2019 HANDSHIFT BATTLE
This is where it all started to evolve as
that was the first “Class C” category in
Australia.
Things were on the up as Tony Blain and
Bill Brice were discussing the possibility of
going to Daytona to compete.
Simon Thomas won the 2006 Australian
Historic Championship for the third time
on Bill’s H-D WLA. However, following that
meeting, his bike went back to a 3-speed
handshift gearbox.
Tony Blain, Warwick Ellis and Bill Brice
together formed the American Handshift
Racing Association of Australia and adopted
the same rules they had been using in the
USA since 1935! At Eastern Creek in 2007,
they had 22 handshift competitors on the
grid and the competition was fierce and
the standard was high. Time to take on the
Americans!
Tony, Warwick and Bill organised a trip
to Daytona for 18 racers made up of ten
Harleys and eight Indians. It was the biggest
Daytona grid since racing on the beach.
The late, great Robbie Hermans took a
win at Daytona on one of Bill’s bikes which
really got the Yanks attention, especially as
all foreigners had to start from the back of
the grid! Since those years it has been left
to the HMRAV Club in Victoria to promote“Class C” racing in Australia. The events are
regularly getting 18 handshifters on the
grid at all meetings with an even spread
of Indians and Harleys. There’s also been
an increase of young riders starting to race
these bikes in the hope of beating the old
greybeards keeping everyone focused whilst
having fun in the pits and a healthy attitude
on the track.
If you get the chance, go and see these
racers in the flesh and maybe do it yourself,
it’s a real blast. They’re a friendly bunch of
genuine racers. The sounds and smell of
the old bikes roaring around a race track are
worth the entry fee alone! HDReady to battle
at Broadford.Jack Petith, Harley-Davidson.
Clint Chegwidden (left)
and his brother Mick
(right) on their Indians.