Retro

This year's retro round made me feel old, seeing people excited about retro graphics that are mid-2000s era had me thinking, damn I have kids older than that!

But it’s cool, I remember old blokes thinking the same thing as talked-up 80s and early 90s bikes, while their hearts were filled with memories of aluminum tanks and twin shocks.

Just like the cars, the music, and the movies, we love bikes and riders from our youth. So rather than me talking about the racing at Toowoomba. I’m going to use retro round as an excuse to dig into the good old days. Get off my lawn!

When I first got into moto, it was bloody difficult to keep up with the Aussie scene, as a kid living in the country, I had to read results and stories in monthly magazines or if you were lucky, your dealer may have got results or news from a call or fax!

Gracing the pages of ADB or Trail and Trackback then were the likes of Stephen Gall, Jeff Leisk, Craig Dack, and Glen Bell. You know these legends. Here are a few other legends that you youngsters might not know, but you should.

“Fast” Eddie Warren

Eddie arrived here from the US in the late 80s and was an instant contender, winning the national championship in both 250cc and 500cc in 1989, he also had arguably the best mullet Aussie moto has seen. Eddie still lives in Australia, it would be great to see him at races.

Anthony Gunter “Grunt”

A 3-time Mr. Motocross and 2-time national champion, most of that on open class 2 strokes with drum brakes, when men were men. An interesting point from the era is that the Mr. Motocross series was more coveted than a national championship, it was a multi-round televised series, whereas the nationals were held over one event.

Jimmy Ellis

The 1975 US Supercross champion had a second career in Australia winning national titles in the 500 class in 1984 and added the 125 and 250 class trophies in 1985, he even had a crack at Finke. Check out the other whipper snappers on the podium!

Trevor Williams

A 3-time 500cc National champion, you think of an early KX500 and you think of Trev. His tall frame made the big green machine look a little less of a monster.

Ray “Goof” Vandenberg

The 1983 Mr. Motocross champion aboard the mighty RM500, young Goof with the upset win over the 4-time winner and defending champion Stephen Gall. Ray was also the 1982 125cc

national champion. That 5-hunny is probably my favourite ever Aussie race bike.

Kids, do a little digging and have a look at the golden era, along with these guys there are so many others. You are so lucky to have a lot of these old races available to watch on the choobe, some really good websites also. Get around it.

Yeah, I’m old, but if you just wait until you see a BerrySweet Husqvarna retro kit at retro round 2039, it won’t be long.

Enjoy the break, I’m off to Hattah.

Go riding