IT’S taken many years, but three families have refuelled the Upper Hunter Motorcycle Club (UHMCC).
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The Lake Glenbawn facility was closed for about 30 months, due to the track requiring a rebuild and the committee trying to raise the funds to achieve this.
However, thanks to the efforts of John and Fiona Brady, Mark and Sabrina Dick, and Jeremy and Michelle Gray, and their children, the organisation is now back in business, offering social riding twice a week.
Mr Dick also steps into the president’s role on the executive, with his wife the secretary, while Mr Gray has taken on the vice-president’s duties and Mr Brady is the treasurer.
“We spend a lot of time together,” he said with a laugh.
“So, it’s definitely a family-friendly club.
“But, we all wanted somewhere for the kids to ride.
“And, we all chip in, even the children.
“We’ve also been extremely lucky with the support offered by various businesses in the Hunter Valley; Max Hire, JMG Maintenance & Fabrication, Brook Outdoors, Pirtek Muswellbrook, Freo Cranes – Muswellbrook, Aggreko, I Can Dig It Excavations, KMC Earthmoving, Pipes & Pumpline Services, Muswellbrook Electrical Supplies, Garlicks H Hardware, Muswellbrook Steel, Jonesy’s Evacuations and the Muswellbrook Race Club.”
The Bradys, Dicks and Grays spent several years coordinating the overhaul of the track – and its relicensing, reopening and running of social ride days.
That hard has work paid off; with more than 300 members on board.
“We have a good number of locals, as well as riders from Sydney to Tamworth,” Mr Dick said.
We have a good number of locals, as well as riders from Sydney to Tamworth.
- Mark Dick
“People really rate the UHMCC track.
“All the double and triple jumps were removed and single and table tops created in their place.
“If riders get a jump wrong, they simply flat land as opposed to facing another jump.
“The club’s been granted a social ride permit by Motorcycle NSW (MNSW), which allows anyone to come and ride on a real motocross track.
“There is no requirement to have a racing licence.
“Social riding involves different classes, based on age.
“Typically, there are three or four categories – seniors (16 years and older), advanced juniors (4-15 years), novice juniors (4-15 years) and pee wees on 50cc bikes.
“No gate start or chequered flag finish also means participants can begin, ride and stop without the pressure of racing.”
Mr Dick admits the job’s not over, just yet.
“Recently, through the funds generated on ride days, we purchased a tractor to prep the track,” he said.
“Now, we have plans to improve the circuit and course even further, as well as upgrade the sign-up room.
“We’re looking at a designated pee wee track, too.
“It’s in the pipeline, but we’re hoping to host competitions here at a later date.
“It would also be nice to get more volunteers involved, to help out with ride days, the canteen and working bees.”
The cost to join and ride at the UHMCC is: membership - $30 junior, $40 senior, $60 senior; ride fee - $30 junior, $40 senior ($10 discount if current MNSW licence is produced on the day)
UHMCC dates for 2016:
July –
Wednesday, July 27; Saturday, July 30
August –
Wednesday, August 3; Saturday, August 20; Wednesday, August 24; Saturday, August 27; Wednesday, August 31
September –
Saturday, September 17; Wednesday, September 21; Saturday, September 24; Wednesday, September 28
October –
Saturday, October 15; Wednesday, October 19; Saturday, October 22; Wednesday, October 26
November –
Saturday, November 12; Wednesday, November 16; Saturday, November 19; Wednesday, November 23
December –
Saturday, December 10; Wednesday, December 14; Saturday, December 17; Wednesday, December 21
