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Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championship – Clare Comes Alive For One Last Points Dash

Filed Under: News, Reliability, State Championship

As the Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championship reaches its thrilling conclusion, Clare will come alive this Saturday, September 28th, as Clare MCC proudly presents the Beryl Pearce Trial. Don’t miss your last chance to see all your favourite reliability trial riders put it all on the line for one last Championship dash!

Entry List:

With 28 of your favourite sidecar teams and 73 hard-charging solo riders preparing to line up for the final round, tensions are at an all-time high as the competition heats up. Daniel Plowman and Bradley Brook will kick off the sidecars as the first out from Main Control, closely followed by Championship contenders Michael Kerin and Joshua Schutz, who will leave at 9:07 AM in their chase for final points to close the gap. You can bet that Shaun Blenkiron and Nathan Saegenschnitter will be there for all the fun as they stay in contention for the Championship, trailing by just 4 points.

Currently leading the 2024 Outright Solo Championship, Sam Nenasheff will take to the course as the first solo rider for the last time this year, aiming to secure his Championship title. He’ll need to maintain the pressure as he faces off against Royden Harrold, who is back in the mix after an impressive Round 5 win at Palmer.

All this is combined with an action-packed and diverse lineup of classes, including Clubman Solo, Open 2 Stroke, Up to 405cc 4 Stroke, and 406cc & Over Four Stroke. The excitement continues with Masters Sidecar for riders aged 45 and over, Clubman Sidecar Unlimited, Ladies All Powers for both Solo and Sidecar, as well as the Masters 55 and Over, Pre-1990, and Veterans Classes.

Catch up on the full rider list – HERE.

Daniel Plowman & Bradley Brook – Image by SandPlow Photography. 
Sam Nenasheff – Image by Mark Hepworth

 

Where:

Set against the ideal backdrop for the 2024 Reliability Trial Championship, riders and spectators will experience a diverse landscape filled with bog holes and technical terrain that will challenge the best in the Championship. Kick off your day by soaking up the atmosphere at Main Control, conveniently located at the Farrell Flat Golf Club (2 Abyssinia Terrace, Farrell Flat, SA)

Plan your final Championship Round 6 trip—HERE.

 

Key Info:

As riders take on the final Round 6 daytime 2-lap outing to wrap up the Championship, head out to the Farrell Flat Golf Club to see the first rider take off at 9:01 AM. If you want to make it a full family weekend getaway, camping is available at both the main control and powered sites at Duncan Park.

Unfortunately, there is no spectator access to sections 2, 3, and the start of sector 7. Check out all the best spots to catch the action by using the QR code below for convenient access on your mobile, or head to the main control, where some printed maps will be available at the sign-on area.

The SA Reliability Trial Championship has had the privilege of providing riders with outstanding stages set against beautiful scenery on private properties. Please note that dogs are NOT allowed at the event, except for service animals.

Make it a family day out at Clare for the Championship finale and the last showdown for points!

 

Live Timing:

Stay updated on the Championship results in real-time, no matter where you are on the course, by following live timing through Race Result and there will be a link available on the day to follow.

 

Results:

The round 6, Beryl Pearce Trial results will be available on the SART Championship Series website following the event. Results will remain provisional for 5 days after publication to give competitors time to review them. After this period, they will be finalized. For Supplementary Regulations, the latest news, and more, please visit sartchampionship.com.

 

Socials*

Keep up with all the last-round action of the Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trials Championship through our socials! Head to Facebook, Instagram, and the Official SART Championship Website for the latest news, photos, and event updates. Don’t miss seeing the Championships finally decided for 2024!

 

 

Final Reminder To Save The Date:

Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championship – SAPMAC MCC Brings the Round 5 River Murray Trial Action to Palmer

Filed Under: News, Reliability, State Championship

Anticipation reached a fever pitch as SAPMAC MCC hosted the penultimate round of the Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championships at Palmer. Riders approached the demanding course with unwavering focus, knowing that the final sprint to the finish was just around the corner. Despite the rain leading up to the event, the track became a challenging battleground, with loose, dusty sections keeping competitors on edge. Coupled with a persistent, gusty wind, the two-lap daytime challenge tested both endurance and skill, making those critical Round 5 Championship points even more elusive. As the competition heats up further, let’s delve into the Round 5 provisional results.

