ALBANY VINTAGE & CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB

Back to Index Page

December 2014 Club News

OCR | Old Pix | Hillclimb | Not Anvil | Africa | Bhutan | Cosy | Perkolilli | Barker Hill | Stirlings | Calendar | Membership

2014 Hillclimb Weekend

Just part
          of the line-up of bikes in Stirling Terrace.The 2014 Albany Vintage & Classic Club’s Hill Climb Weekend would have to go down as one of the best.
Held in perfect weather with some of the biggest crowds we’ve seen, especially on Mt Clarence which had record gate takings.

Starting off early on Saturday morning with many Club members helping, it didn’t take long before Stirling Tce was organised. This year we had a roster for Club members to man the road closure at each end of Stirling Terrace, this worked out really well. The girls were doing a great job taking entries for the Poker Run as well as selling badges and informing visitors what was going on.

Dylans had plenty of chairs and tables out on the pavement and a stall selling food and coffee, other shops had furniture outside too. Entertainment, provided by Dylans, was Geoff Scott playing his guitar and singing along providing a relaxed atmosphere.

Great Southern Motorcycles, Shannons and the Badge guy all had displays. Stirling Terrace had more bikes parked along the shopping strip than ever before and it made for a magnificent sight.

Don on Stirling Tce on his newly restored Indian
          Model 841.
Lunch time and the Poker Run got under way with around 150 entrants participating in a 90 or 120 kilometre ride around the Albany countryside. There were 5 stops to pick a card and with the help of the Albany Volunteer Fire Brigade and Club members the riders arrived at the Rifle Club for hot drinks and cake, courtesy of Gwen and Morris Blake proprietors of Dylans on the Terrace.

A Harley and a Triumph ended up on the back-up trailers whilst all the others successfully made the trip.
There were a lot of happy campers out at the Rifle Club which has a bar and the evening meal was provided by Gary and Cherrie Carlsen who were run off their feet.

Bruce getting 'em into line for the start.
Bruce did a fantastic job organising diners and collecting the camping fees, and doing the raffle in the evening with the help of Ronnie and Antoinet. See Bruce's blog of the weekend below. Next morning many Club members we well as the Volunteer Fire Brigade were up the hill early setting up for the day’s event up to Mt Clarence.

Unfortunately the Ambulance and Fire Engine were called away just when the Hill Climb was about to start, as there was a bad car accident nearby, but it wasn’t long before they returned and the practice runs and the three timed runs were underway.

The course marshalls, starters, timers and recorders all did a brilliant job and the event ran like clockwork, there’s always a few teething problems at the beginning of the day but these were ironed out easily.

Enjoying the banter on the startline.
It was certainly the biggest crowd of spectators we’ve had, which was verified by the gate takings. The Soapbox Club did a roaring trade selling food, Don was flat out making coffee, and the Lions Club were busy at the gate too.

Macca wheelies off the startline on his sloper BSA.
There were a few spectacular wheelies as well as zig-zagging sidecars, but no accidents, although there were a few mechanical problems with the bikes and around 10 dropped out during the day.

Paul takes off on his customised 1968 Triumph
          Bonneville.
The day went so smoothly that it was the earliest we had finished which also gave the entrants a chance to leave early for the trip home to Perth and other parts of the State.

Clutch trouble with Andrew Bartleet’s ’36 Triumph
          T70, 250cc.
A huge thank you to everyone involved, the riders, sponsors, but especially Club Members who helped with the weekend, Garry Blake who co-ordinated the event, Bruce who gets the riders up to the starting line, there’s too many too mention, but you know who you are.

Tom and dog and friend in Triking three-wheeler.
What a fabulous weekend and one which is unique in Western Australia.

Results:

POKER RUN
Best Hand: Bill Speechily (Straight)
2nd Best Hand: Ryan Crowley (3 Queens)
Worst Hand: Rob Wason (9 high)

Mal on his BMW historic racer.

HILLCLIMB:
Outright Winner: Russell Longly,
1979 500cc Hagon (Lost 0.25 sec)
Runner-up: Mark Ellison,
1979 Harley Davidson 1200cc (Lost  0.28 sec)
Best Female Rider: Sheryl White,
1976 Honda 400cc (Lost 0.75 sec)
Best Sidecar: Glen Britza/ Russell Jeffrey
1951 Ariel Sidecar 500cc (Lost 1.10 sec)
Best Pre-31: Rod Chessel
1927 BSA JAP 500cc (Lost 1.91 sec)
Best Presented Bike: Paul Stoker
1972 Ducati Sport 750cc
Hard Luck Award: Kelvin Mears
1936 Norton 500cc

Bruce's Weekend Blog

The annual Albany Motorcycle weekend was on again after missing a year, so me and Kylie left early on Wed for a leisurely and cold ride through the South West to arrive on Friday.

Set up tent at rifle club and head to Bob’s to get my work schedule for the w/end. Kenny first to arrive, then Stewart and John joined us at the Rifle Club. Lindsay patching up the crack in his fuel tank successfully.
Kylie sent to buy dinner for the hordes and a BBQ set up to cook snags as everyone mobbed the bar. Early to bed ready for Sat bike show. Up at 5.30 with Kenny to help set up Stirling Tce ready for the 300 odd bikes of all makes and age.

Some lovely bikes on display to look at. Kelvin fell off his Norton in the driveway and ended his weekend as it landed on his ankle. He got hard luck award at Hill Climb. Clive arrives after early start from Perth.

Off to man a check-point for Poker Run, only to be told off for my offensive language, (who me) got the wrong person I said. Kenny gave me a good character reference in case I go to court. Back to Rifle Club for end of Poker Run and afternoon tea or beer.

Collect camping fees and meal tickets and enjoy nice meal. In the sack only to listen to Irish Kev’s bullshit till late. He can go with Team Norton next year!

Up at 5.30 again to set up for Hill Climb. A great day had by all, riders and spectators, in perfect weather and was finished by 2 pm, a record time.

Back to camp to tales of 10 foot long dugite menacing Pete, Big Kev and Irish Kev. Shame it didn't bite Irish Kev before the caretaker blasted it with his black powder gun.

Some members left on Sunday and the rest of us headed to Perth different ways on Monday. If you haven't been, go next year, you wont regret it.

Thanks to Garry and all the other organizers for a top weekend.

Back to Index Page