President’s Message – March 2020

Sadly, we lost another long serving active member in February with the passing of Alan Smith.

Our deepest sympathy to Val & family from the committee and members. Alan will be greatly missed.

See Alan’s Vale in this issue of Sprocket.

I once again made my annual pilgrimage to “The Island” for this year’s Island Classics. What a sensational weekend of classic/ historic racing. Again, no sidecars and a distinctive lack of pre-WW2 machines, but a great weekend all the same.

Behind the main pit garage area in the trade display section I met up with Michael Catchpole from Mid Life Cycles Royal Enfield. You will recall Michael was our guest speaker in June last year. Michael had the two 650 Enfield models on display and asked me if I could help him unload something special from his van. What was lurking in Michael’s van was a specially prepared Interceptor 650 Salt Lake Racer, named Sabre – wow!

This bike was eye candy personified!

The engine has had significant work, but still remains a 650cc machine, the engine modifications have been made as a test bed for performance parts and ancillaries that will be supplied by Mid Life Motorcycles to customers with road – going Royal Enfield twins.

The chassis has seen modifications as well, to ensure it is up to the task in hand.

Good luck to Michael and Charlie Hallam in their attempt to break the current Dry Lake Racers Australia Speed Week record at Lake Gardiner in March this year in the M-F 650 class. Current record stands at 119 MPH.

See pics in this issue of Sprocket.

Don’t forget to complete the 50th Anniversary Rally – Expression of Interest (EOI) Form in this issue of Sprocket.

As stated on the EOI form, this is a very important part of the planning process for the committee to gauge numbers for what will be a premium Club event not to be missed. Please return your EOI form by 30th April 2020.

Lots to look forward to this year – Inverloch Rally late this month, Brass Monkey Rally in July at Thornton & Rex and Pam are happy to have us back at Llanelly for our Bi-annual Ride & Ruffit Rally on the weekend of 10th & 11th of October. Plus, all the usual day rides and meetings of course.

Salvum sedendum

Ian Snadden

President CMCCV