Breaking tracks

Driven: Chaplain Russel Avery

ON OCTOBER 16, 1928, Herbert Darton Avery drove the 1250km from Longreach to Brisbane in his Studebaker in 30 hours and 46 minutes. It was the “Great Queensland Motor Record” said the Brisbane Courier.

The Studebaker was one of the great marques, along with Morris/Morris Garages (MG) from the stable of Lord Nuffield.

Studebaker has slipped into motoring history but on January 30 this year, his grandson – that’s me – and my son, Timothy, set out in the latest and mightiest MG, the 4.6-litre, V8-powered MG ZT V8 260.

The aim was to break the record but to remain at all times within the speed limits. This meant we would need to complete the drive legally within 15 hours – a feat we only just managed.

In 1977 I spoke to Shell who had fuelled the 1928 expedition about a possible run, but they weren’t interested.

The idea remained dormant until I went to the 100th anniversary of Rover luncheon late last year where I chanced to meet the CEO of MG Rover Australia. Chatting to him in my appalling French, I thought, “Now is the best opportunity in your life; do it.” So I asked if could borrow a ZT 260.

He asked why and I explained. He said, “Why not? When?” At 8am on January 19 drove away from MG Rover headquarters in a power grey ZT. Two days at RAAF Base Williamtown showed that people were warming to the idea.

Everyone wanted to see the MG, while the fire-fighting section had arranged for RAAF Base Amberley to wash the car at Ipswich on the way through. We arrived in Longreach via Amberley and Brisbane. On January 30 a farewell party was held.

“Good choice” the locals said about driving due east for the first hop to Barcaldine, then turning southeast as the sun comes up. A good choice, too, was the second local rule: when it is dawn, follow a road train to protect you from the kangaroos. We had no problems until we were near Tambo when three kangaroos frightened the socks off us.

Near Augathella I thought the last piece of advice was going to go against me: watch out for eagles with road kill because they take a while to get into the air. One just missed the top of the windscreen.

We had only one more fright from wildlife. I woke as Tim took evasive action to miss five emus. We stopped at Morven, Mitchell, Roma, Miles, Chinchilla, Dalby and Toowoomba.

By now, hundreds of locusts covered the front of the MG, but we turned up at Ipswich to find the firies from Amberley enthusiastic, ready to de-louse us and get us away for what was becoming a very close drive.

We would need to be in Brisbane by 7pm to break the record. We arrived at 5.46pm. There, the Premier’s representative acknowledged the new record of 13 hours 46 minutes. We handed the brilliant car back.

It had performed faultlessly. Now, another run and record looms, this time from Canterbury in England to Istanbul. MG Rover has indicated they might just be interested.