Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 113 i Old Bike Australasia

Although primarily a car event, the 2024 Adelaide Motorsport Festival will again feature historic motorcycles as part of the three-day event, to be staged from 15-17 March in and around Victoria Park in the city. The on-track action will take place on sections on the track, including the hairpin and Senna Chicane that hosted the Australian Formula One Grand Prix from 1985 to 1995. There will also be static displays for motorcycles as well as cars, including ex-Formula 1 cars. Trade stalls, food trucks, bars, and children’s entertainment will ensure there is something for everyone. There will also be a street party on the opening evening of the event. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to: adelaidemotorsportfestival.com.au…

Melbourne-based auction house Donington has opened its new Sydney operation, based at Amaroo Park, Annangrove in the city’s north west. The new branch will be headed by Damien Duigan, who has an extensive background in the industry, assisted by Sam Jackson. Both were formerly with Shannons Auction in Sydney. Donington Sydney will be housed in an historic building that was once part of the famous former motor racing complex. Donington’s Cameron Sabine said the operation will offer on-site auction previewing for cars and motorcy-cles, and that the new facility will ultimately be a “go-to” destination for enthusiasts and club members. To consign for future auctions in Sydney, contact Damien on 0449 128392, email Damien@doningtonauctions.com.au or Sam on 0423 333977 email sam@doningtonauctions.com.au Auction Update: Donington’s first online motorcycle auction for 2024…

One of the greatest talents in modern motorcycle racing, ANTHONY GOBERT, passed away on 17th January, 2024, aged 48. He had been in palliative care in Queensland recently and had suffered from drug addiction in the latter stages of his life. “The Go Show” was a supremely talented rider who burst onto the stage as a motocross rider, winning a string of Australian Junior titles. Once in the senior ranks he took Australian Supercross and Motocross titles before switching to road racing in 1994. That year, he took out the Australian Superbike Championship at age 19 riding for the Winfield Honda team. On October 30 that year, at the Superbike World Championship round at Phillip Island, he gained a wild card start, took pole position and defeated multi-world champion Carl…

A measure of IVAN BURKILL’s popularity was the very large attendance at his funeral in Denman, NSW on 29th November, 2023. Ivan passed away on 16th November from cancer aged 73. For many years, Ivan was the Captain of the local Fire And Rescue, which he had joined in 1983 and became Denman’s first professional fire fighter. Members and colleagues turned out in force to give him a fitting farewell. Ivan’s son Amon is now the Captain of the 283 Denman Brigade. Racing enthusiasts will remember Ivan on his big red BSA Rocket 3 on the NSW circuits and especially at Bathurst in 1971 where he finished third in the Unlimited B & C Grade, behind Garry Thomas and Robert Hinton, sharing the fastest lap with Thomas. Ivan was a…

Honda was firmly committed to its V4 concept, even though it was not without its problems, but in typical Honda style, all or most of these were overcome with time. Those lucky enough to own one generally marvel at the way the technology translates to a superb riding experience, and here we meet a pair of owners – Eric and Merilyne Leah – who thoroughly endorse the product, having owned five, with three still in the garage. For 1988 Honda had the number 1 on the front of the 500 GP bike courtesy of Wayne Gardner’s victory in the 1987 Championship. Not surprisingly, they also chose Mr Gardner to head up the publicity for their new all-white VFR750F, or RC24. The model itself was not all-new, having been around for…

There was quite a buzz about the 1964 NSW Scramble Championships, staged at Moorebank on 20th September. The Willoughby District MCC had secured sponsorship of the meeting through Craven Filter cigarettes, and secured the services of television star and entertainer Bobby Limb to act as MC for the meeting. Given Limb’s status at the time, this was quite an achievement, and he didn’t just breeze in and disappear, he stayed for the entire day, even waving the flag to start several races, then presenting winners and placegetters with trophies and garlands. The meeting itself drew a huge entry which included a large Victorian contingent, and no fewer than eight of the latest 250cc Villiers Starmaker-engine Cotton scramblers. Crowd favourite Les Fisher returned from a brief retirement to claim the Unlimited…

