TASMANIAN

MOTORCYCLE CLUB

SPOKESPOKENewsletter of the Tasmanian Motorcycle Club. January 2019.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

THERE were plenty of riders on hand to take advantage of the beautiful weather at our first ride day for the year and very few incidents.

A small group of Tasmanian riders have made the trip across the water to represent the state at the Phillip Island Classic.Scott and Malcolm Campbell will again campaign the Honda RC30s with which they have had so much success in Period 6 racing and will no doubt hope that the mechanical gremlins that surfaced in Scott’s bike last year, stay away.

THEY will be joined on the grid by Quentin Blazley who will again be riding Mark Holman’s Suzuki GSXR, but with an extra 9hp over last year’s motor. Quentin and Mark are hoping to improve on last year’s 5th place and be part of an all-Tasmanian podium in the Period 6 Formula 750 class.

GRANT Boxhall and his 350 TZ will line up on the Forgotten Era grid, while his hopes rest on the Rotax in the 250 class. Grant has also provided a 250TZ for U.K. mate Colin Sleigh.

AFTER deciding not to attend this year, Mick Damon did make the trip again, but only as a spectator and mechanic for his old RG500.

MURRAY Seabrook couldn't get the old CB72 Honda ready in time, but will again be racing the trusty Yamaha TD3 in every eligible race.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our next ride day, on Sunday, February 3.

Cary McMahon

Hon. President

LOOKING BACK: WITH KEN YOUNG

many wearing overcoats and/or hats. All had a “label” attached to their lapel indicating the group they were travelling with …. My, how times have changed.

IT got me thinking (something I tend to avoid now as it is too stressful) as to the subject for this column. Times have changed but I believe it is not fair to say whether for better or worse because this is just how things were and riders of the time knew no better. Back in Sam’s time riders lapped slower so when they got into trouble it was at a slower pace. BUT, they had only single-thickness leathers (maybe double elbow knees and shoulders, no plastic joint protection or back sliders) pudding basin helmet and goggles. I noticed in another photo from that story of the sidecars lined up ready to race all the passengers and some of the riders had “sooked out” and were wearing hankies over their noses to protect from stones thrown up from the track.

WERE these riders tougher? Well I do remember when I first started racing, an older rider crashed at Baskie and broke his collar bone. When the ambulance officer returned with a pair of scissors the rider asked what he was going to do. “Just cut your leathers off your shoulder." ……… “ Pigs ass you are, these leathers areexpensive.!”

SPEAKING of “Sooks” when Barry Lack (TZ 350) tangled with Ray McKendrick (XS650) at Baskie, Barry caught his thumb in the parting and it bent it so much that it dislocated it and then bent further and broke it (a first for Hobart A&E doctors). He accepted the INJECTION as back then there was no “green pencil” to suck on. Because he was out of his local area he would be required to pay for the ride to the Hobart Hospital. On a “high” the ambulance officers had to put up with Barry demanding all the way “I am paying for this, so I want full lights and sirens”. “It’s not an emergency so you can’t have it.”

IT is just the way it was back in the 1970’s, each flag point at Symmons neededan absolute minimum of 2 marshalls, but three was better. The flags we had were yellow for a crash, red cross waved to indicate we need an ambulance (we didn’t have radios and PHONES were only connected for the major car events) and green for all clear. No blue passing or red as the start line officials were the only ones allowed to stop a race. The phone was connected to a plug-in switchboard in the tower and was mainly used to call for more cement to cover oil spills and request a tow truck, after arace. Have you ever tried talking on a land line phone when racing vehicles were continually passing only a few metres away.

FLAG points were closer to the edge of the track because when a bike went down one or more of the flaggies were required to find a gap in the traffic and rush out to help pick up the bike and check that the rider was OK, all under the yellow flag.

AS can be seen in this photo from the 3 hour race when a rider like Tim Tubb broke his wrist, the ambulance officer was also expected to sprint across the track (under yellow) to attend.

OUR officials were thinkers and when we had a 2 or 3-hour race or ARRC meeting, we had to have two ambulances. So one was stationed on the outside of pit corner to act as a “Taxi” service to the LGH. Fortunately we never had to stop an endurance race. Most accidents were not life threating so like when I smashed my jaw at the MX meeting, after stabilising and loading, the officers would radio the depot and an ambulance would be sent to the car park next to the Perth bridge. The track ambulance would then leave, and I was transferred on the side of the road withthe track one returning. I still remembering the officer saying to his mates “ Guess who we have for you?” then explaining the injury and recommending a suction in the mouth to remove the blood. I would then arrive at the LGH main entrance (not a special A&E entrance) with all the visitors and be wheeled down another corridor to A&E. My father, who had drivenan auto Corrona for years had to pack up normal clothes (as I was still in my muddy leathers) and drive my manual Kingswood to the LGH to find out what was going to happen. Not good for him as I was supposed to looking after him as he was recoveringfrom a heart attack and my mother was in WA looking after my brother and two kids while his wife was in hospital having their third. Boy did that surprise her two weeks later, when she came home, to be greeted with instead of a smile but a mouth full of

THEY had loan bikes from the local distributors and had quality riders with redbibs with a big M on them (see above) acting as Travelling Marshals. These two were photographed just before the start of a Castrol 6-Hour. Notice they have open face helmets so they can use the two-way radio strapped to them while riding.The riders were so good that during one 6-Hour while on sporty BMWs they found that they couldn’t keep up, around the corners, with the touring models being raced. They were scraping the engine cases but the raced models were not.

