Ian calls time in Cairns

If you attend classic race meetings in Australia you will probably have encountered Ian Hopkins – the man with the loudest laugh in the paddock. Melbourne-born and these days Cairns-based, Ian has a passion for all things motor-powered, which is understandable given his background. As well as designing and building some serious yachts, Ian worked with Phil Irving on design aspects of the Repco Brabham Formula One cars, and over the years has amassed an amazing collection of vehicles and memorabilia. These have been stored in a section of the former Peter’s Ice Cream factory that Ian owns in Cairns. Inside this building are all sorts of motorcycles with a competition history, racing cars, and literally tons of memorabilia, and now it is all for sale. “My family is not interested in these sorts of things” says Ian, “so I can’t expect them to look after it when I am not here to do it. I have come to the realisation that it is better for the collection to be broken up so that individual people can enjoy it and care for it in the future. I am going to keep a few of the bikes and I certainly intend to give those an airing from time to time, but the majority of it will be sold and hopefully find good homes”. Ian can be contacted at ian@motoaustralia.com.au or on 0418 770568. You’ll find more details of the Moto Australia collection elsewhere in this issue.