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Clubroom => Foto Forum => Topic started by: IT400C on January 05, 2011, 01:36:06 am

Title: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 05, 2011, 01:36:06 am
What year were the Vintage Nationals at Ravenswood?  Somewhere between 1988 and 1992?

I just came across a whole heap of photo's from Ravenswood I'd forgotten I had.  Not great photo's, taken with a cheap camera (from memory I only had an old Instamatic with me), by an inexperienced photographer (me..   ::)), but when I have time I'll scan and post them. 

Haha - packed away somewhere I think I even have the T-Shirt..   ;D

Tony
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: GMC on January 05, 2011, 08:55:45 am
I've got a feeling they have had 2 Nationals there, can't remember the years at the moment
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Doggy Digger on January 05, 2011, 09:18:49 am
1992.  (It was the 2nd Vintage National  titles.)

Eldridge came down in his long USA car.

Somehow, it's become nearly 19 years ago
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: GMC on January 05, 2011, 09:32:33 am
And in the new Millenium as well, around 02??
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: VMX247 on January 05, 2011, 10:15:16 am
And in the new Millenium as well, around 02??

Yes 1992 and 2002,due for another  ;), anyone have a spare program to share/copy ?   8)
cheers A
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 05, 2011, 10:53:48 am
Haha - packed away somewhere I think I even have the T-Shirt..   ;D

From memory, the T-Shirt's one of yours Doggy... 

I was living in Melbourne at the time and decided to go out and have a look..  Spent most of the day with GE - didn't expect him to be there..   :)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 05, 2011, 10:55:36 am
photos are definitely 92, not 02 - only lived in Melbourne from 88-92.. (just in time for the recession..   :'()

 ;)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SUZUKI311 on January 05, 2011, 11:36:22 am
99% sure i have a copy of the program from 92 which i will scan and post. The Bendigo club had a heap of t shirts left over unsold, but i cannot remeber whether they were from the 92 or later Nats. i will see if Brian Clarke or his boys can shed any light on what happened to them. GE sticks in my memory from that event, first time i had actually met him, and just what i thought he would be, great bloke, down to earth, and loved dirtbikes of all types. i can still remember the big yank tank cruising in..as part of the organising club i can remember the feeling of achievement that the meeting went off so well, and that it was a great bunch of guys turned up for it.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 05, 2011, 03:03:18 pm
I did a wee bit of commentary Walt but I was mostly competing at the '92 Nats. I rode my '73 440 Maico to which I'd childishly fitted fluro pink Maier plastic to wind up chief scrutineer Drakie with whom I'd been having a bit of a philosophical disagreement at the time. Ironically we now get on fine and 18 years later shared the comentary duties at the Conondale Nats.

The pink bike coughed and farted all weekend due to what turned out to be two pulled barrel studs and a dicky motoplat coil. I remember wishing that I'd brought my squarie 350 instead of the 440. That Nats also featured two overseas racers in Mike Middleton and his BSA 750 Metisse and Marsh Runyon and his unbelievably trick 900cc Harley Davidson. It was a great event that set the Nats as THE meeting on the Vintage calendar.

PS...it just dawned on me that I did indeed do commentary at the '98 and 02 Ravo Nats Walter. I don't think there were sidecars on the '92 program.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Brian Watson on January 05, 2011, 04:12:26 pm
Yes what a cracker that 1998 event was..dry and "dusty" on Saturday..then the heavens opened up Saturday night and pissed down all day Sunday....we even went to Brian Clarke's place for a BBQ ...Firko you were there also.....a couple of rude boys from WA poured their beer down your brickies whilst you were trying to get the blender started... :'(
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 05, 2011, 04:23:09 pm
I remember it well Brian....you bastards ;D. It was a great meet though. In fact every Ravenswood Nats has had that certain something. The Bendigo club and most notably the amazing Clarke family put their heart and soul into that event.