THE Marshalls bikes had full lights and mirrors with the indicators cross wiredso the two back ones flashed continuously. They could be on the track at any time between OR during a race and had two-way radios to be able to request or even escort an ambulance to an accident. They rode well behind the ambulance to give added warning to the riders. When Steve Bayliss flipped the sidecar out of the loop

A practical example was when I was acting as an official photographer at Bathurst. I was inside at the cutting when Old Bike Australia editor Jim Scaysbrook clipped a big rock sticking out on the inside of the cutting with his left knee. He rode around the corner to the large flat area, well off the edge of the track, I was

standing in and stopped against the fence. He was shaking so much he could not even take of his gloves to remove his helmet so after I helped remove the helmet to see the spectacular shade of grey he had turned. I then flagged down a Travelling Marshall who assessed the situation and radioed for an ambulance and bike pick up as soon as the race ended in a few laps.

ON numerous occasions an ambulance was required sooner and would lap the track, like this one, cresting the mountain during the Arai endurance race (below) as riders circulat at "three-quarter" pace.

A Marshall would be a few hundred metres behind, warning riders. The other use would be this one (below) at the dipper with the ambulance stopped just behind the fallen rider to protect the rider and officers with the Marshall bike parked at anangle behind to protect the ambulance.

FLAGS would probably be shown from Skyline on, but riders had to obey them or risk crashing into something that was not there last lap. It was rare that a red flag was shown. Even Wally’s big McPhillamy Park crash didn’t bring out a red flag - it's just the way it was.

Ken Young

RIDE and RACE DAY PRICES – 2019

RIDE day fees for Symmons Plains have been set at $90, with Learner and P-plate riders paying just $45. Annual club membership remains $60 and one-day memberships are available for $15. The mandatory Motorcycling Australia minimum requirement for ride days is a recreational licence which costs $150 and is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Alternatively, a one-day recreational licence is available for $40.

ALL TMCC race entries will cost $120, with Superbike and Supersport classes costing a further $50. Other categories cost $25 for the first class entered and $20 per cross entry. A discounted practice fee of $70 is available at the ride day before the race to riders who book it with their race entry.

THE SRCT committee has decided to leave its costs unchanged for 2019.Accordingly, ride days will cost $70. Annual club membership costs $60 and one-day memberships are not available. A one-day recreational licence costs $40.

SRCT race fees will be $130 for main race class entered, with cross entry costing an additional $20 per class.

Racing and recreational licence fees are collected by the clubs on behalf of

Motorcycling Australia and all fees paid go to the national body.

Saturday 10:00AM - 04:00PMSunday 09:00AM - 03:00PM

Classes include:Veteran. Vintage, Classic, Early Modern, Modern, Best Paint, Modified, Custom,

British, Japanese, European, USA, Competition, Postie, Barn Find, Scooter,Ladies bike and Three Wheeler bike categories.

Show also includes Licensed Bar Facilities, Catering, Dealer Displays,Demo Ride and Merchandise.

Tickets are available on the day at the gate and cost:$10 for one day

$15 for both dayschildren 12 years and under are free

More information is available at www.nwmotorcycleshow.org.au, by email frominfo@nwmotorcycleshow.org.au or message the North West Motorcycle Show

Facebook Page.

Money raised helps to support the Ulverstone Rowing Club & the

Penguin Surf Life Saving Club

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR FOR DECEMBER RIDE DAY

IT'S quite common for motorcyclists to travel from the four corners of Tasmania to participate in TMCC ride days at Symmons Plains. It's also not unheard of for visiting mainlanders to do laps on the track we call "home," but the December ride day took on an international flavour when Symmons Plains played host to a Dutchman, a German and an Englishman.

Englishman Paul Summer and his riding partner Sarah Blackmore shipped their BMW F800GSs from the U.K. to Sydney and started a circumnavigation of Australia on June 15.

Their goal was to ride a lap, sticking mainly to the bitumen roads, to visit every state and territory and to have a good time.

We pic up Paul's story after riding anti-clockwise from Sydney to Melbourne.Their two experiences of Melbourne were:

1. Ride over the big bridge, get on ferry to Tassie.2. Get off ferry from Tassie into a massive thunderstorm and clear off.

