Over 100 bikes attended the rally with the vast majority being AJS and Matchless models, as would be expected, as well as a few other makes.  Most riders were from Victoria and NSW, there was a reasonable sized group from QLD, a smaller group from SA and a few from WA.  There were even a few visitors from the UK who were present for part of the rally.  The rally was fortunate to have present three generations of direct descendants of Joe Stevens (the founder of AJS), Colin Stevens, the great grandson of Joe, his sons Justin and Lachlan and daughter Brooke and her sons Toby and Fraser.  The Stevens family brought along a 1935 Stevens in original condition, 1924 AJS, and a 1920's AJS outfit.

 The SHVCVC caters for both cars and bikes and this gave them the unique opportunity to use both vintage and classic cars as the corner markers.  This provided a totally different "look" to corner marshalling, it was also very effective because their vehicles certainly stood out and it was virtually impossible to miss a corner.  All corner marshals were pre-placed and were in position well and truly before the riders arrived making a relaxed ride for the participants.

 All food and drink for the morning tea and lunch stops was organised in advance.  Participants pre-paid for meals together with their entry fee and received vouchers that were exchanged for meals at each venue.  This system worked very well with everybody able to get meals quickly.

 A welcome BBQ was organised on Friday evening at Pental Island.  This was an opportunity for new participants to meet and greet and for the old hands a chance to catch up with friends.  SHVCVC members were on hand to register the riders as well as hand out rally packs and pre-purchased rally merchandise.  The whole atmosphere of the function was improved enormously by the organisers who put up AJS and Matchless memorabilia on the walls such as posters, sales brochures and catalogues and press clippings from the period.  The previous few weeks in Swan Hill had seen a heat wave but as you would expect the rain began during the BBQ.  This caused many long faces and a sense of déjà vu as the 2006 rally was a total washout.

 Although there was fairly heavy rain during the night, it had cleared by Saturday morning leaving an overcast sky with some intermittent drizzle.  At about 8.45 am the assembled riders set off on the first day's ride of about 150 km under a threatening sky but otherwise dry conditions.  Most of us weren't convinced though and donned the wet weather gear just in case. The route took us through Swan Hill, onto Woonen and through Nyah West, across the Murray at Nyah and onto the morning tea stop at Tooleybuc.  Morning tea was supplied by one of the local service groups and the array of home baked food was incredible.  After a very pleasant and rather lengthy eat, drink and talk fest it was onto the Kyalite Hotel for lunch.  The rain held off and although it was very humid it was good riding weather when under way as the humidity provided a cooling effect.  After another very enjoyable and relaxing time at lunch it was back to Swan Hill via Stony Crossing and Murray Downs.  By now all the water proofs were back in the bags.  On our return to Swan Hill all the bikes assembled in the main street of the Pioneer Settlement for judging.  It was a great sight with over a hundred bikes stretching all the way down the street and around the corner.  The judging at the Pioneer Settlement had received a fair bit of local publicity and going by the contingent of spectators present it had generated a lot of interest.  The day was topped off by a very successful presentation dinner held at the Carriages Restaurant in Swan Hill.  The Stevens family were the guests of honour.  A highlight of the dinner was a talk by an ex works six day trials rider Ozzie Les Sheean who gave some insights of his experience riding with Hugh Viney and Gordon Jackson as well working at the Plumstead factory.

 It had rained heavily nearly all Saturday night and continued to come down on Sunday morning in short but very heavy showers.  Numbers were down from the Saturday ride with quite a few opting to stay dry in the bus that ferried the non riders along the rally route or tag along in cars.  The assembled riders set off at approximately 9.00 am for a 150 km trip.  The route took us through Goschen and onto Ultima for a re-group and morning tea where another magnificent spread was provided by a local service club.  Then it was off to the Beverford Tavern for lunch.  After lunch the ride continued through Woorien North and Vinifera and onto Nyah where the ride crossed into NSW.  From there it went along some minor roads through Tyntynder and back to Swan Hill.

 The weather improved dramatically for the Monday ride with not a drop of rain in sight.  Riders set off at about 9.30 for a short 80 km run through Goschen and onto a re-group and coffee break at the Catalina Flying Boat Museum at Lake Boga.  The organisers had found Jampot Road (in the Beauchamp area) for us to ride along on the way to Lake Boga.  After a tour of the museum it was back to Swan Hill for lunch.

Overall the 2007 Downunder Jampot Rally was a great success with all riders having a memorable time.  The organising committees of both the AJSMOC and SHVCVC are to be congratulated on a fantastic job with the result being a rally that ran like clockwork.

 Wayne Killingsworth