THE SOUTH CANTERBURY 100

The 100 Year event in Timaru was brilliance with a capital B. There is no single word in the English language that can do justice to the significance of the event, so brilliant and its derivatives will have to suffice. Historic one off events are like that, they all mean something very different and very special to those who attend, whether you are a rider, an official, a life member, veteran or just a rider or enthusiast. For some out there, going to the Pukekohe Festival each year or trecking down south to the Bert Munroe is your nostalgia fix for the year and that’s great, but did you do ‘The 100’.

This one off event encompassed classic and modern road racing, classic and twinshock trials, classic, vmx and modern motocross, a world class motorcycle show, awesome Saturday social at Levels, mystery road tour for classics & modern, Centenary dinner with Ivan Mauger speaking and the amazing parade around Levels Raceway at the end of Sunday with over 250 bikes in procession on the track. There were little kids on tiddlers to massive cruisers, classics to modern sports, trials to motocross machines, you name it, it was out there with riders celebrating a 100 Year Procession with helicopter film crew buzzing overhead. It was an electric atmosphere! 101 years ago the Nelson Motorcycle Club was formed and Pioneer can trace their origins as part of a larger sports club back to 1907 but in 1909 the South Canterbury Motorcycle and Tricar Club in Timaru started, but there is still debate about which club ran the most years without War interruption. But I can say that the Timaru club is the oldest in NZ to have its founding letter and first minute books still intact, with the original letter on this website under the 100 year South Canterbury link on the left of this home page.

The SCMCC was a pioneer back in 1909 with its first hill climb and has once again taken the lead in motorcycling in New Zealand by resurrecting their famous hill climb and presenting the original West Challenge Cup (1932) to the winner of the fastest run on the Taiko Hill Climb. With so many of the great hill climb venues around the country now sealed with tarmac, it was pretty special to have this ‘100 Year Hill Climb’ run up the gravel (shingle) Sunderland Road at Taiko.

The local community got in behind the event and prepared hot food and drinks for the competitors as the pits were based around the Taiko Community Hall. And yes, the surrounding area was pretty hilly but breathtakingly beautiful, and had a neat stillness, apart from the intermittent and racous bark of a motorcycle or 4-wheeler sliding its way up the twisty incline. The oldest competitor on the day was 75 year old Brian Tong from Palmerston North on the 1959 AJS 500 he purchased new and competed with up and down the country winning the North Island Open Scramble and hill Climb titles plus a bunch more along the way. His wife Norma had managed to get the bike back only a few weeks earlier and gave it to her hubby as an early 75th Birthday present, and his mates pitched in to get the bike ready in time. And it was like that all weekend, incredible stories of people travelling from around NZ and from Australia to experience ‘The 100’.

The marquee with 150 bikes on show and only 30 modern units down the centre was a show of international standard. As a British scramble bike fan this display alone was enough of a fix for me, five Rickman Metisse, a pair of Francis Barnet and Greeves Challengers, BSA B50s galore plus a rare kiwi built Elsab Villiers 250 Special from 1970s and a 1959 ESO Scrambler, a low volume model from a company absorbed by Jawa that just happened to have a cutting edge speedway engine. The ESO scrambler is one of only a handful in the world. In total around ninety British classic bikes were on display with rare Dodkin Velo Thruxton, a trio of Gold Stars, Bonnevilles, Tigers, Tridents, Nortons, AJS, Velocette, Villiers, Francis Barnett, Greeves, BSA, Triumph, Ariel, Scott, plus Indian, Harley Davidson, CZ, Jawa, Husqvarna and a smattering of Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki Classics to round out the numbers. This display was a major event itself and included the Ivan Mauger Speedway display with the Jawa 500 bike he won his 6th World Title with, one of his ex British League bikes and an ex Larry Ross machine that gleamed newer than new.

The one hour SKY Sport show has been shown on SKY Sport 1 & 3 and the programme will also be made available to screen on the regional TV Stations in the South Island, CTV in Canterbury, Mainland TV of Nelson covering Golden Bay, Nelson & Marlborough, Cue TV in Invercargill and Chanel 9 in Dunedin. A DVD is going to be available so watch this space.