 

The battle for the Solo Overall top spot was intense between Royden Harrold and Charlie Milton, with Harrold taking the early lead in lap 1, followed by Milton and Toby Lewis. Milton quickly found his rhythm on the Palmer course, clocking the provisional fastest time in the second lap. However, Harrold’s strong performance in lap 1 proved decisive, earning him the overall win by just 5 points. Toby Lewis held his position in the top three, trailing second-place Milton by 33 points to secure third place comfortably ahead of Cody Schiller.

Daniel Plowman & Bradley Brook Charging to the Sidecar Provisional Win – Image by SkidMark Photos.
Bradley Hunter and Haydon Ahrens – Image by Team Thomas Racing.

 

 

Daniel Plowman and Bradley Brook delivered an outstanding performance at Palmer, capturing their first podium of 2024 with a well-deserved Round 5 Open Sidecar Overall victory. They established a commanding lead with an impressive lap 1 advantage of 88 points over Ben Mayne and Shaun Buckley. Despite a strong push from Mayne and Buckley in lap 2, they were unable to overtake the resolute Plowman and Brook, who held firm to secure the win. In the race for third place, Shaun Blenkiron and Nathan Saegenschnitter, currently third in the Open Sidecar Championship, showed a strong lap 1 performance. However, Bradley Hunter and Haydon Ahrens delivered a blistering second lap, ultimately claiming third place on the Round 5 podium with a decisive margin of 81 points.

 

SkidMark Photos, SandPlow Photography, and Team Thomas Racing were all trackside, capturing some nail-biting action. Head to their profiles to check out all the photos and purchase those Round 5 moments. Cover Photo thanks to Team Thomas Racing.

To catch up on all the Round 5 provisional results, click HERE.

 

As we shift our focus to the grand finale of the Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championship, Clare MCC is gearing up to host Round 6: The Beryl Pearce Trial. Scheduled for Saturday, September 28, 2024, this final showdown promises to be electric as Championship contenders make their last stand in Clare.

Preview: River Murray Trial – A Test of Determination at Round 5 of the Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Championship

Filed Under: News, Reliability, State Championship

As the Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championships near their penultimate round, anticipation is mounting for the SAPMAC MCC’s River Murray Trial this Saturday, 31st August. The loamy Murray Mallee stages are set to test the mettle of 149 determined riders, each prepared to push themselves and their bikes to the absolute limit. With rain in the forecast, the competition could see unexpected twists as riders battle for those crucial late-season Championship points.

Adding to the excitement, riders will once again set off on their Round 5 journey from the familiar backdrop of the Palmer Main control, while new stages introduced for 2024 promise fresh challenges. It’s shaping up to be a massive day for reliability trial fans, young and old.

 

Entry List:

Sam Nenasheff, the current leader of the 2024 Solo Outright Championship, will be seeking every opportunity to extend his lead and solidify his claim to the title. However, this won’t be an easy task, as Clinton Voigt trails by just 5 points heading into Round 5. With Voigt’s previous successes in the River Murray Trial, there is a real possibility we could see a new Championship leader emerge after the weekend. Shane Diener remains firmly in the top 3 mix, aiming for the second-place overall spot.

In the sidecar class, Ross Watson and Cooper Winter will lead a strong field, closely followed by Daniel Plowman and Bradley Brook. Adding to the excitement, the current second-place Championship duo, Michael Kerin and Joshua Schutz, are poised to deliver a fantastic performance this weekend.

Round 5 promises to be thrilling, with Jake Henderson and Liam McConnell gearing up to compete in the Clubman Open 2 Stroke class, joining an already impressive lineup. In the Women All Powers Championship, Chloe Barton is fiercely pursuing the 2024 title and will face strong competition from Sofie Kraft. The event will also feature masters, veterans, and a substantial field of expert sidecars and solos. Additionally, fans can look forward to seeing classic Pre-1990 bikes showcasing their timeless charm on the course.

Check out the full rider list – HERE.

Shane Diener – Image by David Jenke.
Liam McConnell – Image by Damian Cravero Photography.

