Collie-bound: Danny Ahern heads north, then west, then south for national titles

Main photo: Danny doing what he loves – at speed on a Matchless. Pic courtesy of Pit Lane Studio.

2026 Australian Historic Road Racing Championship

Collie, Western Australia

September 26-28

More details at https://www.historicracing.asn.au/event/2026-australian-historic-road-racing-championship/

NATIONAL TITLES RIDER PROFILE: DANNY AHERN

IT’S just a month to go until this year’s Australian historic road racing national titles and most riders are flat out getting their bikes ready.

But veteran South Australian racer Danny Ahern is nearing the end of a 15-week road trip – with two bikes in tow – that has already taken him from his home town of Adelaide up to Darwin and across to north-west Western Australia.

He’s raced at Darwin and celebrated his 70th birthday along the way, and is mid-way through his 35th consecutive season as an historic motorcycle racer.

Danny has made the trip to Western Australia several times before and has raced on the Collie circuit – although that was before the substantial upgrade and track extension in 2019.

“I won’t be riding with any expectations about going home with trophies,” Danny told The Bike Shed Times from Exmouth. “I’m just going out there to enjoy myself.”

Danny is a life member of both the Historic Motor Cycle Racing Register of South Australia and Motorcycling South Australia, testamount to his contribution to the sport.

He started his racing career aboard Triumphs, but is best known for his exploits aboard a Matchless G50 he acquired some 15 years ago. The Matchless was built by renowned West Australian enthusiast and restorer Harry Reynolds, and saw action with Danny behind the bars at Daytona and Barber Motorsports Park in the USA, as well as across Australia. In 2015, Danny and the G50 took out third place in the 2015 Australian Championship.

Danny still races a Matchless – a Manx-framed G50 that he built himself – and will be riding that bike in Collie in the Period 3 class (1946-62). He will also be piloting a more recently-acquired Ducati Pantah (Period 5 – 1973-82).

“I’ve made a few modifications to the Pantah to suit my shape and style,” he said. “The fairing is from a Moto Guzzi, and I’ve fitted an Imola-style tank and swan-neck ‘bars, among other things. The riding position now is almost identical to my Ducati S2R Monster, so I feel right at home.”

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