THE PUCE GOOSE GOES TO THE RED CENTRE

With the decision to spend more time sorting the Railton, that left one option and that was to get the Puce Goose out of retirement and head north to Alice Springs in June this year.

https://classicoutbacktrial.com.au/

The photos give a bit of an idea as to the type of roads we competed on but the worst parts we did not photograph as we were busy trying to get through.

In preparation, We fitted a sump guard, bolted on the Halda ( distance measuring device ) and off we went to Alice.

We were the only team out of 54 cars without a service crew   (until Morgan members Mike & Maree Cary turned up, albeit on the last day of competition) and one of only two cars driven to the rally on its own wheels – and home again.

The Trial was due to start with a Prologue on Saturday 18^th June.  On Friday the heavens opened and the most ferocious storm descended on Alice. The Todd River was in full flood and huge hailstones could be seen lying on the ground 24 hours later. Locals said they hadn’t seen the like in over 30 years. The Prologue was cancelled due to the washout and Sunday’s start was also cancelled due to the flooding.

We competed in Regularity ( time speed distance ) and our only competitor was a local duo of ladies in a rally prepared Mitsubishi Magna.  The driver has been dirt rallying for many years.  They were new to regularity but their car was well prepared and able to cover the course at required speeds whereas the Morgan was only capable of walking speed at times over the rocky, sandy and boggy tracks.  

They clearly won the class but at least we were classified as finishers.

Many of the tracks were rocky with deep culverts and creek crossings.  Other parts were smooth gravel but with boggy mud sections or loose sand.  The Morgan with only four inches of ground clearance and little in the way of suspension did not cope very well. Nevertheless we went where officials thought we wouldn’t get through.

Day one we bent a steering arm on driver’s side stub axle and had an electrical issue.

For the steering issue which had given us 30mm of toe out at the front wheels, we located a workshop and had the tie rod shortened and a wheel alignment done.   The electrical issue was resolved when one of the local auto electricians stayed back after 5.00pm and waited for us to arrive 45 mins later, one flasher can and some fuses, they fixed the problem and only asked for $20.00.

It was on this first stage that we realised how bad the red dust was and from then on we wore ski goggles to keep the dust from our eyes.. This was amusing enough but to see our dirty dusty faces with the red dust stuck to our sun screened faces caused much merriment.

Day two we broke a lower kingpin diagonal strut and the indicator switch which would not stay in the central “off” position.  Fixed the indicator with some bungy cord.  After having a welding attempt in the service park using a non performing MIG welder and generator, we rang the previous day’s mechanic who I knew also worked from home.  We headed out to his home in the dark and he welded and strengthened the broken strut, also strengthened the other side strut for good measure. He wouldn’t take any money

Day three after a competitive stage, the cross member behind the battery floorboard broke loose and carried away the rear brake line.  At least we had twin circuit brakes so was able to get back to town on front discs only.  Back to the house of our new best mate the mechanic where he repaired the brake line, welded the cross member and we bled the brakes.  Again did not want anything for his efforts – however we persisted and gave him a sum of money for his trouble.

Friday morning was the final day of competition but we decided not to take part in completion that day, instead booking out of the first control of the day and handing our time card in at the finish. The organisers had advised us we would be classified as finishers if we did that.  Many cars failed to book in and out each day under their own power due to damage including three rollovers, several hitting fences and others having engines blow up or sustaining driveline or suspension damage which was not able to be patched up in time. One of the officials even hit a cow!

At the presentation dinner we were brought up onto the stage for a couple of termite jokes to say a few words about driving a Morgan over totally unsuitable roads and tracks.

Each day the afternoon routine was to get to Control on time, and then go straight to the carwash to wash off the red dust which got into every nook & cranny. The front foot wells looked as if we had poured in a load of red topsoil ready for gardening. There was even large amounts of grass. Despite the horrendous roads we had a great time and the camaraderie amongst the teams was great fun. It was also a great experience to drive on private roads on very large stations. The hospitality and friendliness of the local people was simply amazing.

Wherever we went the Morgan attracted a lot of attention. Coming through the Control on the second last day there in the carpark were Mog members Mike & Maree Cary who were travelling around northern Australia. Great to see some faces from home. Pity they didn’t arrive earlier as they would have made excellent service crew! Crossing the border into South Australia we met several people who knew SA Mog owner John Moss. Then in Alice someone knew David Jenkins, and a rally person knew the Longleys. It seems many people know someone who owns a Morgan no matter how far & wide you travel.

Crossing into SA we were pulled into a quarantine check. Any fruit & vegetables on board, we were asked? Absolutely not, sir. Then the unbelievable question……any fridges or eskys on board? At this stage we couldn’t contain our giggles as it was obvious we were up to the gills with the luggage and no room for such items. The quarantine officer was not amused at our laughter!

The highlight and finale in Alice was the Beanie festival. Can you believe there were 6,200 beanies on display and for sale? All colours, descriptions, fabrics, to suit every Morgan owner.

After this great adventure we begin the drive home via Uluru and the Field of Lights, then Coober Pedy (and put the Goose back into retirement).