Where & Spectator Key Info:

At the Palmer Oval Main Control, spectators will find a hub of activity and excitement throughout the day. The Mid Murray CFS will be on hand to provide hot food and cold drinks, ensuring everyone stays refreshed and energized. Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or taking a break from the action, the Main Control will be the perfect spot to enjoy the day’s events. With South Australia’s top Reliability Trial riders tackling a challenging and diverse course, this is a day you won’t want to miss.

The SA Reliability Trial Championship is proud to feature exceptional stages set against beautiful scenery on private properties. Please note that dogs are not permitted at the event, except for service animals.

Plan out your trip – HERE. 

Live Timing:

Keep up with the Championship results as they happen, no matter where you are on the course, by following live timing:

  • Go to sartchampionship.au and follow the “LIVE TIMING” links.
  • Scan the QR code in the program or at Main Control.
  • Live timing viewing will be available on screen at Main Control.

Results:

Once it’s all said and done, the results will be published on the SART Championship Series website. Results will be provisional for 5 days after publication to allow competitors to review them. After 5 days, they will be locked in and final. For Supplementary Regulations, the latest news, and more, please visit sartchampionship.com.

 

Socials*

Stay updated on the Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trials Championship by following us on social media! Keep track of the latest news, photos, and event updates on Facebook and the Official SART Championship Website. Don’t miss any of the action!

 

 

Save The Date:

Highlights and Provisional Results – Gawler Motorcycle Centre’s 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championship Round 4

Filed Under: News, Reliability, State Championship

With the competition tightly contested leading into Round 4 of the Gawler Motorcycle Centre SA Reliability Trial Championship, fans and riders flocked to Mallala on Saturday, August 10th, as Levis MCC brought the excitement of the Gil Harris Trial to life. The perfect weather, coupled with the buzz of anticipation at Main Control, made it a day to be enjoyed by both young and old alike.

In the overall Open Solo Championship standings, just 8 points separated the top 5, setting the stage for a fiercely contested Round 4. Anyone had the potential to dethrone current Championship leader Sam Nenasheff. From the outset, Tom Mosey emerged as a serious challenger, with just 2 seconds separating him from Nenasheff at the end of lap 1. Lap 2 was all Mosey’s as he widened the gap by another 17 seconds, securing both the Round 4 Open Solo and outright win. The fight for the final podium spot was equally intense, with Cody Schiller narrowly edging out Championship runner-up Clinton Voigt by just 5 seconds, despite Voigt’s valiant charge in lap 2.

Ross Watson & Cooper Winter dominated the Open Sidecar Class in Round 4, securing the win with a commanding 66-second lead after lap 1, which they extended to an impressive 111-second margin over second-place finishers Hector Evans & Shaun Buckley. The battle for third place was a nail-biter, with David Pratt & Adrian Rohrlach going head-to-head with Michael Kerin & Joshua Schutz. Although Kerin & Schutz held an 8-second lead after lap 1, Pratt & Rohrlach fought back on lap 2, ultimately clinching the third spot, finishing just 30 seconds behind the open sidecar runners-up.

The provisional results for the Open Solo and Sidecar classes are listed below. For a complete breakdown across all classes, visit the SART website. These results will remain provisional until midnight on Friday, August 16th, with Championship standings to be updated thereafter.

As we gear up for the second-to-last round of the Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championship, anticipation is mounting for the River Murray Trial in the Mannum district on August 31st. Presented by SAPMAC MCC, this round promises fierce competition as established rivalries clash with the Championship title at stake. With entries filling up fast, make sure you don’t miss out—register by Friday, August 23rd, to secure your spot!

Cover photo: dynamic duo, Ross Watson & Cooper Winter on their way to the Open Sidecar Win – Image thanks to SandPlow Photography.

