July 30 - 31, 2011
This year we have an international flavour to the event as our fame has spread to Italy!
We welcome Ugo Cocchis and Maurizio Gerni who will be riding an SWM 250 1980 and a super rare Puch 250 GS 1983 imported by Ugo and Greg Gunn and prepared by Nick Macrokanis of Macro Race Products http://www.macroraceproducts.com.au/ sponsor of the stunning main prize in 2010.
To add to the International flavour a team from Wales: Steve Baker, his mate ‘Boyo’ and ‘Taffy Hammond’ will be fronting; all genuine born in the UK emigrants. We’re going to have to break out the national flags and give them a big Aussie welcome.
We also welcome the well travelled Team Penrite Oils from Canberra (leader Mark Boddy), Team Maico NSW (leader Chris Cater) and Team FBI from SA (leader Mark Gardner). Team Husky Vic (leaders Rog & Juz) will be there too as well as the Reservoir Dogs and last year’s winners of the stunning Barossa Photographics Team Trophies from Tony Tervoert http://www.barossaphotocompany.com.au/ the BusBoyz.
All these guys put in a lot of effort to get here and it certainly adds to the flavour of the event. I know there will be other teams entering now so get three mates together and see how you go.
Timetable
The trip from Melbourne GPO will take 4.5 hours, and about the same from Adelaide.
It’s advisable to get to Harrow in the daylight on Saturday to see the town facilities and the Parc Ferme and practice track location.
All riders must report to the Parc Ferme at the Johhny Mullagh Reserve to collect their ID numbered oval sticker and be scrutineered for headlight, taillight etc.
Saturday 30th July:
- 9am-5pm: Check in at the Parc Ferme;
- 12pm-4pm: Practice at Mr L Turner’s property. Use the CSC natural terrain track (same as 2010) or the new sand track just below it in the bend in the river.
- 5pm: Impound your bike in the Parc Ferme. Numbered wooden boards provided will support your bike on the soft grass. Side/centre stand essential.
- 6pm: Meal at the Hermitage Hotel, Harrow. 7pm; Presentation of International Riders and local Teams.
Sunday 31st July:
- 8.30am: Riders Briefing.
- 9. 00am: First rider starts.
- 3.00pm: Rider presentation at the Parc Ferme.
Bike details
While this is just a recreational event, we do need to uphold some standards. We are glorifying old enduro bikes and while motocross bikes were used in their day they were converted to full rego to use in the bush. Do NOT just slap on a modern headlight; we need them to have a period lights and good mufflers too. No red tape for a taillight Des!
We need an actual taillight Russel! Get with the spirit. While we won’t be meticulously scrutineering the bikes we will be keeping an eye out for unsafe items or late models. ‘Red Plate’ Club Permit registered bikes will enable you to ride to the practice track but not Rec or unrego’ed bikes. There will be no special course or extra loops for these bikes. Last year some unreg guys still rode out there; don’t do it. The local police are aware of what’s going on and we don’t need the extra scrutiny.
The course
It is about 35 kms long winding around the Glenelg River. This year the course is divided into 5 sections in a rough ‘cloverleaf’ with the main control (apart from the Start/Parc Ferme/refuel) at the blue metal river crossing in Mr L Turners Property.
As of last weekend (June 11 – 12), the water is only calf deep up your leg. No problem!
Section 1: Parc Ferme, brief bush bash, camping ground river crossing, through Mr B McClure’s property, through to the main control on the south side of the river. Distance 5 kms.
Section 2: Continue on the south side of the river, open paddocks, river sand, return to main control.
Distance 8 kms.
Section 3: Cross the river, loop on the northern side towards Harrow, return to main control. Distance 8 kms.
Section 4: Stay on the northern side of the river, loop towards the 2009 start area and return to the main control. Distance 8 kms.
Section 5: Cross the river, return to the Parc Ferme through Turner, Cawland and McClure properties. Distance 5 kms.
