AJS & Matchless Owners Club Australia Inc
Jampot Down Under
2009 Goulburn rally report by David deLapp
It all started 29 years ago when a group of enthusiasts decided to hold the first ‘Downunder’ Jampot Rally at ‘Motto Farm’, just north of Australia’s Newcastle. My, how things have changed since then!
At the first Downunder Jampot our headquarters were at a caravan park. It was just a gathering of ‘Blokes on Bikes’ all out for a good ride. The route was planned and then we were off, one chasing the other until we stopped for lunch and then it was back for an evening meal. There was lots of story telling, bragging and boasting of mechanical prowess (tall tales and true from the legendary past). How fast, how good and how to modify for performance? My G12 had been previously bored out to 700cc and had all the go-fast looking accessories – sissy Bar, east rider handle bars, Triumph mufflers, BSA siamese headers and a bright red tank (red bikes always went faster than blue un’s).
Back to 2009 and how things have changed. This year’s rally saw over 100 bikes and catering for more than 150 people (record Numbers for Oz). The routes for Saturday and Sunday were meticulously planned with corner marshals at every major junction, all clad in brightly coloured vests. This was one of the few rallies where no one got lost. We had a mini bus to ferry the non-riders and accompanying family members around, so no one was left out. Plus three back up vehicles for breakdowns (these were only used twice). Morning teas and lunches were supplied in ample quantity by the local community progress association. Sponsorship and raffle support enabled us to have 16 trophies and at least 50 raffle prizes at the presentation dinner, which was fully catered with table service and a well stocked bar.
The dinner function/presentation was a masterpiece of organisation with a digital slide show of bikes from previous rallies as well as a magnificent visual display of the history of TT and GP racing in Australia. The TT was first run in our host town of Goulburn in 1914 and the GP in 1924. We were privileged to have a personalised showing of original images (taken from glass plate negatives) of the first Aussie TT and GP races. Our guest speaker was Wayne Adams, from the local Goulburn Classic Rider’s Club who researched the local history and has produced a book ‘The Racing Boys’ to commemorate these historical events (copies are still available). The backdrop for the evening was an immaculate Big Port AJS (with original race numbers) supplied by Wayne to create an atmosphere of originality.
What a difference 29 years can make with rally organisation. Oh, I forgot to mention the run on Saturday was over part of the original TT circuit and included a visit to the roadside GP memorial. By the way, in 1927 the Junior GP 1st, 2nd and 3rd places were all won by 350 Big Port AJSs and this was also repeated in the 1927 Moran 500.
Yours in Motorcycling
David deLapp
