Trials Australia Forums

Thanks for the pics Dave (MX & Trials)

I'm almost certain those last ones are from Nerang in late '74, an event called the Trans-Tasman MX. Look at the crowds. It was a huge event. That was my last year of high school and a mate's father drove a car-load of us down from Gladstone to watch. (Never mind Senior exams!) Fairly sure its the back of my mate I can see in one of the pics, exactly where I recall us standing.

You can see the letters in lieu of numbers on some of the bikes for international riders. Peter Ploen (NZ) on an RN Suzuki blew us away with his corner speed. Matt Moss (NZ) and Trevor Flood battled it out for the overall win, both on YZ360Bs (I think they tied). All the top Oz and NZ riders were there. The track was spectacular and blindingly fast with steep downhills and huge jumps and berms. (Much steeper than it looks in the pics) Some of the jumps at the top of the steep downhills launched the braver riders into what seemed like orbit. (Gary Flood was fearless and he won most of the starts)

Ahh... the memories. Unbelievable day! Spectators right in close to the action with nothing more than a strip of bunting to demarcate the track. (It wouldn't be allowed now)

I never saw another MX event like it, including later national championships and international events at Tivoli ('75, 76??) with world champ Gaston Rahier on the works Suzukis.

I'm glad the old photos are being enjoyed. I'll keep going but have to go to work once in a while so the posting rate will be variable.
I haven't yet found some negatives that I know will be a hit - the Mountain Man MX at Echo Valley in 1975. I still remember the atmosphere that day.
Another set yet to come are some photos of the Sunday at Tivoli with Gaston Rahier and that pommy bloke on the surprisingly-fast Bert Flood prepared . I remember that day pretty well too. Was that 1976 or 77?

I remember watching a very fast World Class pommie at Tivoli around the same time that Rahier was here, it was Neil Hudson on a Maico. Is this maybe who you were thinking of David, I know the years cloud the memory, they certainly have with mine.

Rod wrote:I remember watching a very fast World Class pommie at Tivoli around the same time that Rahier was here, it was Neil Hudson on a Maico. Is this maybe who you were thinking of David, I know the years cloud the memory, they certainly have with mine.

Definitely a and not Neil Hudson. Someone older than him. I'll go and find that bloke's name.

It hasn't come to me yet. Reckon John Cuff will remember. It was a 125 Bultaco and it was absolutely singing. I'd never seen a Bultaco 125 go like it before or since. Beat the top Aussie riders on their RM125s.
Gaston put on a pretty good show at the EKKA speedway the night before too (on an MX bike)

David Lahey wrote:

Rod wrote:I remember watching a very fast World Class pommie at Tivoli around the same time that Rahier was here, it was Neil Hudson on a Maico. Is this maybe who you were thinking of David, I know the years cloud the memory, they certainly have with mine.

Definitely a :Bultaco: and not Neil Hudson. Someone older than him. I'll go and find that bloke's name.

It hasn't come to me yet. Reckon John Cuff will remember. It was a 125 Bultaco and it was absolutely singing. I'd never seen a Bultaco 125 go like it before or since. Beat the top Aussie riders on their RM125s.
Gaston put on a pretty good show at the EKKA speedway the night before too (on an MX bike)

It's Vic Allen

I had an RDO today and got to scan some more old negatives.
Very fond memories of this day up at Echo Valley near Toowoomba in 1975.
It was the first time I ever saw a Suzuki RM.
I've included all the photos including bloopers in case they mean something to someone

David Lahey wrote:I'm thinking these were taken at Ron Boyle's Armstrong Creek property by the look of the countryside.
The person doing the air turn (or just about to crash) on the :Bultaco: looks like Ross Nuttall who was an early member of NDMTC.

I had a very enjoyable chat with Ross Nuttall on the phone today and believe it or not, we talked motorbikes and yes, the photo is of Ross and now I know that neither of us remember whether he crashed or not.
Ross and I both recognised it as being Ross because of his hat.

I'm not certain of who this is on the TY175C, but I took it at the Lacey's Creek Upper Property in 1976 or 77.
I reckon it is either Carmel Wilke or her sister Marj Cunliffe

Wow, those MX shots are awesome, that Echo Valley track is Legendary, that off camber coming off a jump screwed many and then there was the hill climb(not always used), what a track, almost enduro.
Just a loud thought here David, could this post maybe be renamed 'Old Photos & Memories', or something similar to get others involved.

Rod wrote:Wow, those MX shots are awesome, that Echo Valley track is Legendary, that off camber coming off a jump screwed many and then there was the hill climb(not always used), what a track, almost enduro.
Just a loud thought here David, could this post maybe be renamed 'Old Photos & Memories', or something similar to get others involved.

Great idea Rod I'll give it a go