Hall of Fame Clubs

BEMC British Empire Motor Club - Class of 2008

admin — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 16:17:08 +0000

BEMC British Empire Motor Club - Class of 2008 admin Fri, 09/29/2017 - 12:17

Playing a vital role in the growth of motorcycling as we know it today

The British Empire Motor Club hit the ground running a mere 80 years ago and immediately began to play a vital role in the growth of motorcycling as we know it today. As the name implies, it was launched to promote British motorcycles and the types of events to which they were best suited. American brands already were well represented here and the American Motorcycle Association was involved in sanctioning a growing number of competition events in Canada. Canadians who thought this was an unhealthy trend banded together in Toronto, with the encouragement of importers for the English brands, and BEMC was founded in 1928.

The clubs first elected president was Graham Oates, a native of the Isle of Man who had just completed a great motorcycle adventure across Canada. His single-cylinder Ariel with sidecar built by the Sturgess family dealership in Hamilton, which is still in operation today, was the first rubber-tired vehicle to travel the country from coast to coast. Lack of any roads in northern Ontario forced Oates to travel hundreds of miles on the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks, giving the rider, bike and sidecar a severe pounding, but great publicity ensued.

Club headquarters in the early days was the Overseas Motors dealership on Danforth Ave. where Oates was vice-president, and which imported Ariel, Coventry-Eagle, Matchless and Rudge motorcycles.The British Empire Motor Club was quickly involved in organizing trials, scrambles, hill climbs and road races in Southern Ontario anywhere a suitable location could be found. Those locations seem unlikely today. Hill climbs were held on the banks of the Don Valley in the days before building of the viaduct; scrambles took place near Lake Ontario in what is now residential Mississauga and 24-hour races were run over gravel public roads near the Forks of the Credit.

The Bayview TT held in the early years, used the Bridle Path and Post Road for two years before building of the spacious mansions that dominate the area today. When permission was no longer available for road closings in Toronto, the club secured access to what was then the broad sands of Wasaga Beach on Georgian Bay. Once a year BEMC held speed trials and long-distance races on an improvised beach course that attracted substantial crowds and which lasted until the final event in 1949.

BEMC was formed purely as a motorcycle club, but in 1939 decided to open its membership to car enthusiasts. The first joint program with bikes and cars was held in 1950, at a former wartime airport at Edenvale, near Stayner. It drew 16 four-wheel entries, but six years later the number grew to 122 when the club moved its activities to another abandoned airport, this one to be known as Harewood Acres, near Jarvis. Ont. Harewood was the mainstay of road racing for the next 15 years until BEMC's bold move at property ownership bore fruit in the shape of Mosport Park, now Mosport International Raceway. The first motorsports event held at Mosport was in fact a fund-raising scramble on May 24, 1959, well before the pavement went down. After a succession of financial problems, Mosport ended up in private hands in 1966.

BEMC has organized more motorsport events than any other club in Canada. At its peak, the club counted 597 members in 1957. Its calendar of events included car and motorcycle road races, hill climbs, ice racing, scrambles, trials, rallies, driving skill tests and social events.

Today, BEMC is still active and organizes two car race weekends at Mosport, an ice race and the Corduroy Enduro, all events with a history of more than 50 years. From 1928 to 2008, BEMC has kept motorsport on track.

BEMC was inducted into the Canadian MotorSPORTS Hall of Fame in 2003. CLICK HERE to visit that website.

Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG) - Class of 2007

admin — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 15:24:23 +0000

Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG) - Class of 2007 admin Fri, 09/29/2017 - 11:24

Preserving the history and heritage of the motorcycle and motorcycling in Canada

“Preserve the history and heritage of the motorcycle and motorcycling in Canada” these words are drawn directly from the mission statement of the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame/Museum. By any measure, for the last 40 years, the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG) has done precisely that and considerably more!

In celebration of their 40th anniversary this year, the CVMG organized a cross-Canada vintage relay run. Current president, Peter Salter and fellow club member, Al Mears completed a 12,000 km journey that ranged from Chester, N.S., to Victoria, B.C. CVMG members from the club’s 27 sections along the way, joined Peter and Al, riding with them as far as time and personal schedules permitted and sharing many memorable experiences. This type of CVMG activity is indicative of the enthusiastic efforts that have contributed to achieving the goals embodied in their mission statement. In the course of doing so, the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group has helped bond the motorcycling community from coast to coast. A wonderful achievement!

But how and when did it all start? One of the CVMG founders and first president, Peter Gagan relates the story that the very first motorcycle he ever rode was a brand new Vincent Rapide, a red one belonging to a relative. Those who know the prestigious Vincent brand, arguably the best motorcycle of its day, drool with envy at the thought. Peter’s own daily transportation to high school was to be something a little more modest, a 1951 125 cc Francis-Barnett.

