May Who’s News 2003

The MTCV Home Page has taken 363 hits during May and 16,200 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.

The Kilcunda ride on the 4^th of May proved disastrous for three riders who crashed. Non-member Quan Nguyen, riding a yellow TL1000, crashed on the Korumburra – Warragul Road breaking his collar bone. It was to be his last ride, the bike being sold and the money to be used as a deposit on a house. He found his way via ambulance to Warragul Base Hospital and was released later that night. Immediately behind him was new member (signed up only an hour earlier), Dave Deas, riding an immaculate R1. Trying to avoid Quan going one way and his bike another, he crashed as well, his bike a technical writeoff, but he walked away unscathed. Mario Ibeas was next one along and managed to avoid the carnage. He organised his mate Peter (Silver R1) to bring Mario’s ute to collect the bikes, both unridable.

In the interim, they all headed for the hospital. Once Peter arrived with the ute, they went back and collected the bikes. Mario, leaving not long after the loaded ute, but ahead of Will Tran and Will Surtida, failed to negotiate a bend three kilometers later, and crashed, writing off his recently repaired R1, and breaking his collar bone. He ended up in the same hospital, also released around 11 pm. Mario expects to be paid out soon by the insurance company. We wish all the riders a speedy and full recovery. Thanks to all the riders who assisted at the scene(s).

A week later on the Trawool Ride Andrew Symes came to grief on the Strath Creek to Broadford road, at the bottom of the steep uphill section. Andrew walked away and, with some less than subtle fairing subframe modifications, was able to limp his bike back home, Stewart Lens keeping him company.

On Saturday 24^th, Darryn Webster was out riding with Dave Ward and Clint Vertigan on his brand new, 750 km old, GSXR1000, having sold his TLR1000. (See add for bits following.) Heading for the Reefton, he crashed not far out of East Waburton on a left hand corner, the right hand side a steep rock cutting if you are familiar with the area. The bike crashed heavily onto Darryn after bouncing off the wall. Darryn also hit the wall. The bike was a write-off but Darryn apparently only sustained severe bruising until he collapsed that evening from internal bleeding in his leg and spent a night in hospital. We wish him a speedy and full recovery.

“After four years the TLR has departed the garage leaving me with some parts to dispose of. Can you please place an ad for the following parts in the Club Mag. Ohlins rear shock, after-market pillion grab/ tie down rail, Bagster tank cover, BMC air filter. If interested please contact Darryn Webster via email at [email protected] or phone 0408 402 588.”

See the inside cover for your new Committee. Much the same as last year except that Wayne Grant has retired from the Treasurer’s and Public Officer positions (now Liz Oliver). Bruce Saville has returned to the Committee as Vice President and Kate Stewart has joined the Committee in the Vice Captain roll. Ian Payne was elected unopposed to President, Ben Warden remains Editor and Secretary, Ron Johnston Assistant Secretary, Kirsten Anderson Social Secretary and Pete Weyermayr Club Captain. If you have a suggestion for a Club activity, or how to improve the Club, please contact any of the Committee who value your constructive input.

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, and 1 point per magazine article (maximum 2 per magazine). It runs till the May AGM. We are already one month into the 2004 points, but given poor weather resulting in low attendances, few points have been accumulated: Ben Warden (9), Paul Southwell (5) and Rob Langer (4) are the only standouts.

May Who’s News 2003 cont.

Seen at the May Annual General Meeting: Peter Philferan, Dianne Welsford, Ian Handforth, Pete Weyermayr, Ben Warden, Ron Johnston, Ian Payne, Orlando Iluffi, Liz Oliver, Tim Walker, Kate Stewart, Bruce Saville, Rob Langer, Mario Ibeas, Will Surtida, Andrew Symes, Kirsten Anderson, Martin Hastie and visitors Harry and Rob Matricianni. 20 people

 A tear-off membership renewal form is contained in the magazine (last page). Please fill out and return with your annual subscription of $40. The Club is a not-for-profit organization run by dedicated volunteers. Your subscriptions are used to pay for things like the printing of itinerary cards, photocopying and postage of the magazine, and thrice yearly hall hire. Due to judicious cost saving measures, subscriptions will not rise this year. Without your membership fees, the Club cannot survive, and at less than three tanks of petrol, membership is a bargain. Make cheques payable to the MSTCV and post to PO Box 4132 Melbourne University, Parkville VIC 3052.

Ron Johnston’s Bandit problems aren’t getting any better – you’ll remember he crashed it on the great Ocean Road coming back from Portland ripping out the oil pressure switch from the cases. Since then he has had the cases welded up. While the motor and gearbox were out he took the time to investigate why third and fourth gears were whining so much: the hardening has worn off some of the teeth. See his mammoth article for more details. Suffice to say that a new bike is on the cards, possibly a Honda CB900.

