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Friday 2 December 2022
Riders rev up Old Thumpers
Old Thumpers roar through a tricky section of the Ōnekakā circuit at last Sunday’s classic scramble. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS
Last Sunday ’s Old Thumpers classic motorbike scramble attracted over 60 riders from across the country to Allan and Shelley Palmer’s Ōnekakā farm. The festival of mud and motorbikes provided plenty of both; overnight and early morning rain had softened the circuit, creating almost ideal motocross conditions. Ben Smith who, along with his partner Lola Clouston and the Old Thumpers committee, organised the event, ascribed the “OK” turnout to a simple scheduling issue. “There are a couple of other events on around the country today.” Traditionally the event is held during the height of summer, but Covid restrictions in place earlier in the year resulted in the long postponement and the change of date to late November. Some things, however, don’t change – like the simple entry criteria for Old Thumpers: All machines must be pre-1980s, twin-shock, air-cooled, and fitted with drum brakes. Competition is divided into age categories: Juniors (up to 16), Veterans (50 and over) and Super Vets (60 and over). But the event is not really about full-throttle racing; it’s
about preserving and showing old bikes and, of course, having fun on the magnificent machines. In addition to his organisational duties, Ben was having fun on someone else’s bike – a vintage BSA Cheney 500cc. It is currently owned by Rob Selvey from Christchurch, but was once the property of Golden Bay resident Bob Butts. “The bike’s awesome,” said Ben, who rode it in the British category. “It’s the best-sounding class.” Ben was part of a multi-generational turnout for the Smith clan, which also included Dad Malcolm, once again riding his 1968 Rickman BSA, and 11-year-old daughter Talia Feaver, who seemed very much at home on her petite Honda XL75. For spectators, the natural amphitheatre setting allows a full-circuit view of the action, as well as amplifying the howl of the engines and the snap, crackle and pop emitting from the exhausts. Much closer to the action, the flag marshals take up positions at various key points around the track. Positioned just above a tight, steep bend at the far side of the circuit, volunteers Helen Mead and Kirstie Macleod enjoyed one
of the best vantage points. As well as being able to see the whites of the riders’ eyes as the machines roared through the tricky section, the marshals could also watch how the bikers negotiated (or not) the increasingly hazardous muddy ruts at the approach to one of the narrow bridges. Apart from a short break for lunch, the action was pretty much non-stop, with the starters ensuring the next batch of revved-up bikers were ready to roll as soon as the previous race had finished. Over lunch, while refuelling with slices of pizza, Brent Horner from Richmond sat next to his machine – a 1974 Yamaha DT360 – which he’s owned for “a couple of years”. Although he was a regular at Old Thumpers, Brent said he’d missed the last few, and was very happy to be back. “It’s great – a really nice atmosphere. It’s good to catch up with people and share a few tales.” Later in the day, after the final race has finished, tales were told and prizes awarded at the Mussel Inn. Among those honoured were Win Martin from Timaru, who was crowned Old Thumpers Grand Champion; Kerikeri rider... Continued on page 10
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Inside: Whales strand THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER 2022
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JO RICHARDS
If all has gone according to plan, twoway traffic should now be flowing freely past the Birds Hill “bump” on SH60 just outside Tākaka. In a statement released last Friday, Waka Kotahi NZTA regional manager for Wellington and Top of the South, Mark Owen, said that contractors were aiming to have two traffic lanes completed at the “overslip” site and available to road users by the end of this week. It’s good news for frustrated drivers and bikers who have suffered months of delays while travelling on this severely damaged stretch of the Tākaka-Collingwood State Highway. Since August’s intense rainfall event caused a further enlargement of the bump and a major “underslip” near the apex of the hill, the road has been restricted to a single lane and subject to traffic-light management. Although the opening of a second lane at the overslip will reduce the length of the one-way section, traffic control will remain in place through the underslipaffected part until that is repaired and two lanes are reinstated. Mark said design plans are currently being formulated for reconstruction work at the latter site, which should begin soon. “This will involve buttressing work and rockfill, and we’d hope to have work on that underway before Christmas. We intend to have the road two-laned over the summer period. That will provide some relief during the busy holiday and summer season.” Mark added that, although the final reinstatement may not be fully complete by Christmas, he was confident that an interim solution would be found. “…we are looking at options that will allow two temporary lanes, under temporary speed limits, to be built while work continues on the road’s repairs.” He explained that, because the land at Birds Hill remains unstable, it requires careful monitoring and management, and WKNZTA has to ensure that remedial work does not cause any further destabilisation of the slope. “There are no easy fixes for slip sites like this. Long-term solutions require careful and complex engineering solutions and also funding approval. Tākaka residents need to be aware that while we are doing our best to manage and maintain the road at Birds Hill, it is likely to continue to pose challenges and have more slips in the future.”
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