Peter was also interested in old cars back then, restoring a Model T Ford, but these early experiences on two wheels gave him a strong fascination for motorcycles. Thinking it would be neat to have an old bike, he soon found and bought one: a 1912 Indian, acquired for the princely sum of $5. More drooling! The Indian still had the original white tires, but was clad more in rust red as opposed to the original Indian red. In his own words, ‘a coat of that good old Canadian Tire red paint, and I had my first vintage motorcycle’.

Peter soon joined the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. Nearly 50 years later he is currently president of AMCA, but that’s another story. For the first 10 years or so Peter was content with attending the occasional function in the U.S., and taking his bikes to antique car meets. Along the way, he met other Canadians who shared his interest in vintage motorcycles, and so he invited them to his home. That resulted in a letter being mailed to 37 enthusiasts to determine if there was a basis for forming a Canadian vintage motorcycle club. The response was very encouraging with 28 ‘characters’ coming from places such as Gravenhurst, Belleville, Niagara Falls and Waterdown to his home in Port Credit, Ont. Pete got out some beer for the occasion and a helmet was passed around to collect funds for the next mailing.

Among those in attendance were John Cooper, Malcolm Black, Chris Waite, Jack Watson, Charlie Emmans, Murray Bluestone and his son Gary, and Bert McKie. A couple of years later Peter met Allan Johnson, who also went on to become president of CVMG and is widely acknowledged as being a major contributor to the development of the club. Another founding member, Eric Dawson, who later moved back to his native England, proposed the name Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group at a subsequent meeting at John Cooper’s home. The words “motorcycle club” were considered to have negative connotations.

Since those early days, to 2007, a year which marks the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group, a great deal has transpired. There have been some milestones along the way. There were 13 people at the first ‘official’ meeting, of which both Peter Gagan and John Cooper are still active. Several events were held during the 1969-73 period, one of which was a bike display at the newly opened Ontario Science Centre and another, demonstration lapping at Mosport. By 1973, the group had about 70 members on the mailing list. It was decided to formally name an executive, to impose annual dues of $5 and to organize a rally. In that year its first annual rally was held at the grounds of the Welland County Motorcycle Club with 37 entries. Since then, it has become an annual fixture on the Father’s Day weekend.

It was late in the 1970’s when the basis of the current CVMG constitution was developed, and the group registered as a non-profit organization in 1979. Later came the idea of sections in various geographical areas, and a revision in the constitution to give each section a vote at the national executive level. The annual rally, which was large even then, was organized by a committee of volunteers from the various adjacent sections, under the guidance of the national executive. The rally was held at Welland for several years and then moved to Molson Park in Barrie, followed by a year at Cayuga speedway, then back to the expanded Welland County M.C. facility before finally reaching its current location at the Paris Fairground, which is considered the best site in its 35-year history.

Among the major services to members is the CVMG newsletter, which at an average 32 pages is the only monthly motorcycle magazine published in Canada. The club also provides an annual membership roster, insurance for local events and affiliation with the Canadian Motorcycle Association. Local sections receive an annual subsidy to help with their activities, such as meetings, rallies and shows across Canada. The club also organizes a number of vintage trials.

Growth of the CVMG has been steady over the years thanks to the member services it provides, all on a volunteer basis. Among its many accomplishments, CVMG has been successful in lobbying government for fairer laws concerning motorcycles, such as exemption to mandatory headlight use for pre-1970 motorcycles (1976), licences for all vehicles not used on the road (1983), as well as safety issues (1976-onwards), changes to general motorcycle insurance (1987-1997) and vintage insurance (1973-1980s and 1991 onwards).

Today, the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group can proudly boast of a membership totalling more than 1,700 enthusiasts. CVMG members own 7,342 motorcycles, giving a rough average of 4.3 machines per member. In all, there are 200 different brands in the CVMG membership collection; some of them many of us have never seen or heard of! Throughout the year you can participate in any number of CVMG activities across the country, ranging from road rallies and club runs, swap meets, bike shows, displays, monthly club section meetings, Sunday breakfast gatherings and so on. Various individual members are marque specialists willing to share their expertise in restoration of specific brands. Some roadside assistance is also offered to members on tour. There is of course the annual national rally in Paris, and in nearby Brantford is the location of the closely affiliated Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Museum, a recommended visit.

Bringing the CVMG to the level of development that we enjoy today has taken a huge amount of dedication, commitment and hard work by many people. They are too numerous to mention, and perhaps to mention one or more would be an unintentional disservice to others. The contributions of those individuals, and of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group to motorcycling in Canada, is outstanding. It is our honour and pleasure to honour them at this time by inducting the CVMG into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Club Moto Saguenay - Class of 2012

admin — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 19:44:39 +0000

Club Moto Saguenay - Class of 2012 admin Tue, 10/24/2017 - 15:44

Holding a prominent role in the sport in Quebec

The history of the Club de Moto du Saguenay is a capsule of the history of Quebec motorcycling over the past half-century. From its founding in 1955, the club has been deeply involved in organizing most forms of motorcycle competition as well as encouraging road safety and touring, and providing service to the community in the Lac Saint-Jean region.