The ninth CAMS Southern Classic Festival attracted 300 entries from all over NZ. This event caters for 28 classes of solos and outfits, from Vintage Pre War to Period 95 Superbikes, 2 Stroke GP machines to F4 Buckets and a development class. These race in 9 groups, the groups put together classes of machines with similar performance, creating full grids and entertaining racing. The event also hosts the New Zealand Classic Bike and Sidecar Grand Prix titles which were run as separate races. The Levels International Raceway is a FAI Cat 3 circuit, about 140kms south of Christchurch, owned by the South Canterbury Car Club. CAMS hold two club events and the Southern Classic Festival at the “Levels” each year. The 2.4km “Long Motorcycle Circuit” is relatively flat, roughly shaped like…

This was the third Rally we have staged and it is based on the idea of a re-enactment of a time trial held by the original Cootamundra Motorcycle Club in 1912. Although we don’t run it as such, an enjoyable gathering of folk on motorcycles ensures a great time. Gorgeous Spring weather greeted the rally goers as they gathered at the Cootamundra Showground, before departing on the first leg to Harden-Murrumburrah at 8:30. The three Veterans were led out by the never-ageing Laurie Deller on his 1911 Norton. Then followed the nine Vintage bikes and the rest of the pre-December 1955 machines. A total of 52 entrants and along with the corner Marshals and support Officials, around 65 bikes in total. Morning tea greeted us and we suddenly became an…

The Rally was attended by 283 people with approximately 180 bikes. There were 35 people from overseas attending with some bringing their own motorcycles from the UK. In attendance was the BSA International Rally Secretary Andy Lorenz as well as people from the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, USA and New Zealand. The rally was held at the Hahndorf Resort, South Australia which proved to be a very popular town to hold the event. The rides from Hahndorf are some of the best rides you can take. During the rally riders were taken to the Prospect Hill Community Museum, where people were able to see the old time farm machinery and stationary engines used during the early times, Macclesfield Show and Shine (approximately 3500 bikes of a ll makes and years),…

15-17 November will see the 2024 Australian Historic Road Racing Championships conducted on the new One Raceway (formerly Wakefield Park) in Goulburn. Since its purchase by Steve Shelley in 2023, work has proceeded apace to bring the circuit and its infrastructure up to date and in line with environmental concerns, including noise levels. To this end, the circuit has been reshaped with a new section after what was Turn One, and noise-abating earth barriers at strategic points. The old track surface is being re-laid, and a brand new control tower erected. On January 1st, 2024, Ian Watts took over as circuit manager, and after discussions with Peter MacMillan of the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club (of NSW), it was decided to apply for the prestigious event for 2024. Peter says, “We…

On Thursday 15th December, the wraps came off a pair of very delicious motorcycles – the latest result of the tie-up between the famous Bimota brand and Kawasaki Motors. The venue was Procycles at St. Peters, which will be the main Sydney outlet for the exclusive new bikes. The function was hosted by radio personality Brendan Jones, who confesses to being a big motorcycle fan, with seven bikes currently in his garage. The evening featured a live video link up between the function and Bimota’s COO Pierluigi Marconi, the legendary engineer who created the iconic ‘Tesi’ back in 1982. First to be unveiled was the Bimota KB4, a super-blooking motorcycle in its red and white livery. This is the evolution of the first Kawasaki-engined Bimota, the KB1, in 1978. Underneath…

One of Australia’s top road racers in the early ‘sixties, JOHN DODDS passed away in Germany on 27th January after a short illness. He had celebrated his 80th birthday in November 2023. A member of the strong Fairfield club in Sydney, John reached the top echelon before heading for Europe in 1966, the same year as his arch rival Kel Carruthers. For the next twelve years, John carved out a living in Europe, the high point being his win in the 1974 FIM Formula 750 series, the forerunner to the 750 World Championship which began in 1977. John won four Grands Prix – one 125, two 250 and one 350, during his European career. Following his retirement from racing, he began a business distributing the French Motul oils, assisted by…

When it comes to classic Kawasakis, the GT750, which first saw the light of day in 1982, is rarely mentioned. Yet over forty years ago, that model represented an incredibly practical, go-anywhere motorcycle that had plenty of poke, handled well and pretty much did anything that was asked of it. The GT750 even came with a rear luggage rack as standard fitment and a pair of helmet locks to avoid squabbles between rider and passenger. The model was something of a pastiche; the engine plucked (and slightly de-tuned) from the GPz750 and in this form, pumping out a useful 78 horsepower. It was smooth to ride too, thanks to the shaft drive and fully rubber-mounted engine, with none of the high frequency vibrations that afflict many fours, although there was…

