Old Bike Australasia

A ton-up Ariel entry

23rd National Australian Ariel Register “Panorama” Rally

- Report Christine Hillbrick-Boyd Photos Grant Paterson

This year’s AAR Rally was a long trek for some of our motorcycli­ng members, however, on the doorstep for others. Bathurst was a great venue having such a rich history in motorcycle racing. The Bathurst Rally Committee took full advantage of this history and the Friday ride incorporat­ed the former “Peel Circuit” and the famous Mt Panorama Circuit. On the Sunday ride members were treated to riding the 1914 Grand Prix Circuit near Yetholme approximat­ely 30km from Bathurst. On Monday a short ride to Chifley Dam was enjoyed stopping by the historic Abercrombi­e House before returning to the Rally headquarte­rs, the Big 4 Panorama Holiday Park. On Friday evening at a Mayoral welcome at the National Motor Racing Museum, AAR President John Hammond presented Rally Patron and AAR number one member, John Shanks, with a framed poster of his racing exploits on an Ariel back in the 1950s surrounded by racing motorcycle­s and cars. The poster, featuring John on his Ariel, had hung in John’s shed for many years and in past years deteriorat­ed. The Bathurst

1-4 April, 2016 – Bathurst, NSW

Rally Committee organised to have the poster restored and framed to present to John, and a number of smaller copies were made for participan­ts.

Of interest at the Presentati­on Dinner was a talk by Rally Director, Geoff Fry, who gave us a potted history of the 1914 Bathurst Grand Prix Circuit with photos dating back to 1914 and later races. Geoff spoke about both the 1914 Bathurst Grand Prix and the 1914 Goulburn Tourist Trophy races as the beginning of serious motorcycle racing in Australia. The Rally was attended by just over 100 entrants from most states including Tasmania and the ACT. This well run rally was organised by local AAR members Geoff Fry and Ted Reedy with help from their local Vintage and Veteran Division of the Panorama Motorcycle Club, the Bathurst Historic Car Club and East Bathurst Rotary. Major sponsors were Shannons Insurance, Greater Building Society and the Bathurst Regional Council. Next year’s Rally is based at Clare, SA. Contact details at www.australian­ariel-register.com.

 ??  ?? Heading for the hills. Futuristic and fast: Ariel Arrow twin.
Heading for the hills. Futuristic and fast: Ariel Arrow twin.

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