Race Reports

Dandaloo Classic Scramble has been run and won!

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Our club excelled last weekend; Congratulations to everyone involved in the setting up and running an awesome 2 days of pre ’75 Motocross action over the WA Holiday weekend.  What a way to celebrate the state’s birthday.


The pits started to fill up on Friday afternoon and by the time the sun had disappeared and the Club President had climbed down off the new canteen roof, after installing a new ventilator, the carpark looked like a commercial caravan park during a busy tourist season and a big group of anxious club members, families and friends gathered round the clubrooms for dinner.  Motocross and Speedway legend, and still VMX  legend “Big” Bill Watson ceremoniously cut the gold ribbon across the doorway and the 2013 Dandaloo Classic was officially ON.
It was bikes, bikes and more bikes representing Triumph, Aerial, BSA, Velocette, CCM, AJS, ESO, Maico, CZ, Husqvarna, Bultaco, Montessa, Hodaka, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda; most had 2 wheels, some had 3. They all looked immaculate during machine examination Saturday morning but none left Narrogin without getting dirty.  Sunday morning saw more fresh bikes appear in the pits and it wasn’t long before they were out on the track and been muddied along with their riders.

Western Australia’s own National Vintage Motocross Champion (2012) Brian Watson rode his Husqvarna to victory at the end of day 2, by winning the “all in” Dandaloo Classic Handicap and walking away with the new perpetual trophy as well as one of his own to keep and show off in the pool room.  The track was prepared perfectly and held up extra well to the pounding of 80 or so solos and sidecars over the Saturday and Sunday.  Even the weather Gods were kind with cool (ok it was cold on Saturday) conditions and a light mist of rain early each morning before racing started, to dampen the track surface just enough to ensure there was no dust anywhere.

Class winners were Kevin White (125 cc), Steve Melvin (250 cc), Adam Fanderlinden (Open class), Stan Read (Over 55 years), Cliff Cook/Neil Fletcher (Sidecars), Nick Maxfield (Pre ’60), Mike Lawrie (Pre ’65), Scott Lawson (A Grade), Mick Godbold (B Grade), Jim Lawson (C Grade) ….but judging by the grins on everyones’ faces after the event and the level of excitement around the bonfire, they were all winners.
Check out Bethanie’s photos in the gallery.  For those of you unable to attend, see you all next time.

Race Reports

Narrogin Club Day 19/05/2013 with pre60/65 feature

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Dandaloo Central Café was up and running with newly lined walls, chairs, tables and kitchen equipment. Along with the pre75 prices still in place.  A hearty congratulations goes out to all those band of workers who have completed this new era clubrooms.

While talking of old hands, after a two year absence (15th Anniversary) great to see  Mike Smith and Paul Rundell back at Dandaloo.
OK onto the racing: THE TRACK/WEATHER: you can read in POACHING in the Pits further down the page.
Race Schedule:

 Race 1

We had the flaggies in position and A grade riders on the line, eager to carve up the smooth track for the beginning of the Home track 2013 calendar season. The only results from the fast and furious I was able to catch #247, #47,Maico, #66 #90 # 41,then #72 and an #83

 

Race 2

B Grade with 15 odd on the line 2 CZs, 5 Hondas included were a Maico, CCM, Yamaha, BSA and an AJS.
Scott Lawson on the 250 Maico took the lead on the second lap from Brownie also on a neat Maico (nice shocks Ian). Always a grin for riders like “Director of Style” Warren with his Go- Pro, which I’d like to see the end footage of those Brown Brothers tussle.

Race 3 C Grade was also a good size line up. A very keen over 55’s local rider, doubling up from the over 55’s class joined in. He was leading the pack until once a year racer Stuart Aldred took over at the pointy end. Later I caught up with the keen over 55 rider and ask why the keenness in two class’s on such a sunny day. His reply “I’m a BORN RACER”.

Also in the C Grade class was first timer Phillip Gunn on a borrowed MX Yamaha, Philip placed well on the process on learning the Dandaloo Circuit, perhaps now known as the “Juggernaut”

Which , as you would all know,  is a literal or metaphorical force regarded as mercilessly destructive and unstoppable.

