Rising compliance costs threatened to put the brakes on the Queens Birthday weekend motorcycle rally, which has been held for the past 35 years at Oturehua.
After considering all the options and getting feedback from the participants and Ida Valley residents, it was decided to continue with the rally, organising committee member John Willems said yesterday.
"The people have spoken,'' he said.
"The feedback from people was that we couldn't not have the rally. They seem to think we're an institution which should be continued, so we've bitten the bullet and the rally will be on, for the 36th time.''
The rally was organised by the Otago Motorcycle Club and was one of the longest-running in the country.
Last year's event attracted 1300 people. The Oturehua Winter Sports Club did the catering and helped to organise the rally.
"We really didn't want to disappoint our fans and the locals who support us every year,'' Mr Willems said.
Rising costs had included liquor licensing fees and requirements, hiring security guards and paying to have a St John ambulance officer on site - all very necessary expenses.
"What we've decided is to cut some other costs where we can and be as frugal as possible. We've managed to keep the entry fee at the same level as last year.''
Registrations for the June 4 and 5 event were trickling in but most entries would come in closer to the time, he said.
A new chairman, Phil Scorringe, of Dunedin, was at the helm of the organising committee this year.
Mr Scorringe, as chairman of Bikers Rights of New Zealand (Bronz) Otago branch, helped to organise the Bronz Vincent County rally near Alexandra at Waitangi weekend.
"Having that new blood means he's got new ideas for the Brass Monkey and obviously, he has a bit of experience at this kind of thing,'' Mr Willems said.
