Best of Birmingham
10th BSA National Rally
3-6 October, 2014 – Goulburn Sth Caravan Pk, NSW
This, the 10th BSA National Rally, rotated back to NSW where it expanded to a 3-day format over the October long weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect, a major improvement on the winds which attacked organisers the day before the start as we attempted to put up three large Coleman tents. The Rally attracted riders and families from South Australia, Victoria and Queensland as well as a large local contingent. Several attendees rode from their home states with Owen Carpeter on his M20 from South Australia edging out Harry Worthington who decided to ride from Tasmania. A total of 103 riders registered, along with pillions, sidecar jockeys, spouses, children and dogs! There were the usual hiccups with accommodation but everyone seemed content with their lodgings, which was a relief as Goulburn was also hosting a Cobra club rally and the Lilac Festival on the same weekend. Quite a few attendees brought several BSAs, with the largest model representations being the later post1960s big twins, both wet and dry frame, Golden Flashes and a glorious array of DB and DBD Gold Stars. Seven Rocket Threes turned up, as well as some beautifully restored pre-war machines including Kim Carothers’ 1936 J12 twin and Richard Corbet’s 1933 and 1934 Blue Star pair. Mike Reilly brought down from Queensland his light blue 1953 Super Flash, quite a rare beast in Australia. The two major runs, on Saturday to Tarago and Bungendore and Sunday a round trip to Crookwell, were enjoyed by all as many had never seen how good the roads and scenery are for riding around Goulburn. The city’s Rotary Club provided breakfasts at the campsite and a great dinner was held at the Goulburn Workers Club on Saturday, where the concours prizes were awarded. It was a great weekend rally and the NSW BSA Club is already planning the next to be held in the state in 2017, brought forward a year so that Victoria can combine their National with the International BSA Rally to be held there in 2018.