MCNAMARA Park is gearing up for its annual post-Christmas race meeting, with a Historic event set down for December 29 and 30.
Since 2002 historic bikes have the track to themselves with the running of the SA Historic Motorcycle Championships, run by the Historic Motor Cycle Racing Register of SA.
This year sees 150 bikes entered, with riders from as far away as Townsville.
The event is recognised around Australia as one of the best for historic bikes and the circuit one of the best and most suitable for such racing.
Over two days there will be 18 qualifying sessions followed by 40 races, with each group competing over four legs for the SA title.
There are also four feature races, with the longest running the Ken Blake Memorial.
Most years one of Blake’s mates, photographer Rob Lewis, comes up with something special for the winner of the prestigious race which is open to bikes from 1945-1972.
Minlaton racer Simon Cook has won it many times and has to be favourite, but it is never an easy task.
Limestone Coast rider Darren Trotter on the Atkinson 630 G50 Matchless will be sure to keep Cook honest.
The LC Cup is another and gets contested by more than 20 like bikes each year and this year is no exception.
The Bob Jolly Memorial for four stroke single cylinder bikes is always entertaining, with the roar of the machines off the start line worth the entry fee alone.
The field is filled with Manx Nortons, Matchless G50’s, Gold Star BSA’s, AJS 7R’s as well as many other marques.
Trotter is again a favourite with Greg Watkins, Les Toohey and Danny Ahern sure to fight for a podium position.
This year sees a feature race for Class ‘C’ bikes.
It was a major category in its day in USA and sees rigid-framed bikes with either 500cc overhead valve gear or up to 750cc side valves.
Most of the bikes are hand shift gear selection.
This is sure to be a crowd favourite, as well as a great time for the participants.
Overall there will be two full days of entertaining racing.
The venue is located off Carpenter Rocks Road, with a right turn onto McNamara Park Road.
Camping is available at the track and there are licensed facilities at the clubrooms as well as a canteen.