Are you sure you're not confusing '92 with '98 Walter? It's been nearly 20 years but I'd have been willing to bet my sweet bippy that sidecars were not on the program in '92. In an earlier post you stated that you raced in '98 and '02...no mention of '92.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 05, 2011, 04:54:30 pm
Correctomundo my friend.....there have been three Ravenswood Nats...1992, 1998 and 2002. I reckon it's about time for another! ;)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SAABCOMBI on January 05, 2011, 05:24:38 pm
Just drove pass ravenswood today, it looks like it needs some work around the place, l would like to see the track longer in length.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Hoony on January 05, 2011, 05:54:32 pm
I agree Dave, last time i rode it in 2009 it was way too tight with stupid kicker bumps into turns and all that modern shit we all hate ( very single line stuff and no flow), i was very disappointed to say the least as it went from my second or 3rd fav Vic track to way down the list for that meeting. at least they didn't do anything to the magic main straight onwards for next 4 corners.

i think some of that tight stuff has been removed since.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SAABCOMBI on January 05, 2011, 06:33:10 pm
 Hoony, you are so write, Ravenswood has lost its fast flowing lines, its a goats track now, its a shame they could`nt introduce a lot more of the original old sixties and seventies track back into it. it has a lot of history to the track and area and it needs to be restored.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Hoony on January 05, 2011, 06:42:03 pm
the way i see it , the modern guys don't know what a flowing track is, a whole generation of riders have come through riding quasi supercross style tracks with orbit jumps that have faces like a brick wall ( read steep), to them this is the norm now and what we like would be boring to them.

since we are in effect a minority group in the MX scheme of things it is unlikely any club would build tracks that would not cater for a majority now.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: mposs on January 05, 2011, 06:45:40 pm
Pink is fast.....

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0001-8.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0002-6.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0003-7.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0004-4.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0005-4.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SAABCOMBI on January 05, 2011, 06:52:00 pm
Where have all those bike gone. great foto`s
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SAABCOMBI on January 05, 2011, 07:30:22 pm
I have aways liked that maico 112 with the yammy engine, neat job.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: KB171 on January 05, 2011, 08:03:38 pm
Where have all those bike gone. great foto`s
Bike #30 in the last photo just got sold a month ago unfortunatly,would've liked that one  :(
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SAABCOMBI on January 05, 2011, 08:05:31 pm
Thats ronny dinsdale riding that elsinore
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SUZUKI311 on January 05, 2011, 08:11:55 pm
couldnt agree more in relation to the current track. If i had my way ( which aint gunna happen most likely...) the track would be put back to circa 1992, flowing, fast and rough.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 05, 2011, 11:48:22 pm
Quote
Where have all those bike gone. great foto`s
Quote
I have aways liked that maico 112 with the yammy engine, neat job.
That's the legendary Yamaico Dave. It's still around and it's owner's a part of this forum. The pink Maico's long gone, it's now a fully restored lounge lizard living in retirement in the Blue Mountains, Marsh's Harley was sold a couple of years ago and I was told it's now on the street, #94 XL 250 partially shown behind the Harley is Steve Greentrees XL250 that won the 4 stroke class and is now owned by Edgar Phipps, #68 KX125 is still owned by Len Tickner but no longer raced, the matching pair of YZ250/360A's and DT1 were owned by Col Brightwell I think he sold the DT1 and 360 but still owns the 250 (he had a 125 as well to make up the full set) and I'm certain Boagy still wears that Australia Jersey he's wearing in the bottom photo. ;)
Great photos from a great meeting. Any more out there?
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 02:03:05 am
Again, sorry for the quality - only had a fixed focal length Instamatic with me from memory....  But I hope they bring back some memories...   ;D

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-01.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-02.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-03.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-04.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-05.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-06.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-07.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 02:04:33 am

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-08.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-09.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-10.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-11.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-12.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-13.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-14.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-15.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 02:06:04 am
(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-16.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-17.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-18.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-19.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-20.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-21.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-22.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 02:07:29 am
(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-23.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-24.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-25.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-26.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-27.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-28.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-29.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 02:09:04 am

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-30.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-31.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-32.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-33.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Hardex on January 06, 2011, 08:26:32 am
These Photos are great IT400.I see Andre Matherson No 52 on his TM (ex ozzy title holder ) and Late Great Geoff Eldridge and what a great event that was.Did you ride in this event at all IT400?
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Canam370 on January 06, 2011, 09:49:20 am
Love to know whether that Hercules is still about.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 10:08:59 am
These Photos are great IT400.I see Andra Matherson No 52 on his TM (ex ozzy title holder ) and Late Great Geoff Eldridge and what a great event that was.Did you ride in this event at all IT400?

