This September, Chris Knoop will be part of a unique combination competing in an equally unique event - the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run in the USA. On Saturday, August 11, Chris will be delivering a talk on the event, and the Australian-made sidecar outfit he'll be running in it, at the Newport Bowls Club. (4-6 Market St, Newport, VIC)

Running from New York to San Francisco over 16 days from September 7 to 23, the Motorcycle Cannonball is only open to pre-1930 manufactured motorcycles.

What makes Chris’s combination unique is that: firstly, he’s the only Australian entered for the event; secondly, he’s running an Australian-made motorcycle; and thirdly, he’ll be accompanied by his wife for the 3,956 mile (6,365 km) journey.

Chris got the bug to compete in the Cannonball after being involved in the support crew, quite by accident, for the first Motorcycle Cannonball coast-to-coast event for pre-1916 bikes in 2010. When the second Motorcycle Cannonball, this time for pre-1930 motorcycles, was announced, Chris was determined to be a part of it again, but this time as an entrant.

After signing on as entrant #16, Chris sourced a Melbourne-built 1925 Invincible JAP v-twin, then restored it with the help of friend Ian Lihou, who will serve as Chris’s support crew. The sidecar is a period accurate 1925 Goulding wicker sidecar for Chris’s wife, Christina, who will accompany him on the endurance run.

While he’s made a massive financial outlay himself just to get his motorcycle ready and enter the event, Chris is hoping from some financial support, or a sponsor, to assist with shipping and day-to-day expenses while in the US.

This Saturday, August 11, Chris will be delivering a two-hour talk on the Motorcycle Cannonball at the Newport Bowls Club. (4-6 Market St, Newport, VIC). Enthusiasts of all ages and stages are welcome to attend, with a donation entry fee, to find out more about the Cannonball. Arrive 1:30PM at the club for a 2:00PM start.

Chris’s adventures on the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball endurance run from New York to San Francisco can also be followed at - cksamericanadventures.blogspot.com.au