Laverda Concours
Laverda Concours 2016
While the ‘Make a Wish Foundation” is the major beneficiary of the Concours I’m sure that this year’s “Captain Concours” made an urgent wish of his own – “No rain please”! Rain was forecast and if this were to eventuate, postponement would be required to prevent costly damage to the grounds. Friday night was the deadline and thankfully no rain had fallen so the call was made to go ahead. Sunday saw wet roads and dark clouds but thankfully no precipita- tion. The 28th running of the annual Laverda Concours went ahead brilliantly and although the bike numbers on show may have been hindered by the uncertainty of the weather, the crowds were still sizable. The Make A Wish Foundation introduced one of their young recipients, Carter, who told us his story. Their website reported that Carter was diagnosed with lifethreatening cancer from the age of six. He had a major operation and several bouts of chemotherapy which made him eligible under the Make a Wish programme. Carter has a love for dinosaurs. He excitedly told us how the Foundation arranged for him to participate with palaeontologists on several dig sites around Richmond, Hughenden and Winton to search for fossilised remains. Make a Wish also set about raising extra money at the Concours selling food, and they ran a raffle for a painting of the slouch hat on a skull based on the logo from the 70’s movie ‘Stone”. Club Laverda members ensured they all rode and lined up their Laverdas at the administration area. The dyno shootout was again popular and the music of the Dave Ritter band complimented the sounds of motorcycle engines in full song between each dyno run. A healthy representation of business stalls and motorcycle club displays formed an enclosure around the rows of bikes entered for judging. In total 32 businesses contributed to the 58 odd class trophies and prizes of which 57 were handed out on the day. Penrite was again the major sponsor while Morgan & Wacker, Team Moto, Bayside Yamaha and Euro Twins sponsored the major prize of ‘Bike of the Show” which includes $2000 cash. The exhibits were again of an exceptionally high standard and the judges had their work cut out in trying to pick the winners. Steve Craven drove up from NSW, bought a nice selection of bikes and was suitably rewarded for his efforts. Steve’s 1976 Ducati GTL500 Parallel Twin was recently on the cover of OBA No. 59 and it took 3rd prize in the “Continental under 750cc Category”. His recently restored, very rare and noteworthy 1973 MV Agusta 750GT took first place in “Continental over 750cc” It also took the “Judges Special Merit Award.” This year the bike of the show was won by Anthony Anderson for his highly modified 1973 Kawasaki 1100 Street Special. The bike was immaculate but he also went to the trouble of displaying it surrounded by a clear Perspex enclosure. Congratulations to Club Laverda, winners, sponsors and the weather Gods for another fantastic event.