haha - no, I didn't ride it.  I was living in Melbourne at the time and still riding Enduros..  Heard it was on and thought it would be worth a trip to have a look.  (It was!)   ;D
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 06, 2011, 10:22:32 am
Thanks for the extra shots IT400c..I can add a little bit of background on some of the photos starting with the shots of Mike Middleton jumping his BSA 750 Metisse which I believe won the pre 65 class. A few of us had met both Mike and Marsh at various early Dick Mann vintage meets in California and eventually we organised for them to come downunder with their own bikes to compete at the '92 Nats.
I'm still on daily email contact with Mike and occasionally talk to Marsh. Mike has retired from racing due to a deliberating back injury but he still owns his one owner Metisse and has a good collection...all in his living room. Marsh retired from bike racing when he turned 70 and now races at Bonneville in his world record holding 6 cylinder Ford powered Model A roadster. I've posted pics of Mikes Metisse as it is today in the past but here's another shot. Plus a shot of Mike recuperating after recent spinal fusion surgery.
          (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/middleton3.jpg)
          (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/middleton.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 06, 2011, 11:30:52 am
I've described Col Brightwells immaculate Yamahas in a previous post but I do recall that they...and a good percentage of the bikes in those days....were unrestored.

* #33 OSSA Phantom is still owned by Phil Young and Gary Hodge. Phil was the importer back in the day and Hodgy was his "factory" sponsored rider. He was amazingly fast but enjoyed partying more than taking the sport too seriously. He still has his own Phantom and a restored Desert Phantom and was in Kamp Kevlar at CD5.

*# 8 Triumph Metisse was an original bike, not a replica and was owned by Gavin Martini. He had two Metisses at the 92 Nats, a green Matchless and the red Trumpy. The magneto failed on the Matchless so it was retired while Gavin concentrated on the Triumph. Unfortunately the bike fell off the stand and smashed its tank against a tree. Thankfully Gav was in very fortunate spot to actually have a spare tank on hand thanks to the Matchy breaking down. Gavin's still active on the scene, both in South Island New Zealand and NSW events. He recently sold his '77 CCM for a reputed 20k. Gavin has always had tasty British gear and currently owns a sweet Matchless Metisse (a different bike to the green Ravo bike ) a couple of EVO Maicos, the previously mentioned CCM and a unique NZ made custom framed BSA B50 called the El Sab.
       (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/nz%20405.jpg)
*It's sad to see my old mate GE aboard the pre 70 CZ. His battle for the pre '70 class with Drakie, Jumbo and eventual winner Billy Brown on his orange crate Cappra was the best battle of the whole Nats. It went right down to a last lap desperado lap by Browny to decide the overall winner. Sadly GE would be dead within weeks. Does anybody have an XXL ADB Jersey like GE's they'd like to sell me? Mine got nicked years ago.

*Is Andre Matheson still around? The little bloke could certainly ride
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 12:03:28 pm
*It's sad to see my old mate GE aboard the pre 70 CZ. His battle for the pre '70 class with Drakie, Jumbo and eventual winner Billy Brown on his orange crate Cappra was the best battle of the whole Nats. It went right down to a last lap desperado lap by Browny to decide the overall winner. Sadly GE would be dead within weeks. Does anybody have an XXL ADB Jersey like GE's they'd like to sell me? Mine got nicked years ago.

Yeah, I spent the day with GE.  I hadn't seen him for years, and last time I saw him I was a kid - the son of photographer for another magazine (Dad was with Revs and AMCN back then).  And yet when I saw him at Ravenswood he recognised me (even though he'd only ever met me in Queensland), and insisted that I sit with them for the day.  He made me very welcome and certainly made the day much more enjoyable for me...

After the weekend, I bought some copies of the Colin MacKeller 'Yamaha Dirt Bikes' book for myself, my brother, my Dad, and one for GE as a thank you for the weekend...  I'd written an inscription inside and was about to post it to him when I heard he'd been killed...  Still have that book at home...
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 12:10:23 pm
Does anybody have an XXL ADB Jersey like GE's they'd like to sell me? Mine got nicked years ago.

Firko, I don't think I have that particular jersey, but I think have a couple of ADB jerseys - I think I've got a red Tycon, and perhaps a vented SCP..  I'll drag out the boxes on the weekend and get back to you.  Haven't looked at them in 10 or 15 years so my memory could be playing games with me.  They'd be XL or XXL.