Gil Harris Trial, Round 4 – Provisional Outright:

Open Solo:

Pos No Name Class Lap 1 Lap 2 Stages Total Gap
1 72 Thomas Mosey F 1388 1442 14 2830 +0
2 133 Samuel Nenasheff A 1390 1459 14 2849 +19
3 67 Cody Schiller F 1395 1470 14 2865 +35
4 132 Clinton Voigt A 1404 1466 14 2870 +40
5 70 Ryan Waldhuter F 1425 1451 14 2876 +46
6 103 Henry Blenkiron G 1433 1475 14 2908 +78
7 99 Daniel Fraser G 1417 1496 14 2913 +83
8 85 Jake Henderson D 1411 1506 14 2917 +87
9 74 Kurtis Riebke F 1423 1501 14 2924 +94
10 37 Shane Diener V 1427 1503 14 2930 +100
11 107 Rhys Jenke G 1445 1494 14 2939 +109
12 66 Matthew Aimann F 1457 1486 14 2943 +113
13 69 Charley Kerin F 1455 1495 14 2950 +120
14 92 Liam McConnell D 1509 1465 14 2974 +144
15 78 Charlie Semmler F 1480 1514 14 2994 +164
16 65 Dwayne Rumsey F 1447 1552 14 2999 +169
17 71 Clayton Fechner F 1457 1547 14 3004 +174
18 91 Jordan Ball D 1472 1545 14 3017 +187
19 129 Nathan Noble A 1456 1569 14 3025 +195
20 134 Nathan Newell A 1462 1569 14 3031 +201
21 38 Shaun Harman V 1468 1570 14 3038 +208
21 44 Andrew Dillon V 1463 1575 14 3038 +208
23 75 Zane Gerlach F 1480 1564 14 3044 +214
24 108 Tyson Clarke G 1498 1567 14 3065 +235
25 90 Jack Wormald D 1500 1573 14 3073 +243
25 98 Matthew Taylor G 1507 1566 14 3073 +243
27 97 Liam Sander G 1506 1571 14 3077 +247
28 49 Duane Woolford M 1500 1586 14 3086 +256
29 87 Todd Knight D 1527 1579 14 3106 +276
30 39 Paul Grosser V 1518 1604 14 3122 +292
31 102 Nick Stevens G 1541 1601 14 3142 +312
32 128 Brendon Noble A 1512 1634 14 3146 +316
33 76 Nicholas Schulz F 1509 1648 14 3157 +327
34 93 Cameron Caruso G 1569 1610 14 3179 +349
34 95 Chris Thomas G 1557 1622 14 3179 +349
36 81 Jake Humphrys F 1487 1700 14 3187 +357
37 77 Saxon Kearns F 1558 1634 14 3192 +362
38 86 Simon Haydon D 1571 1667 14 3238 +408
39 115 Bailey Caire G 1494 1777 14 3271 +441
40 110 Tom Couzner G 1655 1622 14 3277 +447
41 88 Ryan Wood D 1559 1720 14 3279 +449
42 113 Nathan Caple G 1599 1687 14 3286 +456
43 64 Corey Redden F 1548 1743 14 3291 +461
44 112 Josh Moyle G 1604 1714 14 3318 +488
45 40 Stephen Needham V 1578 1749 14 3327 +497
46 51 Greg Slattery M 1622 1728 14 3350 +520
47 84 Thomas McBain F 1615 1739 14 3354 +524
48 100 Robert Poole G 1604 1756 14 3360 +530
49 120 Thomas Friebel G 1551 1813 14 3364 +534
50 45 Shayne Bain V 1619 1747 14 3366 +536
51 55 Jeffrey Sparks M 1633 1764 14 3397 +567
52 111 Thomas Hodges G 1711 1699 14 3410 +580
53 54 Brett Hall M 1661 1765 14 3426 +596
54 106 Alex Bawden G 1584 1862 14 3446 +616
55 79 Keegan May F 1652 1795 14 3447 +617
56 42 Brian Gallasch V 1658 1816 14 3474 +644
57 43 Stuart Mackenzie V 1689 1793 14 3482 +652
58 41 Brett Farr V 1687 1850 14 3537 +707
59 104 Dylan Stacey G 1713 1872 14 3585 +755
60 62 Paul Collins P1 1701 1891 14 3592 +762
61 116 Chey Dahlitz G 1772 1864 14 3636 +806
62 94 Jaimee Heidenreich F 1800 1857 14 3657 +827
63 63 Adam Toolan P1 1778 1897 14 3675 +845
64 131 Charlie Milton A 2296 1401 14 3697 +867
65 101 Mackenzie Camp G 2176 1526 14 3702 +872
66 89 Mikel Nies D 1821 1899 14 3720 +890
67 58 Chloe Barton L1 1803 1921 14 3724 +894
68 46 Stephen Tomlinson M 1775 1958 14 3733 +903
69 119 Dion McPherson G 1713 2023 14 3736 +906
70 80 Matt Harkness F 2134 1609 14 3743 +913
71 50 David DeLaine M 1769 2070 14 3839 +1009
72 123 Josh Tommney G 1890 1980 14 3870 +1040
73 53 Lawrence Robertson M 1870 2020 14 3890 +1060
74 109 Thomas Nelson G 2033 1871 14 3904 +1074
75 118 Mitch Scott G 1859 2048 14 3907 +1077
76 57 Mike Wormald M 1860 2102 14 3962 +1132
77 122 Jack Back G 1955 2047 14 4002 +1172
78 56 Mark Taylor M 1891 2113 14 4004 +1174
79 68 Mark Rosewall F 1720 2364 14 4084 +1254
80 73 Christopher Causer F 2001 2222 14 4223 +1393
81 48 Paul Rumsey M 2057 2273 14 4330 +1500
82 59 Jasmine McPherson L1 2082 2375 14 4457 +1627
83 60 Naomi Findlay L1 2082 2431 14 4513 +1683
84 52 Colin Jenke M 2175 2539 14 4714 +1884
85 82 Simon Mattiske F 2650 2108 14 4758 +1928
86 117 Jonathon Carmody G 2522 3545 14 6067 +3237
EXC 114 Caleb Hastwell G 1809 1762 13 3571
DNF 61 Kevin Steinert P1 1886 0 7 1886
DNF 83 Noah Riebke F 206 0 1 206
DNS 47 Dominic Burman M 0 0 0 0
DNS 96 Todd Haydon G 0 0 0 0
DNS 105 Tyson Schumacher G 0 0 0 0
DNS 121 Steve Rosewall G 0 0 0 0
DNS 130 Toby Lewis A 0 0 0 0

