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After the event was washed out five years ago we were keen to go to Lake Perkolilli again. I took some time off work and headed off Thursday am with 4 sidecars and 2 solos to camp at McDermid Rock on the Hyden – Norseman Rd. The flies were very friendly. Next morning we headed up the Victoria Rocks Rd to Coolgardie.
Then it was into Kalgoorlie for supplies for the red dust racing
weekend. We arrived at Lake Perkolilli Friday arvo. We watched some
great machines race around the old track on Saturday.
We packed up and headed for Balagie Rock west of Bullfinch. Great spot and views from the top. Monday we headed down to Westonia and picked up the old goldfields road all the way to York, then on to Perth. Great weather and company over five days and 1,500km.
The Dust
Kylie, Jim, Roy, Lang, Lampo and me arrived at Lake Perkolilli at 2pm on the Friday to find hundreds of caravans and camper trailers already in residence. The bulldust at the entry to the camping area was four inches deep already.
We nearly turned around and left, but a few others had arrived earlier
and had found a great spot away from the hordes. They found us just in
time. We went over to a motorcycles only camp spot and set up camp.
After a cold beer to wash down the dust and we were off to check out the old cars and bikes. Forty odd bikes and about 60 cars were entered. They came from far and wide, Tassie being the only state without an entry.
There were even two cars from the UK. - A Lagonda and a Been which only
did a third of a lap before putting a rod through his motor. Lang’s mate
was there with his '35 Rolls Royce which five of us scored two laps of
the track in.
Dust was everywhere, but there was a nice breeze to blow it away. Lots
of planes parked infield and three ultra-light planes buzzed around.
With practice underway we consumed more beer while catching up
with the bike mob from Bunbury. After practice at 4.30, the track was
open to all.
A couple of mates on sidecars went for some laps. Many beers later we
were off to the tent. Saturday morning we ran into Garry Taylor for a
chat. Then the TT started using a handicap system with eight cars at a
time doing two laps, so they all crossed the line close. I don’t know
how the ones at the back could see anything. Check out the cars!
The track was wide. Bikes were out next and an 80 year old guy on an AJS
got a tank-slapper right in front of the finish. I think he had a few
broken bones poor bloke.
The day before some guy on a BSA put a rod through the crankcase and
cartwheeled down the track. He walked away unhurt. He’s had the bike
since he was thirteen.
Hundreds more spectators were out for the day from Kalgoorlie. All in
all, a great event and highly recommend to go to if they have another,
but you must like red dust. We packed up and left on Sunday. The winner
of the bike class was a BMW R66 from the BMW club.