The annual pilgrimage of motorcyclists to the Ida Valley will be consigned to history this weekend as the 40th and final Otago Motorcycle Club Brass Monkey Rally at Oturehua, in the Maniototo, makes its final run.
Rally committee spokesman John Willems said this week’s flooding in Mid Canterbury threatened to put a dampener on the event, but news of the Ashburton bridge reopening had allayed organisers’ jitters.
Mr Willems said 2500 riders had pre-registered — the "best ever numbers" for registration in the rally’s history.
The Covid-19 lockdown last year granted the event a stay of execution from what should have been its final run.
Red tape, dwindling numbers and an ageing committee were factors in the decision to axe the event.
The Brass Monkey is one of New Zealand’s longest running motorcycle rallies, held since 1981 at Idaburn Dam over Queen’s Birthday Weekend.
In 2019, 950 riders attended. This year, numbers are expected to rival those of the rally’s heyday.
Mr Willems said because it was the last rally, it had tempted past participants who had long hung up their leathers to don them again.
Long-time rally rider Max Dewar, of Brighton, picked up his 1991 Yamaha FJ1200 yesterday after having it serviced and was looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere and camaraderie one last time.
The 62-year-old said his first Brass Monkey was in the mid-1980s and he had attended 13 since — some of them in temperatures as low as -10degC.
"Because this is the last one, I can’t miss it. I definitely want to be part of it, without a doubt.
"The riders that I know from out of town, it’s the only time I can catch up with them.
"It’s a shame that this is going to be the last for the Monkey, but it’s one of those things, unfortunately.
"Maybe they could resurrect it in a couple of years or hold a special one-off for the 45th anniversary. Who knows?"
Mr Willems said interest extended beyond riding and rally-related merchandise was "flying out the door".
A special badge had been produced for the last rally and would be issued to all who attended.
Production of it had been capped at 3500 but there was scope to produce more.
Live music would include headliners the Jordan Luck Band and supporting acts Stark Raving and Tasha Pearce & the Loose Ends.
The traditional bonfire would be the biggest in the event’s history and the fireworks display promised to be "more magnificent than it has been in the past".
The Oturehua Winter Sports Club, in what is its main fundraising event, would provide the catering.
The Otago Motor Cycle Club plans to replace the event with something featuring less extreme temperatures but is not ready to announce details.