TRIALS

DISPLAY

MIN TT

HILL CLIMB

PARADE

3 DAY NZ MOTO TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP
LABOUR WEEKEND
24th - 26th Oct 2009

BILL MOFFAT - NZ TRAILS CHAMPION - IXION
1962

As a schoolboy Bill used to tag along with his brother on the back of his rigid AJS 350 to the bike races at Ohakea. Bill purchased a near new 1952 matchless 500 in ’52 for road use. In 1956 he purchased a 500 Competition Matchless from Lawton & Boyle, the ex John Anderson shop scrambler and one of only three of this model in the country at the time. The short-stoke motor had the nickname of shotgun. He rode scrambles and won the North Island Scrambles Champs in 1957 and went onto win three NZ Open Hill Climb titles, all at Parkvale Rd in Karori and run by Ixion.

In 1960 he purchased the ex Ken Cleghorn 1957 DOT 197cc 3 speed model from Lawton & Boyle. The 1962 NZ Trial was run by Ixion with the first day at the top of the Makara Hill in Karori and the second day at the Dude Ranch at Moonshine. Bill describes the DOT as an excellent bike but a bit heavy. His next machine was a Sprite he purchased form an English migrant but it was in poor condition and needed a full refurbish. He remembers a highlight of the 60’s was Sammy Miller and his trips to New Zealand.

He sold the Sprite in 1971 and purchased a new Bultaco Sherpa from Mike Harris in Lower Hutt and rode it till 1973. He was then invited by W.White the Yamaha importer to ride a new TY250 and rode it for a year. They also gave him a  TY80 for his sons Grant & Todd to ride, and they were the envy of many. Hugh Anderson was also backed that year with a TY250 from the company. Mick Andrews did a Yamaha TY promotion tour c1973 with both demonstration rides and training schools. Bill finished riding in 1974 on doctors orders, and after a short retirement took up speedway saloon racing in an Anglia saloon car followed by a Mk 1 Escort.        

100 YEARS OF MOTORCYCLING IN SOUTH CANTERBURY
MOTORCROSS BOOMS IN NZ WITH FIRST INTERNATIONAL MX SERIES

The South Canterbury Motorcycle Club Inc held its first Gold Leaf International Motocross round on November 24th 1964 at Lyalldale, Timaru. Many thousands tuned out to see the Kiwi and International riders battle it out on the toughest course in the country at the time, with a crowd of over 10,000 at the first event. The cream of NZ off-road talent were there through the years including locals Ivan Boorer (NZ MX Champion),Wayne Johnston – Rickman Metisse (NZ MX Champion) and Ian Frew (Triumph Metisse) plus David Burns (DOT& Greeves) Ken Cleghorn – NZ Champion (AJS Cheney) Ivan Miller-(CZ), Robert Happer (Wasp),  Allan Collison –(DOT), Gordon Holland - (CZ), Des Boyce (CZ), Kerry Miles (Montesa), Morley Sherriffs (BSA & Metisse), Colin Shultz-(Triumph Metisse), Hugh Anderson – (Husqvarna)  Alistair Sabiston-(Triumph), Ken Kilgour (Matchless Metisse), Neil Currie (Greeves), Paul Docke – (CZ), Graham Terry (BSA & Greeves), Bill Veitch (BSA), Glen Wroblenski (AJS/Greeves) and Graham Stapleton (Greeves & CZ).

The Gold Leaf International Series & Rothmans Series ran from 1963/64 to 1970 and included many International stars, Arthur Harris-Triumph (UK), Tim Gibbes-AJS (Australia), Ronnie Moore-Greeves (World Speedway Champion),  Paul Hunt-Metisse (USA), Max Morf- CZ, (Switzerland), Max Hauger –Waheba (Germany), Frank Underwood (GB), John Lewis (Wales) Gunnar Lindstrom – (Sweden),  Bert Lundin – Lito (Sweden) John Lewis (BSA Works rider GB), J.N Roberts (USA), Keith Hickman & John Burton (GB), Freddie Postmann (Austria), Randy Owen & Gordon Adsett (GB), Laurie Alderton & Jim Dowsett (Australia) and finally in 1970 Dave Bickers– CZ (GB) and Jeff Smith-BSA (GB). After that it was a change of generations and machines, gone were the British 4 strokes and European 2 strokes of the 60s, and onwards went the rise of the Japanese 2 stokes, neither was ultimately better, just different machines for different eras and the Pall Mall Series events. And so with the wave of light powerful 2 stokes came longer travel suspension and the development of more rugged tracks and jumps, and ultimately the growth of stadium motocross (or supercross as it became known).

