ONE hundred years ago Australia’s first tourist trophy motorcycle race was held in the winding tracks and open paddocks that adorned the villages of Yarra, Breadalbane and Collector, south of Goulburn.
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It was the first time riders from interstate had raced against each other, with competitors from as far as South Australia making their way to Goulburn for the race that replicated the famous Isle of Man motorcycle spectacle on the other side of the world.
The original was dubbed the ‘tourist trophy’ due to the amount of foreign competitors who had flocked to the island to compete at the first race in 1907.
For Australia’s race, the name stuck, but instead of cobblestone roads and seaside views, the race was fought on the paddocks of the Southern Tablelands. A century on and motorcycle enthusiasts from the region gathered to remember the historic event.
Over forty riders from the Classic Riders Club of Goulburn gathered to take on the original 33 mile triangular course that was first raced on April 13 1914.
They were joined by enthusiasts from all over the region who came on Sunday morning, 100 years to the day. A young racer named Jack Booth won the first race all those years ago on an iconic Indian Motorcycle.
Although the Indian factory closed in the 1950s, a number of Indian motorcycles, all well over 60-years-old took part in the anniversary event.
