Lake Bonney Abandoned

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30619, 9 December 1964, Page 21

Lake Bonney Abandoned

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) ALDELAIDE, Dec. 8. Donald Campbell has given up his plans at Lake Bonney. The British driver finally left quiet Barmera and tempestuous Lake Bonney in South Australia at noon today, saying he would not return “except socially.” Campbell also changed an earlier plan to leave the Bluebird hydroplane at the lake while looking for another speed course elsewhere. Instead, he announced-the

speed craft would be loaded on to a truck later today and brought to Adelaide by Thursday. The Barmera council chairman, Mr S. Fletcher, said the change in plans was another disappointment to the townsfolk. Very Sorry But Campbell, who conducted a two-and-a-half-hour conference with his team before announcing the final abandonment at Lake Bonney, said: “I am very, very sorry things have to end this way. . . . However, no matter what others believe, I am convinced this lake will never flatten out before the autumn, and

I cannot wait until then.” He added: “We are dispersing the crew all over the country looking for another course to break the record (260.2 miles an hour) before December 31. “Lake Bonney has cost us a fortune and we cannot persevere with it any longer.” Mr Fletcher said today’s final decision to pull out completely was a shock. “The whole town has let Donald know they are 100 per cent behind him,’ Mr Fletcher said. “We think he should keep Bonney in his pocket still, but whatever he does we wish him luck.” (Earlier Reference Page 13)