Open Sidecar:

Pos No Name Class Lap 1 Lap 2 Stages Total Gap
1 29 Ross Watson / Cooper Winter C 1534 1592 14 3126 +0
2 30 Hector Evans / Shaun Buckley C 1600 1637 14 3237 +111
3 11 David Pratt / Adrian Rohrlach J 1644 1623 14 3267 +141
4 1 Michael Kerin / Joshua Schutz K 1636 1654 14 3290 +164
5 2 Russell Bailey / Marc Oxley K 1652 1644 14 3296 +170
6 10 Scott Richardson / Matthew Lee J 1654 1684 14 3338 +212
7 6 James Waldhuter / Brett Schiller K 1668 1709 14 3377 +251
8 31 Darren Winter / Lachlan Greenhalgh C 1652 1733 14 3385 +259
9 4 Jayden Coleby / samuel coleby K 1683 1704 14 3387 +261
10 3 Kristy Schultz / Mert Saegenschnitter K 1744 1705 14 3449 +323
11 9 Alex Turner / Melissa Paunola K 1698 1766 14 3464 +338
12 20 Elouise Dohse / Tianna Dohse L2 1763 1812 14 3575 +449
13 13 Barry Buckley / Todd Blackwell J 1767 1834 14 3601 +475
14 15 Michael Fechner / Stuart Gerhardy J 1808 1832 14 3640 +514
15 5 Harley Nicholls / Blake Tucker K 1834 1844 14 3678 +552
16 12 John Davies / Kym Menadue J 1816 1873 14 3689 +563
17 8 Adam Buckley / Luke Perdon K 1887 1920 14 3807 +681
18 21 Sofie Kraft / Bradley Hunter L2 1888 1975 14 3863 +737
19 14 Shane Rudloff / Damian Egan J 1888 2057 14 3945 +819
20 16 Antony Shanks / Duncan Greenhalgh J 2030 2033 14 4063 +937
21 18 Jason Whitfield / Jamie O’Brian P2 2062 2071 14 4133 +1007
22 19 Caroline Wilksch / Natasha Sky L2 1913 2369 14 4282 +1156
23 17 Glen Wundenberg / Erin Pratt J 2192 2334 14 4526 +1400
DNF 27 Daniel Plowman / Bradley Brook C 1541 377 9 1918
DNF 28 Shaun Blenkiron / Aiden Wilksch C 3855 0 7 3855
DNF 7 Samuel Wegener / Henry Graetz K 1215 0 5 1215