I'd like to hang on to them, but you'd be welcome to wear them at CD8.

Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 06, 2011, 01:01:01 pm
Cheers for the offer, much appreciated! I had an orange ADB Jersey the same make and design as GE's but it was knocked off out of my ute along with my other riding gear at a bush dirt track...West Wyalong I think . Thankfully I had a spare kit and they didn't get my boots and helmet. There was a bit of sentimentality with the Jersey as GE had an XXXL version made for me so I could wear armour under the jersey as was the fashion in those days. It used to piss him off seeing me ride without body protection.

I can still remember getting the call telling me GE had been killed. He'd talked to a mate the previous day and was looking forward to the end of the Nevada Rally so he could go hunting down some old bikes he'd been told about. He was also going to look at buying an old jet fighter plane from the Arizona 'plane boneyard. If you were with GE at that meet we probably met and may remember me knocking his 360 YZ off the stand and breaking a lever only a couple of minutes before he was due to race it. I felt a real dick but we got it fixed and I think he may have placed in the race. :-[

I often wonder whatever happened to that YZ...it was a bloody rocket, it'd easily peg my ported, methanol 440 Maico. I have a foggy notion that it may have gone to WA after his bikes were auctioned.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 02:26:08 pm
Did you knock over the 360 on the Saturday or the Sunday?   :D   

I was only there on the Saturday - the weather on Sunday changed my mind for me...

Or it may have been the destroyed tyre on my car going back to Melbourne Saturday afternoon...  ::)  (very embarrassing story that I'm still not sure I'm ready to share.. )   ;)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on January 06, 2011, 03:15:51 pm
Firko - is that the yellow Yamaha GE is on?  I was trying to work out what it is as the muffler is on the opposite side to a B?
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 06, 2011, 04:07:19 pm
Quote
Did you knock over the 360 on the Saturday or the Sunday?    
Shit I can barely remember my address these days but I think it was sunny so I'd guess Saturday.  ;D
Quote
Firko - is that the yellow Yamaha GE is on?  I was trying to work out what it is as the muffler is on the opposite side to a B?
Rossco, the bike's a YZ360 A in American Yamaha yellow. It'd been built and raced by Vintage Irons Rick Doughty to win the AHRMA championship or something or other the previous year. It had all of the then available good bits on it like Works Performance billet shocks which were brand new on the market at the time and the engine had been built by ex Yamaha factory mechanic Bill West. When we'd earlier had the ADB pre '75 500 class shootout at Dargle where we all cross rode each others bikes I think it was unanimous decision on the bike being the quickest and either the best or second best to actually ride. Remember that this bike was as trick as they came in those pre internet, pre vintage cottage industry days. Vintage Iron was just about the only supplier back then so it had the best of everything circa 1991.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 06, 2011, 04:11:25 pm
Quote
Did you knock over the 360 on the Saturday or the Sunday?    
Shit I can barely remember my address these days but I think it was sunny so I'd guess Saturday.  ;D

Haha, I know what you mean!  I asked because I did have a vague recollection of it and I wanted to make sure I wasn't "remembering" something that happened on the Sunday when I wasn't there!!!   ::)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on January 06, 2011, 04:46:08 pm
Ta Firko - they might only be box brownie photos but nevertheless are good - and the US Yellow stands out.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: mposs on January 06, 2011, 08:12:26 pm
Just a couple more from Bendigo meet...