First president of the club was Raymond Gref, who led the organization during its first four years and was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2006. Ray’s energetic leadership quickly helped establish the CMS as one of the most influential clubs in Quebec. From the club’s earliest days it produced ice races, TT scrambles, motocrosses, drag races and dirt track events that attracted the best riders in Quebec, Ontario and the New England states. International rivalries were stoked with a Canada vs. United States motocross challenge series and Yvon Duhamel, Ron Keys, Ray Boasman, Joe Bolger, Jeff Smith, Bill Sharpless and Jack Hunt were among many top riders who battled in Chicoutimi.

The club counts among its greatest accomplishments its involvement in the six-round Laurentide motocross series of the 1970s and production of the 1977 FIM world championship trial in Chicoutimi in which Ray’s son Charles was top-placed Canadian at age 16. It hosted Canadian Motorcycle Association national championship races and organized an indoor trial in Montreal. That was the golden era of the CMA and of volunteer-led clubs that formed the backbone of race organization. Nowadays the Club de Moto du Saguenay is affiliated with the Federation Motocycliste du Quebec and the majority of events are professionally run.

But the club was and is far more than just racing. It encouraged road riding and touring from the earliest days and its members adopted safety helmets long before they became mandatory in Quebec in 1973. The first blessing of motorcycles was held in Chicoutimi in the spring of 1956. Motorcycle group escorts have been provided for important community events such as the Stanley Cup parade in Chicoutimi featuring star players Guy Carbonneau and Mario Tremblay. In addition, the club for about 10 years organized motorcycle shows in Chicoutimi and Jonquiere.

Today the focus is on road riding, with two or three group rides on the club calendar each week of the riding season and longer trips to major touring events such as Americade and Laconia, or even across Canada and the United States. After 57 years of continuous operation, the Club de Moto du Saguenay retains its prominent role in the sport in Quebec.

Joseph and Vera Godsall - Class of 2018

Vada — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 23:21:12 +0000

Joseph and Vera Godsall - Class of 2018 Vada Thu, 01/24/2019 - 18:21

Their major claim to fame is as the saviours, more than once, of motocross activity in British Columbia

When you say Motocross to an enthusiast in BC, they will automatically think – Joe Godsall. Being a competitive motocross racer, Joe understands the value the sport brings to the younger participants and their families as well as encouraging the competitive drive in the older generation and has promoted the sport for many years.

Born in England, Joe road raced on the ACU circuits until they moved to Canada in 1963. They became involved in Canadian motorcycling, particularly motocross, while raising a family in White Rock, BC. Joe was the 1981 CMA Vet Junior National Champion.

Impressed with the quality of the events being organized, they decided to get involved with the CMA and both were elected to the CMA BC Region Board, where Joe served as President and Vera as Region Secretary. Each of them attained the status of CMA National Referee, overseeing many events, positions they still occupy to this day. Joe became the BC board member for CMA National and served as Vice President and then President from 1989 to 1997 and from 2001 to present time. He served on National Committees and both he and Vera were willing to assist the organization in any way possible. Joe holds FIM official’s credentials in Environment and Trials. Both Vera and Joe are lifetime members of the CMA.

But perhaps their major claim to fame is as the saviours, more than once, of the motocross activity in British Columbia.

The Agassiz Motocross Club was formed in 1972 and became affiliated with the CMA. Laurence St. Pierre, president of the club, with Joe and Vera’s assistance, built a motocross track. When the track was in danger of closing, they worked to obtain a lease renewal under the CMA banner. Every race weekend Joe and Vera attended the events offering assistance wherever needed. Although they lived eighty miles away, they would drive out at 6AM to spend the day preparing the track often until 10 at night, and back at 7AM the following day to put on the racing. For the last 34 years, they have been doing this consistently with never a complaint. Joe has also implemented many track improvements including back falling start gates and an underground watering system. They also introduced CMA motocross schools at Agassiz to improve off road skills for motorcyclists.

When motocross was suffering under harsh economic pressures, they gathered together interested parties and formed a not for profit club (now known as the Lower Mainland Motocross Club) who were permitted to run events at the CMA Agassiz track until they obtained use of a track at Mission.

When we were losing clubs due to financial pressures, Vera organized a race herself to fill the void. She also formed a group, Hi-Tech Racing to organize CMA motocross events in BC.

