Southern hospitality

33rd Southern Classic

8-9 November, 2014 – Broadford Victoria

This year was the 33rd running of the Southern Classic by the HMRAV, making this the longest-continuously-run classic racing event in Australia. The weekend saw some close racing and the appearance of Robbie Phillis racing at the meeting boosted crowd numbers and added to the already electric racing atmosphere. The Saturday weather was extremely hot with the weather causing a few bikes and possibly some riders to expire with the heat. Sunday’s weather was much better which ensured close racing all day in all classes. The committee of the HMRAV worked extra hard to make the event a big one, in memory of club member sidecar racer and builder Ray Kelly, with parade laps at lunchtime in his honour. Even Ray’s elderly wife Dot went on the parade lap as a passenger in Robert Todd’s sidecar which had been built by Ray in the 1950s. Classes run and won included Pre War up to Forgotten Era as well as the spectacular sidecar races and the featured solo and sidecar handicaps, which all went down to the line. Spectators and competitors all agreed it was a great meeting with lots of close dicing in all the classes. Tight racing, lots of eye candy in the pits, great bike displays, a top band on Saturday night and a relaxed atmosphere are features of this iconic meeting.