March 2003 Who’s News

 

The MTCV Home Page has taken 308 hits during March and 15,563 since April 1996. We continue to generate new members via the web. Our ads in the bike magazines are also doing well. Check out the Visitor’s Page to keep track of the latest information and gossip.

 

Welcome to new members Craig Davison riding a GSXR600 who joined on his third ride, the Licola Ride. Shortly afterwards he confirmed his commitment by making a double contribution to the Secret Policeman’s Ball.  On the same ride Paul Southwell, riding a CBR954, also signed up. He has been on quite a few rides. And during the week I received a renewal from Damian Czarnecki now riding a CBR929. Welcome to all three riders. May their riding time with the MSTCV be safe and fun.

 

Seen at the March Social Sip: Ron and Julie Johnston, Ian Payne, Ben and Julie Warden, Pete Weyermayr, Bruce Saville, Derek Atkinson, Liz Oliver, Martin Hastie, Phil Richards, Wayne and Joanne Nimmo, Tim Walker, Dave Ward, Darryl Otzen, Kate Stewart and Peter Pondeljak, Andrew Symes, Paul Southwell, Cliff and Barb Peters, and visitors Marty Wain and Evette Anderson, Veronica and Rex Oliver, Jason Peters, Melanie Poussard with kids Ashley and Casey, Rob Matricianni, Mandy Flower and baby Adam.  Thirty two people made the effort, numbers not seen since the heady days of 1998!

 

Email from Mark Easterbrook a few weeks ago: Ben, I was riding down the Tullamarine Freeway when a car drove up the back of my bike. I'm OK but the Ducati is a write off I think. So it doesn't look like I'll get to anymore club runs before I leave. All the best Mark

 

The Points System. The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra point for leading or being rear rider, 1 point per magazine article (maximum 2 per magazine). It runs till the May AGM. After tallying last months points, the leaders are: Ben Warden 109 (Blade), Ron Johnston 74 (Bandit 1200), Rob Langer 71.5 (BM1150GS), Pete Weyermayr 69 (Blade), Liz Oliver 66 (Blade), Ian Payne 52 (Blade), Geoff Jones 42 (R1), Mark Easterbrook 36 (Ducati 750SS), Dianne Welsford 33 (CBR600), Tim Walker 27 (ZXR750) and Greg Hales 27 (TL1000).  Rob and Ron swapped places (again), Tim slipped into contention, and the rest maintained their relative positions.

 

Tasmania:  A huge trip (see write-ups elsewhere) with a few incidents: 13 people, 11 bikes for a week tempts fate. In a nutshell, Renzo Cunico wrote off his R1 on the Strathgordon Road. He sustained a broken leg and 3 broken ribs and was airlifted to Hobart, operated on, and flown home. He is in good spirits and recuperating fast, already off the pain killers, doing sit-ups and press ups. In the same vein, Dave Moore’s father, Richard Moore, crashed his ZX9 on the same road on the same day, and also sustained a broken leg. He was transported via ambulance to Calvery Hospital, operated on and flew back to Melbourne, then Brisbane. His bike will be repaired in Hobart and then freighted back to Brisbane. He also is in fine spirits. We wish the pair of them a speedy and full recovery and look forward to seeing them back out riding. Just the one speeding fine for the week.

 

Portland Trip via the Great Ocean Road, ANZAC Weekend, Friday 25th April to Sunday 27th April. Ron Johnston has booked hotel accommodation. See him with your $50 deposit; places are limited.  He reports that there will be a BBQ on Friday and Saturday nights, weather permitting.  On Saturday he plans to visit Mt Gambier.   Think about booking annual leave as it falls just after Easter.

 

The May Club general meeting is our AGM and election of office bearers. Committee positions are open to all financial members of the Club. 

 

The members only Club Film Night featuring a video of members Les Leahy and Mick Barnes and a couple of friends outback adventure was a great success. What a marvelous film record to celebrate The Year of the Outback. Thanks to Les for allowing us to show the film and thanks to Rob and Kirsten for the use of their home, and providing a BBQ and salads for the 21 people who attended. A great night was had by all.