Both Joe and Vera were very active in producing the CMA Super Series, one of the most successful motocross series, with events taking place at all tracks in the Province.

Joe and Vera are always willing to assist organizers in whatever capacity is needed at events and have donated many thousands of hours of volunteer time to the sport. Vera volunteered to run the Aldergrove Competition Motorcycle Association Tuesday night mini motocross track for many years at the Little Rock track. Vera rode her bike to work daily, 100 km round trip, including during the winter.

The British Columbia Oldtimer’s Motocross Club (BCOT) was formed in 1974 and is a member of the International Old Timers Motocross Association which consists of 12 clubs on the West Coast: California, all of the north-West states, British Columbia and Alberta. The BCOT run 4 events each year at the Agassiz Track: 3 practices and an International Race which attracts up to 200 riders and their families from the United States and Canada. The BCOT is now celebrating its 44^th year as a Motocross Club. Without Joe and Vera’s help over the years, the club would not be as successful as it is now. They help out tremendously from preparing the track to playing a major role in the International event. The Godsalls have always promoted motocross in British Columbia, done whatever they can to allow the sport to grow and are dedicated to preserving this pattern. They are well respected in the motorcycling community and their goodwill and dedication are irreplaceable.

Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club - Class of 2010

admin — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 20:33:09 +0000

Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club - Class of 2010 admin Fri, 10/13/2017 - 16:33

“For the betterment of motorcycling”

Energy and longevity are the hallmarks of the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club, whose motto is “For the betterment of motorcycling.” The GVMC has been an integral part of the motorcycle community since 1922, when it was launched as the Lions Gate Motorcycle Club with Fred Deeley as one of the founding members. Meetings were held upstairs from the Deeley car and motorcycle dealership. Three generations of the Deeley family have been members of the GVMC over the years. In 1931 the Lions Gate club merged with the Big Four Motorcycle Club to form the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club.

Today the club has its own headquarters building in Surrey, where meetings are held the second, third and fourth Tuesday of every month. After 88 years the club is busy as ever, boasting a calendar packed with rides both on- and off-road, enduros, tours, parties, dinners, charity events and shows. Some of its signature events have been running 50, 60, even 80 years and continue to entertain and challenge club members and guests in activities all over the B.C. Lower Mainland. Fundraisers have been held since at least the 1950s for the benefit of many charities over the years, and since 1993 the Gord Heppler Memorial Run has raised more than $107,000 for the Children’s Hospital.

GVMC’s longest-running event is the Caribou Trails Run, which in 1930 was first called the 300-Miler and has been held for the last 80 years. It’s a contender for the title of longest continuously running motorcycle event in Canada. Another classic is the Piston Run for dual-sport and off-road bikes, with a trophy made from a piston donated by club member Trev Deeley in 1948. He and club president “Wild Willie” Telford were racing on the beach at Daytona, Willie on an Indian and Trev on a Harley, when Deeley’s WR blew a piston – the same one which now adorns a trophy that dates back 61 years. In fact, the Piston Run itself started some years before that and still goes on today.

Community service has been an important aspect of club life since the beginning. In 1939 club members helped provide traffic control for the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth when they officially opened the King George Highway and the Patullo Bridge. GVMC also acted as marshals for the Pacific National Exhibition parade for almost 30 years until its cancellation. The club’s role included having a motorcycle drill team in the parade. Nowadays the club helps with other parades and festivals as well as bicycle races in Delta and White Rock.

Members’ activities cover trials and dual-sport riding as well as touring and sport bikes, providing motorcycling activity for a wide variety of age and interest groups. The GVMC has worked with the B.C. Off-Road Motorcycle Association and government bodies to obtain stewardship of the Chipmunk Creek Riding Area, two hours’ ride east of Vancouver, mapping trails via GPS and registering them on forestry maps.

Nearly half of its members have been involved for 10 years or more, and a few in excess of 50 years. The GVMC also has ties south of the border, having been one of the earliest charter clubs in the AMA until membership was restricted to U.S. clubs only. The clubhouse in Surrey is decorated with AMA safety award banners from 1944 to 1965. It also has a sister club in Oakland, Calif., with which it shares common goals and history, and each year the two clubs meet for a half-way run.

With its long history combined with a busy present and a forward-looking attitude, the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club is well placed to celebrate its first century in the not-too-distant future.

Wally Klammer - Class of 2018

Vada — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 01:55:06 +0000

Wally Klammer - Class of 2018 Vada Thu, 01/24/2019 - 20:55

Wally Klammer is a local legend and motorcycling pioneer on BC’s West coast

Wally Klammer is a local legend and motorcycling pioneer on BC’s West coast. He has been a supporter and ambassador for the sport of motorcycling for more years than most riders can remember. Wally is a true “Canadian Champion” to all who knew or have met him. His dedication and contribution to the sport of motorcycling is unparalleled and impossible to relate in a short space.

