The Omakau Racecourse hosted the Vincent County Rally for the first time at the weekend, and organisers say it was a huge success.

Around 700 motorcyclists from all over the country, and including the United States, Scotland and Perth descended on the small Central Otago town for the 41st event.

The event started back at the Fraser Domain near Alexandra for its first two rallies, and then moved to Galloway beside the river for the past 38 years.

BRONZ Otago hosts the event and has been saying for awhile now the cost of bringing in facilities was just getting too much.

President Colin Gillespie said the committee was starting to get older “but we always said we had to make it to 40.”

They have been looking at the Omakau site for the past seven years, “but there is a lot of history and attachment to the old site.”

The old poplar trees onsite at Galloway were starting to get old and becoming a risk and the new site has much more shelter.

Members of BRONZ Otago at the Vincent County Rally at the weekend. Image: supplied

He said the Omakau Racecourse stood out for the group “because it’s already got many of the facilities we’d otherwise need to bring in.

“This lowers our costs and reduces the number of people we need through the gate to support our nominated charities. It's also got plenty of camping space, great shaded areas thanks to the trees, and plenty of space for a band.”

Colin said it was the second time the man from Scotland attended the event - and he came last year to visit his daughter. “He buys a bike and travels to the event and then sells it and flies back home.”

The highlight of the event was seeing the mobile bar being craned in over the racecourse building.

And of course all of the positive comments from the bikers at the gate, “we’ve never had so much feedback and admiration,” he said.

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