But long before International motocross came to America under the AMA Trans-Am series in 1970, motocross was a booming motorsport in New Zealand as early as 1962 thanks to the vision of Tim Gibbes and Ken Cleghorn in launching the first Woodville International Motocross. With the support of the Manawatu Orion Club plus their friends in the South Canterbury Club and a few other ACU clubs the first National Gold Leaf Series kicked off in late 1963. In fact the Rothmans  Series was an Australasian series for a couple of those seasons from 1967/68 having four rounds starting out in Western Australia and even taking in Tasmania one year, plus either NSW, South Australia or Victoria as the fourth round, before crossing the Tasman for the NZ summer series that always started at Woodville in November/early December.

The International Series were run by a holding company, Motocross Enterprises fronted by Tim Gibbes started with a 1000 pound from the Manawatu Orion Club, and other clubs and individuals purchased 1 pound debentures to make up 1500 pound. 500 quid each was given to the first overseas riders Max Morf, Arthur Harris and Max Hauger. As Tim Gibbes recalls, ‘ We had to run a second Woodville event at the end of the first series to raise their airfares home as we didn’t have enough money left, but we didn’t tell the riders that of course. It was hard work running a bike shop, promoting and running the events, and riding as well, more especially when I developed the Australian rounds. I had great support from my South Island organiser Ray Johnston and had great times through those years.’ Throughout the years various clubs ran rounds of the series at Christchurch, Blenheim, Nelson, Wellington, New Plymouth, Masterton plus Woodville always had two rounds of the usual seven round NZ Series running from Nov/early Dec till the end of January. The Lyalldale circuit in Timaru was the feature event with largest crowds in the South Island.    

At the South Canterbury 75th Jubilee in 1984 Life member Ray Johnstone & a small committee organised NZ’s first classic scramble/motocross and had a great turn out of veterans and old machines. Many of those former riders still with us today, are travelling from around NZ and Australia to celebrate once again there common love of old dirt bikes and the happy memories. Events over Labour Weekend Centenary weekend include both modern and historic, road racing, trials, gravel hill climb, motocross and miniature TT, rally and mystery trial, plus socials and a dinner. More details on www.kiwirider.co.nz and at   www.100yearsouthcanterbury.co.nz with entry and registration forms available on this site.

Shell riders in the Gold Leaf series in 1964/1965 David Burns (Ch-Ch), George Hauger (West Germany), Tim Gibbes (representing Australia) Ken Kleghorn (Palmerston North) and Max Morf (Switzerland)	George Hauger, Arthur Harris (GB), & Max Morf, the first International Trio for the Gold Leaf series in 1964/65

Burly John Burton of Lutterworth (Great Britian) on his Rickman Metisse Triumph 6T 650cc mount

Photos – Ken Cleghorn Collection.

      

KIWIS IN ACTION AT CLASSIC DIRT 6 in AUSTRALIA

Mike Jolley from the Auckland Classic Scramble Club was one of the Kiwi riders who ventured over to the Land of Oz for the recent CD 6 event at Conondale Brisbane. Our own NZ & Australian Open MX Champion Peter Ploen was also there. Mike got to ride some pretty exotic machines including this BSA Rickman Metisse (J) owned by Allan Jones of Sydney. It is one of a pair sent to the USA distributor to use for promotional purposes as a sales tool. The engine is a B44 with a 500cc barrel and a Weslake 4 valve speedway type  head. The Black Betty Eso Rickman in the photos is also owned by Allan Jones.