It started in 1962, when as a shy high school student, he would watch the tough guys with their hot rods and motorcycles. One of them would do these amazing block-long wheelies on his Triumph, all daring and skill. Wally went out and bought a BSA and a black leather jacket.

By 1974, he was getting tired of having his driver’s licence always on the edge of suspension. He was a member of the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club and having seen a few off-road events, figured the dirt was a better place to ride. He traded the Triumph chopper for a faded red Bultaco and thus began 33 years of amateur off-road competition.

Wally soon built a reputation as a budget racer, with worn out knobbies and brakes shimmed to the limit, with a never-say-die attitude. He always seemed up for a dare, no matter the outcome. He always had a grin and a good story to share around the campfire. Among his boxes of trophies, one of his favourites was the 1991 Vet B Championship, in the Pacific North West Motorcycle Associations Off-Road series.

The up-beat and humorous articles which appeared in various magazines caused Wally to become well known in biking circles.

Wally put on his first organized event, the GVMC’s Spring Enduro, in 1978 and continued to help organize one or two events every year. Securing land access was an even more difficult task, one he took to heart. His work with government officials, landowners and other user groups to promote dirt biking all over BC was recognized in 1985 with a certificate from the BC Motorcycle Federation.

In 1984, Wally and Peter Sigfredson set up the PNWMA off-road series with 5 events. Wally organized two and worked a third, the PN Benefit Run. The cash flow generated by this series, which has grown to over 20 events, cancelled the need for further benefit runs. Wally was secretary and sometimes Treasurer for the PNWMA from 1987 to 2002.

His contributions to the sport, including his work regarding land access, were recognized in 1998 when he was inducted into PNWMA Hall of Fame. As well as a plaque, he was presented with a 7 foot high sculpture made of motorcycle parts, which he said, “blew me away.”

When the BC Motorcycle Federation disbanded, the BC Coalition of Motorcyclists became the official voice to government on off-road issues with Wally serving as liaison throughout the 1990’s. Dirt bike issues switched with the creation of the BC Off-Road Motorcycle Association in 2007 and its full time paid Executive Director. Wally became the GVMC representative and took on the task of newsletter editor in 2012. In 2013 he became the Treasurer and bookkeeper as well.

One crowning achievement of all those years was securing the Chipmunk Creek riding area with the GVMC as stewards. In 1987, Bob Carey of the GVMC was instrumental in having this section of steep terrain near Chilliwack BC recognized as a riding area, complete with Ministry of Forests campsite. For the next 25 years, it was home to the classic Piston Run Hare Scrambles, which Wally helped organize for 20 of those years. He also dealt with MOF requirements and First Nation concerns. A second campsite was completed in 2010. In 2012, he finally reached agreement with First Nations on a staging area site and submitted a proposal to Trails and Recreation. The proposal was accepted and the staging area built. Chipmunk Creek, as a motorized riding area now has family friendly facilities and is firmly anchored for the next generation of riders.

Wally continued to promote the sport through his journalism and books. The enthusiasm for riding, the off-beat humour and the tales of wild adventure would become the hallmarks of his writing. In 1977, Wally released Dirt Bike Chronicles, a collection of his best articles with 3 added short stories. The book became a regional classic and still sells at bike shows and through Amazon. Encouraged, he followed up with 3 more novels based on a fictional motorcycle club.

When asked about all the work he had done, Wally replied that it was a team effort, we all work together. Wally was diagnosed with cancer and passed away September 14, 2014.

Manitoba Motorcycle Club - Class of 2014

admin — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:47:44 +0000

Manitoba Motorcycle Club - Class of 2014 admin Tue, 10/24/2017 - 16:47

A tradition of public service and participation in community and charitable events

For over a century the Manitoba Motorcycle Club has been promoting the sport of Motorcycling in Winnipeg. Founded on February 21, 1911, The Manitoba Motorcycle Club is the oldest MC Club in Canada and reported to be the 4th oldest in the world.

Early in the 20th Century, the sport of motorcycling was a thrilling pastime and the 40 founding members of the MMC were soon hosting social rides and endurance events. The first official run was held April 21st, 1911 followed by weekends of family rides, parades and races. Their first 50 mile reliability run was held Sept 1911 and attracted sponsorship from several manufacturers looking to prove their machines.

A World Record for 100 miles on a flat track was set on Oct, 1911 by “Wild” Joe Baribeau one of the MMC founding members and Canadian Hall of Fame Historic Inductee. That achievement brought attention to Winnipeg and a position for Joe with the Hendee (Indian) Manufacturing Co. in Springfield, Illinois, transferring to their Toronto plant in December, 1912. Indian Motocycles sponsored Joe’s return to Winnipeg in 1914 to defend his world record when the MMC hosted the Canadian National TT Championship. Excelsior Motorcycles of Chicago sent two professional riders and sponsored a local boy, “Wild Bill” Pelham while Indian also sponsored Canadian Hall of Fame Historic Inductee, Harold Cole of Ontario and American, Ernie McIntosh. The City of Winnipeg declared a public holiday during that meet.