Walwa Resort, Melbourne Cup Weekend Saturday 1^st to Tuesday 4^th

Those on the Melbourne Cup weekend away last year will know just how good a location the Walwa Resort is. I will book three double storey modern cottages sleeping between 4 and 6 people (6, if couples) comfortably. The cottages are fully equipped – all you need to bring is yourself. The cost is $115 per cottage per night (3 nights) per couple, then $10 a head. It works out at around $40 per head per night. The cottages are very widely spaced, offer spectacular views across the Murray River flood plains and far off mountains. The resort is part of a Dutch owned winery. Kangaroos and bird life abound. There are two swimming pools, canoe hire, bush walks, games room, on-site restaurant This venue is suitable for our other halves – lazy days by the pool or river, bushwalking, sight seeing, etc.

The plan is to ride up on Saturday leaving Yarck at 9.30 am. Alternatively, trailering your bike up is another option. Ride around the hills Sunday, Monday - some of the best riding country in Australia, if not the world - then head home Tuesday. Otherwise, spend a day enjoying the facilities at the Resort. Lots of good options. Deposit of $50 payable to Ben as soon as possible to confirm a bed. Preference will be given to members.

Reluctant sale: Alpine Star road boots, size 44, model S-MX Gortex, 100% waterproof, top of the line, hard bits everywhere, warn 5 times, near new, retail $499, sell $350. Reason for sale: too small! See Ben.

Joke: One day a man, who had been stranded on a desert island for over ten years, sees an unusual speck on the horizon.  "It's certainly not a ship," he thinks to himself.  As the speck gets closer and closer, he begins to rule out the possibilities of a small boat, then even a raft. Suddenly, emerging from the surf comes a drop dead gorgeous blonde woman wearing a wet suit and scuba gear. She approaches the stunned guy and says to him, "Tell me, how long has it been since you've had a cigarette?" "Ten years," replies the stunned man.  With that, she reaches over and unzips a waterproof pocket on her left sleeve and pulls out a pack of fresh cigarettes. He takes one, lights it, takes a long drag and says," Man, oh Man! Is that good!" "And how long has it been since you've had a sip of bourbon?" she asks him.  Trembling, the castaway replies, "Ten years." She reaches over, unzips her right sleeve, pulls out a flask and hands it to him.  He opens the flask, takes a long swig and says, "Wow, that's absolutely fantastic!" At this point she starts slowly unzipping the long zipper that runs down the front of her wet suit, looks at the man seductively and asks, "And how long  has it been since you've played around?" With tears in his eyes, the guy  falls to his knees and sobs, "Oh, sweet Jesus!  Don't tell me you've got golf clubs in there too?!"

May 2003 All Moto news (from the web)

* (June 1) German superbikes: Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila 999 F03) set the best lap of the ‘wet’ Superpole session, but only after a last gasp scare. Sitting in pole position with only minutes remaining, Hodgson was a spectator in pitlane when Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati 998RS) snatched pole after a magnificent last attempt at putting himself in prime position for the start of Sunday’s two Superbike races. In the World Supersport Championship class Ten Kate Honda rider Karl Muggeridge held onto pole position for Sunday’s race, thanks to his 1:30.250 lap time from Friday.

* (May 29) Isle of Man TT lap record holder David Jeffries was killed in a practice crash last Thursday. He was widely regarded as the king of the circuit, taking over from Joey Dunlop who died at a European track a couple of years ago. UK MCN reports, "Jefferies, 30, was riding a TAS Suzuki GSX-R1000 when he crashed at Crosby. Triumph rider Moodie was injured when he crashed into the wreckage. There is no news on what caused Jefferies’ crash at the moment – but it is believed that another bike dumped oil on the road shortly before the incident."

* (May 27) Suzuki says you can now get your paws on the SV1000S streetbike (pictured) for $15,990, while the upgraded version of the GSX-R1000 is available for $18,690

* (May 26) From MA: Australian Warwick "Wokka" Nowland has finished third in round two of the Endurance World Championship at Assen (Netherlands) on May 25. The reigning world champion, paired with Belgian Stephane Mertens on the Chinese-entered Zonghsen 1 Suzuki GSX-R1000, finished 22.231sec behind their 'teammates' - Igor Jerman  and Bruno Bonhuil on the number two Zongshen machine. The Suzuki GB Phase One team of James Ellison and Jason Pridmore was second - a mere 1.9sec in arrears of Jerman/Bonhuil in one of the most thrilling world endurance finishes in years.