The Historic Motorcycle Club of Qld., Inc. GYMPIE AREA

Gold Miner’s Rally
Dingo Creek Vineyard 16 – 17 July 2011

A hearty home cooked country meal on opening evening, washed down with a bold red from the vineyard just outside, made the introduction to the inaugural HMCCQ Dingo Creek Vineyard’s Gympie Gold Miner’s Rally something to savour. Following up with a movie or two on the vineyard veranda with yet more bold reds, guaranteed that a weekend of competition remained strictly one of fun and friendship.

The soft dawn glow through the gentle mist of rally morning welcomed entrants to the revamped HMCCQ Gympie Gold Miner’s Rally. It would be a perfect day to trundle through the picturesque back-roads of the Noosa and Gympie hinterlands. A roll down through cold valleys and up into the sunlight of mountain passes and ocean glimpses.

These ideal conditions were in stark contrast to the steady and disruptive drizzle that delivered 30mm rain over Queensland’s southeast during the previous 36 hours – enough to force the postponement of other outdoor motoring events for the weekend and enough to make organisers of the Gold Miner’s Rally glad they’d invested in Dingo Creek Vineyard’s massive 20 metre x18 metre marquee. Much valued sponsorship from Shannons Insurance makes this luxury possible.

The tailor-made long and short rally courses were punctuated with a self-timed half-time stop for a smoko back at the vineyard. Hot food, drink and friendship supplied by the club distracted riders from their stopover calculations and what really should have been just a 15 minute recovery opportunity turned into a 30 minute social gathering for some.

Nonetheless, Tony Green’s fine tuned Ariel Square Four brought him home in first place with a deficit of just 15seconds over the 150 kilometre circuit.

While the wet weather that lead into the weekend may have eased the number of entries in the Saturday Show and Shine, it didn’t affect the quality. The 30 bikes on display ranged from the Farnham-Haylock Veteran 1901 Wearwell to a Historic 1980 T140D Bonneville, ridden to the rally from Brisbane, by the intrepid Ken Robilliard, proving that while saddle bags may not carry everything you want, they will carry everything you need (including alcohol apparently). It was a courageous effort from Ken, in the rain and approaching darkness but well guided by ‘The Prince of Darkness’.

Show and Shine winners were;         

Veteran: 1901 Wearwell (Rob Farnham-Brad Haylock)

Vintage: 1929 Douglas (Rob Phillips)

Post Vintage: 350 Ariel (Kay Hammond)

Historic: 1966 Matchless G85 (Rob Farnham)

Peoples’ Choice: 1926 Triumph (Ross Inman)

A chance visit to the proprietors of the vineyard on rally day saw Irene Zehnder reconnect with her personal Swiss family history. While quenching her interest in vintage motorcycles, Irene happened upon Rob Farnham’s and Brad Haylock’s ‘century plus’ old ‘La Motosacohe’. To her delight, she recognised the brand and style as that which her grandmother marketed in Switzerland at the turn of last century. From mental pictures as clear as yesterday, Irene described to onlookers, the shop front display window that implored passing pedestrians to become part of the ‘Motosacohe’ moped revolution. This model apparently featured in the Scottish Six Day Trial in the early 1900’s.

The club will use the experiences of this first rally at the picture perfect and very comfortable vineyard venue to ensure its future rallies here are events not to be missed.

Have a look in the "Gallery Page" for photos of the 2011 Rally.

The Goldminer's Rally is open to all Veteran, Vintage, Post-Vintage, Post-War, Historic and Post-Historic motorcycles. The Rally is held over two days.

On the Saturday we have registrations and a Show & Shine. Time permitting, on Saturday afternoon we may also hold a gymkhana and/or go on a short ride. The Saturday evening meal will be catered by the Dingo Creek Winery which will be followed by a movie under the stars.

Sunday morning breakfast will be catered by the HMCCQ which will be followed by a timed rally. There will be both short and long courses with a smoko stop on each.

For 2012 the Goldminer's Rally will again be held over a weekend (to be advised) in July at the Dingo Creek Vineyards at Traveston. Dingo Creek Vineyard has been described as one of the prettiest wineries on the Sunshine Coast and overlooks the majestic Mount Cooroora. There is free camping (no powered sites) and hot showers on site. The vineyard also has a fully equipped kitchen and will provide meals over the weekend at very reasonable prices. And of course some may find the Cellar Door of interest where you can sample the range of boutique wines and Liqueurs including the very popular Honey Mead.

The Dingo Creek Vineyard is conveniently located just off the Bruce Highway at Traveston.

For more information on Dingo Creek Vineyard CLICK HERE