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Never one to let a good thing rest, Captain Pete has a final, final chapter to the Nats.
Ok, ok, by popular request, I have
been asked to compile 'The Final Chapter' on the Coffs Harbour Nationals. Well,
it goes something like this -
It's been a week now since the
last kill button was pressed on the 'all in' and the dust has well and truly
settled. All of our 'little babies' have been given a good wash and tucked up
for a well earned rest after travelling about 8000km! I would like to take this
opportunity to thank (forever with the horn!) Vice President, Nick Maxfield, for
sacrificing 2 weeks to cart 9 bikes and his ever reliable bus, all the way to
Coffs and back. I know it was a bit touch and go at times Nick, but if it
wasn't for you Bro' it wouldn't have happened! And that's the truth! Also
thanks to Brook (without an E!) for being the Co-Pilot.
Looking back on the National
Event, a couple of things stood out which I would like to share with you. One
of the most prominent memories, was the pre-'78 125 class, watching about 15
riders appearing from a big cloud of dust over the triple set of jumps,
handlebar to handlebar, it sounded like a plague of mosquitoes on steriods! Secondly, was the final event of the meet, the 'All In'. The fastest 30 riders
of 2 heats were put forward to the final 'All In' of which I might add, WA had 5
riders! To compete in such an event is awesome! 30 riders with bikes ranging
from 1978 Suzuki 125s to 1972 Greeves Griffons, was bloody amazing, and to come
out of that first corner alive was a feat in itself.
Finally, a memory I shall always
keep, was the camaraderie between fellow WA riders, must be something in the
sand over here! Young and old, A grade or C grade, just being there and
competing was all that mattered. Nothing was ever too much of a problem. From
putting up the quick shades to washing the bikes after the racing had finished. Just the love of old bikes and dirt kept us VMXWA riders together!
Just before the 'All In', I was
checking out the final positions for the Sand Gropers and a complete stranger
came up to me and said ..."that Brook Lawson rides that Beeza like he stole
it"! That's what it's all about!
So remember on your next club run
ride your pre-'75 like you bloody stole the thing!! |
