Wednesday was Anzac day here in Australia and we had the day off. So I thought I'd try and take some photo's with my new camera. I checked and there was a ride day on at Sydney Motorsport Park. Perfect, so off I trotted with my expensive camera and no idea how to use it. Rather than just use Auto I went full on into changing this that and the other. It took me a while to realise how important shutter speed was. There's some picture's here that look like the bike is not moving hahaha. Practice practise, and more practise.
I thought I'd better get off my fat lazy ass and post this up, it only happened a month ago. I've had a lot on lately so here it is in all it's glory even though I've forgotten half of it.
The 2018 International Festival of Speed was on again last month and our good mate Stu managed to supply me with a free ticket to get in to the track to watch the action. I was busy on the saturday so we decided to head out there on sunday. The lads from the Tassie trip all showed in support of Rick and Stu.
The Festival of speed or as it was formally know 'the Barry Sheen Festival of Speed' is held at Sydney Motorsport Park every year. It is put on by the Post Classic Racing Association. A list of international guests as well as local riders take to the track on over 400+ historic bikes. There are autograph sessions and plenty of bike porn on offer for everyone.
This years riders included
Troy Corser - World Superbike Champion 2x
Troy Bayliss - World Superbike Champion 3x & MotoGP
Pierfranceso Chili - World Superbike & 500cc GP
Jeremy McWilliams - 250cc GP
Steve Parish - 500cc GP
Kevin Magee - 500cc GP
Chris Vermeulen - World Supersport Champion & MotoGP
Sir Alan Cathcrt - Journalist
Both Rick and Stu, good friends of mine were racing in this years event, but unfortunately by the time we got to the track on Sunday Ricks bike had already expired and we didn't get to see him racing. However Stu had both his race bikes and was entered into 2 different classes.
It seems like every year the crowds are getting bigger and bigger. And why not? Its a fantastic day out with historic bikes and famous riders all in attendance. There are trade stands in the back of the pits and best of all you can actually get up close to all those bikes.
Troy Bayliss had his 2001 winning World Superbike and his current 2018 Australian Superbike in attendance. It was fantastic to see these 2 bikes side by side. One classic and one soon to be a classic.
Greg Prettys Yamaha #17
Not only are there classic bikes racing but punters turn up on some classics of their own like this Suzuki Katana. It was immaculate.
This next bike makes me feel very young. Why? Well, what the hell is Norvin? Sounds like a cross between a Norton and a Vincent. I'm sure a certain Geoff James from across the ditch will be able to tell a young fella like myself all about this machine and its ancient history as it's probably from his era. Hahahaha
Oopsy
Dr Kwoks ship of broken dreams.....
Art or Junk?
Autograph signing sessions
For us slightly older guys that still remember going to 500c GP and such there's nothing like the smell of Castrol R from the two strokes. Yeah it's probably an older guys thing. You young people just wouldn't understand.
Bruce and I did a little pit crewing for Stu whilst there. However we had a little failure moment where he had 2 races back to back which we didn't realise where we got him out of the pits too slowly and he had to start the second race from pitlane due to his slack pit crew. It actually helped him as turn 2 turned into a massive accident mid-late pack taking out a few riders, so luckily he missed that carnage and stayed upright. Sometimes things happen for a reason.
Another successful day out at the races. If you get the chance get yourself out to the Festival of speed and support local racing. It's a great day out with plenty of things to see and do.
Here is a quick video of the event from Old Bike Australasia. Check them out.