AUCKLAND CLASSIC SCRAMBLE CLUB 20TH ANNIVERSARY

The Auckland Classic Scramble Club celebrated their 20th Anniversary with an event at the old Hellensville showgrounds with a wide array of machines from the past coming out to enjoy a very nostalgic day. Dave Cohen from Kiwi Rider was there and got these snaps you can view at www.flickr.com/photos/38126832@N02/

One of the most famous names in the history of world motorcycling, the ‘Triumph Bonneville’ will be recognised at the Legends of Dirt Festival at the Wanganui Racecourse on Easter Saturday March 22nd. A number of rare machines are being bought to Wanganui to go on display and to compete for Best in Class Trophies. The Triumph Bonneville Display will commemorate the 1958 unveiling of the first Bonneville 650cc model shown to the public at the annual Earls Court Show in London. In that same month Bonnevilles rolled off the Meriden production line as the factory struggled to fill order books from their United Kingdom dealers and built up export stocks.

Around the world Bonnevilles became the motorcycle to have for both competitive use and the ton up boys and milk bar cowboys. In North America the motorcycle public clamored for the T120 vertical twins, as their agile handling and brisk performance were so much better than the ageing American side valve v-twin designs. Riders soon converted them for desert racing, with Triumph developing a range of special competition models for enduro, desert racing and TT use. During the 1960s it was Triumphs that ruled the famous American desert race scene. With the AMA changing the capacity rules for the Grand National series in 1970, Triumph USA homologated 204 T120 machines by fitting a Rout 750 kit with the bikes still in their crates, so they could keep pace with the new XR 750 Harleys, A70 Lightnings and Norton Commandos.

By 1973 the Bonneville was increased to 750cc, and as the T140 was fitted with disc brake and 5 speed gearbox. With industrial trouble at the factory and an eventual workers co-operative the Bonneville stayed in production until 1983. Triumph spares manufacturer Les Harris produced the 750 till 1986 under license before Mr Bloor re-launched the Triumph brand in a new factory at Hinckley in 1990. Some years later when a modern 795cc Bonneville was released, it was an instant sales success, and today is still the top selling Triumph model of the range.

The Bonneville name comes from the famous Salt Flats in Utah where Johnny Allen set a World Land Speed record time of 214 mph with a streamlined machine powered by a very tuned T110 650cc Thunderbird engine in 1956. In New Zealand Bonnevilles were always scarce due to our tight import restrictions but the engines were very popular with early midget car drivers, and speedway and road race sidecar pilots winning many New Zealand titles along the way. When Coleman’s launched the new 750 Bonnevilles on the local market, Rod Coleman had Dick Lawton prepare a couple of machines on the dyno. Riders Dale Wylie and Dave Hiscock had much success that summer in the production race series around the circuits of New Zealand.

Gates to this Wanganui Easter Festival open at 10am, with the public able to vote for the Bonneville they like the most, in the Peoples Choice category . All motorcycle enthusiast and sports fans are also welcome to attend the Legends Dinner on the Saturday evening with tickets available from The Royal Wanganui Opera House Phone 06-349-0511 Further event details are available at www.britishdirt.co.nz

Roger Middlebrook showing mile flattrack cornering style
on the throttle and sliding through the 400m bends
on the Trackmaster Triumph 750.

Credit photo to www.nelsonwebphotos.co.nz,
and for further images of 100yr Events

0574 Wattie on his B50MX

New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Leaders are heading to Wanganui for the Legends of Dirt Festival at Easter to enjoy the sight and sound of motorcycles from the past, and have a chance to meet one of the greatest motorcycle champions to come out of Europe and the United Kingdom, Jeff Smith. Jeff’s Double 500cc World Motocross Championship wins, 9 British 500cc motocross Championship titles, 3 Motocross des Nations wins, 9 ISDT Gold Medals (Enduro) and 4 British Trials Titles during his over twenty year career has never been bettered. Jeff is flying to Wanganui a couple of days before the event for media commitments, some machine testing and to meet with the organising team before the big day. Jeff Smith is a current member of the American Classic Motorcycle Racing Board (AHRMA).