Successful Trial Celebrates 100 Years of Motorcycling History

Filed Under: News, Reliability

Last weekend marked the centennial milestone of one of Australia’s most famous motorcycle events: the HARDI 24 Hour Trial Centenary (1924-2024). Hundreds of spectators flocked to the Kapunda Harness Racing Complex to witness a record 248 machines and 296 competitors, including 48 sidecars and 200 solo motorcycles, leave the start line at 11 am on Saturday. The atmosphere was electric as fans celebrated 100 years of thrilling competition and the enduring legacy of this iconic event.

Kicking off with a Friday rider sign-on, the buzz at the complex was electric with anticipation for the centenary celebrations. Despite a dry start to the year for the district, the week leading up to the trial had been quite wet, and intermittent light showers with heavy fog persisted throughout the event, making conditions difficult. Adding to Friday’s festivities, around 50 past competitors and their machines took to a modified lap of the 2024 trial course, paying tribute to the illustrious history of the event and offering a chance for past and present to come together in a spectacular display.

To further celebrate the event’s rich history, spectators were also treated to a static display of past machines at the main control, where they watched modern bikes and 24 Hour hopefuls tackle the special Centenary circuit.

Barry Buckley & Todd Blackwell charging on into the night – Image by Mark Hepworth & Steve Dobbs. 

The competition was fierce between the top two competitors in both the Solo and Sidecar class groups, with less than a minute separating them for most of the trial and the gap only widening in the final sections.

Provisional results show the following in Open Solo: 1st place went to Riley Graham with 19,417 points, 2nd to Cooper Sheidow with 19,546 points, and 3rd to Sean Throup with 20,209 points.

For the provisional Open Sidecars, 1st place went to Max Hutchesson / Sam Hutchesson with 23,389 points, 2nd to Shane Beckmann / Adam Brook with 23,920 points, and 3rd to Shaun Blenkiron / Nathan Saegenschnitter with 23,972 points.

In the end, 137 machines with 154 competitors on 17 sidecars and 120 solos rose to the challenge and completed the trial between 11 am and 3:30 pm on Sunday afternoon. For many, simply signing their names to the finishers’ list was a victory in itself, as finishing the trial can be as fulfilling as taking the top spot.

Sam & Max Hutchesson taking in the glory of that long-awaited finish line.
Riley Graham soaking up that provisional solo first-place 2024 achievement.

The organizing committee would like to thank the hundreds of people involved in ensuring a successful event, including volunteers, officials, control keepers, caterers, medical staff, fuel suppliers, landowners, sponsors, Kapunda Harness Racing Club, the Light Regional Council, the Regional Council of Goyder, Mid Murray Council, the Clare & Gilbert Valley Council, the Government of South Australia, Motorcycling SA, and all others.

#128 Sean Throup pushing hard for that 2024 Hardi 24 Hour provisional solo third. Image by Mark Hepworth & Steve Dobbs. 

The HARDI 24 Hour Trial Presentation Night, held on the Monday night following the trial at the Vine Inn Barossa in Nuriootpa, provided the final hurrah for the centenary celebrations and gave riders, organizers, volunteers, and fans a well-earned chance to let their hair down and celebrate the weekend’s achievements.

Due to overwhelming demand, some of the popular Centenary merchandise will be available again to order, check 24hrtrial.com. As the 91st edition of the trial wraps up, we celebrate the fact that it is the oldest continuing motorcycle event in Australia and shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s to another centenary!

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S MOST FAMOUS MOTORCYCLE EVENT CELEBRATES ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY THIS COMING WEEKEND!

Filed Under: News, Reliability

This weekend, the ‘Second Weekend in July’, will see the HARDI 24 Hour Trial Centenary 1924-2024 being run out of the Kapunda Harness Racing Complex, with the first machine to head off at 11.01am on Saturday morning, but before that happens, there is so much more to look at in relation to this most famous of events in Australian motorcycling history!

