PREPARATIONS have begun for this year’s Round the Houses Motorcycle Twentieth Anniversary commemorative event.
The event, designed to honour the last Round the Houses Motorcycle event held in Collie in 1996, has been planned for November 12 and 13 this year.
Motoring South West board member Michelle Smith, helping to coordinate and organise the event, said the event has major historical significance for Collie.
“Collie has had Round the Houses motorcycle racing since 1948. They have had Australian national titles in Collie and some of the best motorcycle riders in Australia racing around the streets,” she said.
“In 1996, due to insurance problems and duty of care the last motorcycle race of its kind, in Australia, was held in Collie.
“This year is the anniversary of the last race. We would get between 3,000 to 4,000 people to the Round the Houses event from out of town - it was a massive event.”
Ms Smith said plans for the commemorations have included a parade around the last race’s circuit in Collie, inviting riders who participated in the event throughout its history.
Saturday’s schedule has included a display of memorabilia and Show ‘n’ Shine competition at Collie Recreation Ground, trial bikes and a speedway bike event at night.
Sunday’s schedule has included an Historic Motorcycle Club event at Collie Motorplex.
Ms Smith said the event will bring a large number of motorcycle enthusiasts and visitors to the town.
“It’s a chance for the old riders to have a reunion. The public will get the opportunity to see many vintage bikes that haven’t been shown off in public for a long time,” she said.
“We hope it to be an annual or bi-annual event. We certainly hope to do it again because it has the potential to bring at least 1000 people to Collie, maybe more.”
The Shire of Collie approved Motoring South West Inc’s request for in-kind and financial support for the Round the Houses Motorcycle event at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on May 31.
Collie Shire Council president Wayne Sanford said the Round the Houses Motorcycle event was a great initiative for Motoring South West and all organisations involved in the project.
He said the event would bring a significant number of people into town and was a great opportunity to display the historical importance of, and nostalgia for, motorcycle events in Collie.
Motoring South West has urged anyone with memorabilia that they would like to share with them to get in contact, with all photos set to be copied for display and returned before the event.