With the onset of World War II the use of motorcycles became important for the movement of dispatches. The Canadian Army needed skilled riders so the members of Manitoba Motorcycle Club stepped up and offered their services as instructors. Considered “experts in rough field riding” the club members were pivotal in aiding the army to develop its motorcycle corps.

For many years, the MMC managed every aspect of the sport of motorcycling in Manitoba including social events, touring and competitions of all descriptions. There were also precision Drill Teams and thrill shows with motorcycle jumping and flaming wall crashes to entertain the crowds at exhibitions and other sporting events. Dates of the clubs activities were regularly reported in the Winnipeg Tribune and Manitoba Free Press as well as acknowledgment of the winning contestants.

Throughout its history the club has maintained a tradition of public service and participation in community and charitable events. During the 1970’s and 80’s toy runs became a popular way for the MMC to help children in need and promote a positive image of motorcyclists. During the 1990’s a safety awareness run was added to the calendar of events to kick off National Motorcycle Safety Awareness month in Manitoba.

It is clear that the MMC’s early legacy in the community was through its decades of promoting race events. For over 70 years the club has hosted dirt track, ice races, hillclimbs and motocross and show cased the skills of riders throughout Manitoba. There have been several world class and national caliber MMC members. World Flat track record holder Joe Baribeau; Paul Germain, a Canadian Flat track Champion with over a dozen AHRMA National Championships, 2 AMA National Championships and 3 World Championships in Vintage Road Racing and counting; also Kim Houde, a Provincial Champion with a 125cc Canadian Championship and the 2006 over 50 World Vet Championship in Motocross. These riders and others have proudly represented Canadian and Manitoba’s motorcycle racing throughout North America.

In 2010 the MMC amalgamated with the Antique Motorcycle Club of Manitoba. While retaining its heritage the MMC now boasts a new crest, over 100 members and a new vision for the next 100 years of motorcycle riding in Manitoba.

Oshawa Competition Motorcycle Club - Class of 2019

Vada — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 19:05:02 +0000

Oshawa Competition Motorcycle Club - Class of 2019 Vada Sat, 01/25/2020 - 14:05

For over 50 years OCMC has been the bright light attracting the moths and riders to the world of racing

The OCMC (Oshawa Competition Motorcycle Club) was officially founded in Oshawa in 1964. Originally named the Oshawa Scramblers, the club consisted of a group of enthusiasts competing amongst themselves in all forms of riding from high speed flat track, scrambles, road racing and enduro. For many years OCMC held club only events and all racing was through the CMA. Eventually a system was developed whereas an overall club champion was claimed each year based on five different disciplines of biking. Though regarded by some, as the ‘championship of the whole world,’ this really is a wonderful example of grass roots racing. Class champions each year are promoted to higher and higher levels of competition. The name of Oshawa soon became a misnomer as members now span the entire breadth of southern Ontario and north to the edge of the Canadian Shield.

OCMC have, since inception, provided a very comprehensive calendar of competition activity for the amateur rider. These events have traditionally been a stepping-stone for riders to proceed forward to provincial, then national and international competition. Included in the OCMC ‘club events’, is a Club Enduro held yearly since 1972 which is quite unique in that winners of the event must chair the following years enduro.

For over fifty years OCMC has been the bright light which has attracted the moths and motorcycle competitors to the world of motorcycle racing. OCMC members have achieved countless awards and accolades ranging from local to the international level. Currently seven HOF alumni are, or were, OCMC members. These include; Ron Keys, Jack Hunt, Blair Sharpless, Toni Sharpless, Kathleen Coburn, Ted Wilkins and Warren Thaxter.

OCMC members have sat on boards of CMA, both regional and national; Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada; Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame, Offroad Ontario; Ontario Federation of Trail Riders and many more.

OCMC members numbering about thirty have qualified for the International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) over the years and have garnered many gold, silver and bronze medals.

OCMC members have held Canadian #1 plates in Motocross; Ron Keys, Mike Harnden and Jack Hunt, while member Ted Wilkins earned #1 plate for US Hillclimb. Cross country #1 plates; Glen Buchanan, Blair Sharpless,

To a lesser degree OCMC members have amassed countless national and provincial championships in most all disciplines of motorcycle competition. The CMA White Trophy is awarded each year to the best performance by a Canadian rider. OCMC riders have won this award six times.