The 24 Hour Trial first ran on the King’s Birthday Holiday Monday in June 1924, with riders taking off on a 400+ mile journey at the ‘witching hour’ of midnight on the Sunday night, due to no sport allowed to be played on a Sunday at the time. Through the following 100 years, ‘the 24’ has run some 90 times, missing years for World War 2, a couple years in the late 1950’s and 2020 due to the pandemic, making this the 91st edition, and the longest continuing motorcycle event in Australian history, and one of the top 10 such events in the world!

1924 Solo winner Sydney Dunstone – Image courtesy of The Mail Newspaper Adelaide, 14 June 1924.

 

1924 Sidecar First & outright winners: Charlie Moyle and Dick Brown – Image courtesy of The Mail Newspaper Adelaide, 14 June 1924.

34 machines headed off in pouring rain in 1924, and in a serious case of déjà vu, the weather forecast is teasing something similar this year for the record field that has entered to take on the elements for the Centenary. The bikes will head out from 11.01am at 1-minute intervals, made up of 49 sidecars, that will lead the field on course, and followed by 207 solos, the first-time 200+ solos have started the same edition of this event. This makes a record total of 305 competitors on 256 machines, and it is fitting that the Centenary is the event where the competitor number has exceeded 300 for the first time.

And what of the field, well, a record number means that there are more than a few returning former champions and competitors, and, in numbers, it looks a little like this:

  • 305 competitors
  • 207 solos
  • 49 sidecars, totalling 98 riders and passengers
  • 4 Internationals
              • 3 from Wales
              • 1 from Taiwan
  • 30+ Interstaters
              • With all states except Tasmania represented
  • 25 previous winners
              • 7 on a solo
              • 10 on a sidecar
              • 8 as a passenger
              • With 79 total wins between them
  • 20+ SA affiliated Clubs represented
              • Top 5 = Keyneton, Gawler, Levis, Velocette & Ariel
  • 46 = the most starts, Fred Weckert and Neil Russack – and they are both riding this year – and in doing so will have started 46 out of 91 editions, so over 50% of 24 Hour Trials run – incredible!
  • 10 = the most wins, Shane Diener – the only person to have 2 x 3-outright-wins-in-a-row, and to have won the event 5 years running outright (no ties) – and Shane is riding this year
  • 8 & 7 = the most sidecar wins, David Manuel (8) and Tony Tscharke (7) – and yes, they are back together for the first time in 11 years to try for win #8 as a team!
2023 sidecar winners, Shane ‘Crash’ Schiller & Steven ‘Stiff’ Doecke on great form at the recent 2024 Lew Job 2 Day Trial – Image courtesy of SandPlow Photography.

And just to name a few other former winners once again throwing their leg over for the Centenary: Andy Haydon (4 wins), Kevin Long (3 – and travelling from NSW), Hector Evans (2) & Shaun Harman (1) who won as a sidecar team, Nick Throup, and the sidecar team of Scott Ricardson and Matt Lee – plus many more!

The 24 Hour Trial Organising Committee has again been working tirelessly over the last 24 months to deliver a great event to celebrate the oldest continuing motorcycle event in Australia, and have a heap of special events and activities included to truly make this an event worthy of a Centenary celebration.

Since 1976, the Kapunda Harness Racing Complex has become the seminal home of the 24 Hour Trial, and it is only right that it will host the Centenary edition, with it to be a hub of excitement over the weekend, which will start from Friday!

A commemorative ride of past riders and machines will take place Friday, taking in some of the 2024 course, and is scheduled to conclude at the Harness Racing Complex, or ‘Main Control’ at around 3.00pm, which is when the countdown to the event proper will kick off!

Rider Sign On will start at 3.00pm Friday, and will run until 6.00pm, so come along to get an up-close look at the 2024 machines in a pristine condition, with a static display of past 24 Hour Trial machines also on display. The display can be viewed from Friday through to the event end on Sunday.

2023’s Hardi 24 Hour Solo & Outright winner, Cooper Sheidow, lining back up for 2024 – Image courtesy of Kahlia Jenke. 