New Zealand’s longest running classic scramble event is ‘Óld Thumpers’ at Pohara in Golden Bay and event organiser Richard (Wattie) Watson will compete at the ‘Legends’ on his 1971 BSA B50MX and will lead a team of six committed classic racers from the Tasman region, all keen to take home honours in the British Dirt Grand national feature. Founders of the Auckland Classic Scramble Club Mike and Triss Clark are bringing a collection of very rare Pre 65 Works machines for the 3 World Champions to ride,  A Cheney DBD34 Gold Star for Jeff Smith, a Rickman Metisse G85 600cc Matchless for Hugh Anderson and either a Works 600 Matchless or Rickman Triumph 500 for Shayne King. Each World Champion has a range of machines to ride and further details will be announced shortly. Gates open at the Wanganui Racecourse at 10am on Saturday the 22nd of March for the infield Classic TT event.

Vintage Motocross leaders from Taupo, Taranaki, Blenheim and Wanganui will also compete on a range of Pre 75 up to 250cc machines in a guest class, including CZ, Bultaco, Montessa, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki machines. One of the key organisers for the South Canterbury Motorcycle Club 100 year celebrations in 2009, Ray Johnston of Timaru, will be attending with his close friend Bob Walpole of Brisbane. Bob Walpole is flying out from Brisbane and is a former Australian ISDT International, Victorian State Motocross & Trials Champion and Australian Trials Champion. Bob and Ray will join a number of former NZ Motocross & Trials Champions at the Legends Dinner including Bob Coleman, Graham Terry, Tim Gibbes, Ken Cleghorn, Alan Collinson, Paul Docke, Mike & Chris Harris and many other North and South Island Representatives.        

9115 Alan Mason on the Fantic 125

New Zealand World Cup International Speedway rider Alan Mason of Christchurch will compete in Wanganui on Easter Sunday March 23, at the Classic and Twinshock Trial being held at Matipo Park on Brunswick Road in Wanganui from 11am.

As a young Canterbury Solo Champion Alan received an introduction to the  Edinburgh Team in the UK National League from Ivan Mauger and Ronnie Moore, Kiwi World Speedway Champions. Alan rode professionally for eight years in the United Kingdom also riding for Exeter in the National League, and for Sheffield and Newcastle in the British League. At both those clubs Alan was paired with fellow Kiwi and NZ Champion David Bargh of Martinborough. ‘David was a great rider and could beat the best in the World on a good night, but we couldn’t do it consistently week in week out like Ivan Mauger. I was riding in the New Zealand World Cup team from 1983-86 with David, Larry Ross and Mitch Shirra with our best effort a second to Germany over Finland and Czechoslovakia at the German Round. I was riding on the Continent every weekend during that time. Ivan Mauger was always organising rides for us, getting us flown all around Europe, very exciting times. We did Individual meets, World Cup Rounds, Open Grand Prix and the Golden Helmet in Amsterdam Holland. Ivan was certainly a great help to the Kiwi riders. The European tracks were much bigger and faster, the racing great and the crowds electric. It was nothing for David and me to be riding in front of a crowd of 50,000 people in Europe on a Saturday night.’

Alan started riding speedway in Christchurch in 1975 and worked in Ronnie Moore Motors with Ian (Jungle) McGregor and Graham Stapleton. He returned to New Zealand after eight years riding professionally.  In 2000 Alan took up classic trials as a recreation sport and will ride his Fantic 125 in the Twinshock A Grade class in Wanganui.      

The festival also includes a classic scramble TT on the Wanganui Racecourse infield on the Saturday, a dinner at Infusions on Saturday evening with dinner tickets available from The Royal Wanganui Opera House.  Further event details are available at www.britishdirt.co.nz     

Roger Middlebrook on the purple Triumph at Nelson

The Nelson Motorcycle Club 100 Year celebrations held on Feb 2nd & 4th , saw the club host a beach race meeting at the Rabbit Island Reserve on the Saturday, and on the Nelson Anniversary Monday, a Flattrack meeting at the Richmond Racecourse. In days long past this venue had seen many great races on the Grass Mile for the Waimea Cup, and one particular rider showed a riding style rarely seen in New Zealand these days.

