HDCC HEZ Murray Walker Handicap

Please also use the Buncheur E sign on facility and save your “Race Pass”  which will have your allocated bib number.  Please don’t save your race pass till race day.

For further instructions on E sign on visit  http://hunterjuniortour.com.au/pdf/Buncheur_Sign.pdf

Racing with HDCC & NCC at HEZ, New COVID 19 Racing Guidelines:

In line with government and CNSW guidelines, riders can only enter and compete in the event if they are members of one of the Central Division clubs which includes:

· the 3 Newcastle based clubs; NCC, HDCC and HVMCC,

· the Central Coast CC,

· the Manning Valley CC,

· the Muswellbrook/Cheeky CC,

Further to this, the rider must also live and work one of the areas associated with the above Clubs. However, should you be a member of another club that is not in the Central Division, then you still may still be eligible to enter/race. Proof that your place of residence is within the approved Divisional Club’s LGA areas will be required at sign-on.

In order to comply also with the directive and guidelines, non-Division based clubs that have members that live in the Central Division LGA and race in other divisions, will not be permitted to race. So, if you are a member of a club not in the Central Division but live in the Central Division area and have competed outside of Central Division in the past 14 days you will not be eligible to race - basically you have to choose a Division and stick to it. The purpose of this is to create a “racing bubble” to protect our Division (Central) and keep with the Office of Sport Directives and CNSW guidelines. A couple of these clubs that may be directly impacted include:

· ATTA CC

· Park Life CC

· Defence Force CC

We understand that that there will be exceptions and clarifications required in relation to this, so please get in touch initially so the Committee can decide if you are eligible to race.

As always in the COVID-19 era, if you have been to any of the named hot spots around NSW, have been to Melbourne or Victoria within the last 14 days you should be follow all NSW Health directions in relation to testing and isolation and of course you won’t be permitted to race or attend as a spectator at any of our events until you are cleared.

HDCC committee

Murray Walker was Hunter District Cycling Club's popular Champion until his untimely death in 1972.

His laconic, laid back exterior hid a tough and determined attitude to achieve. He was everyone's friend and went out of his way to help people in all walks of life.

Murray was also a fierce competitor as shown by many cycling wins and cycling records.

Murray won the King of The Mountains competition in the prestigious Dulux Tour of New Zealand and was regularly a highly regarded "A" grade competitor in NSW races.

He always rode in his local Club races for Hunter District and actively nurtured newer and younger riders, showing that he was still grounded despite his tremendous successes on a wider stage.

In the early 1970's Murray turned to attempting to break long distance cycling records and after many years and many miles of training Murray broke 2 long standing records previously held by Australia's famous cyclist Sir Hubert Opperman.

First record to go was Newcastle -Sydney - Newcastle, and with that success Murray trained harder and then broke the Brisbane to Sydney record.

Murray had opened a bike shop in Wallsend and was working hard towards a successful business when he was lost to a road accident, leaving behind a wife and 2 young daughters.

Club and other local riders have competed for an annual trophy in his honour, the  "Murray Walker Memorial" and this race keeps his memory alive.

Participants must hold a current 2020 RACE Cycling Australia Licence and present it prior to the race . Participants must wear an ASA compliant helmet . The event is held in accordance with Cycling Australia / Cycling NSW Rules & Regulations Participants must adhere to directions of Commissaires . Refunds will be made if the event is cancelled due to weather, fire , or other safety reasons Refunds will not be made where an entrant is a no-show. A Race credit may be given on application if requested prior to the event start time. Decisions on grading, are at the discretion of the each clubs handicapper and their decision is final. All riders entering a sanctioned Cycling NSW event acknowledge that they engage in that event at their own risk and that cycling and cycle racing can be considered a dangerous sport which can result in injury out of an act or omission of the rider, other riders, other vehicles, spectators and other obstacles and track and road conditions and whilst all reasonable care is taken by organisers and officials when organising the event ; all participating cyclists have an equal responsibility to ensure they take all reasonable care in adhering to the rules and other conditions imposed by Police and or officials ensuring a safe race environment for all concerned.For information about this event, please contact the "Event Organiser".