Chris Peake

22 Day Terrace

Croydon                      5008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Café News November 2005

The Prez says…
Welcome to the Naked November edition of Café News. Some 25 or more years ago, The Café Racer Club first hired Mallala for a club ride day. This was before Clem Smith had been able to overcome the obstacles to enable him to reopen the circuit for racing. It was a far cry from the complex we see today, with rotted wood covering cable trenches on the infield, patchy repairs to the track etc. The cost was less than a tenth of what we now pay for a day. There were no sheds. Insurance wasn’t an issue. Nor were ambulances, clothing, licenses and bike preparation. We worried whether we could get 15 riders to come to the track for a ride at $20 each. Why “Naked November”? Read on and all will be revealed.

Reece Bancell Trophy Round 4 – Don’t miss out on this one

Our final round of the Reece Bancell Trophy series is set to be a cracker. If you’re thinking of entering, hesitate no longer. The revitalised format sees the meeting changed to a single day of racing with practice on the Saturday, in conjunction with our ride day. Competitors will practice for only $60. There are no cross entry fees and there is an invitation Sprint Race. How does that work? Riders will grid up based on times from the morning for the first start and race 3 laps. After taking the chequered flag, they will ride a cool down lap and grid in their finishing order for the next start. This will repeat for a total of 4 starts. If you’re not riding in the race, you’ll certainly want to be watching!

 

For those who have a long way to travel, or who just enjoy a night away, there will be camping spaces available at the circuit for Saturday night. Being Fire Ban season means no campfires.

 

Reece Bancell Series Prizes

In addition to the series trophy, the prizes are 1^st Place – Entry to the Mallala round of the ASC plus entry to one Café Racer Club meeting in 2006; 2^nd Place - Entry to one Café Racer Club meeting in 2006; 3^rd Place - entry to one Café Racer Club meeting in 2006.

 

Knee Scrapers Ride Days unveiled

You may have noticed that we are promoting the November 26^th ride day under the name “Knee Scrapers Ride Days”. What’s that about? The club has registered the business name Knee Scrapers Ride Days to create a public profile similar to that of “Circuit Breakers”; “Champions” etc. It’s not that we are not proud of the club’s name. More, it’s an initiative to attract those who may want to come to the track for a ride, but are not immediately attracted to the thought of racing. Over the next year we will be combining these ride days with practice for our race meetings and plan to run two additional days, not associated with race meetings. This will benefit competitors by keeping down the cost of the practice days. The club will benefit by the exposure to potential new recruits. For the first ride day we are fortunate to have the services of both Michael Brenton and Dennis Charlett presenting workshops on suspension and track technique. For the suspension workshop, and general queries throughout the day, Pete Kerr from Race Bike Services, one of our series sponsors, will support them. There are two purposes at play here. The first is that Dennis and Michael want to help other riders make the step up to the next level to play with them. The second is that by exposing this information to the ride day participants we hope to give them a taste of what could be, and tempt them back for future ride days and perhaps to also join us in competition.

 

Grading Revealed

How does road race grading work? The procedure changed at the end of 2003, for the 2004 grading, so before I explain how it is now conducted, bear with me through a short history lesson.

 

For the 20 years that I have seen it in operation, grading was performed by the road race committee in it’s monthly meeting, in either December or February – the committee did not meet in January. The committee was comprised of 2 delegates from each club which chose to be represented. The annual points scores would be reviewed to find the winners of state championships and annual trophies – who scored how many points across all of the classes of competition held at open (not club or interclub) race meetings over the season. The C Grade points winner and the C Grade Most Improved winner would be automatically upgraded to B Grade as reward for their efforts. Discussion would then be conducted over recollections of how riders came to amass their points and a general consensus reached on who should be graded. Grading only ever moved forwards.

 

In 2003 the committee reviewed the method of grading in line with that in use in Victoria. This operates on the ready availability of timing results from most race meetings. For that year, riders best times were compared to bench mark times set by the top local A grade riders. The system has been revised again this year so that riders lap times will be averaged across the season and compared with bench mark times from the ASC round. Performances at other ASC rounds and Victorian race meetings will also be taken into account. These results alone do not form the decision. This is simply the basis for identifying those riders who should be reviewed. What it provides is a body of evidence from which to consider the decision, whereas the old system did not flag that a rider may have ridden in small fields. The decision is still made by a consensus of the members of the road race committee.

 

The other thing that has happened over the last couple of years which has made all of the above so much more important in the eyes of riders, is the introduction of 2 C Grade sub series to the Australian Championships. Historically, the ARRC, as it was known, was the domain of Australia’s top riders and a select few C & D graders, contesting the championship classes. Most of the latter made their way in through 125cc GP or 250cc Production classes, but had to compete with A and B grade riders for their places. Remember, grading is a reward for effort, not a penalty for trying.