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0005-5.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0004-5.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0003-8.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0002-7.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0001-9.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/IanFoster2.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0008.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0007-1.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0006-2.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 06, 2011, 08:33:28 pm
Here's a couple more of the Yanks bikes.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/92vintagenatsandmxdn_0007.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/92vintagenatsandmxdn_0002.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: JohnnyO on January 06, 2011, 08:58:30 pm
The thing i like about all those shots is that it almost looks as if it's still the 70's even though it's 20 years later.
No loud bright riding gear, no bright anodized bling hanging off the bikes and the track is still marked out with tyres like in the 70's.. very cool.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 06, 2011, 10:38:14 pm
Quote
No loud bright riding gear, no bright anodized bling hanging off the bikes and the track is still marked out with tyres like in the 70's.. very cool.
Spot on John...no billet nonsence and especially noted is no trick shocks. Besides the Works shocks on the Americans bikes the trickest things there are the finned alloy Konis. It's also noticable that "non competitive" models like DT2MX Yamahas and 450 Ducatis are still seen at the races at that stage, before they became garage queen collectables and everyone started wanting Elsinores, Maicos and YZ Yamahas and such, the genuinely competitive bikes as race tackle. Our sport's certainly changed in 20 years.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SAABCOMBI on January 06, 2011, 10:48:55 pm
Don`t forget the period clothing, it all adds to the era.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 06, 2011, 10:58:18 pm
Andy wasn't competing in '92 Walter. His first big meet was the '98 Nats as seen on the cover of VMX#1.
Ronny Dinsdale was the gun in '92.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: mposs on January 06, 2011, 11:33:08 pm
I may prove to be wrong but I believe that the picture that I posted of the TM Suzuki with number 78 is actually Andy Caldecott?
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Brian Watson on January 07, 2011, 12:13:48 am
Firko..I can remember talking to Andy at the first Nats we went to at Geelong......
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 07, 2011, 07:38:49 am
My old memory is pretty bad and I'm probably getting the old fella fumbles but I always thought Andy debuted at the 98 Ravenswood Nats but now I think harder he was certainly at Barrabool in '95. I'm still fairly confident that he wasn't at the '92 event though. I'll see if I can dig out the program a bit later. One thing that gives me the idea is that when Andy and Ron Dinsdale had their great battles at the 02 Ravenswood Nats, I believed it was the first time they'd raced each other.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: JohnnyO on January 07, 2011, 08:36:22 am
I'm pretty sure i raced against Andy at the '94 Nats at Cherrabah also.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: bigk on January 07, 2011, 09:05:58 am
The '02 Nats were cool. I rode the first day and worked the 2nd day. The Caldecott/Dinsdale battle was great to watch, I'm 99% sure Andy had TS185 shocks on one of his TM's. My job was at the impound after each race and one of the things that sticks in my mind was the line of Boagy's bikes, 9 in total for the day I think. In he'd come, chuck the bike up against the fence, grab another one and off to the next race. If only Ravo was still like that.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: number8 on January 07, 2011, 09:06:29 am
I'm pretty sure i raced against Andy at the '94 Nats at Cherrabah also.


JO

You did I found some Video the other day that Gibb took at Cheribah in 94,he also raced 95 at the Barossa SA,Aust titles

Firko,95 was at that track in the Barossa SA was it Tunnundra?

#8
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 07, 2011, 09:52:00 am
Quote
Firko,95 was at that track in the Barossa SA was it Tunnunda
Absolutely right #8..what's even dumber on my part is that the poster for the event was right in front of me ;D. Andy Caldecott was there, so was Andy Haydon on the fastest Elsinore I've ever seen. So disregard the ramblings of an old man......Andy Caldecott was obviously racing earlier than I'd remembered. I was relying on memory when I should have searched out the program from '92. I was going against my own research rule...check and double check. :-[  Does anyone have a copy of the '92 program to settle the Andy thing for us?
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 07, 2011, 10:00:47 am
Quote
I'm 99% sure Andy had TS185 shocks on one of his TM's.
I got into a bit of hot water over this. In a couple of interviews Andy always told the story of using TS185 shocks on his Suzukis. He told me that personally and we both looked at the shocks on his bike as he told the story. I related that story both in the press and later on this forum, only to be corrected by Walter that he had indeed made the shocks on Andys bikes. To this day I don't understand why Andy would perpetuate such a Porky if Walter is correct (and I have no doubt of Walters connection with Andy).
I'm not an expert on TS185 shocks but they sure looked kosher to me and everyone else at the time.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Stan S on January 07, 2011, 10:04:53 am
I'm pretty sure i raced against Andy at the '94 Nats at Cherrabah also.

JO

You did I found some Video the other day that Gibb took at Cheribah in 94,he also raced 95 at the Barossa SA,Aust titles

Firko,95 was at that track in the Barossa SA was it Tunnundra?

#8


Hey #8,
I think I still have a hangover from drinking with you at Tanunda ;D, no maybe it's from drinking with you at CD7? :D
I remember meeting Andy after the Barrabool nats when we all stood around the big fishing boat that the sporting club had set up as our bonfire. What a great night we all had with Andy, Johny Selva, Daryl Turner, the Clarke boys etc,etc.
Then who could forget the after party at the Ravenswood pub after I think the 98 Nats. We caught up with Walter after not seeing him for a few years. That night at the Ravo pub we were invaded by the biggest moths that I have ever seen and Daniel Ronald was grabbing them out of the air and bitting there heads off, very funny at the time combined with the Clarke boys in full flight also. After the last Ravenswood nats was a lot quieter from memory.

