ALBANY VINTAGE & CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB

December 2012 Club News

2012 Albany Vintage & Classic Hill Climb Weekend

The annual classic weekend held by our Club was once again a huge success. The weekend started on Saturday with one of the main roads in central Albany closed for the morning.

The forecast of inclement weather didn’t deter the crowd admiring over 200 bikes on display from vintage to modern. The scene was enhanced by a local band, sausage sizzle and warm still conditions.

Afternoon saw the Poker Run meandering along the south coast stopping at scenic spots to pick a card. After finishing at the Rifle Club, where refreshments were provided again by Dylans, who also sponsored the band in the morning, the rain came, and for half an hour it was torrential before the sun came out again.

Only a vintage Ariel disgraced itself and ended up on the back-up trailer, although there was apparently a BMW which had gearbox trouble and arranged its own back-up. Saturday night a crowd of 100 enthusiasts enjoyed dinner at the Rifle Club.

Sunday’s Hill Climb is a time trial event up Mt Clarence which is open to pre-1980 bikes. There is a limit of 100 entrants. This is the only motorcycle event of its type in WA - maybe Australia?

Riders entered from around the State, and with over 15 Clubs represented, there is a wide variety of bikes. This year the most prominent was Norton, with Bob Whittingstall’s 1925 Norton Model 16H the oldest.

Ducatis were also in abundance from a 1968 Ducati 250cc to several 900SS including a green frame.
Other bikes ranged from a 1972 MV Augusta 750S to a 1961 60/2 BMW sidecar outfit powered by a 90S motor and a gigantic Heinrich tank. A huge variety of bikes roared up the hill.

The winner this year was David Lind riding a 1978 500cc Yamaha who only lost 0.05 seconds over his three timed runs. The event ran very smoothly with a bonus for the recorders up the hill as a camera, provided by Tony Caramia, was used on the starting line so as they could also see the start on a screen.

Proceeds from the weekend are donated to various local organisations with the major recipient being the Albany Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

A big thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors. Garry Blake did a lot of the background work organising the event and deserves a big thank you from the Club, not forgetting though all the other Club volunteers who did a fantastic job leading up to and volunteering over the weekend. Those who arrived early on Saturday helped set up Stirling Terrace, then Jim, Ross and Garry who looked after the road closures both days.

All the volunteers who helped set up early on Sunday and helped at the end taking it all down and helpers during the day and during the Poker Run, the starters, recorders - it was a great effort - and it makes it a great Club - take a bow everybody.

I mustn’t forget the sponsors too and non-Club volunteers. Well done everyone. See you all next year.