THE MILDURA MEANDER 18 & 19 MAY 2019. Kenny Blake was born Kenneth Maxwell Blake. After leaving school, Kenny worked at Gilbert Motors in Strathalbyn as an apprentice panel beater. At 16, he purchased his first bike, a Honda 125 "Benly", working odd jobs in addition to his panel beating apprenticeship to pay for the bike. Racing Career He moved to Adelaide when he was 18 to pursue his career in racing. Kenny won the first race he rode in, which didn't surprise his family or friends, as since he was a toddler, all Kenny wanted to do was to race motorcycles. The Jesser brothers, who recognised his natural ability, gave him his start in racing. In 1969 he won, the Australian TT on the Triumph sponsored by L&D J Jesser at Surfers Paradise and repeated that at Phillip Island the following year. This bike is on display at the Birdwood Mill Museum in Birdwood, South Australia. During this period, Kenny and his mates founded the Phoenix Motorcycle Club, dedicated to motorcycling racers and racing. 1970-1974 In 1970 Kenny transferred his base to Melbourne to be closer to the action, where he was given the new 500cc Kawasaki, 3 cylinder masterpiece to ride, with a top speed of 250kph.
He took the Kawasaki 500 to Bathurst and from a push start he set the lap record at 2.38 in the Unlimited Grand Prix. And then later in day in another event, the 10 lap Bathurst Bi-centenary GP, he set the sizzling lap record of 2.35. In 1971, Kenny was sponsored by Jack Walters, a wealthy motel owner and motorcyclist enthusiast, who provided Kenny with a new 250cc and 350cc Yamaha for the 1972 racing season. With sponsorship from Coca Cola, he went on to victory in 1973 in the 250cc Australian Road Racing Championship. In 1973, he entered the Castrol 6-hour production bike race at Amaroo Park, a very tight and twisty 1.9km circuit. Although a two rider race, Kenny rode the entire 6 hour, 342 lap race without a fellow team member, he won the race. This solo ride was described as one of the all-time greatest riding performances. The following year, Kenny won both the 350cc and 500cc titles on the Yamaha twin and the unlimited titles at Wanneroo Park in Perth. The Yamaha TZ350 revolutionised road racing around the world. The addition of water-cooling in 1973 added a new dimension and enabling mechanical security for longer races. 1975 1980 In 1975, Kenny changed to a TZ700cc Yamaha and later to Suzuki RG500cc. It was in the 1976 Australian 500 TT, where Kenny earned the famous tag 'the man who beat fifteen times World Champion Giacomo Agostini'. The Australian crowd (270,000 of them) went berserk. Kenny made his European debut in 1978, initially on his Yamaha TZ250cc. He competed in 32 meetings that year. He went back in 1979 and 1980 with a new TZ350, which served him well. He rode in other parts of the world, including the USA and Venezuela. 1981 The Isle of Man In 1981 he went to the Isle of Man, it was supposed to have been his last race before retirement. In the 500cc TT (the world's most famous race) he was delayed on the start line with a fuelling problem that had forced him into last position on the grid. In the fifth lap of a six lap race, Kenny was holding in eighth position after passing over 103 riders, when his bike aquaplaned, he slid and hit a concrete post and was killed instantly. Kenneth Maxwell Blake was an 11 times Australian Motorcycle champion. Some experts say that Kenny was the equal of more recent champions Wayne Gardner and Mick Doohan, and he would have won more titles had he not been on a "shoe string" budget.
