Captains Waffle – Wandering Mill Farm Scramble 2011
Well it’s hard to believe it’s that time already but another Wandering Mill Farm Scramble is done and dusted for the year. Aging machines and riders have again risen to do battle on the fields of Mill Farm and have once more proven their valour. They can now return home to the shed for maintenance and in the riders case limp home for a stiff drink, a couple of Nurofen and an early bedtime.
As the pits began to fill on Saturday afternoon the track and grounds were looking splendid with various flags and banners flying on the infield not to mention the many manufacturer banners in the pits. The campers all settled in for the evening festivities and socialising around the bon fire. We also had an additional treat this year with the projector set up playing motocross videos for all to watch. There was much appreciation from the males in attendance for one particular video that’s for sure!
Sunday morning saw the early morning fog clear just in time for practice to get underway on near perfect track conditions. As all who have raced at Wandering will attest the pace is always a little faster at the Mill Farm Scramble and this year was no different.
From the very first A grade race through to the final Dan Ferguson Handicap the old red mist seemed to have descended and all riders were giving it their all. Wayne Clarke was quick all day and rode with great style along with Rod Gilchrist, Kris Lindgren and both the Speak boys in A Grade. B grade saw some great riding from Steven Hanson, Mark Steel, Russell George and both Ian and Stephen Brown. C Grade saw many of the older club members mixing it up with our younger riders such as Mr Narrogin Frank Barron showing the young bucks how it was done.
The Pre 65 guys put on a hell of a show with a great 5 way tussle between Peter Lawson, Gary Johnson, Brook Lawson, Nick Maxfield and Mike Lawrie all fighting for the race win. They were also showing off some nice power slides and smooth riding on the old Pre 65 beasts and it is just my opinion but the sound from 15 vintage 4 strokes thundering into turn one is one of the highlights each year at Wandering. Pre 70 class numbers were down a little but Costa Lindgren rode fast and hard all day and in the Over 55’s Stan Read, Graham Taylor and Geoff Davidson showed their class.
The sidecars produced their usual 3 wheeled madness with the team of Gary Johnson and Jason Depiazzi being the team to beat. They were given a good hurry up early on by Peter and Brook Lawson before an impressive forward roll sent them both tumbling to the dirt and Brook a little worse for wear.
Also fast and showing off some classic slides were the teams of Wayne and Adam Fanderlinden, Adam and Ben Fanderlinden and Cliff Cook and Neal Fletcher. Sarah and Robert Dillon were absolutely riding the wheels off their 2 stroke Kawasaki outfit and pulled off some of the more impressive passing moves of the day. Andrew Irving and Robert Harron were riding well but unfortunately had to pull out late with a collapsed shock absorber.
In the day’s biggest shock yours truly managed to pull out a win in the sidecar class. My foolhardy co-pilot Russell George and I managed to use a bucket load of luck, the tiny thimble full that is my actual riding talent and not a small amount of questionable line choice/cheating to hold on for the win. Even so, no-one was more surprised at the end of the race than me and I am now off to buy a warm jumper and some rock salt because I think hell might have just frozen over.
In the feature event “Best of British” Wayne Clarke was brilliant in both races riding away from the pack for the win. In the Dan Ferguson Handicap Simon Gibbins held the lead early on before being passed by Russell Speak who came storming through a good chunk of the field to take the final chequered flag of the day.
The weekend’s festivities wrapped up with a gathering at the Wandering Brook Estate Winery to wind down, boast about the day’s activities and hand out a few awards.
As we all know these events don’t happen without the tireless effort from the many club members who give up their time and resources to bring it all together. Thank you to all those who helped set up the track, made the many trips back and forth dropping off gear and even gave up their own rides so that others could continue to enjoy their day.
Also a huge thank you to Estuary Motorcycles, Motorcycle Pit Stop and the Wandering Brook Winery for their donations for our awards giveaways. Thanks to Hazelmere Free Range Eggs and Rod Chapman Imports for their support also.
Lastly, massive thanks to the Ferguson family for their hospitality and again letting us come out and play on their beautiful property!
So alas, Wandering is done for another year but don’t get too downhearted as we still have at least 3 more events to go before the year is done. Next up on the race calendar is on the 18th of September at our home track at Narrogin. The feature race is the 125 Two Stroke and 250 Four Stroke so drag out your small-bore machines and bring them along.
Good luck also to our contingent of club members who are heading over to compete in the 2011 VMX Nationals at Crystal Brook. Have fun and stay safe!
See you all at Narrogin!
Captain Luke.
“Real riders like a bit on the side!”