The Ajay and Matcho muster

2014 Down Under Jampot Rally Report

24-26 October, 2014 – Barossa Valley, SA

Prayers for the organisers to provide suitable Classic motorcycle riding conditions for at least most of the weekend were generously answered for this annual gathering of AJS and Matchless Owners Club Members. Friday evening kicked off with the usual buzz around the BBQ area greeting new rally revellers and re-acquainting with past companions. Somewhere approaching 100 were amply catered for amid long and sociable chin wagging with most retiring to their cabins at around 9pm for an early Saturday morning launch. With the local forecast for once again temperatures approaching the early 30°c and warm riding conditions for the 95 Rally entrants consisting of AJS and Matchless machines of all models. Earliest example came from Michael Smyth who rode a borrowed 1924 AJS flat tanker from the midtwenties, to the much later 1967 Matchless G80CS of Rob Farnham and a pair of 1988 Over Head Cam Harris Matchlesses. Many other marques were welcomed with a scattering of Velocette, Triumph, BSA and Honda being represented. On returning to the Tourist Park HQ following a 150km journey throughout the upper reaches of the Barossa Valley wine region (with a necessary regrouping for the stragglers to catch up at the Barossa Valley Machinery Preservation Society Museum) for a scrumptious Baked Potato lunch. Following a photo opportunity from the picturesque Menglers Hill lookout, judging then took place on the local Nuriootpa soccer club pitch.

Additional to the line-up of Rally entered machines was an impressive display of invited Over Head Camshaft machines. These included some 17 early and mid-30s ‘R’ model AJ’s, a handsome assortment of International Nortons, a 1962 30M Manx, two 7Rs, a KRCSS 500cc Velo from 1928 vintage, another 350 KSS Velo, a 1937 Manxman Excelsior, and Lyndon Rogers’ recently completed restoration of his rare 1933 CB model 250 Levis. Of particular interest was to witness Rob Farnham pedalling frantically to eventually coax life and carbon- monoxide gas expulsion from the 125cc 1901 Wearwell-Stevens model Project machine. Class judging was completed by the impartial Guest Judges well before 4.30 giving ample time to freshen up before the commencement of the 6.30 Presentation Dinner Evening in the Tigers’ Sports Club dining room, a short stroll from the accommodation area. The event working committee was heard to be over-whelmed with the response from entrants covering all States and Territories, as well as representatives from the United Kingdom and New Zealand. As the evening progressed it was enlightening to have most dinner guests take part in the specially prepared picture quiz where the eventual winners had to be decided with a tie-breaking question after each answering correctly 33 of the 35 questions. Highlight of any evening generally comes with the Class Award Trophies being presented. Some 23 attractive awards were exhibited and offered with 3 Perpetual besides Replicas bestowed. Sunday morning began with a few light showers abating soon after sunup. Enthusiastic riders assembled for the 100km journey throughout the lower regional Barossa districts. With the return to Headquarters of these hardy devotees at around 12.30pm, the weekend terminated with a BBQ and fresh salad lunch before most loaded their machines for the long haul homeward, promising to catch up again sometime soon. For those that are interested a professional DVD of the entire event is to be made available. For information contact nipper@nipper.net.au