Vintage Motocross Club of WA

For those of us who have never been to the UK to watch or compete in a scramble meeting, many of us have a vision of rain, mud and slippery conditions.

We rarely see those conditions in WA, but for those of us who travelled down to Narrogin a few weeks ago to enjoy the final VMX race weekend for 2013, we could be forgiven if we thought we were actually in Britain for a totally authentic event.

Our club has been blessed with great weather for almost the entire year and it seemed like the rain gods were making up some lost ground this time round. The wet stuff started to fall from the sky on Saturday and continued right through the night and for the whole of Sunday.

While the track had been prepared perfectly during the week, it presented as a smooth, wet and very greasy surface on Sunday morning. However this did not deter the riders and they were all keen to get out and have a go. Sadly we had a nasty accident on the first lap of practice when Mike Lawrie had a fly over the bars coming down the big hill behind the pits and landed on his head. Glad to report that he was back on his feet when he returned from the hospital a few hours later (but off the bike for the rest of this meeting).

Despite everything else, 30 or 40 competitors including 5 sidecar teams enjoyed a great day of racing and a fitting end to the season.

A Grade: Mike Gordon on the TM 250 Suzuki #45 made the most of the conditions and took out the first event with some more impressive rides during the day – taking podium positions each time. We saw some good battles between Mike Gordon’s Suzuki and Ian Brown’s Maico #96 and of course Rod Gilchrist on the #41 who also went home with a couple of good wins.

B Grade: Young Brad Green who came down as a stand in swinger for Gary Johnson, was given the opportunity to ride one of Gaz’ solos for the day and took out the first B Grade race in fine style from Steve Hanson #18 and Warren Patterson #78. It was Warren who turned the tables next time round and put the 125 Elsinore on the top step of the podium, followed by Steve Hanson. It was exciting to watch the 125 fighting with the 400 cc machine and come up trumps. Race 3 saw Warren battling with Brad Green from flag to flag with Green just taking the victory on the 250 Yamaha after swapping positions several times. Warren can certainly make that 125 go very quickly and take it up to the bigger bikes each time.

Over 55’s: Well the super seniors put on another great show with Frank Barron and Stan Read running neck and neck all day and sharing the victories 2/1 this time. Those boys never stop smiling and are good mates on and off the track, but I would never want to get between them when they are racing.

Sidecars: Gary Johnson/Brad Green Yamaha #25 showed a clean pair of heels in race 1 and they were followed home by Wayne/Adam Fanderlinden Yamaha #26 and Steve Melvin/Andrew Irving Norton #84. The Fanderlinden boys took out race 2 with husband and wife team Luke/Claire Boston enjoying an awesome battle with Melvin/Irving and finishing just ahead of that team. Melvin/Irving made amends in the next handicap race to take the win.

After a shortened lunch break and more rain, the sidecar feature handicap was won by Melvin/Irving followed by Team Boston.
Last race of the day (All in feature) was taken out by Ian Brown in a great display of riding once again.

Competitors and spectators packed up a little earlier than usual but they had all enjoyed their last ride until 2014.
See you all again next year.

After a week of wet and stormy weather in most parts of the southern half of WA, there were definitely some doubts about how many competitors would turn up to race at Narrogin on Sunday 17 September and concerns about what the track would look like. But in true VMXWA fashion, members started to arrive on the Saturday to find that it had not been too wet in Narrogin and the track was in great condition as always, thanks to our hard working local member Frank Barron. Saturday night campers were treated to a sausage sizzle for dinner and there was no better place to be, than inside the clubrooms around the fire, watching VMX movies and chatting with friends. The stormy weather hit Narrogin around 6pm but we all survived the rough night’s weather to wake up Sunday morning to a magic day.

 

40 riders turned up with about 60 pre 1975 motorcycles; there is no stopping these people. Literally rain, wind,  hail or shine. The days program started with the bigger capacity engines (260cc and over), followed by the ever popular over 55 age group, then the 126-250 cc, sidecars and finally the up to 125 cc machines(which also includes 4 stroke bikes up to 250 cc). After 4 rounds there was an “all in” solo handicap to end the day. This is how it went:

 

261-500 cc: The big guns came out blazing in race 1 and it was Kris Lingren who drew first blood on his CZ machine. Kris used this meeting as good warm up to the National Championships in Qld in November and showed that he has what it takes to bring home more National titles in 2013. Chris was followed home in Race 1 by Scott Lawson (CCM) and Ralph Miller (Husky). Kris pretty much dominated this class all day with Scott, Ralph and Rod Gilchrist sharing the podium during the meeting.

 

Over 55’s: The “Golden Oldies” put on another great display and we saw some awesome battles between Narrogin rider Frank Baron on the #36, Derek George on the #688 and Stan Read #58. In their first heat Frank and Derek were running wheel to wheel behind the pits when Frank tried an inside run on the right hander and Derek shut the gate….next thing we saw was the CZ of Frank Baron drop to the track and as the rider went down he was seen to raise a finger in the air (I think he was urging Derek on to win!!!!). These guys ran hard all day and are best of mates on and off the track. Machine #29 (Alan Makin -Husky?) was very quick all day and made them all ride for their lives to keep up the fast pace.

 

126-250 cc: The big field of 250’s was great to watch and again it was young Kris Lingren on the CZ who dominated this class by taking out most of the wins. He was follow by a pack of guys including Ian Brown #96, Mick Godbold #43 and Mike Gordon #45.

 

Sidecars: With a small field entered this week, it was great to see Luke Boston back on the track with a brand new passenger, none other than his wife Claire (how’s that for dedication guys). The pair put on a good show and to her credit, Claire lasted every lap of every race and showed the guys that VMX Girl Power is definitely growing. Claire tells me that Luke wants to put her on a solo as well now…and she is keen to continue swinging – so watch this space. The sidecar races were run as handicaps and with the Boston’s off scratch it was up to the others to catch them each 3 lap journey. By the end of each race it was anyone’s to win with some good action from Gary Johnson/Adam Fanderlinden and Wayne/ Ryan Fanderlinden. The Boston’s were very pleased with their 2 wins on their 1^st race day together.

 

125 cc: Warren Patterson’s Honda Elsinore was the bike to beat in this class and judging by his grin, Warren was loving every lap. He was pushed along by Costa Lingren on the TM 125 Suzuki and Gary Johnson on the BSA and those 3 guys fought it out all day.

 

All in Handicap: The last event for the day was open to everyone who was still willing and able. Austen Mogg #M, Lew White #90 and Jock Bahen #800 were at the pointy end during the early laps and by mid race we saw Ian Brown working his way up through the pack followed by Ryan and then Adam Fanderlinden. By the end of Lap 3, when riders got the “Last Lap Board,” it was Lew White (400 Maico) in front of Adam Fanderlinden (420 XL Honda) and then Ian Brown (400 Maico). Mid-way through that lap, Adam made a pass on Lew and crossed the line in first place to take the gold, leaving the 2 Maicos  close behind, in the minor placings.

 

Another awesome day which was enjoyed by everyone and included a “club” lunchtime sausage sizzle which everyone attended. Next meeting at Narrogin will be the last one for the season and will be held on Sunday October 20….our own Grand Final Day for 2013. Everyone welcome.