Festival of Motorcycling SA 2023

The 59 Club has joined the group of South Australian motorcycle clubs taking part in the Festival of Motorcycling SA. The Adelaide chapter of the 59 Club led the Festival of Motorcycling SA entrants on the ride to the Balhannah Swap Meet and then on to the Collingrove hill climb on the first day of the 2023 Festival.

Guest speakers at this year’s Night of Champions ranged from 14-year-old Archie Schmidt, of the Yamaha “bLU cRU” road racing team, to world land-speed record contender, and retired speedway champion, Dave Parker.  Archie is currently racing in the Oceania Junior cup and in second place in the championship rankings and 1st place in the state ranking. 

Other guest speakers included Paul Wilkins, author of an “encyclopedia” of Vincent HRD in South Australia and Connor Hogan, international competitor and current SA trials champion. Dave Parker entertained the crowd with speedway and salt-lake land speed record stories, adding to the reality of the stories by starting the Land Speed Record bike up on the balcony of the Speedboat Club dinner venue. 

The daily guided and supported rides were again part of the week’s program with rides led by the Classic Owners Motorcycle Club, Triumph Riders Club, Barossa Valley Classic Motorcycle Club, the Ducati Owners Club and the 59 Club. Destinations included the Murraylands, Barossa Valley, National Motor Museum and Fleurieu Peninsula from various starting locations.

The week ended with a “new for FOMSA” event, a fund-raising Poker Run through the Adelaide Hills and southern Barossa Valley.

Planning is underway for the first FOMSA event for 2024, European Motorcycle Day on February 18th which will be hosted by the Ducati Owners Club of SA at Balhannah Oval. Visitors can expect to see marques such as Ducati, Moto Guzzi, MV Augusta, Laverda, Bultaco and many more.