Roger Middlebrook from Nelson on the Trackmaster Triumph Bonneville 750 had people in the stands on their feet as he battled race long in his third race to catch and pass the BSA A65 Hornet ridden by Malcolm Smith. Out of the 150 entries the Bonneville was clocked at 160kph half way down the front straight and was the third fastest time of the day, being bettered only by a rapid super quad and a modern bike that ticked over 170kph. ‘Launching into the corners at 100 mph was uncanny, you push your foot pegs down to steer the bike and keep your head towards the pole line and hold the throttle open, such an amazing experience, I never thought I could slide the bike for 400m,’ says Roger. ‘I am really looking forward to the ‘Legends’ meet at Wanganui, not just meeting the great Jeff Smith in person, but I get to ride against some of the top classic riders in New Zealand at a fantastic facility.’

Fellow mainlander Rob Selby will be a tough man to beat as he has his 550cc Cheney BSA B50MX putting out close to 50bhp and really flying. Rob Selby knows how to get engines working very well, and has designed and built his own 3 speed gearbox for the machine. Rob Selby worked for the late John Britten for many years as his technician, building the famous Britten motorcycles that are still stir great emotion and fervor around the world. A couple of top contenders from the North Island for the British Dirt Grand National title include Wanganui rider Mike Marshall on the 1979 CCM 580cc machine, and the very experienced Mike Ross from Gisborne on his BSA B50MX, the current Grand National Champion.

Many former New Zealand Champions will be in Wanganui for the weekend to catch up with former North or South Island rivals, and see 2 x World 500cc Motocross Champion Jeff Smith and NZ World 500cc Motocross Champion Shayne King, and the multi-talented Kiwi legend, Hugh Anderson. In addition to all the race action during the day from 11am, that evening Jeff is the Guest of Honour at the Legends dinner at Infusions. All sports fans are welcome to attend with tickets available from the Royal Wanganui Opera House.

On the Sunday a classic/twinshock trial will start at Matipo Park on Brunswick Road at 11am. Gates open to the public at both venues at 10am. The Sunday Trial will feature 4 x British Trials Champion Jeff Smith (GB), 7 x NZ Trials Champion Warren Laugeson, 4 x NZ Champion Chris Harris, 3 x South Island Champion Kerry Miles, Ray Carlton 4 x winner of the coveted Franklin Cup plus NZ World Cup Speedway Star Alan Mason and 2 x NZ Miniature TT Champion Roger Garnet. Further event details are available at www.britishdirt.co.nz          

For many of you out there this photo could be the Dream Collection of big singles. This photo was taken in Wanganui in 1980 and sadly the owner only has the DBD34 Gold Star left. Brand new 1979 CCM WR 4 valve 500cc, with a 1971 B50SS Gold Star bought new in the UK and only 1,000 miles on the clock. The owner took it up to the BSA factory IN Birmingham complaining that the compression was too high for the riding he wanted to do, so the Service Department fitted a compression plate for him. Both these machines were sold some years ago but the DBD34 Gold Star will be in the Gold Star lineup at the Wanganui Racecouse on Easter Saturday March 22nd that commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the release of BSA’s first Gold Star. Double World Motocross Legend Jeff Smith & wife Irene will inspect a guard of honour of Gold Stars and present trophies that evening at the Legends of Dirt Dinner for New Zealand’s Best Gold Stars.

Reports coming out of Tasman are ravving about the 120 entries for the Beach Racing and Flattrack events with Old Thumpers at Pohara, Golden Bay, a fantastic success also. As a flashback to last year, a few photos that VMX magazine didn't print in their global coverage of this unique kiwi event.

Dirt Classics in Action in NZ

The First Round of the National VMX Champs in NZ at Waitotara on the west coast of NI saw a very special CCM machine surface, a 1980 500cc 4 Valve Works Replica wide case model, one of only a small number of such machines produced.

