Martyn Heffernan and Christopher Puddington from Victoria accepted the challenge of hosting the 2nd annual Australian Lambretta Jamboree and they located a venue at Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula, called the Ace High Ranch.
I flew into Melbourne the day before the Jamboree and was picked up by Martyn from the airport, and taken back to his place for the night where we stuffed Rally packs. The next morning was spent loading his truck to the gunwales with all manner of stuff before driving over to Chris’ place where Martyn dropped me off, having kindly lent me his Nammer LiS for the ride down. At Chris’ Steve Diffey, who had spent 12 hours riding down from Sydney the day before, was fettling with Adam White’s GP, as Chris rammed his van full of Gymkhana seesaws and other obstacles.
Then it was a short ride to Brighton to meet up with some of Scooterhead and a few others…. where Diffey did some fettling on Doug’s GP…. then it was a very scenic ride down the coast to Cape Schanck, and some of us only got marginally lost after taking directions from a local who’s dreadlocks, pupils and lack of footwear should have made us think twice!
The Ace High Ranch has since been described by Derek Myers as the Apex of rally sites, and it’s hard to disagree. It is very much a ‘dude’ ranch with trail rides etc. and those that weren’t camping were all billeted in wood cabins named ‘Wyatt Earp’ and ‘Annie Oakley’, you get the picture. It has to be said though that horses and Lambrettas have a mutual distrust of each other. The rodeo ground, where the gymkhana was held was surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of rolling hills.
I flew into Melbourne the day before the Jamboree and was picked up by Martyn from the airport, and taken back to his place for the night where we stuffed Rally packs. The next morning was spent loading his truck to the gunwales with all manner of stuff before driving over to Chris’ place where Martyn dropped me off, having kindly lent me his Nammer LiS for the ride down. At Chris’ Steve Diffey, who had spent 12 hours riding down from Sydney the day before, was fettling with Adam White’s GP, as Chris rammed his van full of Gymkhana seesaws and other obstacles.
Then it was a short ride to Brighton to meet up with some of Scooterhead and a few others…. where Diffey did some fettling on Doug’s GP…. then it was a very scenic ride down the coast to Cape Schanck, and some of us only got marginally lost after taking directions from a local who’s dreadlocks, pupils and lack of footwear should have made us think twice!
The Ace High Ranch has since been described by Derek Myers as the Apex of rally sites, and it’s hard to disagree. It is very much a ‘dude’ ranch with trail rides etc. and those that weren’t camping were all billeted in wood cabins named ‘Wyatt Earp’ and ‘Annie Oakley’, you get the picture. It has to be said though that horses and Lambrettas have a mutual distrust of each other. The rodeo ground, where the gymkhana was held was surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of rolling hills.
The rest of the day was taken up by a BBQ, some drinks, and catching up with old mates who were drifting in from all over the country.
The next morning Mark Carter was up bright and early on the tongs making everyone bacon and egg rolls, before most set off for a ride to Arthur’s Seat State Park. I say most as, the SA boys went off with their trailer and came back with a Heinkel in it, and a few stayed back to help Chris set up the Gymkhana.
It was my first gymkhana and the evil genius, Dr Puddington, behind this particular creation had me worried. Having gotten the OK from Martyn that the Nammer could take more abuse, I nervously committed myself knowing that I was representing WA.
The rest is history, slaloms, chicanes, seesaws, water jump complete with rubber goldfish, limbos, an old saddle, and the balance beam from hell. It was great to see people not only doing the course on rats etc., but quite a few happy to throw their shiny pride and joy around the course.
The next morning Mark Carter was up bright and early on the tongs making everyone bacon and egg rolls, before most set off for a ride to Arthur’s Seat State Park. I say most as, the SA boys went off with their trailer and came back with a Heinkel in it, and a few stayed back to help Chris set up the Gymkhana.
It was my first gymkhana and the evil genius, Dr Puddington, behind this particular creation had me worried. Having gotten the OK from Martyn that the Nammer could take more abuse, I nervously committed myself knowing that I was representing WA.
The rest is history, slaloms, chicanes, seesaws, water jump complete with rubber goldfish, limbos, an old saddle, and the balance beam from hell. It was great to see people not only doing the course on rats etc., but quite a few happy to throw their shiny pride and joy around the course.
People were happy to share their scoots and it quickly became apparent that, Derek and Sandy’s Luna’s were the machines to beat.
Sandy and Chris took things to another level, with Sandy dressed as Elvis, and Chris, his scoot honouring it’s Indian heritage, looking like a maniacal Indian prince.
The competition got fierce, with most having multiple runs around the course on different machines, but stewards eventually agreed that though Stef Urs Baumgartner got the faster time around the track, Puddington made a clear run with no penalties, and was the outright winner. Other highlights included Sean Heffernan’s ‘Most Spectacular Dismount’ on the balance beam. Those not participating just soaked up the sunshine, atmosphere, and drinks on the hillside.
The hills surrounding the rodeo ground were just aching for a hill climb and so after the gymkhana seven or so of us flogged scooters up the hill a few times before returning for a low key show and shine line-up.
The hills surrounding the rodeo ground were just aching for a hill climb and so after the gymkhana seven or so of us flogged scooters up the hill a few times before returning for a low key show and shine line-up.
Sandy and Derek also decided on a show of power by butting up the front tyres of their Lunas and digging holes with their back wheels.
The evening was taken up by awarding prizes and trophies, with a truly epic drunken speech by ‘Barra’ Inglis, and there was a well frequented stall selling LCOA merch. and handing out rally packs.
The next morning people started to drift off on their way home, except for Nevil Cope who decided to turn up…. It is hard to imagine how you could improve on the weekend, and rumour has it that Martyn and Chris are interested in having another go next year.
It was also great to see, and it should come as no surprise, the likes of Derek Myers (Scooterlabs Vic.), Mark Carter (Carter’s Classic Scooters SA), Steve Diffey (Lambretta Obsessions NSW) and Sandy Symeonides (SSScooter Engineering NSW) not only donating prizes, but very much participating in all aspects of the event.
Thanks to Martyn and Chris for such an amazing weekend and it was great to catch up with friends from all over and great to make some new ones. Roll on next year.
The evening was taken up by awarding prizes and trophies, with a truly epic drunken speech by ‘Barra’ Inglis, and there was a well frequented stall selling LCOA merch. and handing out rally packs.
The next morning people started to drift off on their way home, except for Nevil Cope who decided to turn up…. It is hard to imagine how you could improve on the weekend, and rumour has it that Martyn and Chris are interested in having another go next year.
It was also great to see, and it should come as no surprise, the likes of Derek Myers (Scooterlabs Vic.), Mark Carter (Carter’s Classic Scooters SA), Steve Diffey (Lambretta Obsessions NSW) and Sandy Symeonides (SSScooter Engineering NSW) not only donating prizes, but very much participating in all aspects of the event.
Thanks to Martyn and Chris for such an amazing weekend and it was great to catch up with friends from all over and great to make some new ones. Roll on next year.
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