Maicoletta memories
happen this year which means MA was not aware and had no way of knowing who was planning to take part in this specific event.
In Australia for an event of this type, the Race Secretary would have identified the lack of start permissions earlier but it appears that the system in NZ is slightly different than here – NZ have far fewer riders to worry about so it is understandable that they provide more of a personal service. Start Permissions can be arranged quickly and all MA needs is the relevant information via phone call or email. To apply for a start permission, you will need to send an email to eventsadmin@ma.org.au with the following information: • Your name as it appears on your MA or FIM licence • Your date of birth • Your MA or FIM licence number • The name of the event/s you are competing in • The location of the event/s you are competing in • The dates of the event/s you are competing in • The IMN of the event/s you are competing in. A start permission can be issued for entire championships, so it is important that you provide all information at the same time if you are planning to do an entire or selected rounds of a championship or series.
In summary, the fact that it was not identified that the riders did not have start permissions prior to the International Motorcycle Classic event was somewhat of a system failure with a level of responsibility on both sides. However, the onus of responsibility is ultimately on the rider to ensure the appropriate licence, insurances, permissions are in place for the individual to take part in any given event. Bron Sorensen High Performance & Events Manager Motorcycling Australia The photo of Brendan van de Zand’s Maicoletta scooter ( OBA 55 Dargo High Plains Rally report), stirred my geriatric brain. I had two of these around 1962, both fitted with sidecars. The wife’s one was fitted with a Morris 1100 rear tyre. I made the (sidecar) chassis with trailing arm suspension and the body from an ex-WW2 fuel drop tank on rubber block mounts. It carried daughter and her large dog in reasonable comfort. We competed in the Clubman’s Rally to Cessnock and return (crew was wife and daughter, then aged 14), many trips to Bathurst, and it never failed to start and arrive. The main downside was the width of the footboards for solo cornering. In terms of performance, it outran my low-geared Jawa scrambler on the long straight into Bathurst. My 70-odd years of motorcycling, much of it on three wheels, continues on per Postie bike, though not on the road. And yep, it has a side-box. Ron Shoemark Lower Belford, NSW