In 1977 OCMC started an event dubbed The Great Pine Enduro which has run for forty years. Then in 1981, another unique event, the Mini Pine Junior-Only Enduro was established and has also ran continually for thirty-seven years.

OCMC have successfully run national events in Moto Cross, Cross Country/Hare Scramble, Ice Racing and ½ Mile Flat Track over the years. OCMC have in previous years held ISDE Qualifier enduros and occasionally hosted CMA trials. OCMC were early advocates of the organized non-competitive trail ride concept and for many years organized the Algonquin Two Day trail ride.

Since inception OCMC riders have been a major presence at the Corduroy Enduro with OCMC members claiming the overall win twelve separate times.

Over the years OCMC members have founded dealerships and related businesses, many members are employed in the industry at the highest levels. The members, like all motorcyclists, come from all walks of life including journalists, film makers and rider trainers.

Dave Rhodes - Class of 2018

Vada — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 19:51:28 +0000

Dave Rhodes - Class of 2018 Vada Fri, 01/25/2019 - 14:51

Dave got the first TY250 out of the crate and was the first to loop one over backwards

Dave Rhodes was welcomed to Canada in March 3, 1965 by 20 Below Zero Temperatures and a typical Southern Alberta Winter. Dave was accompanied by wife Barb and a babe–in-arms and exclaimed, “What have I done!!!” On the plus side, a new beginning was waiting at a graphics company in Calgary.

Dave got the bike-bug early, just 15 years old and had become a keen trials enthusiast and accomplished rider. In Calgary, he discovered a different situation: Walt Healy Motorcycles and the Calgary Motorcycle Club. Healys had long been an Indian icon and the Calgary Motorcycle Club dabbled in road rides, hill climbs and scrambles.

The DT1 changed dirt bike world, Walt Healy became a prolific Yamaha dealer and Dave Rhodes was to take the Calgary Motorcycle Club in a new direction. Trials was now the real game with Bultacos, Montesas and the odd Ossa.

Year round events appeared on the calendar. Not only did Dave organize and lay out events, he was a keen competitor topping the Expert Class often. Dave was a recognized force first on Bultaco, then Montesa, and back to Bultaco. In 1971, Dave began the import of “Special Trials Parts” from Sammy Miller in England who was the trials phenom in the 60s.

At the same time, with his photographic and journo background from the U.K., Dave was reporting on Alberta events for “Canadian Motorcycling,” later Cycle CMA. Dave also wrote for the new tabloid CYCLE Canada.

Dave became sales rep for Yamaha across Western Canada. This coincided with intro of the Yamaha TY250 Trials. Dave got the first one out of the crate and became the first to loop a new TY over backwards. The bonus in 1974 was meeting Mick Andrews and organizing a trials demo at Calgarys’ Blackfoot Motorcycle Park. Dave and Mick became lifelong friends.

In 1975, The FIM put observed trials into World Championship status. Two events were scheduled in North America. The first was in Calgary organized by the Calgary Motorcycle Club at the Bragg Creek venue. Dave Rhodes was the Clerk of the Course and had laid out 40 sections over a 70 mile loop!! All the big names were there including Vesterinen, little known at the time. They were introduced to muskeg and bear repellent! The balance of the entry were Canucks and American hopefuls. The day was a success with Vesty taking the win with 41 points and discovering the bear repellent was actually bug spray.

Trials world went to the background for Dave with intro of the Yamaha IT Enduro bikes. He was full on promoting, riding, and competing. He was riding 100 mile plus Cross Country courses in the Bragg Creek, Ghost, and Waiporous areas. Dave, with his trials background, excelled in XC Racing. In 1976, former World MC Champ, Jeff Smith, was at the famous Moose Mountain Cross Country race in Alberta. He finished 2^nd overall while Dave finished 6^th out of 172 starters, mounted on the all new Yamaha IT 400.

Yamaha corporate executives were highly impressed with Dave Rhodes writing $100,000 plus orders on napkins in the back corner of Cafés. Next for Dave, it was to Wales and the 1983 version of the ISDE. Dave was manager for the Yamaha Team. Canada’s Silver Vase Team placed second overall. The Team and Dave garnered the Watling Trophy for most improved performance.

Dave & family left Airdrie, Alberta in 1981 for the sunny Okanagan and Vernon, BC. Dave left Yamaha in 1984. In 1987, Dave started OUTLaw Accessories. He also initiated the Kelowna Trials Club and brought trials to the Okanagan Valley.

For Dave, there was new light on the horizon when he received a call from Don Clark, Mountain Motorcycles in Coquitlam. Clark wanted OUTLaw to market the bikes, parts and accessories from Okanagan east through Western Canada. Dave now became trials specific as OUTLaw TRIALSport. During three decades, Dave and OUTLaw have supported, encouraged, trained, and sponsored observed trials and trials riders from Section Start to Section End and are still as active as ever through World Trials Canada.

