MV’s Club Spotlight this time shines on the Hartwell Motorcycle Club; a Road Race club that bases a number of it’s events at the State Motorcycle Sports Complex, Broadford.
The Hartwell Motorcycle Club is the largest road racing club in Australia. The Club began in 1931 in Hartwell – near Camberwell, an inner city suburb of Melbourne Victoria, where they first conducted races on vacant blocks of land in the area.
We are now based in Bayswater, Metropolitan Melbourne, with our members coming from all States of Australia and overseas. Hartwell MCC run a five round Championship series with rounds at Mt Gambier (SA), Broadford and Phillip Island (VIC) and are intending on returning to Winton (VIC) in 2017. We also run a Seniors meeting (over 45) event to cater for the older riders of classic and modern bikes.
Hartwell Motorcycle Club conducts events for all levels of rider ability and inclination, from those who just compete for the enjoyment, to those who aspire to reach the pinnacle of world motorcycle racing.
There are over 20 Championship classes to compete in, with riders ranging from Novice to Expert and on a wide range of machines including Buckets, 125 & 250 Grand Prix, 600’s , Over 600’s, Supermono, Thunderbikes, Pre Modern, 300 Road Base Production and Sidecars. Historic classes are Classic, Post Classic, Forgotten Era and the Period 6 &7.Junior development is also a high priority with 70, 80 & 150cc classes having been part of the national junior championship.
Classes are based on the National Championships, plus a few extras. Over many years they have also been involved in promoting and running various events such as the Hartwell Stars of Tomorrow Between 1975 and 2003 where the Club ran the annual Stars of Tomorrow race meeting, the largest C&D grade road race meeting in the country and more so in recent years they helped with the Victorian (VRRC) and National (ASBK) Road race Championships. A number of our Officials have been and are currently involved in the running of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and the World Superbikes. 2016 and 2017 sees Hartwell as a co-promoter for the current ASBK series where they supply officials and run the meeting. Additionally the renewal of the Hartwell “Stars of tomorrow” returns as a support category at the ASBK meeting for our 600cc and 1000cc novice riders.
Hartwell incorporate a first timers program for new comers to the sport where they receive group and individual mentoring from coaches in their first season of competition to ensure a smooth transition onto the sport.
Our members compete at various levels of competition including Club, State and National Titles and some also at an International Level. Some members compete in other disciplines as well, such as- dirt track, motocross, speedway etc.
Over the years there has been a number of club members leave our shores to compete overseas such as Josh Waters (BSB), Jed Metcher (BSB and IDM), Levy Day (BSB), Nic Limington (CEV), Lawson Walters (CEV), Dwight Beare – sidecar (IoM) just to name a few. Past and current members to win major titles include Tom Phillis – 1961 125cc World Champion, Ken Kavanagh – 1956 Junior IOM TT Winner, Barry Smith – Formula 3 Champion, Fred Bayens – 1992 250 Production Champion, Rene Bongers – 1993 250GP Champion, Steve Martin 1999 Australian Superbike Champion and a multitude of 125GP Australian Champions including Paul Lewis, Micheal Haisman, Buster Saunders, Trevor Manley, Andrew Duke , Joshua Waters, Jed Metcher 2011 European Superstock champion and world Supersport / superbike and BSB rider.
For more information on the Hartwell Motorcycle Club, their contact information is below.
Hartwell Motorcycle Club
P.O. Box 2023, Bayswater Vic 3153
Telephone & Fax: (03) 9729 7729
www.hartwellmcc.org
Hartwell Motorcycle Club Facebook Page