Mount Gambier’s McNamara Park roared to life on the weekend, filled with historic bikes racing around the circuit.

The Historic Motor Cycle Racing Register of SA has been running the New Year’s Eve event for over 40 years, including the last 20 years at Mac Park.

Club president Danny Ahern was full of praise for the event, held at what he said many considered “the best venue in the country”.

“On a personal note, I kept thinking of Jackson Browne’s classic tune ‘Stay’ with that line… ‘first to come, last to leave!’,” Ahern said.

“That definitely gave a good description of my involvement both on the organising front as well as being a competitor too.”

Ahern said excitement built up from last Wednesday, with riders, teams and families arriving, setting up their pits and camps.

“The social aspect is a big part of the sport, so catching up with friends, acquaintances and fellow competitors starts as soon as individuals start rolling into the wonderful complex Mac Park is,” he said.

“The complex is a credit to the Mount Gambier MCC as well as to the City of Mount Gambier.

The curator of the grounds and general handyman ‘Shorty’ has to get a mention, the grounds just looked sensational and was commented on by one and all.”

Ahern said competitors travelled from across the country to compete.

“It was commented that whilst often the NSW contingent often struggle to travel through their adjoining suburbs, we did have a number come this year to see if in fact is the All Historic Event as good as what they keep hearing … the proof was in the pudding and they will be back, dragging more friends and racers along next year,” he said.

“We also convinced a team to come down from Darwin, they could not believe the camaraderie, the ‘can do’ philosophy of the promoting club et al.

“Needless to say they were not disappointed and put on a good show with their beautifully prepared Kawasaki 900.”

Ahern said organisers were excited to have 109 riders enter 165 solo motorcycles to compete over the weekend.

“Friday saw two out of three of the riders using their time to practice and fine tune their bikes,” he said.

“Friday was a fairly casual approach, no real pressure, just getting sorted ready for the real thing come Saturday.

“Friday evening saw a welcome function with a simple sausage sizzle with many taking the opportunity to catch up with other competitors in a social environment.

“Saturday was soon upon us.

“The schedule for the weekend had 18 qualifying sessions in place followed by 40 races a full program, giving spectators and riders alike great bang for their buck.”

Local rider Levi Day was back in town for the first time in a few years after being based in the UK and racing in the BSB series.

“There was great expectations with him racing a Harris Kawasaki 1200 as well as a TZ 250,” Ahern said.

“Early session on the Harris saw him horribly close to matching the newly set track record for the Period 5 Unlimited bikes, which was set at the National Championships in March.

“The good form did not come to fruition with a bad brake failure in the later qualifier, which saw Levi needing some serious medical attention putting him out of contention for the weekend’s racing.

“A huge disappointment to both Levi and all those that wanted to witness him show his craft.”

Ahern said racing commenced in earnest after the qualifying and featured outstanding racing, with many racers achieving personal bests, including a few track records.

“The pre-war bikes, some Handshifters some not, put on a dazzling display which the spectators truly enjoyed,” he said.

“There were many separate battles going on throughout the field.

“The mix of bikes reads like a who’s who of bike manufacturers of years gone by.

“Sunday came around and we were to experience a lot warmer day with it getting into the low 30s and as such staying hydrated and reasonably cool was high on the agenda.

All the spectators’ motorbikes parked up in the spectator area was a wonderful sight indeed.

“It never disappoints what comes out when the racing is on at Mac Park.”

Ahern said Sunday featured four championship legs as well as a few feature races which were extremely keenly contested.

“The first of these was the Handshifter Feature race Harley versus Indian in effect,” he said.

“Ross Bolding was to win that ahead of Murray Johnson, both Harley mounted and ahead of Brian March on his Indian.

“The next feature race was the Bob Jolly Memorial in recognition of both a founding member of the HMCRRSA as well as an ‘A’ grade rider who in his day rode overseas including at the Isle of Man , considered by many as a mecca for racing.

“Bob ran an engineering business of which a big part of his work was manufacturing Norton Manx motors and brakes that went all around the world for many years.

“The race was won by Keith Campbell on a Manx Norton, second place went to Les Toohey on a BSA Gold Star, followed by Geoff Maddaford on his immaculate AJS 7R.

“Bob would be proud.

“The big feature race for all capacities in Period 3, 4 and 5 is the Ken Blake Memorial and has been run since the early eighties.

“Ken unfortunately lost his life at the Isle of Man.

“He grew up in Strathalbyn and in recent years a magnificent statue has been put up in his memory in his home town.

“The event had a great field with a good cross section of machinery.

“Lachlan Hill on his TZ 350 was the victor in front of Keith Campbell on his Suzuki GSX1100 with Andy Pitman gaining third place on his TZ350.”

Ahern said consensus across the board was it was “one heck of an event, as it normally”.

“It is one of the very best all historic motorbike events in the country, run at what many rightfully consider the best venue in the country,” he said.

The 2023 State titles will be held on December 30 and 31.