PROUDLY PRESENTED BY THE SUNRAYSIA HISTORIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC. P.O.Box 2071 Mildura Vic 3502 The Mildura Meander Saturday & Sunday 18 and 19 May 2019. ***CLOSING DATE 28 April 2019.*** GENERAL INFORMATION The event will start on both days from the Mildura Motorcycle Clubrooms at Olympic Park Speedway 11 th Street West, Mildura. The weekend will be an informal affair with 2 runs and plenty of time for riding and for socializing. Tea and coffee will be available both days before the start. vehicles with trailers will be provided. Corner marshals will be used on both days and two back up There will be several regrouping stops to enable slower riders and back up vehicles to catch up, and marshals to remain ahead of the entrants. The average speed for the event will be approximately 75-80kmh. Should a machine break down a 10 minute limit will apply to either rejoin the ride or place it on a back-up trailer so as not to delay marshals, other participants,catering. ***THE LEAD RIDERSHOULD NOT BE OVERTAKEN FOR SAFETY REASONS. *** He knows the location, route, give way and stop signs and up to date road conditions. Saturday at Mildura Motorcycle Club check in from 8.15am and rider briefing at 8.45am for a 9.am start. The run will cover approximately 200kms with regroups as required and a break for morning tea at around 10.30am and lunch at approximately 12.30-1.30pm. More detailed information to be provided on the day. The finish will be back at the Motorcycle Club at approximately 3.30-4pm. The optional Saturday evening meal will be at a local venue in the Mildura CBD to be later advised. Sunday at Mildura Motorcycle Club check in from 8.15am and rider briefing at 8.45am for a 9.am start. The run will cover a total of approximately 120 kms finishing at Wentworth at approximately 12.30 to 1 pm for a light lunch. As in previous years visitors may wish to leave for home from Wentworth after lunch. Marshals will escort remaining riders back to Mildura if required. Subject to interest, a social night will be arranged at a local hotel on Sunday night for those staying the night in Mildura. Please note; (1)There are no trophies (2) All entrants will receive a printed Rally sticker. (3) All bikes must be registered, or have permits to be ridden on roads and riders licensed. (4) The aim is to promote the use of old and/or interesting bikes, and have a safe and enjoyable weekend with like minded people. If your old bike is out of action any bike may be used. Enquiries to; For entries etc ;- Chris Sibley Secretary 0429951513, email christophersibley@iinet.net.au For other enquiries ; Ian Kinleyside Event Co-ordinator 0427730968, email iankinleyside@ymail.com For Accommodation enquiries contact Mildura Visitors Information Centre 1800 039 043 or website www.visitmildura.com.au
ENTRY ENTRANT;.. ADDRESS;.. PHONE; EMAIL;. MOTORCYCLE; (Make) Reg. No.. (Capacity) cc (Year)..Solo/Sidecar CLUB;. ENTRY FEE FOR RIDERS This covers the rally costs plus 2 morning teas, Saturday & Sunday lunch.es, a boat ride and entry to a POI, $ 85.00 SATURDAY EXTRA MORNING TEA FOR NON RIDERS $ 7.00 $ *SATURDAY LUNCH at the most isolated pub in Vic FOR NON RIDERS $20.00 $ *Please circle your choice; (Hamburger & chips) (Chicken burger & chips ) (Snitzel & chips) (Fish & Chips) Saturday night dinner Purchased by participants. Venue TBA SUNDAY EXTRA BOAT RIDE & MORNING TEA FOR NON RIDERS $20.00 $ SUNDAY EXTRA LUNCH FOR NON RIDERS $ 15.00 $ TOTAL; $... Saturday lunch will be out in the sticks at a hotel. Sunday lunch will be at Wentworth weir at the completion of the rally. *****EFT payments are available; BSB- 633000 A/C- 105966329 REF - YOUR FIRST INITIAL & SURNAME. ***IF PAYING BY EFT PLEASE POST YOUR ENTRY FORM TO THE CLUB.*** Entries to be received by 28 April 2019. NO LATE ENTRIES - NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY Cancellation policy Full refunds will be issued subject to the club being advised of non -attendance no later than 28 April 2019.
INDEMNITY Note: Entries are accepted subject to the signed Indemnity attached. (1) All entrants, owners, riders and participants enter and participate in the event solely at their own risk. (2) Sunraysia Historic Motorcycle Club Inc Mildura, the organizers of this rally will not be held liable for any loss or damage or injury suffered by or caused to any entrant, owner, rider, passenger or property attributable to circumstances howsoever arising. In completing and signing this entry form I acknowledge that I have read understood and accepted the Indemnity Statement applying to me as set out in paragraph 2 above and I have entered the event solely at my own risk. Unsigned entry forms will be invalidated and will not be accepted. Entrant s Name:.. Entrant s Signature:.. Date:. ALL ENTRIES AND PAYMENTS TO; SUNRAYSIA HISTORIC MOTOR CYCLE CLUB P.O.BOX 2071 MILDURA VIC 3502.