Marking its 50th anniversary the Keyneton MCC will be bringing all the festivities of the 2024 Mountain Man Trial, including Rockhopping SA 2024 SA Women’s Cup & Diener/Holmes Sidecar Trophy this coming weekend. To make the most of the recent lack of rain, all the Trial competitions will be brought to the bottom of Menglers Hill at Ahrens Ponderosa.
Adding to the excitement and competition level, the event will also feature Rockhopping SA 2024 South Australian Women’s Cup and the 2024 Diener/Holmes Sidecar Trophy events (all adding up to the 16th time these standout events have been hosted by Keyneton and with well over half of the events drawing interstate competitor interest, it’s a safe bet 2024 will see interstate talents add their names to the entry list.
As 58 riders are all ready to take on an exceptional course, the 50th year is going to be one to remember. As South Australia dominates the entry list, they will be facing off with some exceptional Victorian riders making the trip over for all the celebrations.
With Keyneton Motorcycle Club gearing up to offer competitors another standout year, a possible 48-section trip spread across 4 laps and encompassing 12 challenging sections, will keep riders of all abilities on their toes. On top of a standout course, the day will see a full lineup of classes for ‘solo ‘blokes’ (see below), plus senior and junior non-competitive classes for those just looking to have a ride!
Adding to the special commemoration of the event will see the return of many key past-generation personalities, riders and special guests, including the man instrumental in naming the ‘Mountain Man’, former A Grade competitor & former Keyneton MCC life member, Bob Petts.
Says Bob when thinking back to 1975, “The naming of the first Mountain Man came from a perception of Richard Rake and myself that a certain gangly, bearded rough diamond of a gentleman named Geoff ‘Wack’ Barratt resembled a ‘Mountain of a Man’. There was a lot of excitement and enthusiasm surrounding this event. We were breaking new ground in a patch of new ground S.S.W. of Camel Rock.…”
Unfortunantly, ‘Wack Barratt has since passed but the club will be inviting family members and long-time friend and passenger, Laurence ‘Willie’ Williams, to attend the event as special guests of the club.
All that’s left to do is make sure you’re trackside to experience all the celebrations of this 50th-anniversary honour and witness trials talents of all ages show what they’ve got.