2018 Australian Lambretta Jamboree, Ace Hi Ranch, Cape Schanck, Victoria
Thursday morning, 10:30am. The Jet 200 formerly known as Princess (nice looking, fun to ride, and high maintenance) started third kick. With the engine recently returned to it’s original barrel, “Stage 3” fettled by the legendary Ian Frankland, and matched to a sensible 22mm Jetex and BGM V3 Clubman, this weekend would be a test of the new low-tech set-up (cheap, cheerful, and hopefully reliable and fun – who but Nick Townsend needs more than 11hp anyway?). First stop was the servo! “Is she a bit thirsty mate?”, from the bloke on the next pump, seeing me fill the spare can on the back. “Er, no – I’m riding to Melbourne”. He clearly thinks I’m mad. He may have a point, but nowhere near as mad as the Diffster, who left Sydney around 8pm on Wednesday and made it to Gundaroo sometime between 1 and 2am on Thursday.
Off to Ramhead’s, and the Jet is running really sweet. A brief stop and we’re on our way, to Albury to meet up with other non-Mexicans for a quiet Thursday night, and shortish run to Cape Schanck the next day. The ride down was uneventful, the Jet continued to run sweet, hitting 115 plus on the GPS (YES! bye, bye Princess, hello rally hack). We make it to Albury about 4pm, to be greeted by a half-naked Sean Heffers.
Thursday morning, 10:30am. The Jet 200 formerly known as Princess (nice looking, fun to ride, and high maintenance) started third kick. With the engine recently returned to it’s original barrel, “Stage 3” fettled by the legendary Ian Frankland, and matched to a sensible 22mm Jetex and BGM V3 Clubman, this weekend would be a test of the new low-tech set-up (cheap, cheerful, and hopefully reliable and fun – who but Nick Townsend needs more than 11hp anyway?). First stop was the servo! “Is she a bit thirsty mate?”, from the bloke on the next pump, seeing me fill the spare can on the back. “Er, no – I’m riding to Melbourne”. He clearly thinks I’m mad. He may have a point, but nowhere near as mad as the Diffster, who left Sydney around 8pm on Wednesday and made it to Gundaroo sometime between 1 and 2am on Thursday.
Off to Ramhead’s, and the Jet is running really sweet. A brief stop and we’re on our way, to Albury to meet up with other non-Mexicans for a quiet Thursday night, and shortish run to Cape Schanck the next day. The ride down was uneventful, the Jet continued to run sweet, hitting 115 plus on the GPS (YES! bye, bye Princess, hello rally hack). We make it to Albury about 4pm, to be greeted by a half-naked Sean Heffers.
Well it was a tad warm, but his beer was cold and welcome. The evening was spent having just one more in the pub next to the motel, while waiting for others to arrive. It’s all a bit vague, but I’m sure we had fun before Trish and Barney brought up the rear, arriving just in time for food and beers. Quiet night mission achieved 😉.
The next day’s early departure turned into a late breakfast and discussions about the best route. All the sensible people decided to head down the Hume straight to Cape Schanck, while Barney and I opted for a run through the high-country to blow the cobwebs away. Needless to say, this probably wouldn’t have happened without Nicky and Trish following in the utes to pick up causalities. Once again, the scoots ran superbly, and, thanks to GPS directions linked to Bluetooth helmet speakers a (mostly) detour free run was done over the next couple of hours to Whitfield, roadworks and a confusing one-way sign being the only hitch. After a coffee stop/second breakfast and refuel from cans, we hit the Whitfield - Mansfield road.
The next day’s early departure turned into a late breakfast and discussions about the best route. All the sensible people decided to head down the Hume straight to Cape Schanck, while Barney and I opted for a run through the high-country to blow the cobwebs away. Needless to say, this probably wouldn’t have happened without Nicky and Trish following in the utes to pick up causalities. Once again, the scoots ran superbly, and, thanks to GPS directions linked to Bluetooth helmet speakers a (mostly) detour free run was done over the next couple of hours to Whitfield, roadworks and a confusing one-way sign being the only hitch. After a coffee stop/second breakfast and refuel from cans, we hit the Whitfield - Mansfield road.
What an amazing stretch of tarmac! Ruined only by Harley riders heading the other way to their own rally. Yep, avoid the head-on zone because some wannabe on a piece of American pudding will be there. What a road though, well worth the extra time. After lunch in Mansfield and looking at how far we still had to go, the rising temperatures, and the ever-increasing long weekend traffic, a decision was made to load the scoots on the utes. It was pretty much stand-still traffic from there to the ranch, so no regrets.
After stocking up on essential supplies (beer and wine) we arrive on site, say our hellos, and get the tent up.
After stocking up on essential supplies (beer and wine) we arrive on site, say our hellos, and get the tent up.
Then it’s time for beer and chat until the BBQ is ready, ably cooked by Lou Lapi. This was followed by more drinking, chatting and general shenanigans, until who knows when. Woke up in the tent, so I guess all was good.
After a shower and run into town for fuel and breakfast, it was time for the first event of the weekend. A ride-out along the peninsula and up to Arthur’s Seat. A short but great run. I haven’t been to Arthur’s Seat since we lived in Melbourne 18 years ago, so had forgotten how great the views were. Ice creams, snacks, corners to fang around, and splendid views. What more could you want?