It wasn’t long after that, that production of the BSA based CCM machines ground to a halt and within a few years these machines were parked up with the legions of other British scramblers, or converted to trail or play bike status, till the Pre 65 and Classic Dirt movement started up around the world and they came out to play again. The CCM’s were the last of the line of a great British scramble era that had started after the second world war. And also pictured is an example of a true Kiwi Special form the 1950 and early 60s era, an Ariel Red Hunter  chassis with a B31 engine sporting an alloy barrel and head. The machine had carried a DB32 Gold Star engine in its earlier life.

LEGENDS DINNER TICKETS

Tickets to the ‘Legends of Dirt Festival’ Dinner are now available from 0800 CHENEY ( 243 639)
Or robertc@amcom.co.nz at $50 per person
Infusion is based in the Wanganui Racecourse venue
Wanganui locals can purchase from the Royal Wanganui Opera House Ph 06-349-0511

If you are interested in attending, please print off this form and mail it into:
British Dirt, Unit 3, 4 Guyton Street, Wanganui 4500

LEGENDS FESTIVAL ENTRY FORMS

Entries are now being accepted for the British Pre 65, Pre 70 and Pre 75 Classes

The first 50 British bikes entered in parade, clubman or expert classes will be accepted. No day entries

• LEGENDS TRAILS ENTRY FORM
• BRIT DIRT SCRAMBLE ENTRY FORM
• LEGENDS 3RD PARTY INDEMNITY

The guest class of ten Pre 75 European & Japanese up to 250cc machines is by invitation only.

Please contact robertc@amcom.co.nz or 06-348-7585 if you would like to be considered for the last few spaces.

Classic Trials and Twinshock Trials at Matipo Park, numbers are not restricted and entries close Jan 20th.

The events carry full insurance but all entrants must complete an indemnity form, or entry will not be accepted.

LEGENDS DINNER GUESTS

The first dinner tickets were purchased by 2 Times Australian Trials Champion Bob Walpole from Brisbane who was also the Victorian State MX Champion, also in 1957 and 1958. He spent the 1960-65 period racing MX in Europe and met a few Kiwis along the way. He is coming with his mate Ray Johnson from Timaru NZ MX & Miniature TT Champion. Another Kiwi champion from down south, Paul Doecke is bringing wife Shona to enjoy catching up with many old friends. NZ World Champions Hugh Anderson and Shane King are the Masters of Ceremonies for the evening, with Jeff Smith the International Guest Speaker. Dinner tickets are $50 per head available form 06-348-7585, or 0800 243639 (CHENEY) book early and avoid disappointment

Ray Johnstone on the first Rickman Metisse imported to NZ, purchased from Tim Gibbes

British Dirt NZ presents Jeff Smith

British Dirt NZ Ltd presents World Motocross Champion Jeff Smith to the New Zealand sporting public at the Legends of Dirt Festival at the Wanganui Racecourse on March 22nd 2008 (Easter weekend). NZ Motocross Legend  Shayne King, the 1996 World Motocross Champion is also riding with Jeff on Pre 75 machinery. NZ World Road Race Champion Hugh Anderson completes the trio of World Champions for this Wanganui Historic motorcycle event.

Jeff Smith will ride a BSA B50 MX 500cc machine, a B25 MX 250cc mount and a Cheney DBD 34 Gold Star 500cc classic. The event that will also include the best classic scramblers from across New Zealand on a selection of Triumph, Cheney, Rickman Mettise, Trackmaster, DOT, Greeves, Spartan, Francis Barnett, AJS, Matchless, CCM and BSA machines, plus  some Husqvarna, Bultaco and CZ guest class mounts.

Jeff Smith is still very active in ARMHA administration and competitive affairs in North America and we are indeed fortunate to have him come down to NZ for a week or so, says event organiser Robert Cochrane. In addition to competing he is judging Gold Stars in the ‘Gold Star 70th Anniversary’, and the key note speaker at the legends Dinner at Infusions that evening. This is sure to be a dinner to not miss, possibly the dinner of the year with over 20 former NZ Motocross & Trials Champions due to attend, from the 1955 to 1975 era 

Book your accommodation in Wanganui now, Phone Lynn 06-349-0044 and for

Dinner Tickets phone 0800 CHENEY (0800 243639)  Limited number available

photo by Peggy Cozart - AHRMA