WITH some doubt still lingering around the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the return to sport, the Australian Historic Road Racing Championship has been rescheduled for 2020 at McNamara Park.
The championships have been brought forward by a week – to November 12-15 – due to a clash with the Australian Superbike round at The Bend Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend.
The decision was made jointly between Motorcycling Australia (MA) and the Mount Gambier Motorcycle Club in what is a tight calendar of racing.
It is still unclear of what effects the coronavirus may have on the meeting, with interstate riders and crowds up in the air, but club president Alex Trnovsky said plans were going ahead as if everyone will be able to attend.
“The date may have changed, but the committee’s excitement and commitment to ensuring the event’s success is as resolute as ever,” he said.
“All we can do is hope it will be normal, so we are just planning as if it will all go ahead.
“We have to be optimistic about it and we are doing everything we can to make sure it will go ahead and we will be as prepared as we can be.”
Trnovsky said he hoped to make the weekend more than just about the on-track action, more a celebration of historic racing.
That would include static bike displays and trades, with plenty of interest off the track.
At this stage the meeting is expected to attract around 300 competitors from around the country, with plenty of spectators, going on the last time the championships were held at McNamara Park.
“Last time they held it here in 2006 they had over 1000 spectators every day,” Trnovsky said.
“A lot of people would come down and spend a week here.
“We are having a ride day the weekend before so they will probably come down for that to have a practice and get used to the track, then stay in the region and have a bit of a holiday.
“We have interest from a large contingent from Western Australia who want to send their bikes over in a container.
“They would stay here for at least a week to make it worthwhile so it will be good for tourism here as well.”
Trnovsky said there was not one particular class which stood out from the rest, with all proving popular to their specific demographic.
“I think all the classes are equally as significant,” he said.
“The younger people like the late Period 6, about 30 years old.
“But some of the older guys like the older bikes.
“There will be something for everyone that is for sure.”
