QLD Early Motorcycle Sports Club – QLD’s Home of Historic Motorcycle Racing

Historic Racing – What is it All About?

The Queensland Early Motorcycle Sports Club, promotes road racing for all types of motorcycles up to December 1990. This includes solo classes for pre 1946 ( Period 2, Vintage ) , pre 1963 ( Period 3, Classic ) pre 1973 ( Period 4, Post Classic ), pre 1983 ( Period 5, Forgotten era ) & pre 1993 ( Period 6, New Era ) ( As per 2022 MOMS )

Sidecars classes are the same as solos classes but we also cater for some Modern machines depending on track limitations. At Australian title events classes are broken up into more categories, see the Historic Road Racing rules from the 2022 Motorcycling Australia MOMS ( Manual of Motorcycle Sport ).

To be eligible for racing, machines must be visually compatible with those manufactured in the period. i.e. they can be modified internally but must look period. This means the bikes are fast – rules allow for them to be internally modified using modern materials and also allowing to run modern race compound tyres. A lot are running modern crankshafts, pistons, valves etc allowing compression ratios of up to 15:1 and engines capable of up to 13,000 RPM.

Race machines must be issued with an MA Historic log book to meet compliance requirements with national historic racing guidelines.

This makes for exciting racing that is attracting more and more competitors and spectators, partly because the bikes can be developed and worked on by the enthusiasts, unlike most modern racing categories.

What sort of bike do you need?

A Manx Norton would be nice, but many of us have a huge amount of fun getting the best we can out of pretty standard road bikes. Or you can prove your mechanical prowess with internal modifications to get the most out of an old engine and spruce up handling and braking. It’s all about being where you want to be and fitting into a class of racing that suits you. This is the beauty of historic racing.

If you’re interested in getting started in Historic racing the best way is to talk to people already involved. Find out what types of machines are most suited to historic racing in terms of availability of parts, cost, available modifications for racing, expected longevity, etc. It may seem that the old bike in the back shed is the best way to go, but it may be that you’re better of using it to fund something more appropriate.

For more information please contact

President: Peter Searle, Mobile: 0410 514419

email: presid ent@qemsc.com .au

Instructions on how to join the club via Ridernet are here: Instructions for membership

Come & join us at out club meetings,every second Tuesday of the month at Unit 3, 26 Argyle St, Bowen Hills QLD 4006. Meetings start at 1900 but many members enjoy a chat and drink before hand.