Dave Rhodes and his ageless passion and enthusiasm is getting up in years but Dave is always keen on the sport, the riders, the chat, the friendship, the camaraderie, and of course next years’ bikes…

Richard, Reg & Bob Shanks - Class of 2018

Vada — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 20:17:07 +0000

Richard, Reg & Bob Shanks - Class of 2018 Vada Fri, 01/25/2019 - 15:17

The Shanks family was instrumental in laying a solid foundation for motorcycling in Victoria, BC

The Shanks family was instrumental in laying a solid foundation for motorcycling in Victoria, British Columbia and left an unforgettable legacy, a love of the sport and the ability to make things happen and inspire others to achieve their goals.

Brooklands speedway opened in 1907 and Shanks Motor Garage was nearby. Richard “Pop” Shanks got to know all the early car manufacturers and drivers. Reluctantly, for health reasons, Pop gave up his garage and racing club memberships and immigrated to Canada in 1912 with his family including two sons, Reg and Bob, and daughter, Mollie. A year later, he opened up Brooklands Sales and Service, handling Harley-Davidson and BSA motorcycles and later on Greeves and Honda. Pop soon became active in the motorcycling community and the Victoria MC Club and the shop became the gathering place for motorcyclists and the centre of the Club’s social life.

In 1921, Brooklands became a franchised Harley dealership. Pop established Bob in his own business, a block away, selling Indian motorcycles. Later Bob added Velocette, AJS and Panther. Indian produced their last motorcycle in 1953 and in 1955 Bob opened up Shanks Saddlery, evidence of his love for horses and his equestrian skills.

During high school and college days, Reg learned to ride at 12 years of age and his first motorcycle was a 1913 Douglas two-speed and a 1000cc Indian racer. The first motorcycle he ever owned was a 1913 Indian 61 which impressed him so much he recalled every detail including the engine number. Reg graduated from high school in 1924 and was the first Economic Major to graduate from college at Craigdarroch Castle two years later. The Brooklands shop moved to 800 Block Fort Street and Reg began working full time at the shop. Motorcycles became his business and his pleasure.

The Victoria Motorcycle Club had become dormant during WW1 but with the help of the Shanks was soon revitalized. Many competitive events were started – hillclimbs, dirt track races, trials, enduros, cross country and precision riding. They were often called upon to lead major parades and perform at rodeos. Bob introduced stunt riding and convinced the Kinsmen Club to sponsor and support the group.

The family provided the additional funding for the club to purchase a 160 acre property for riding near Victoria which was called Cycle Park.

Reg was the most successful competitor although even Pop was involved taking firsts in Reliability Trials in 1932 and 1933. Bob’s favourite was hillclimbing garnering 5 top finishes between 1931 and 1947, as well as winning Trials and Enduros. There was always a serious but friendly rivalry between the brothers.

Reg won his Expert status in Reliability Trials in 1933 and in Observed Trials in 1937. In 1948, he won Expert status in the Hillclimbs on a 1942 Army Harley 45. During the fifties, he was still very present in competition using lightweight motorcycles such as a Francis-Barnett in Observed Trials and an Ariel 500HS in scrambles. His first motorcycle love, the Harley was still being used in sidecar scrambles, trials and cross country events.

Reg recalls while competing in a sidecar cross country trial in the late 1950’s, the frame of his 1300cc Stroker broke, forcing he and passenger Tom Richardson to return to Victoria. As they motored down the highway, an explosion brought them to an immediate halt. Upon inspecting the engine, they found the rear cylinder completely missing! The head was still suspended from a frame strut. So forceful was the explosion that it destroyed the windshield of a car going in the opposite direction yet inflicting no injury to the two on the Harley or the passengers in the car.

In the sixties, Reg could be found racing his 250 Greeves Challenger out on the Metchosm track at the age of59! The last event he won was the 1965 All Day Enduro riding a Harley Sportster. His favourite bike was his beloved 1948 HD 45 which he named “Blue Boy.”

Reg was also awarded the Matson Award for “contributing the most to motorcycling” in 1965, 1967 and 1986. In 1995, he was presented with the Spirit of the Eagle Award. Privately funded and administered by Canadian Biker it is presented annually to the – deserving individuals in Canada who have given generously of their time and effort to the betterment of the sport. You would wonder where he found the time but Reg was also editor for a number of years of the VMC newsletter and wrote a column for 15 years for Canadian biker.

Pop passed away in 1963, Bob in 1991 and Reg in 1998. The Shanks had a deep love for the sport and had the ability to make things happen. Bob and Reg were married but had no children – the club became their family. They provided support and encouragement as well as guidance and maintained the highest moral standards for themselves and the club. They were loved by many and will not be forgotten.