We have to go back to 1923 for the beginnings of the Horex motorcycle, or more accurately, motorised bicycle, when Fritz Kleeman began to install 63cc Gnom engines, made by Columbus-Motoenbau AG, into bicycle frames. The result was a device that pumped out all of one horsepower, but at least it reduced the amount of peddling required. The Columbus company had begun business as a manufacturer of glass bottles and jars for the preservative market under the Rex brand. It was bought in 1920 by Fritz’s father Friedrich, and Friedrich purchased Columbus around 1918, and his son, a keen motorcycle racer, formed the company Horex-Fahrzeugbau AG, the Horex name being an amalgamation of the Ho from Bad Homburg, where the company factory was located, and the Rex brand. The range…

Welcome to Old Bike Australasia Out’n’about – a forum of people, places, history and happenings. There was a great roll up to celebrate Jack Taylor’s 98th birthday at the Pie in the Sky restaurant on the Old Pacific Highway at Cowan, north of Sydney, on 4th December, 2023. Jack is a member of the Central Coast Classic Motorcycle Club, and the party was organised by Jack’s family. The majority of riders turned up on Classic and Modern bikes, while Jack arrived on his trusty BMW outfit, ridden by Ian Mohr. The highlight of the day was Mark Vella roller-starting his V-twin Classic Racing bike, drawing a large crowd including Jack, who is still riding on a restricted licence.…

As in 2022, we had thirteen motorcycle entries. I was pleased that we had 5 entries in Period 3, 500cc, but unfortunately a couple fell by the wayside. Bruce Davis (500 Matchless) at 42.79 seconds was our fastest bike again this year, but couldn’t quite match his best time of 42.01 seconds from last year, whilst Matthew Kennedy (BSA) was second in this class. Otto Muller (250 Adler), second fastest bike at 44.88 seconds, won Period 3, up to 350cc, from Trevor Henderson (125 Bultaco and 350 BSA), whilst Paul Walker (350 Velocette) with 45.95 seconds, won Period 2, up to 350cc, from Peter Fagan (1927 AJS) and Wayne Zilm (1926 Harley Pup), and Dan Gleeson (600 Norton International) topped the Unlimited Period 2 class with 44.92 seconds, a mere…

Mac and Carol McGarry, recently returned from living in Auckland, stepped into the breech to organise this year’s rally. The weather forecast for the lower South Island seemed to change every day, except Saturday 11th November, the predictions were bright sunshine and they got it right! The usual hard core of reprobates and masochists gathered at Lumsden Railway Station, numbers were slightly down this year with 20 machines entered. The oldest was Greg Eunson’s 1913 Royal Enfield V twin the youngest was Matt Furness’ 1986 Honda VFR750F and one outfit, your scribe’s 1978 BMW R100 & Watsonian Monaco. Nearly an equal number of local riders decided to ride along, frustratingly some were on eligible machines and a couple of them were actually branch members. The two routes followed the usual…

Far from the halcyon days of the huge classic rallies of the 1980’s, but not a million miles from Cowra and Mudgee the original sites for this rally, a smallish entry enjoyed good weather, terrific motorcycling roads and great company as has always been the case. Over the years in an effort to freshen up the rally, different rally directors have tried a number of sites and dates, this has alienated some rally goers, old age and time has also taken its toll. Now we are past Covid, Oberon is the site and October is a good fit for the date so as to not encounter the extreme weather that can affect Oberon. With a crowded classic rally calendar in October, there is competition for riders and the entries could…

In the OBA 112 editorial, I omitted to include the new 2.7km Townsville circuit at the Drive-it Calcium precinct off Manton Quarry Road. The track itself (shown right) has yet to be licenced by Motorcycling Australia, but the Road Racing Association of Townsville is confident this will happen very soon. 17 years in the making, the not-for-profit facility has been funded by the Federal and Queensland State governments, with the 234 ha site provided by the Townsville City Council. Over the years, many individuals and groups have laboured long and hard to see the idea become a reality, battling obstacles such as severe wet weather which delayed work for some time. The first phase of the circuit (including a drag strip and skid pan) was completed in 2023, with two circuit…

Though he admits to being a handful at school, young Greg Kentwell felt his penance was a trifle unwarranted when the family relocated from the city’s inner west out to Prospect Hill; then a lone mound of paspalum midway between Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Greg’s pushbike became indispensable and in no time at all he discovered the sights, sounds and smells of Parramatta’s Cumberland Speedway. Henceforth he would be found anytime outside – and often during – school hours hanging out in the pits. Emulating heroes such as Gordon Guasco and Tony Mann, while performing with the ‘Skid Kids’ on the infield during the intermission between the motorcycles and the speedcars became Greg’s regular Saturday night gig. So it was in no way unusual that when the Dynamic Speedcar…

