This year’s Brass Monkey Rally will take place in June in what will be the swansong for the 40-plus year event.
Last year was supposed to be the final event, but Covid-19 put paid to the annual roar of hundreds of motorcycles echoing off the hills of the Ida Valley.
The 40th Otago Motorcycle Club Brass Monkey Rally at Oturehua, in the Maniototo, on June 5 and 6, will be the rally’s final run.
The Brass Monkey is one of New Zealand’s longest-running and best-known motorcycle rallies.
It is understood ageing stalwarts, a lack of younger riders, and increasing bureaucracy have been key factors in the rally’s demise.
Ken Gillespie, who has owned the rally site at the Idaburn Dam for "30-odd years", would not be drawn on the reasons for the rally’s end yesterday.
Instead, he said planning for the final fixture was progressing well.
"I think it will be a big one.
"Forty years is a long time — there’s not too many of us here that have been involved all the way through."
A fireworks display and an impressive line-up of bands would see the event out, Mr Gillespie said.
About 1000 patrons attended the rally in 2019 and it was expected numbers would be up for its finale.
"By the number of registrations coming in, it should be a big one."
Organisers have indicated an alternative event is likely to replace the Brass Monkey and take advantage of the infrastructure set up at the Idaburn Dam site, but what that will look like is yet to be confirmed.
- Jared Morgan
