Rode my 1997 K1200RS, recently acquired from Herman in Mandurah.
I left a day earlier than planned to avoid 40+ temperatures and managed to stay ahead of hot weather all the way over. Only had to put up with high 20's - low 30's for all the time I was away, except for arriving back in Perth yesterday. But very very windy everywhere I went.
I caught up with Mike and Isabelle Henderson in Talbot in Victoria. Mike also rode down to the race meeting. He took the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento across Port Philip Bay but didn't see a thing, bikes aren't secured/tied down and he had to stay with his bike below deck all the way.
Anyway, the "I s l a n d C l a s s i c" was good. Some seriously fast bikes and riders.
Spent lots of time looking at visitors bikes in the bike parks and bikes/ race bikes in the pits/paddock.
Got sunburned on Saturday and wind chilled on Sunday.
Met up with various people before and during the event.
So here's a few photos -
Friend Pat's Laverda.
Friend Anthony's Laverda 1200 Mirage.
There were many Vincent's, racing and otherwise.
Rapide in a Ducati frame.
Comet single in an Egli frame. Built by Patrick Godet in France. Raced in 500 Classic class.
It's big brother.
Restored speedway sidecar. Raced these days at historic speedway events.
It was LOUD! Dennis Skinner was a very well known speedway sidecar racer, with his passenger Bob Curnow.
Series C Rapide, just like the one I used to have!!
This one was very neat.
fast and loud!
Series A, raced in pre War class by Tony Hynes from here in WA. Bike is owned by Ian Boyd, who lives north of Perth, who is reputed to have the biggest collection of Vincent's in the world. May or may not be true, but he has lots of them. All from the profits of cray fishing.
I liked this Yamaha. From the US.
More Kiwi ingenuity.
McIntosh framed bikes were very successful in NZ and Aus racing in the 80's.
there were 2 of these. I can remember Mick Cole racing one of these at Calder on a wet sunday, sideways onto the main straight.
Bimota's are just classy.
some stuff had no class...
Nice 900 Kwaka.
Remember these?
Token BMW picture. None racing. Mike's mate Graham Hehir (ex BMWMCCWA) chose not to race as entry fees are getting very expensive. Plenty ridden to the event though.
Lots of other stuff to be seen, racing was a mixed bag, some good dicing in the International Challenge races.
pete
