It was the night before Sunny Corner Rally and all through my shed, there was shit flying everywhere and sinful thoughts racing through my head. It was Friday Night, the eve of the Central Tablelands Motorcycle Club’s Annual Sunny Corner Rally Weekend for 2003 and the excitement was almost too much to bear. If last year’s event was any indication of the Fun Factor, this year was going to be a ripper. Once again, the hosting organization, Central Tablelands Motorcycle Club, was doing a fantastic job. Running an Event so damn big is not an easy thing particularly when you had Mother Nature against you.

Whilst Sunny Corner had received some rain in the preceding weeks, it was not enough to keep the dust at bay. Mind you, with 615 Registered Riders participating, a flood would have been the only way of settling the dust. Not withstanding this problem, the tracks were some of the best I have ridden in the last couple of months and from the grins I witnessed on other riders, it appeared that the majority of people felt the same way. My Team and I rocked up at Sunny Corner Staging Area about 2pm on Saturday arvo and were greeted by an event already in full swing. The hosting Club had successfully allotted all Sponsors a pitting area where they could display their products to the public and all centred on a large bonfire that would be ignited later that evening.

A large taut-liner rimmed the outer perimeter where the band was setting up and once again, a brand new 2004 KTM 450exc was proudly on show. Some lucky bastard was going to take this trusty steed home as all riders' names were placed in the draw for the win! This year KTM came to the party and supplied the hosting Club with a 2004 KTM 50 Pro Senior. The little 50cc ball tearer was raffled off to raise funds for the Care Flight Rescue Helicopter and at the last count the Club anticipated raising about $6000 for the organization. Within an hour, my crew was assisting KTM Racing Staff, which included the General Manager of KTM Sportmotorcycles – Australia Jeff Leisk, with giving out the couple of hundred KTM Show bags. There was even a free sausage sizzle for those who decided to visit and talk shit. There was a selection of New 2004 KTM Sport motorcycles on display including the Grunt Monster KTM950 Twin. Technical Guru and KTM Racing Manager Rob Twyerould was also on hand to answer any questions that the riders had.

As dusk dawned on the gathering, many a makeshift bedding began to litter the area. From tarped utilities and tents, to deluxe swags, even the odd sleeping bag strategically placed under a pine tree, sleeping quarters were varied. As night came upon us, the Band ‘Pygs of Men’ belted out it’s first tune……and a bloody good set of tunes they played too……what I can remember of it, anyway! A short time later, the festivities of the evening pulled top gear when thanks to an anonymous rider; the sky was lit up with some of the best fireworks display I have ever had the privilege to witness. It was that good it stopped the band! From there on, the festivities became slightly blurred, but I do remember kickin in some extra moola to keep the band going for an extra hour or so. One other thing that sticks in my mind is ADB’s Deputy Editor Derek Morrision rap dancing in the dirt. It is a shame I didn’t get photos of Derek because payback is a bitch. Mind you, I think Derek paid dearly for his antics in the early hours of the morning, as when daylight dawned, whilst his heart was willing, his mind and guts were not and he could not complete the second loop! Shame, Shame, Shame you wooss. I do not remember retiring head first into my sleeping bag and swag in the early hours of that morning but if the way I woke, all tangled and upside down was any indication, I must have. Either that or the fairy’s got to me during the night. A quick bacon and egg burger and coffee with Leisky and the boys and I were saddling up for the first loop – and a great loop it was.

There was a variety of single line tracks, open fire trail, creek crossings, hill climbs and good pine forest tracks. Some of the more difficult sections where bypassed with coloured arrows for those riders with less experience or those who played too hard the night before. Negotiating the tracks was not an issue either as the Club used colourful KTM Arrows and bunting throughout the course. After 72 kms my group and I re-entered the staging area and partook of lunch and refreshments. The women and men who ran the canteen did a fantastic job with the cooking – simply delicious and after the first serve I was headed back for seconds. Lunch also gave us the opportunity to catch up with fellow riders and mates that we have not seen for a long while. After Lunch, we hit the dirt for the final loop, which carried similar characteristics as the previous loop, with one exception. Included on this circuit was one very gnarly, rocky BITCH of a Hill. It wasn’t necessarily the grade of the hill that was the issue, but more so the large boulders that strewed the face. As I glanced up from the bottom, it appeared to resemble something from a war zone. There were bikes littered from the very base to the highest peak with riders nursing an array of bumps and bruises. Well……as they say, a downed bike makes good traction and I for one was going to use every bit of assistance I could to make it up……and to those bikes I thank you!

When I finally finished the last loop and rode into the staging area, the crowd had already begun to assemble. After an hour or so, the President of the Central Tablelands Motorcycle Club addressed the gathering with guest speakers from the DSMRA and other beneficiaries of the event. There were over $20,000 worth of accessories given away to riders from goods supplied by Sponsors, and this did not even include the two KTM Sportmotorcycles! The District Forester in charge of Sunny Corner State Forest was in attendance on Saturday and from all reports, he was very impressed with the organization and the behaviour of all those who attended. He indicated that it was events like Sunny Corner, with all the positive promotion, that swayed public opinion to embrace DirtBike riding, and I for one, totally agree. Whilst you might not like the idea of riding with 614 other riders, events like the Sunny Corner Rally promote our sport to the wider community. In doing so, it provides a platform to keep our Forestry and associated areas open for you and I to ride in and that platform is integral in promoting our passion.

From all reports, injuries were kept to a minimum, which only reflects the calibre of rider who participated and the layout of the course. If you were one of the injured, remember – if in doubt power out……if unsure give it more. I wish you a speedy recovery.

To Mark Bromley from Sydney, who was the winner of the 2004 KTM 450exc, I thank you for your display of genuine excitement when you accepted your prize. There were 614 other riders who shared your happiness when your name was drawn from the barrel. Mind you, there were 614 other riders who wanted to kill you too……..but the day belonged to you. Congratulations also to Mike Berkery from Turramurra who is now the proud owner of the 2004 KTM Pro Senior 50cc and well done to all the other riders who won a prize.

Lastly, a big pat on the back to those individuals and businesses that put their hands in their pockets and provided all the prizes and give-a-ways. For me, well I was already a winner. I spent the weekend with a great bunch of mates, a constant flow of Jack Daniels and I had the opportunity to participate in one of the best weekends of the year. 2004 Sunny Corner Rally – BRING IT ON! Kind regards Mick Wharton KTM Trail Tours – Australia www.ktmtours.com.au