The Club welcomes new member Geoff Barton riding a BMW R1100GS. Geoff has been on four out of five Club rides and has signed up for the Adelaide trip. Three of those rides have been in the wet so he is pretty keen, particularly as he is a dairy farmer from Loch with demands on his time. His address is Soldiers Road Loch 3945.

The MTCV Home Page has taken another 142 hits last month and 3231 since April 1996. Darren Hosking has updated the Club member email address list. Thanks Darren.

Seen at the March Social Sip: Ian Payne, Tim Walker, Ben Warden, Dianne Welsford, June Baker, Glen, Jon Riddett and Zara, Darren Hosking, Darren Morecomb, Criag Morley, Ron and Julie Johnston, and Tim Casemore.

Ray Walker had an oil leak from the side cover on his GSXR750. Only problem was the previous owner had welded up the cover! Ray has also fitted a CBR600 ducktail to the bike.

Tim Casemore has traded his Suzuki TL1000 for a Triumph Speed Triple T509. It seems the TLs have some problems with the fuel injection surging.

Patrick Davey from Ballarat has a new ZX6. It monos a lot easier than his Suzuki Across 250.

John Willis is now the proud owner of a new Triumph Thunderbird replacing his crash damaged TL1000. Sam Sirianni acquired it as a project bike and I believe it is back on the road.

On the recent Port Campbell ride large capacity bikes were in abundance: Ron (GSXR1340), James (GSXR1210), Rick (GSXR1170), Wayne (ZX9R), Ian (RF900) Ben (ZXR750) and Dave (RGV250).

Wayne Grant on his ZX9 was lucky to escape injury, and the bike serious damage, when he was struck while stationary at a set of lights by a 4WD. The bull-bar hit the right handlebar, which bent and cracked the triple clamp. Fortunately Wayne was not injured and the bike suffered no other damage.

Commiserations to Bronwyn Manifold: her mother passed away in February.

On March the 17^th Ray Toulson passed away. A service was held on Monday 22^nd. Ray had been a member of the Club for several years, mostly riding a Kawasaki ZX9. He had always been a bit of a "speed freak" and recently up-graded to a new Yamaha R1. Even in his younger days the need for speed was such that he fitted a turbocharger to his car. Hence the nickname "Turbo Toulson". Ray was well liked and will be sorely missed by his friends at the Touring Club. Ray, a builder by trade, was 42 years young, and leaves wife Irene and daughters Rachel and Michelle. On behalf of the members, the Committee organised flowers and a card. The Club members extend their sympathy and best wishes to Ray’s family and friends.

Our Treasurer, Darryn Webster, has tendered his resignation. We thank Darryn for his input at committee meetings and for keeping the books balanced.

Ex members Adam and Simon Locke are now working at the family restaurant and berry farm near Anglesea. They are still into bikes with Adam riding an R1100GS and Simon a Yamaha TRX850. Simon is also establishing a business making carbon fibre components.

Theo Kalkandis put a new rear Dunlop D207 rear on his Yamaha R1 and only rode 200 km before it needed changing! No he wasn’t riding that hard; it seems a sharp tramline sliced through the tyre. Theo will be back in hospital in early May for a shoulder re-construction that will see him unable to ride for about 3 months. Good luck Theo.

World Superbikes. A house has been booked in Cowes for the Fri 16^th, Sat. 17^th and Sun. 18^th of April. Some vacancies are still available. For details contact either Enzo or Ian Payne.

Lyn Duncan was recently up at Eildon water-skiing and jet-skiing. While helping transport the jet-ski home it came loose and jumped off the trailer while travelling through Fraser National Park. It bounced down into a gully and required 3 ski ropes (60 metres) to reach and haul it back up. Surprisingly, little damage was incurred.

Andi Sirninger had a close call out Christmas Hills way when cresting a hill to find a car doing a U-turn! Only the combination of her skill and the R1’s handling and brakes enabled her to avoid the vehicle. The driver, realising what he had done, came over to apologise for his stupidity.

Tom Saville was lucky not to have been seriously injured on the Black Spur recently when his right knee slider came in contact with an oncoming 4WD’s bull-bar. The impact was enough to set off a chain of events that eventually put him and the bike down. Fortunately Tom escaped with only bruising.

Transurban City Link tollways will be free to motorcycles as a suitable waterproof transponder has not been developed yet. It may take a couple of years.

Winton Ride Day on Sunday 11^th of April for $95. For details contact Wayne. Phone 0412129142.

For Sale: Honda CBR600, 1997, 18,000 km, registered till May, has RWC, Two Brothers’ pipe and carby kit. $9,700 ono. Dunlop 207’s front and rear. Ring Lou on 9576-8490

Ben Warden , Editor (in collaboration with Ian Payne)