Over 300 bikes to race at Historics

 Daryl Beattie, ambassador for this year’s Australian Historic Motorcycle Road Racing Championships, is pleased to announce that it will be one of the biggest motorcycle events ever held in South Australia.

"The four-day festival has attracted 180 riders competing on 325 motorcycles," he said.

"Every period of classic racing is covered from the 1920s to 1990. This huge event will appeal to anyone with a love of two wheels, with off-track displays to compliment the racing."

Mallala Motorsport Park is the venue for the annual titles, held from October 8-11 and hosted by the Historic Motor Cycle Racing Register of South Australia.

On the Saturday and Sunday spectators will get to witness more racing than anyone has seen on a weekend at Mallala. There are 51 events scheduled over the two days. It will be back-to-back racing with minimal breaks just so organisers can get through the full program.

Star entrants include David "Davo" Johnson, the fastest Aussie ever at the Isle of Man TT this year, and TT legend Cameron Donald.

Many champions crowned at last year’s championships at Lakeside, Queensland, will be defending their titles.

Among them is Honda rider Keith Campbell in Period 3 350cc. Period 3 500cc sees current champ Jack Wright (Manx) take on Campbell (Honda) and veteran Bob Rosenthal (Matchless G50) in a repeat of their Lakeside showdown.

Period 3 Sidecars sees champs Bruce and Graham Marston back on their booming Harley-Davidson while Lindsay Donai and Christine Menzies defend their Period 4 title on their Windle Honda.

Period 4 500cc sees youngster Tom Bramich riding the meeting’s most expensive motorcycle, Ron Angel’s exotic Paton parallel-twin GP racer. Period 4 Unlimited sees Corey Forde and Simon Cook renew their Lakeside duel on Hondas.

Period 5 Formula 750 has four TZ750 Yamahas entered while the biggest field is Period 5 Unlimited with 27 on the grid. Among them is defending champion Cameron Donald on a Harris-framed Suzuki.

Period 6 750 sees fellow TT star David Johnson on a 1989 Kawasaki ZXR.

West Australian Adam Senior will again be the busiest rider at the annual national titles. He is entered in six classes.

Tickets are: Adults $10 Friday and $30 for Saturday and Sunday with a three-day pass $50. Children are free to attend (accompanied by an adult).

"I can’t wait to get down there myself and be part of it all," says Daryl, who will be attending in between his television motorsport commentating commitments. "I’ll see you there."

Photos courtesy of: Russell Colvin