The 2011 Kenda rally was once again run in almost faultless conditions. For the second year in a row, the Kenda was once again a sell-out, with the 500 riders being reached the week before the event and late entries being turned away. My big tip for the 2012 Kenda rally- get in early- otherwise you will definitely miss out!
Just over 500 riders put their bikes through scrutineering and received their numbered headlight stickers. The Alexandra district MCCs hard line on noisy bikes is having an effect with only a handful of owners being pinged- a big improvement on past years. Once again this year, Rec rego bikes were allowed to ride two loops of Rubicon’s finest trails, allowing an eclectic group of bikes, from zingy rec registered 90s WR 200s to a fully farkled BMW 800.
Before the riders could fire up their bikes and start the event, It was time for the Rock oil run (formerly the Nolan dash), an eagerly awaited annual foot race in full bike gear to two waiting Rock oil pack worth over $300.00 each. There are no rules other than the first rider to the oil pack is the winner. This year event had a twist, with riders forced to run to a Rock oil banner, then double back to the start line, proving once and for all, that damp grass and Alpine star soles have the grip co efficiency of -.11%. The first corner was a frenzy of tripped riders and face plants, but the winners emerged from the melee’ with their booty. All of the entrants got themselves a free stubby holder for competing, so it was smiles all round at the finish line.
Plenty of carnage and plenty of laughs.
After the highlights of the Rock oil run, the riders made their way over to the start line as the first wave of rallyers took off from the start. With 10 riders to a minute, it took over an hour from the first group to the last group to be waved off. Speaking of riders, there were more than a few interstate riders this year, including a couple from Queensland.
Mild and cloudy conditions ensured that the dust was only encountered on the tops of the ridges. Early numbers on the first loop found that some of the scatey clay was treachorous high up on the Royston range. The trickier and more technical uphills were manned by ADMCCs legendary hill pushers, who ensured that there were no bottlenecks or delays to spoil the days riding. A couple of creek crossing were popular spots for budding photographers with the slick track washed by over 500 bikes becoming a skating rink. The first loop wound its way back to the start-finish after around 78ks of prime high country loam, giving the riders a break to refuel and rehydrate before setting off on loop two.
The second loop was a bit longer at 85k and a little more flowing, by this stage the sun had appeared after the mornings cloud, but the rain held off until later that night, making it the third year in succession that the Kenda rally had had perfect weather conditions.
The team from Holeshot images was out on the course getting action shots of all the entrants and there were plenty of riders checking out the proof sheets at the Holeshot images quickshade at the completion of the days loops. You can check out Holeshot images Kenda rally photo’s at holeshotimages.com.au. Plenty of action at the merchandising tent, with nearly all the stubby holders, t shirts and long sleeves selling out by the end of the day. The Toylok tent also had a steady stream of visitors, checking out the latest in Bike security.
After all the riders had picked up their licenses and grabbed their finishers stubby holder and meal tickets, it was off to the Crawfords catering unit for a gourmet feed and a drink, before the prize winners were drawn out of a barrel. There were heaps of Kenda tyres and tuff tubes, Trail bike Adventure Magazine Subscriptions, Rock oil packs. AFAM sprockets and EK Chain sets, Toylok security products, Eatmydirt.com.au T shirts and accommodation vouchers from Bluegums Riverside Holiday Park handed out.
In all, over $11000.00 worth of gear was handed out to the riders on the day. All of these great prizes were donated by Ron Angel Wholesale, who has been the major sponsor of the Nolan, Kenda and Sawmill rallies since their inception in 1985 along with K&J Thomas motorcycles in Whittlesea.
This year the biggest team award was a tie for the first time in 38 events with 19 riders each, so the Alexandra district MCC generously gave $500 cash to each team. Congratulations to the Hobbits and the Bushy eyebrows teams!Steven Jozwik and his young son, Jai were a pillion team that rode a retro XR 400 round both loops, the girls in the entries tent made sure they were both presented with limited edition Kenda rally t shirts for this outstanding effort.
The local Ambulance team were on hand to look after any injuries, but business was pretty quiet for them with only a broken wrist and some sore knees and shoulders plus the usual handful of bruises and contusions. The local SES and WICEN Communications provided their usual faultless service to keep track of every rider throughout the day, enabling the club to keep on top of any emergencies that may have arisen.
Keep an eye on admcc.com.au for details of the upcoming 2010 Sawmill rally in November.
For sure the second best Kenda rally. This one was better than last years and next years will be better again!
If you would like to ride the best one ever, make sure you’re signed up early for the 2012 edition!
To see all the images go to www.holeshotimages.com.au