The 2020 Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Clubs National Rally has been and gone for another year. As the demographics shift this part of the heritage motorcycle scene is becoming more popular as the ‘Baby Boomers’ revisit there youth. For many of these boomers motorcycles were not only there sporting and recreational interest in there youth but also a primary form of transport to get to work or study. This resurgence can also be seen in how bikes from this era are influencing Classic Motorcycle Racing in New Zealand and around the world with the rise of the post classic classes. This interest has seen a number of groups formed around the country to support this with longest running one being the VJMC. It is part of an international club who have branches all around the world including great Britain, Australia and The United States of America. Each of these clubs run a national rally and for this year the New Zealand rally was held Pahiatua.
The Masters Hall in Pahiatua was graced with sights and sounds of a wide range of Vintage Japanese motorcycles over the weekend of the 14th,15th and 16th of February. The Friday evening began with the usual BBQ and refreshments with the ‘Levin Gourmet Sausages’ going down very well. The weather forecast on Saturday morning was excellent for the days activities beginning with breakfast and the show and shine. The judging was a difficult task with many great choices available. It was great to see a number of local motorcyclists also come along to enjoy the lineup with some staying on for the lunch run to Pongaroa.
The 11 am departure saw some head to the drags in Masterton whilst the rest headed off down State Highway 2 towards the first turnoff just before Eketahuna. There are some wonderful motorcycling roads through here and with the earthquake repairs almost completed it was a great run through to Route 52 where it intersected at Alfredton. This had everyone heading towards Pongaroa with some lovely corners and scenery being enjoyed along the way. Last stop before Pongaroa was Tiraumea with yet more fine roads ahead to enjoy the run into Pongaroa. The kitchen at the hotel had been forewarned of our arrival and in no time everyone was heading to order a hearty fish or chicken meal and some appropriate refreshment.
All to soon we were on our way back to Pahiatua over the Puketoi Ranges and through Makuri. It is another great motorcycle road but like all B roads care needs to be taken with occasional unsigned gravel patches. Everyone made it through successfully and it was back to the Masters Hall for the dinner and prize giving. The pre dinner drinks were soon followed by a hearty meal of Guinness steak pie with veggies and cheese cake followed by assorted chasers! The prize giving soon followed with plenty of prizes for everyone, but special prizes for the following:
Best Kawasaki: Alan Clark and his 1972 H2
Best Yamaha: Doug Smith and his 1976 XS 750
Best Honda: Andrew Jenning and his 1978 CBX 1000
Best Suzuki: Ross Charlton and his 1968 Suzuki 500 Cobra
Peoples Choice: Stuart MacKenzie and his 1972 Suzuki GT 750
As the clock headed towards midnight the troops slowly headed off to there rooms in dribs and drabs. Being able to share all the sights and sounds of old Japanese Classic motorcycles with like minded people made for a great day and as people emerged for breakfast the following morning the talk around the breakfast table certainly reflected this. After a few more photos were taken bag’s were packed and tied onto bikes and people said there goodbyes. It had been great weekend and on behalf of everyone who attended a big thank you to the Charlton family who organised and ran the weekend.
