The 2016 Far Cairn Rally was washed out and postponed to March so organisers are keen for a good roll-up to raise money for the Motorcycle Accident Rehabilitation Initiative (MARI).
The ninth annual rally is organised by the BMW Touring Club of NSW which has so far raised about $30,000 for MARI.
The MARI program was established by St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney to support the long-term physical injuries, and social and emotional problems encountered by motorcycle crash victims.
Since then, the Dr Wings Bike Force was established to do the volunteer work of MARI (Riders Caring For Riders Programme) throughout Australian hospitals.
Postponed twice
Club president Alan Peters says the original Far Cairn Rally date was September 18 last year, but torrential rain forced its cancellation.
“So we postponed it to March 25 then got a call just before Christmas to say it clashed with the Tottenham Ag Fest, so we changed it again to the following week (March 31-April 2).
“So this year it will be in autumn instead of September so it should be warmer,” Alan says.
“I think we will still have another run in September.”
He confirms that entry is still valid for anyone who has already paid their $25 entry fee for the rally, and refunds are available for those who cannot make the new date.
The Far Cairn Rally is held at Tottenham Racecourse, about 120km north of Condobolin and 120km west of Dubbo.
Rally highlights
The highlight is a ride out to the Centre Cairn monument 33km out of town which marks the centre of NSW.
Alan says that although the rally is organised by the BMW Club of NSW, it is open to all motorcyclists who “enjoy a relaxed ride into country NSW”.
Tottenham is accessible by sealed roads, as well as dirt roads for adventure riders, from several directions.
There is limited accommodation available at the Tottenham Hotel, but plenty of camping at the racecourse about 3km from the town’s centre. It features a grassy paddock with hot showers and some under-cover space.
Riders meet at the pub on the Friday night and Saturday night includes video presentations, raffles and a bonfire.
Saturday night dinner and Sunday breakfast will be a barbecue cooked by the local Lions Club. Breakfast is included in the entry cost along with a rally badge.
To donate to M.A.R.I Australia Incorporated:
Account Number 1045 5574
BSB 062-318
Westfield Shoppingtown Tuggerah