Low turnout looms for rally

THE Port Moresby Motorcycle Club’s ranks are looking somewhat thin this weekend as injury and some transport issues are hampering rider numbers in the club’s fastest event, the Island Petroleum three-point rally.
The rally is a  three-hour event held over a 10km course offers fast sweeping bends and long straights.
It also offers the big bore 450cc bikes the opportunity to see speeds reaching 140-160kph on the course.
Missing from the ranks this year, however, are Honda CRF450 pilot Chris Pevy, who crashed heavily in the club’s last event, breaking his collarbone and cracking a rib.
For others, it is a nervous wait dockside for five club members as their machines are on the return leg of an adventure ride held on the other side of the country.
New to the club’s membership is Steve France astride a fire-breathing Yamaha 450 racing quad, which is purposely built for Enduro-styled racing, and may usher in the start of a new breed of competitors.
Due to the recent heavy rain, the track conditions will be vastly different to the thick dust experienced last year.
“I think those competing will experience something totally different both in track conditions as well as the threat of a 4-wheel quad bike trying to climb over the top of you should you feel the need to slow down,” club president Peter Jackson said.
Interested spectators will meet at the Weigh Inn car park at 8.30am and will depart in convoy at 9am on Sunday morning.
The club meets every Thursday at 6pm at The Car Club, Waigani drive, Holola.