Hells Angels’ poker run a success despite several arrests made

A large group of Hells Angels taking part in the annual poker run in Nelson were largely well behaved, police say.

The sight and sound of motorcycles in convoy was hard to miss in the Nelson region as the annual one-day Sun City Poker Run took more than 100 riders, along a circuit based around State Highway 6 on Saturday.

Nelson Bays area commander Inspector Mat Arnold-Kelly said extra staff were brought in to increase police presence during the ride.

He said no major incidents had occurred although a number of infringement notices were issued and several arrests made ‘‘incidental to the event’’.

A number of traffic complaints were also received from members of the public.

Beginning at Belgrove Tavern, the poker run was advertised for British, European and American motorcycles only, with an entry ‘‘donation’’ of $20 and a first prize of $500 for the best poker hand from the cards collected at the various stops.

As with other years, the event raised money for MediMax Ambulance, a Richmond-based private company that provides first-aid services to sports events around the region.

The event is organised by Nelson Prospects 81, a feeder club to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. In 2018, it coincided with the 70th anniversary since the latter’s founding in California.

Accompanying the rider convoy on the day, Medimax owner and former Tasman mayoral candidate Maxwell Clark said he was grateful for the financial support from the ride, which would go towards the purchase of equipment for the sixstrong fleet of ambulances.

‘‘We appreciate people’s willingness to give us a little to buy some gear to support these community events.’’

St John Ambulance had been the main recipients of the event until 2010 when it decided not to disassociate itself from the ride.