General News
31 May, 2026
Old Ariels arrive in Ararat
THE Australian Ariel Register holds an annual rally in a different locality each year, and this time it was Ararat’s chance to host the event. Held over four days, the rally attracted fifty-eight riders and their old Ariel motorcycles.
In addition, there were marshals and support crew who brought the numbers up to over ninety participants.
They came from up and down the eastern seaboard and into South Australia, and many were making the rally part of a longer stay in the district.
Local organiser, Jenny Sargent, said the oldest machine taking part was from 1926, with others ranging right up to the 1950’s, after which Ariels were no longer produced.
The rally activities began on Friday with a ‘shake down’ trip out to Great Western. On Saturday participants travelled to Willaura for a morning tea hosted by the WIllaura Health Care Auxiliary, then journeyed to Pomonal for lunch.
While there, they enjoyed the opportunity of viewing Jim and Karen Leithhead’s world-class private museum of over thirty-five Lincoln cars.
Sunday’s treat was a morning tea at Elmhurst catered for by the local community. The entire crew then headed to the Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally to show their bikes and enjoy the ‘spit-pop’ engines there.
On Monday morning any stragglers still around headed back to Willaura to sample the Bakery pies.