REPORTS
Presidents Report
2010 Harrow Vinduro Report
Well the AGM is done and dusted and the new committee is in place. The first general meeting was held with good input from the floor.
The following is a list of highlights that came from that meeting.
(1) A very pleasing highlight was the nomination of Lachie Turner as the first patron of the CSC. A true gentleman and this was graciously accepted. Also another highlight was the nomination of both Drew Armistead and Troy Moynihan onto the track committee and as they are both not long out of the junior ranks it was very pleasing to see their interest.
(2) As of the meeting at Gellibrand (Sept 19) all riders will need to have riding numbers on the back of their riding shirts. This to assist the lap scorers to identify riders so laps can be counted and points scored. For riders who use body armour, stick on numbers should be attached to the back. For riders who wear chest protectors, a soft rubber plate should be attached to the back and the numbers placed there. Riders can make a fabric riding bib with the numbers on there. Numbers should be easily read and not blend into the riding shirt - preferably black or white. The numbers could be a size of 150mm high x 100mm wide x 25mm thick (approximate).
(3) At Gellibrand there is to be another 10 lap race for non British bikes as these will be competing in the Norm Macdonald memorial all British race.
(4) The committee is also looking for interested members to undertake the MV accredited officials courses (i.e. scrutineers, clerk of course etc. Those interested should contact Mark Hills on 0418 146 857 or they can contact me on 0417 515 220 or email to petrell@optusnet.com.au and I will pass the details onto Mark. Also, we are looking for interested members to undertake the Level 2 St Johns' course. Again, contact Mark or myself. To have members trained up in these areas would be of a great assistance - especially on a race or practice days.
(5) The committee is following up the possibility of a number of venues. As more information is available members will be advised.
(6) This was not discussed at the general meeting but I feel it is very important to those riders who use the one day license. If you ride without Ambulance Cover and need an ambulance - the ride will be very expensive (many thousands of dollars in some cases). I would strongly recommend that you obtain this cover.
Over the next couple of weeks the committee will be sitting down and putting together a program to take the CSC forward for the next year and hopefully beyond. Once this is done all members will be advised for their input and action.
Finally I would like to thank both Peter Swan and Ray Atkins for their efforts over a very trying year and I most certainly hope that they are not lost to the CSC from now and into the future.
Peter Ellard
Club President
Back to top
Arriving at Harrow on Friday afternoon to a glorious day and following weather forecast to suit life was a bowl of cherries.
As always the CSC had the prime camping position in the camping ground.
The rest of Friday was spent marking out from the Parc Ferme then through some private property to the main road just to get the troops warmed up after the cold start on Sunday.
With all this work and walking certainly made the Pres decidedly dry, so it was off to the Harrow community centre (the pub) for a cold frosty ale and enlightened conversation (called gibberish).
Saturday some worked and others went off to the scramble track. The comments regarding the scramble track could be best described as grown men, crying, slobbering and others, making strange incantations. I think I even heard some wanting to adopt Lachie Turner as their long lost dad. Some interstaters described Harrow as the best natural terrain track in Australia.
Sunday bloody Sunday dawned bright and very cold and looking out over the Parc Ferme where the 60 plus bikes were parked over night. This certainly brought memories flooding back to me of kicking a European bike over and hoping that it would start in the one minute time limit. The memories soon faded and hysterical laughter took over with descriptive comments like suckers wankers etc etc.
At 9.30 the first bikes were flagged off 3 to the minute to attack the 36k course.
The first section was mainly bunted through trees, over logs, through holes an old dam, across the river onto Lachies, the special test and then onto the main course.
The main course was a variety of terrain from open paddocks, a couple of creek crossings where some turned into nearly bottomless bog holes, long sand sections which caused traction problems to the unwary, some rocky climbs and some off camber trails all went make the 36k loop.
The time for a loop was thought to be for the faster riders 1 hour 15 minutes to those completing just one loop all pretty laid back Medals were awarded on the basis of the completion of 4 loops 1 gold medal completion of 3 loops 9 silver were awarded and the completion 2 or 1 loop 40 bronze medals were awarded along with a host of sponsor give a ways raffle prizes etc
All in all the comments from riders was that it was a good course, the scramble track was great the effort put in by the CSC volunteers was first rate and, how long to the next Harrow vinduro?
I would like to thank Peter Drakeford for his efforts in marking the course and liaising with the towns folk; Rod Mac, Phil Sceney, Mark Hills, Lloyd Martin, Alex Muir and the bodies that Drakey roped in.
Talking with a number of the towns people after the event, they are looking to get more info re the scramble and the Vinduro into the local papers which is great. Their acceptance of the events in some ways takes a load off our shoulders in the organization the way they cater for riders and Lachie Turner, what can you say?
It’s a pity that some great days have a downside. Lachie's accident certainly took the shine off a great day. The current situation with Lachie is that he is now in Warrnambool Hospital and improving which is great to hear.
Peter Ellard
Photos from Saturday & Sunday
Back to top