The Feature had 8 pre60/pre65 bikes out for the day. All purring British Beauties bar one a sweet Husqvarna. Old Iron still rules and I didn’t see one drop of oil. Thank guys for putting on the show.

Sidecar’s where fifth on the race schedule for the day , with five outfits spreading the moist dirt back into place for the sole’s in the next rounds. These guys never fail us in a crowd pleaser, with the locals visiting saying with gasps ”that’s Insane”.

Fanderlindens Yamaha/Wasp kept the lead most of the day. The Fanderlindens took on Team Cook on with some scary manoeuvres. The young Fanderlinden’s then took the lead in the S bends taking the chequered flag. Also in the thick of it where Team Johnson, Team Irving and young Jason Dillon with Russell George bringing up the rear field on the Kawasaki 500 Triple while older siblings are on the tar heading north. Also great to see Mark Ewens back in the outfit, swinging for Cliff Cook….been many a year since Mark grasped the bars….. wonder how he was feeling on Tuesday morning..??

Over 55’s consisted of 12 solo’s all dressed in the plainer coloured jerseys/pants of back in the day. Just superb to see them drop the clutch with the green flag (thanks Barry) down the start straight flat bikkies.

“The all” in at the end of the day consisted of  10 starters with the Works Suzuki TM Team of Mike Jemmet and Alan Smidt taking the chequered flag. Good job !!

POACHING  in the  PITs.
I headed out and ask the VMX enthusiasts in the pits, how their day was going. Below are some of the response’s  received.
*Bloody good day and weather

*Was all good FUN

*Go out beat someone else, opposed to going down the pub and punching a nose.

*Wide corners gives you a wide choice, but now unable to cover yourself, making it more competitive.

*Great to see a CCM in just about every race and every second car in the pits with VMX WA number plates.

*Good, nice and easy. Arms are a bit sore-Good competitive racing for the first Dandaloo Race of 2013

*Steve Hanson may need to think about going up a grade.(wink)

*Piston and Rings down the back straight

*I’m knackered-First ride in 15 years-Mark Ewens

*Me bikes buggered, gears jammed, though track is superb. Prepared to perfection,  even with no rain.
*John Hendry from Bunbury, 1st timer feeling it a bit in the bones, but as a mountain bike rider, I may pull through to ride again.

*Fastest racer of the day till I took my goggles off and looked in the mirror.

*Revenge to my siblings: Loving the sidecar Robert and Sarah, don’t expect it back to ride next year. Missing half the engine and front wheel. All buckled up from hitting the tree.

Another Cracker event!!

It’s good to be alive, so catch you at Dandaloo Classic for two full days of glory 1st and 2nd June.

Race Reports

Bunbury April 2013

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Hi all, here is the first race report for the year!
Shubland park Bunbury on Sunday the 7 April 2013
Bunbury President Ian Scarlett and his happy band of helpers turned out a perfectly prepared track for our guys to show case our bikes on Sunday.
The racing was fast and furious, and no injuries, so it was a fantastic day had by all members.
A grade saw Cody Rowe showing everybody that an old CZ can fly…showing the rest of the field a clean pair of heels before his father Rod took it off him before he broke it.  Kris linden, Rick Speak, Paul Gibb all fought it out for second place.
B grade had Rod Rowe, Aaron Mathews and Garry White all swapping places at the front end.  It was great to see the number of different bikes out, even a Hodaka at the pointy end.
Over 55 had Alan Mitchell putting on a display of smooth and fast riding at his home track, with Bert Sykes and Frank Barron filling the other positions.  It’s awesome to see these guys get out of their wheel chairs, showing the young guys how to ride!
And to finish off the day we had the crowd favorites…the sidecars.  With teams of Cliff cook/Neal Fletcher, Sarah Dillon/Robert Dillon and Andrew Irving/Jason Dillon putting on a fantastic display, with Cookie taking out the day.
Again I have to thank the Bunbury club for a day that all who turned up will remember, and there is a good chance it will be on next year.