At the time of Australia’s first Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Goulburn Evening Post described the riders crossing the finish line like “a black object coming out of space like a projectile”.
The winner of the race in Goulburn was Victorian Dave Brewtser, known as “Big Dave”, who completed the 208-mile course in four hours and four minutes on an Indian chief motorcycle.
“They were incredibly brave or incredibly dumb,” motorcycle enthusiast Peter Seymour said.
“The speeds they got up to were amazing and they had some braking about them, but not by modern day standards.
“They were very brave and foolhardy, the conditions weren’t great, I just think they were amazing humans.”
Celebration of motorcycle ‘pioneers’
The first motorcycle arrived in Goulburn in 1905 and the Goulburn Motorcycle Club was founded in 1911.
By 1930, the city was considered the centre of most motorcycle racing in New South Wales.
As well as hosting the first Grand Prix to be sanctioned by the sport’s governing body, the Auto-Cycle Union of NSW, it also hosted five Tourist Trophy (TT) races.
This included the first TT race in Australia in 1914.
The races were on unsealed roads, with riders travelling along the grooves created by horse carts — the most common form of transport at the time.
The bikes that were used had little to no safety features, including limited brakes and no speedometer.
“You were riding by the seat of your pants, there were no electronics on them, you have cogs and wheels turning around and oil spitting everywhere,” motorcycle enthusiast Greg Smith said.
“You’ve got to take your hat off to them because they were pioneers in their industry and it started the whole cycle for our modern machines.”
A chance to recreate history
Greg Smith and Peter Seymour will both be following the tracks of the pioneering riders as part of the centenary celebration.
The re-enactment ride in Goulburn will follow the same course as the first GP, taking in an 80km loop south of Goulburn.
More than 400 riders will take part on various vintage machines.
Greg Smith said speed was no longer the goal.
“Everything overtakes you so you just putter along, don’t push them hard, just plug along and enjoy the scenery,” he said.
For Peter Seymour, he hoped his trusty machine could survive the distance.
“I’m excited and nervous — the Waratah is a rideable and operational bike, but it hasn’t been tested over distances and we’ll do our best and just ride it until it stops,” he said.
“I have a modern-day helmet and gloves and everything else — you name it, I’m wearing it.”
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