Orange Rally

• 13-14 February, 2021 – Orange NSW

In 2020, the always-popular Orange Rally was one of the last to be run before the pandemic hit, and twelve months later, one of the first to reemerge, albeit with strict conditions. And as if the Covid conditions weren’t enough of a task for the organising committee to cope with, Mother Nature threw a spanner in the works with a major downpour on the opening day. To comply with Covid, the rally was effectively split into three simultaneous runs on the Saturday, with the entry of just under 100 in three groups, each covering a loop of around 200km. This ensured that local cafes were able to cope with the smaller numbers, and the system worked well, although severely taxing the human resources of the club, with extra marshals needed for the three runs.

And then, there was the weather, which discouraged around 30 entrants from appearing on Saturday. Nevertheless, the locals cast a knowledgeable glance to the western sky and declared all would be clear by lunch time, and sure enough it was.

The rides covered routes that took in Molong, Cudal, Canowindra, Cargo and various smaller towns around Orange, and as things dried out, the enjoyment factor increased. It all goes to show that with common sense and careful planning, the Covid-safe conditions can be easily accommodated, and credit must go to the organisers, especially David Scott, Rick Kent, Mark Turnbull and Brian Corey, as well as the numerous corner marshals and helpers.

In total contrast, Sunday’s weather was literally perfect, sunny with a gentle breeze. After its drenching, the countryside looked brilliant as around 40 starters enjoyed a run of about 80km through quiet back roads on the southern eastern side of the city that took in Lucknow, Millthorpe, Spring Hill and Forest Reefs. Congratulations to the club members who showed that with a positive attitude and concentrated effort, rallies and pandemics can co-exist. 2022 marks a milestone with the running of the Orange Rally for the 40th time, and organisers are already hard at work to make it a memorable experience for all.

A very wet start to Saturday’s proceedings.

ABOVE CENTER Mrs Editor and Lynne Rosenthal on their matching GB Honda singles. ABOVE Rick Kent, Mark Turnbull and David Scott address the entrants with the rain pelting down outside. LEFT Rick Kent motoring smartly on his AJS.

John Steain on his much-travelled GT750 Suzuki. Ray Gosling on his BMW R90/6. Alex Harper on his 1000 Ducati. Frank Colzato on his 350 Douglas. Brian Nairne’s rare 1986 Suzuki NZ250. Made for just one year and sold only in Japan, NZ and Australia. ABOVE The editor on his TX750 Yamaha with the latest model Spagforth tractor in the background. RIGHT Kevin Hammond thumping through the countryside on his Ariel Red Hunter. Bob Rosenthal giving his Norton Dunstall Atlas the berries near Spring Hill. Jim Merrick on his Honda CBX1000.