Note: Riders can do shorter loops; eg: Section 1, 2 & 5 (you won’t have to cross the river at the main control), Section 1, 3 & 5 etc. However, Bronze medals will be awarded to those completing one go at Sections 1-5, silver to those completing 2 or 3 loops of Sections 1-5 and Gold to those completing 4 or more loops of Sections 1-5.
Last year Steve Walker was the only Gold Medal awarded for his admirable 4 laps of the course; even after helping out Rachelle. On this years form so far Graham Hunter will be a possibility and we have 2 Vic entrants who completed the SA 24 Hour Trial just recently so there could be more gold awarded. If any more South Aussie hardmen hear of this we could be in for a goldrush. The challenge is on and spectators at the Parc Ferme/refuel area will be able to keep tabs on progress. Here’s a tip for those going for gold: enter early as they will get the front starting numbers as I open the envelopes.
A recovery vehicle will be main control for breakdown pickups.
Red dots (straight ahead) and red arrows on white card will mark the track as well as Ballards bunting. A new innovation will be DANGER signs this year by special request (sorry about last year Juz).
Timing
You will be issued with a time card which will be marked at the start & finish of every section, and a route check zip tied to your bike (2 bikes entered=2 route check cards). Your time for the special test will be marked on it too. No record will be kept of your times, just your aggregate laps.
Starting
You will have one minute to start your bike from cold when you are called from the Parc Ferme (overnight compound) three riders per minute. If your bike will not start you will have to push it onto the grass area past the clock to work on it. Other bikes. Riders with more than one bike must have numbers on all of them, but must put the bike they will ride on the first lap into the Parc Ferme by 4 pm Saturday. You may change bikes at will after your first lap. Your time card must stay with you not on the bike. Make sure it is kept in a waterproof place.
This year helmet numbers will be issued too. This is just a numerical record for us.
Awards
Oldest bike and rider combined, Most Original Bike, Quietest Bike, Furthest Distance Travelled, Rarest Euro Bike, Rarest Jap Bike, Best Pre 1975, Best Pre 1980, Best Pre 1985, Best MX to Enduro Conversion, Most laps done, Most Team laps done …and the Top Team Trophies from Tony Tervoert’s Barossa Photography.
Support those who support us
Paul Dunne at WFO: http://www.wfo.com.au/
Stacker Motorcycles, Beatrice St. Heidelberg 03 9459 9535
Ballards Off Road, Batt St, Penrith NSW. http://www.ballards.cc/
Food and accomodation
A two course meal for $17 will be put on at the Hermitage Hotel 03 55881209 especially for us on the Saturday night. It’s soup/main or main/desert; with a choice on the night of Chicken Pie, Steak Dianne, Roast Pork and Lasagne with vegies or chips and salad. Room bookings to Andrea Lay.
Sunday breakfast and lunch will be available at the Parc Ferme from the Balmoral Lions.
Camping. Only at the Camping Reserve. Ring Sam at the Harrow Café for bookings. $12 a powered site (8 of), $8 unlimited unpowered sites per night. Collect your receipts from Sam or Darren at the Café before setting up.
Harrow Café 03 5588 1205 will be open longer on Friday to Monday (7:30 till late) and serving seafood, traditional meals, snacks, sandwiches, breakfasts and lunches. (note: Roger and Christan; they still haven’t updated their latte glasses!)
A big thank you to
- The West Wimmera Shire council for providing the toilets.
- John Cartland, Bruce Caulfield and all the members of the Harrow District Progress Association.
- The Johnny Mullagh Reserve Committee.
- Bush Nursing, Harrow
- The Balmoral/Coleraine Lions Club.
- Andrea from the Hermitage Hotel.
- And especially the generous Lauchie Turner, Peter Cawland & Barry McClure, landowners.
- The Harrow Police. While Murray is a tolerant man he will be patrolling the roads to stop any high-jinx so Red Plate Rego, bring your filled out log book. Rec Reg, stay off the roads.
At the Hermitage Hotel after the Saturday night meal, there will be a presentation and interview session for our international guests and the various teams entered. Be there for a bit of hilarity; guaranteed.
All enquiries
Peter Drakeford