You know, young, lean, fit, strong and sporty in your early adulthood until, by following an eminently sensible path of self-improvement through the years, you hit your early 40s wiser, more sensible and very capable despite carrying some extra girth. You prefer a bit more comfort and are not quite as nimble as you once were. In 1993, when the last Le Mans was built, it seemed a lot like that middle-aged bloke but it was tasked with performing alongside the younger generation of sportsbikes. In that context it wasn’t very impressive but now, 30 years and more later, the Le Mans shines in a different light. It’s a motorcycle that has a lot of what we wish we still had today but will never get back. The Le Mans…

Born in Viborg, Denmark, Rob developed an early love of all things mechanical and especially motorcycles. As a wide-eyed youngster, living near a registration inspection station, he lusted after the queues of NSUs, Adlers, and BMWs, and occasionally the odd gleaming British single and twin. Rob dreamed of one day not only racing bikes, but becoming a champion. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funds whilst working as an apprentice plumber, along with two serious motorcycle accidents on road bikes, (a total of 146 days in hospital) Rob only commenced racing aged 23. The accidents were the catalyst for Rob to consider that perhaps racing might be safer than riding on the roads. The quiet achiever Courteous, modest and quiet, both on and off the race track, Rob never considered…

The 2024 Australia Day long weekend marked the 50th anniversary of our 24hr record attempt which took place at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne which we hired for the 2-day event. We were using an RD250 Yamaha and a TX500 Yamaha with 2 teams of riders, 4 for each bike. The bikes were completely standard road going models with no modifications except for changing to Dunlop tyres for better grip and endurance. The 250 riders were Paul Grayden, John Butler, Ralph Craig and Graeme Dewhurst, and on the 500 were Barry Smith, Col Murray, Terry Brown and Greg Foster. Once the official timekeepers were set up we were flagged off at 10am on Sunday January 27th 1974. The 250 ran faultless except for a low speed crash by Ralph Craig without…

The idea of riding our SR500s all the way from Townsville, Queensland to the 2023 Yamaha SR500 Rally in Bethanga on the Hume Weir in Victoria was first floated by Rick Carbis after riding to the annual SR500 Club Rally from Warwick in 2022. “Why don’t we ride all the way next year?” he asked. My silence should have been sufficient response. Then Andy Carmichael, who had an SR with a very worn engine said he’d like to do it if he didn’t have to camp. Getting soaked in 2022 and then riding home in the cold discouraged the camping option. I had intended to do my usual thing and carry the SR to Warwick and ride from there. Andy is the youngster of the group at sixty-four years of…

The SureFlight SuperBike Masters is a support category for three rounds of the ASBK, Sydney Motorsport Park, Phillip Island and The Bend. The category comprises Period 5 (Forgotten Era 1973-1982) and Period 6 (New Era 1983-1990). Within these are Period 5 F1 and Period 5 Unlimited whilst for Period 6 there is Formula 750 and Formula 1300. The field of competitors for the series totalled over 40 with riders hailing from Queensland, NSW, Victoria and WA. Not all riders competed in all rounds but there were healthy fields of 20+ at each location. Included amongst the competitors were the likes of two-time WSBK champion Troy Corser, ex MotoGP racer Gary McCoy and Isle of Man TT competitor, Davo Johnson. What makes this class interesting is the bikes that are competing.…

This event was exclusively for machines of less than 250cc and greater than 30 years old, with Rally Central at The Goulburn Workers Arena. Friday arrivals were treated to a delicious meal kindly provided by Julie Croker. On Saturday, around 60 bikes were readied for a 10am departure. They included Japanese, Spanish, Italian, British, Austrian, German, Czech and Austrian makes, ranging from a 1973 Yamaha 80cc ‘Zippy’ to a 4 cylinder 1989 FZR 250. After a rally briefing from Ray Croker and a 1 minute silence for Remembrance Day led by Mischelle Lees riders set off to Crookwell Showground where lunch was provided by the CWA. The route went from Goulburn South via Taralga through Laggan to Crookwell. Presentation of the ‘People’s Choice’ trophy was made by Ray Croker and…