Race Reports

Narrogin July 2013

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With near perfect track and weather conditions last Sunday, the Vintage Motocross Club held another successful race day at Dandaloo Park, Narrogin on 14th July. With 40+ pre ’75 bikes entered for the event, it was always going to be a great spectacle.

Those who arrived Saturday and helped to complete a few more jobs around the circuit and facilities, were treated to a sit down roast dinner in the clubrooms on Saturday evening; with President Gaz being ably assisted by several of the VMX ladies and men in attendance.

Scott Lawson, Jason Depiazzi, Rod Gilchrist and Paul Gibbs topped the charts in the A Grade events and Ian Brown was hard to beat in B Grade but was pushed all day by Mick Godbold. Top dogs in C Grade were #71 Jim Lawson, #888 Russell George and #481 Alan Jones.

A good field of 4 strokes lined up for the feature events and we saw some awesome battles between Peter and Scott Lawson, Rod Gilchrist and Gary Johnson. There’s nothing like the sound of those big engines thundering around Dandaloo. Unfortunately a few of the guys experienced machine problems during the day and their numbers tapered off later in the afternoon. The over 55 riders put on a great show with Derek George, Shane Corney, Frank Barron and Stan Read at the front of the pack. Sidecar numbers were low this week, with many of the teams unable to compete. Gary Johnson/Jason Depiazzi and Wayne/Ryan Fanderlinden held a series of “match” races and the #25 outfit of Johnson was too quick all day.

The all – in handicap at the end of the day was closely contested and it was Ian Brown on the Maico who took a narrow win from Jason Depiazzi.

Another top day of VMX action was enjoyed by all and the track seems to be better than ever for both riders and spectators. A big thanks to Frank Barron and all others who assisted with the running of another really successful weekend.

Next VMX race meeting will be held on 4 August, again at Dandaloo Park. This will be the last chance for riders to fine tune bikes and bodies before the BIG one of the year, the annual Smoke Free WA Mill Farm Scramble 2013, at Wandering on Sunday 25 August.

Race Reports

Boddington June 2013

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It was fast and furious (but friendly) VMX action last Sunday (June 24th) when our Club held another big race day, this time at a brand new farm track just outside Boddington.

The scenic 10 minute drive from the town centre to the farm; through hills, valleys and green paddocks gave us all a hint of what was waiting for us. The track itself was laid out on the side of a big hill, which made for lots of off cambered corners (and straights), something we don’t get to ride very often.

Spectator viewing along the main straight at the bottom of the hill was perfect as you could see the whole circuit from anywhere in that area. With no rain in the district during the week, one section of the track was fairly dusty but that was soon resolved when a local water truck came to the rescue and sprayed some wet stuff onto the dry stuff….problem solved.

A total of 56 brave riders turned up to contest the event with several new members having their first ride with the club and bringing out some precious machinery for the very first time. All classes were well represented with A, B, C, Over 55’s and it was great to see 9 sidecar outfits in the pits with 2 brand new teams and a couple of new riders and passengers having a try out with existing teams. This weekend’s feature class was the 125cc two stroke machines (and the 250 four strokes). Numbers are slowly building in this class and the racing is close.

Great to see Peter “Stand up” Boston back on the start line and on the noise once again. Peter is one of the many ex-Claremont Speedway stars riding VMX today and after a recent health scare it was good to have him back. Paul Gibbs was another rider who was absent from our last meeting but now fully recovered and as fast as ever. Check out his style on the big #173 Yamaha, that’s classic pre ’75 VMX action!

After 4 rounds of racing in good conditions (and a little rain by the second last event) it was smiles all round while riders swapped stories and packed up all their gear, ready for the trip home.

A very warm thanks to the farm owners Kingsley and Roslyn Foster and family, who were all in attendance and highly entertained throughout the day. Club President Gary Johnson, who was the main man in setting up the event, was really pleased with the way everything came together and was heard to say at the end of the day that “he would be keen to return in 2014 if the opportunity presents”.

Next race meeting will be back “home” at Dandaloo Park, Narrogin on July 14 with the feature being 4 stroke racing. See you all there.

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.