The HARDI 24 Hour Trial Centenary souvenir programme, which is celebrating its 50th edition, can be purchased from the Merchandise Stand at Main Control, along with special edition Centenary 24 Hour Trial merchandise such as hoodies, beanies, hats, stubbie holders, stickers, posters and even a limited-edition fortified wine.

The 24 Hour Trial Organising Committee would like to thank Novita, who will be running the Merchandise Stand, which is available from 3.00 – 6.00pm Friday and then from 9.00am Saturday until sold out – so be quick. Card facilities will be available.

Taking on the Centenary in 2024 is the 2021 24 Hour Trial Sidecar winning team of Max & Sam Hutchesson – Image courtesy of SandPlow Photography.

Saturday will see the countdown start from 9.00am, when the gates to the Harness Racing Complex will open to spectators, and 120 minutes later, a one-minute of silence will be held at 11:00am to remember past competitors, officials, committee and motorcyclists. Immediately following, the first bike will leave at 11.01am, from out in front of the Complex grandstands.

The Centenary course will be a mix of classic off road ‘sections’ of varying length and terrain from the ranges to the mallee. The start of the season has experienced a record dry, which seems to be turning this week, and this could result in ideal conditions in the hills, with the inevitable bulldust remaining in the Mallee terrain – or it could do as it did 100 years ago – and rain the whole way! As always, the weather will be the greatest unknown that will test all who have entered!

Ready to take on the 2024 Sidecar Hardi 24 Hour Centenary challenge is the talented duo of Brad Hunter & Brad Manual – Image Courtesy of SandPlow Photography.

Three spectator sections are spread around the course, with all the locations and the ‘dos and don’ts’ detailed in the spectator map, which will only be available by purchasing the souvenir programme.

Each spectator section this year will be fully catered for with food, drink and amenities available throughout the trial, in addition to Main Control at the Kapunda Harness Racing Complex. Perrys Mobil Kapunda and the Eudunda Roadhouse will remain open for the duration of the trial for competitors and the public. Fuel, food and drink will be available for all, so, if you drop in to ‘refuel’, please thank them for their support of the event.

If you can’t get out to the event, or if you want to keep up with the event as it happens, the 24 Hour Trial uses Race Result Live Timing, with the link found at 24hrtrial.com. This timing will be available live online and can be followed anywhere around the course or around the world.

With record entries, only time will tell who can claim the Hardi 24 Hour Centenary solo win – Image courtesy of Kahlia Jenke.

The 24 Hour Trial Organising Committee would like to thank the 4 regional councils whose road networks will be in use for the trial – Light Regional Council, Clare and Gilbert Valley Council, Regional Council of Goyder, Mid Murray Council.

Thank you also to our generous landowners who have allowed the use of their land. And again, spectators are asked to respect private and council land, please take all rubbish with you, take care on the roads and drive to the changing conditions. Spectators are also reminded that dogs are not permitted at Motorcycling Australia events.

An event like this can’t possibly run without some generous support from many businesses, and the Committee would like to thank them all – and ask that you see who they are, simply by looking in the programme. Finally, the Organising Committee are thankful for the support and assistance of the state controlling body for motorcycle sport, Motorcycling SA, and would also like to pass on their thanks to the Government of South Australia for their valuable support for this centenary event.

Last, but not least, many thanks must go to over 300 volunteers who will be working to ensure the success of this event, filling roles such as officials, radio operators, control keepers, course marking, marshalling, route checks, lights checks setting up/packing up, admin and much more.

2023 Hardi 24 Hour solo runner-up Sean Throup – Image courtesy of Kahlia Jenke.

The Presentation Night, for the first time, will be held the day after the event, to allow for the international and interstate visitors to attend, and will be held on Monday, 15th July starting at 6.30pm at the Vine Inn Barossa, Nuriootpa. Dinner is already sold out, but there is standing room available if you would like to attend.

And, for all those who would like to read their way through the 100 years of this event, a special edition centenary book is currently in the works, celebrating the rich and unique history of the 24 Hour Trial, and will include the 2024 Centenary event. With over 250 pages of content, the Organising Committee are hoping to have it published later this year.

A documentary is also currently being filmed.