 

Socially Speaking
There’s action a plenty and the Social Committee is deep into the planning for the 2006 Quiz Night. Contact Paul “Itchy” Stephens paul.st@bigpond.net.au 0409 542 825 if you’re looking to hook up with other club members for the ride to any of these events, or if you have an idea for a ride or get together.

November 13^th  SAMRATS 5 Ferries Run. Poker Run. Riders meet at Povey Motors, 140a Tolley Rd, St Agnes., 9 am. Depart 10 am sharp. Ride cost $10 includes badge. Poker hands $5 per hand.

Lunch is at Murray Bridge

 

November 19^th Early Christmas Dinner at the Tower Hotel. An extensive selection of main courses is on offer from the a la carte menu, all are $21 or less. A kids menu is available for $6 (up to 12 years old). Thinking of going? Then book with Itchy right now to ensure you get a seat.

December 11^th MRA Toy Run. Departs Glenelg 11 am sharp. Run ends at Handorf Oval approx 45 min later. Entry is by toy or gold coin donation. Café Racer Club meet at car park of the Highway Inn, corner of Anzac Highway and Marion Road for a 10:30 departure to Glenelg.

 

December 26^th Annual Boxing Day Ride and BBQ

 

Survey Results
There was a great response to the survey, with 104 replies received and lots of great comments.  The results will be discussed at the coming club meetings.  The winning ticket in the survey prize draw is Purple B78, and the lucky holder will receive a free entry to a Café Race meeting.  Contact the club if it’s you!

 

Leave this lying where the wife, kids or other potential gift givers will find it.

All I Want for Christmas is…

A Café Racer gift certificate!

Marty’s stocking up for the good weather ahead
Catch him behind the bar at a Café Racer Club meeting at the Velocette MCC clubrooms 74 Drayton St, Bowden (South of Hawker St) at 8:00pm, where he serves just about everything you can imagine in bottles and cans. Next meetings: 15^th Nov, 6^th Dec & 20^th Dec (social night).
 

Members Only (remember to tell them where you saw their offer)
Hood Sweeney Technology support the Café Racer Club by hosting our website within their ISP operation. They can help you, or your business, with IT support on an “as needed” or contract base, agreed response times, telephone support, site visits, remote system monitoring, outstanding service and competitive pricing. Call Tony on 8100 6100.

Military Hobbies, 300 Port Road, Hindmarsh. All year round 10% off listed prices on presentation of a current Café Racer Club Membership card.

 

You receive Café News as a life member of the Café Racer Club. If you wish to be removed from our mailing list please contact us by email to webmaster@caferacerclub.com or by phone or post.

 

I do! I do! I want to renew!

You can renew at a club meeting, or you can send the $25 by cheque or Money Order to Post Office Box 704, Prospect East SA 5082. Membership forms are available from the website if you want to sign up a friend or update your address details. No web access? No problem! Call Rob the Peg and he’ll mail one out. We want you to stick with us as we build a better future on and off the track.

 

For Sale :

Honda CBR600 race bike Well maintained with all the gear. It is awesome. 14,000 km HRC fork internals Olin's rear shock Renthal sprockets. Never been crashed on track. My nephew Wade got down to 1.14 at Mallala. Good tyres; full Akrapovic exhaust; HRC rear sets. This bike has been set up exactly like Chris Vermuelen’s bike in 2000 BSB My good friend works at Honda racing UK so all the good gear is on it. Come check it out at work Competition Conversions, 3-33 Light Tce Thebarton Ph 8234-5722 Ask for Kym McConnell Adelaide 12th October 2005

2001 SUZUKI GSXR 600 20,700 km (15, 000 of them from road use.) Front forks: new springs and revalving in August '04; Rear shock: recently serviced with new valving setup in readiness for last weekends' state championships, but wasn't used due to delivery of new bike. Bike is Superstock compliant. Suspension is set up for 70kg rider. New sprockets: Renthal front and Afam rear (14-45) New EK 520 chain, red in colour. New battery. Brand new tyres - Dunlop 209 GP Asking price of $8,500 includes SPARES, such as; damaged / repaired belly pan and duck tail, ROAD FAIRINGS, (bike is registerable, last reg expired in March '05), a few sets of used tyres, scratched muffler(ex Billy Mc), spare levers, sprockets and other miscellaneous items. Phone Paul,  0401 746 400 Adelaide 12th October 2005

 

Psst! Wanna buy a car?
Metro Holden, 84-88 Main North Rd , Prospect, (Phone 8343 5000) are offering $200 cash back to the club if you, or anyone else bearing a club endorsed Metro Holden business card buys a new or second hand car through Malcolm Kennett. Get an endorsed card from Rotten. Government and Fleet buys are excluded from the arrangement.

Wanted:
Your old spare parts
Remember there are people in the club racing a wide variety of machinery. Your old parts may be just what they need to get their bike up and running for the next race meeting. Don’t leave them cluttering up your shed, advertise them here.