"In between numbers 1 and 2 was a delightful two weeks in Tasmania," Paul said."I’m not just saying this, but Tassie was the nicest part of Australia for us."Beautiful scenery, lovely roads, nice campsites, good food and of course, a couple of sessions at your Track Day."Sarah wasn’t up for it but said that I should have a go."When will we be back", she asked."Good point. So I paid up, took my Panniers and Top Box off (spoil sports!! Haha) and out I went."I bought my bike new in 2009 and have been lucky enough to ride it in 45 different countries - by the time I met you guys it had done 102,000 miles (164,000 km)."A few laps of the track was what it needed - Symmons Plains was a nice track to rideas there weren’t many corners. I'm certainly not the quickest guy in the world but

turn 5 (I think) at about 175kmh with the bars moving slightly was a BUZZ. Something that I’ll remember for a long time."Obviously you get faster the more laps you do, but during my second session I just thought about my trusty old bike and the journey ahead, so I pulled in and took my wrist band off."Job done - (I wasn’t the quickest, but far from the slowest)."So I think that it’s still two happy people and two happy bikes."

Paul and Sarah.

(Just in case there's anyone from Wallasey reading this, above is what the track looks like).

Paul gets ready for the track Paul and Sara's bikes somewhere

on the north island.

TOBY Reist, of the Netherlands and his friend Benjamin Viel, of Germany also attended the December ride day, as member Roy Turner reports.

ROY and mate Dennis met a racer from Hobart who asked if they could help a motorcycling tourist who was stuck.

ROY picks up the story."WE didn't fix the front fork seals on Benjamin's bike in time for him to ride

on the day, but we did get his headlights working and ordered fork seals," he said."I roped Toby into a track day - he had the time of his life."THEY stayed for a week and cooked my family meals to show their gratitude

and then went on their way."WE all had a blast."

HAVE your say. Members' letters, opinions and comments will be published in the next available newsletter. Email items to

tmccmag@gmail.com

THIS is the forum for TMCC members to have their say. (If you have any items you think will be of interest to

members, please email them to tmccmag@gmail.com)

THE next meeting of the TMCC committee will be held in the first-floor meeting room at the Gunner's Arms, Lawrence Street, Launceston, on Thursday, February 7, at 7.30pm. All members are welcome, so come along and have your say.

2019 TMCC AGM

The TMCC's 2019 AGM has been scheduled for 7pm on

Thursday, March 7 at the Gunner's Arms, Lawrence St,

Launceston. There will be a complementary welcoming beer

and some nibbles from 6pm. Be there to catch up with fellow

members and to cast your vote for the committee you want

to run the club for the next 12 months.

January 2019 Ride Day: Report and pics, Ken Young

A brilliant day in great sunshine, with your bike at Symmons Plains! What more could you

ask for? There was plenty of time to ride but also time for this photographer to capture what goes on

back in the pits. Add to that the highly inaccurate captions to some of the photos and that makes up

this report on the day.

TEAM Spencer and the Abey brothers (GSX 750), arrived with new toys.

Wow, is that what a 1000cc Honda motor looks like? Hey Jason did you know you have to twist the throttle

real hard to make a big bike go fast?

Hey boss when can I ride it? Stop it you’re doing my head in! I won’t dob her in but boy, can this one eat.

IT was a good first time outing for Jason Spencer with the new Honda 1000 race bike.

The day also saw a pleasing number of ladies riding and it would appear they had a good time too.

TREVOR Renton’s daughters are now old

enough to start racing. That was proved during the lunch

break when I was talking to them and suggested the first

person to beat out there would be dad. That remark

scored an instant reaction of “That won’t take long!”

THERE were other riders to listen to apart from Dad. Wally helped with some useful hints

on cornering lines and then demonstrated by having a monster slide out of Shell corner. The girls

went looking for inspiration elsewhere.

Hey I ride nearly as fast as Wally…… Haa Haa.! Another of the new riders was James Knights

daughter on a 600 Ninja

SOME of the young grid girls like Marg Oliver and Karen Web had time to talk to the riders

before they went out.

HEY,CJ, should used oil should have a

“milkie” colour when you stir it?

THERE was plenty of time for modern communication, (as above) .....

... some of the “mature” riders preferred face ... and some struggled with conversation

altogether to face conversation ... altogether. "I’m going to ignore dad while he

is wearing socks and thongs."

Bugga! Now I'll have to help gather up the toys.

Hey dad can I go outside and play in the sand pit?

.

with inspiration for this story as this shot that was

not a set up. "I’ll just finish this burger and have a

short nap ……… oopps, too late zzzzz!

After some happy families snaps, like Mrs.

Wootton with her two “kiddies” (who both had a great

day's riding) .....

.... it was time to continue.

Can I go out again now boss?

A top day was had by most and great to see so many ladies enjoying time

on the track. In fact at the next ride day, the club is going to introduce a session

for ladies only. Go girls.

Ken Young

The next TMCC Ride Day will be held at Symmons Plains on Sunday,

February 3.