi via the River Road.”
Mr Arundell said there were a number of options for participation, including racing MGs against the train to Goondiwindi, riding the train out and back, all the while lending encouragement to those on the road, or a combination of both.
The event is open to all MGs, no matter what model or age, but it is hoped that many older cars will take part, as these cars have more in common with the steam age.
According to Mr Arundell, “they’ll be leading the challenge against the mighty loco”.
Participants have registered for the event from as far afield as Maryborough and Newcastle. More information can be found at www.southerndownssteamrailway.com.au/tours/gundy.php