Officials Training Seminar

MSA have announced the next training seminar dates for Steward, Clerk of Course and Race Secretary. This will be conducted over two 3 hour sessions at MSA Hall, 251 The Parade, Beulah Park on the 3^rd and 10^th of November, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm each night. Booking is essential.  Contact Dustin at MSA on 8301 9000 or by email development@motorcyclingsa.org.au

 

Road Race Machine Examiners Seminar

MSA have also announced the next training seminar date for Road Race Machine Examiners. This will be conducted in a single session at MSA Hall, 251 The Parade, Beulah Park on Friday 9^th December from 7:00pm

Your Club Committee

President	Chris “Mr Hattie” Peake	0401 710 607	webmaster@caferacerclub.com
Vice President	“Rotten” Ronnie Ca$hman	0417 809 377	RonCashman@adam.com.au
Secretary/Treasurer	Rob “the Peg” Graham	0407 244 427	rob.f.g@bigpond.net.au
Competition Secretary	John “Grey Matter” Snoad	0418 828 912	jsnoad@optusnet.com.au
Committee Members	Richard “Phantom” Liminton	0418 819 369	richard@limintondesign.com.au
	Wade “Levi” Leaney	0403 948 225	wade.leaney@ato.gov.au
Webmaster	Chris “Mr Hattie” Peake	0401 710 607	webmaster@caferacerclub.com

 

Champions Walk Among Us
One of South Australian Road Racing’s most closely guarded secrets is that there are a whole bunch of trophies and awards on offer each season for high achievers. The recent rider survey showed how well kept the secret is with very few being able to correctly identify the 2004 South Australian Superbike Champion. As it happens he is also the 2004 Thunderbike Champion and the 2004 Unlimited Solo Champion. Good enough clue? Note that there is also a list of road race award winners. These awards are presented based on points scored in Open Competition i.e. not in Closed To Club or Interclub meetings. This means to qualify for them you must hold a General Competition License. There is a strong representation of Café Racer Club members in these lists. I hope that it has a similar look at the end of this season. The 250cc Production and 250cc GP trophies will now be retired. New trophies will be introduced for Naked Bike and NK Lites in line with the national championships.

 

2004 South Australian Road Race Championships
Class	Winner
AVA Unlimited Solo	Michael Brenton
Kawasaki Motors Superbike	Michael Brenton
Phoenix MCC Supersport	Dave Anderson
Cafe Racer Club Superstock	Dean Martinello
Juventus MCC 250cc Grand Prix	Jeff Thomas
AVA 125cc Grand Prix	Tim Inkster
Paradyme Software 250cc Production	Mark Sandford
DOCSA Thunderbike	Michael Brenton
Sidecar	Neville Lush / Martin Scott
2004 South Australian Road Race Awards
Award	Recipient
Yamaha Pitmans Solo Points	Michael Brenton
Nat Saunders Production Points	Mark Sandford
Cathy Horsman 'B' Grade Points	Darren Willis
Carl Hammersley 'C' Grade Points	James Doddrell
Paul McMenamin Most Improved 'C' Grade	Scott Christie
SAFMA 'D' Grade Points	Ian Andrews
Honda Australia 'A' Grade Sidecar	Neville Lush / Martin Scott
Laurie Griffen / Nat Saunders 4 Stroke Sidecar	Neville Lush / Martin Scott
Phoenix MCC Sidecar Rider	Neville Lush
Rowdy Morris Sidecar Passenger	Martin Scott
Mal Evans 'B' Grade Sidecar	Steven Jones / J Buderick

 

Keep an eye out for the announcement of the 2005 Road Race Presentation Night early in the new year. In addition to presenting the above awards to the winners for the 2005 season, club awards are presented for Café Racer Club, Phoenix MCC and Atujara. With that in mind you can be certain that someone you know will win something. Be there to give them a well deserved pat on the back. Or use the evening to check out the trophy you want to set your sights on in 2006!

Dave Johnson reports in from the UK (14^th October)
I once again got an opportunity to ride on the Dienza Kawasaki Superbike! It was great fun riding in the main event in front of 30,000 screaming spectators and more than 1,000,000 TV viewers! I was stunned when Enzo, the team owner, rang me up to see if I wanted the ride. It didn’t take much for me to say yes...... When I arrived at the track and saw the team HUGE hospitality set up and also the awsome pit setup with the semi trailer sitting out the back, I once again had to pinch myself to see if it was all a dream!!!!!!

 

The team were very happy with the weekend and it was a very nice way for me to end the season. The Team have not had the best of seasons due to many reasons but I knew my main objective was to keep the Kwaka upright, and somehow I managed to do that! I still managed to end up 7th in the British Superstock Championship even though I missed a few rounds which made me even

happier!!!

Editorial Footnote
Not much flesh exposed, but I hope you have a better understanding of my pet subjects for this issue. Please, if you need more information on any subject, corner one of the committee and pick their brain. It is our job to help you find your way in the world of motorcycling.

 

I’m looking forward to our last blast in 2005.

Hattie :o)