Welcome to the 2024 MG Centenary National Meeting

Ready to head for Tamworth!

Welcome to all those who have registered to attend the 2024 MG Centenary National Meeting in Tamworth.

By now you are probably preparing your car, getting your outfits ready for the Country Ball and Presentation Dinner, and working out how you can fit it all into a MG.

Our National Meeting Committee have planned a great event with sporting and social activities for us all to enjoy in our MGs over the Easter long weekend in the home of country music, Tamworth.

The event will commence on Friday when you must check-in at Registration and Scrutineering at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC), Greg Norman Drive, Hillvue, between 9.00 am – 2.00 pm. Here you will be given your welcome packs, including competitor numbers and tickets to the social evenings and farewell breakfast. You will also collect your pre-ordered event polos and caps.

Cars competing in any of the competition events, including cars in the Concours and Discovery Run will then be scrutineered. Social entrants’ cars, including Kimber Run cars, do not need to be scrutineered.

That evening we have the Noggin ‘n Natter at Dungowan Station, 803 Ogunbil Road, Dungowan, just 30 minutes drive from Tamworth. Some of you will have booked the bus or be taking a bus organised by your centre. The event will start at 6:00 pm and run through to 10:00 pm with a grazing plate and canapes to ward off the hunger and own cost drinks from the bar to keep you hydrated. Of course, the ever popular and keenly fought rocker cover races will be run along with a People’s Choice for the best presented rocker cover racers.

On Saturday we have Concours d’ Elegance at Cross Park, Gipps Street Tamworth. Gates open at 8.00 am with all cars to be in position by 9:00 am. Here you will see some of the best presented and most original MGs in the country. You never know you might be judged as one of them. And for those who have expressed an interest there will also be a Ladies Lunch at the Deco Café in town at 330 Peel St, Tamworth commencing at 12:00.

And then on Saturday night there is the Country Ball at the Royal Mercure Hotel, Kent Street, Tamworth, starting at 6:00 pm. This is a casual country style ball – ball dresses and black tie are not required. Rather denim and plaid will be more de rigour on the night. There will be country style spit roasts and a band for a fun and entertaining evening.

Sunday is when we start our sporting events with the Motorkhana at Gunnedah Regional Airport with scrutineering for the first group of cars (Group A) starting at 7:00 am. And for those who enjoy a quieter life we have the social Kimber Run setting off from the Mercure Hotel, with cars arriving from 8:15 am and leaving at 9:30 am for lovely drive along scenic country roads to Nundle and Hanging Rock.

And then on Monday we have the Lap Dash at Oakburn Park Raceway in Gunnedah, and the Discovery Run, which will leave from the Royal Mercure Hotel and finishing at the Oakburn Park Raceway. Event scrutineering for those cars in the first group (Group B) of the Lap Dash will start at 7:30 am. Cars will arrive for the Discovery Run from 8:15, with the social cars leaving first at 9:30 followed shortly thereafter by those competing and completing the questions.

On Monday night there is our Presentation Dinner at the beautiful art deco Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall, 28 Fitzroy Street, Tamworth, commencing at 7:00. (We have brought this forward.) In keeping with the art deco theme we are encouraging everyone to come dressed accordingly. There will be a 3 course meal and you will be entertained by a string quartet from the conservatorium. But of course, it’s all about the presentations and the anticipation of whether you have won a medal or perpetual trophy, and if your centre has won the Nuffield or Wratten trophies.

Then on Tuesday morning we say goodbye with the Farewell Breakfast at the Royal Mercure Hotel between 7:30 am and 10:00 am before you head back home. A couple of people from each centre will however stay behind for the Delegates Meeting to be held in the John Mc Clelland Room at the hotel starting at 9:00 am.

We look forward to seeing you in Tamworth next week and wish you safe and carefree travels.

John Clarke,
President, MG Car Club Sydney