WICEN Victoria’s 3rd event for 2021 was the Kenda Rally https://www.admcc.com.au/kenda-rally . After the 2020 event was cancelled due to Covid, this year’s event was a sell out for the Alexandra & District Motorcycle Club, with well over 440 motorcycle riders coming out on Sunday 2nd May. The event is held in the Eildon area of the Victorian High Country.
Many of the WICEN operators who had early opening check points on Sunday morning spent Saturday night bush camping. The weather was kind to us this year, with warm days and mild overnight temperatures. Scattered throughout the Eildon area, WICEN operators began to come up online and check in to AWI (WICEN HQ located at Kendall’s campground) before the race got underway at 9am.
For this event WICEN operated TRAK®, WICEN Victoria’s packet radio program. It was configured to track riders through the course as they arrived at each official check point. Voice communications were also established with AWI from each checkpoint on 2 metres. Some of the checkpoints were located on 2 dissecting loops, with riders having a choice to do one loop before having lunch and calling it quits for the day. Or after a bite to eat, they could take on the second loop, for those with a little more riding stamina.
With dry conditions the pace was fast, with several riders falling. Two needed transport to hospital by Ambulance Victoria with minor injuries. WICEN worked alongside SES and medics who provided the initial response to any injured riders. A big thanks goes to Peter Weeks, VK3YZP and Alan Stratford, VK3AGS for their efforts as event Commanders organising WICEN’s involvement. Also, to Paul Elvey, VK3YYF for getting TRAK organised. Finally, to all the other WICEN operators who gave their time to deploy and support the Kenda Rally 2021.