After a shower and run into town for fuel and breakfast, it was time for the first event of the weekend. A ride-out along the peninsula and up to Arthur’s Seat. A short but great run. I haven’t been to Arthur’s Seat since we lived in Melbourne 18 years ago, so had forgotten how great the views were. Ice creams, snacks, corners to fang around, and splendid views. What more could you want?
On the way back, some of us stopped to regroup in Charlie’s Auto Museum. A nice shady spot for ice-creams, but even the group discount couldn’t persuade us inside to see the “15-20” motorcycles.
Back on site, and it’s Gymkhana time, where once again Chris Merrifield excelled in setting up a challenging course. No further words necessary. Well, maybe a few. The “neutral” rat chop was interesting to ride, complete with sole (soul?) melting exhaust and half-time bodging, still it did sterling work until the clutch died. Once again it was highly competitive, but this time the ability to chuck darts was the big deciding factor! Many got airborne over the hurdles and it looked like being the highlight of the weekend.
Next all the scoots are lined up for the show and shine. Some lovely scoots, although Nicky feels that Brant should have won Best Series One. Now, you’d think we’d be organised and would keep a list of who won what, but some beer had been consumed by then, and we’d spent the afternoon in the sun. Luckily Veronica Parker had videoed the whole thing, so I’ve worked out the winners while sitting in my easy chair. I’d also forgotten about the visit from the fuzz until watching her video:
If I’ve missed any sponsors, let me know and I’ll add them!
- Best Series 3 (sponsored by SS Scooter Engineering) – Darren Harding
- Best Series 2 (sponsored by Scooterlabs) – Steve Diffey
- Best Series 1 (sponsored by Brisbane Lambretta Club) – Nicky Hussey
- Best Shaft-driven (sponsored by LCoA) – Trong y Nguyen
- Best Unrestored (sponsored by Lambretta Obsessions) – Sam Freeman
- Best Rat (sponsored by Carter’s Classic Scooters) – James Dickenson
- Best Custom (sponsored by Scoot Er) – Steve West
- Best of Show (sponsored by LCoA) – Chris von Scooterhead
- Gymkhana (sponsored by Lambretta Obsessions) – Michael Thornton
- Slow Ride – Michael Thornton
- Hill Climb – Nick Townsend
- Furthest Ridden – Rode from Sydney for the second year running – Steve Diffey (epic effort!)
If I’ve missed any sponsors, let me know and I’ll add them!
Pizza and a special general meeting were next. Thanks Catherine Inglis for collecting the pizza and saving us all from a hungry, even drunker night. With the official business quickly dispatched, a night of drunken mayhem may have followed. What happens at Jambo, stays at Jambo.
The next morning, and, after returning borrowed wine glasses to Il Dep and helping them finish some sausage butties, it’s time for the slow-ride and hill-climb, which, rather sensibly, were postponed from the previous day, likely competitors having a touch of sunstroke. The slow ride was ably won by Michael Thornton, who is setting himself up as the man to beat for skill-riding events. Hopefully he’ll make it up to Canberra to defend his crowns.
So, when I said the Gymkhana looked like being the highlight of the weekend, well I personally think it was beaten by the hill-climb, which can only be described as mental!
A hill. No safety gear. No limits. Hangovers. Two scooters. Sudden death knockout!
Names were drawn from the hat for the first round, and I’m up against Nick Towsend. Lost. Bum.
Round two. There are now an odd number of competitors, and I’m the fastest loser, so back in! Me v Trong, who stalls on the start line. I’m through!
So, when I said the Gymkhana looked like being the highlight of the weekend, well I personally think it was beaten by the hill-climb, which can only be described as mental!
A hill. No safety gear. No limits. Hangovers. Two scooters. Sudden death knockout!
Names were drawn from the hat for the first round, and I’m up against Nick Towsend. Lost. Bum.
Round two. There are now an odd number of competitors, and I’m the fastest loser, so back in! Me v Trong, who stalls on the start line. I’m through!
Semis. I’ve got no chance. I’m against Chris Merrifield, who’s been flying up the course. Somehow, I cross the line first?! Little did I know the drama behind me. How he stayed on I’ll never know. Who cares. I’m in the final!
Final. Me v Nick Townsend again, and this time I beat him off the line and am leading, until I fluff the gearchange and jump straight to third. Shi-ite. Well, his 12hp would probably have beaten my 11 anyway. Well down Nick. A great event.
This ends the formal events for the weekend. Some are staying another night, but we decide to get some return Ks under our belt, although not until after a fantastic Italian lunch with Trish and Barney. We finally get away about 2pm and make it to Glenrowan for the night. That lunch comes into its own as the pub has closed and the cafes shut hours ago. Biscuits for tea it is then.
Once again, a superb weekend. Massive thanks to Martyn Heffernan and Chris Merrifield for organising, and all those who came along, took part, and made this once again the greatest small rally in the country. Next year it’ll be returning to Canberra. I’m going to have my work cut out to maintain the standard of what has become a legend of an event in the three short years it’s been running.
The three videos and many of the photos used in this post were taken by ©Brant Cumming. Thanks Brant for adding a professional touch to our usual amateur efforts.
Once again, a superb weekend. Massive thanks to Martyn Heffernan and Chris Merrifield for organising, and all those who came along, took part, and made this once again the greatest small rally in the country. Next year it’ll be returning to Canberra. I’m going to have my work cut out to maintain the standard of what has become a legend of an event in the three short years it’s been running.
The three videos and many of the photos used in this post were taken by ©Brant Cumming. Thanks Brant for adding a professional touch to our usual amateur efforts.