 Stan.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 07, 2011, 10:18:52 am
Quote
I think I still have a hangover from drinking with you at Tanunda , no maybe it's from drinking with you at CD7?
I remember meeting Andy after the Barrabool nats when we all stood around the big fishing boat that the sporting club had set up as our bonfire. What a great night we all had with Andy, Johny Selva, Daryl Turner, the Clarke boys etc,etc.
That was a good night. I seem to remember a very pissed John Selva diving into the fire late into the proceedings???

I remember the piss ups at the Ravenswood pub in both '92 and '98 were great fun. I vaguely recall a British racer at the '98 event being pressured into all sorts of drinking 'games' by Peter Clarke and some other naughty boys. Is the pub still in operation?
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: number8 on January 07, 2011, 10:20:13 am
I'm pretty sure i raced against Andy at the '94 Nats at Cherrabah also.

JO

You did I found some Video the other day that Gibb took at Cheribah in 94,he also raced 95 at the Barossa SA,Aust titles

Firko,95 was at that track in the Barossa SA was it Tunnundra?

#8


Hey #8,
I think I still have a hangover from drinking with you at Tanunda ;D, no maybe it's from drinking with you at CD7? :D
I remember meeting Andy after the Barrabool nats when we all stood around the big fishing boat that the sporting club had set up as our bonfire. What a great night we all had with Andy, Johny Selva, Daryl Turner, the Clarke boys etc,etc.
Then who could forget the after party at the Ravenswood pub after I think the 98 Nats. We caught up with Walter after not seeing him for a few years. That night at the Ravo pub we were invaded by the biggest moths that I have ever seen and Daniel Ronald was grabbing them out of the air and bitting there heads off, very funny at the time combined with the Clarke boys in full flight also. After the last Ravenswood nats was a lot quieter from memory.

 Stan.



Stan,

That could well be the case did'nt we go to a presentation after Tanunda that when on for a while,I know it was a tuff drive home to Qld the next day,CD7 would have just topped you up after Tannunda :D


Firko,

I remember that CR250 I am pretty sure it was'nt Andy Haydon,but another "young A grader from SA" that CR went a lot quicker than it should have,

#8
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Stan S on January 07, 2011, 10:27:18 am
Firko,

I remember that CR250 I am pretty sure it was'nt Andy Haydon,but another "young A grader from SA" that CR went a lot quicker than it should have,

#8

Wasn't his name Jason Dunstall or something like the Hawthorn footballer?

Stan
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 07, 2011, 10:32:08 am
Quote
I remember that CR250 I am pretty sure it was'nt Andy Haydon,but another "young A grader from SA" that CR went a lot quicker than it should have,
Correct...the guy had the same name as an AFL footballer Jason Dunstall. The elsinore was absolutely questionable...I have my theories, I recall one of the guys handling the bike talked about 50hp.
Andy Haydon was there on an Elsinore as well wasn't he Gary and Stan or am I again confusing different Nats? Who was Jason Dunstall? All I know was that he was from SA and wasn't seen again to my knowledge.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: number8 on January 07, 2011, 10:34:12 am
Firko,

I remember that CR250 I am pretty sure it was'nt Andy Haydon,but another "young A grader from SA" that CR went a lot quicker than it should have,

#8

Wasn't his name Jason Dunstall or something like the Hawthorn footballer?

Stan


That's him


Walter,yes Think it did have a reed block I remember talking with Andy C about it at the time,and he was shaking his head about how fast it went or was being ridden,We came up against him in the all ages 250 and did'nt see which way he went ;D
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: mposs on January 07, 2011, 10:36:48 am
This should help...

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0009.jpg)

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/mposs/Save0010.jpg)
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 07, 2011, 10:47:24 am
There ya go....my apologies Walter and others. I honestly didn't remember him being in the sport that early.
If any followers of my 'amazing' racing career are wondering where I am on the program....I was #5 but I'm listed as Mark Erickson for some unknown reason, even more bizarre seeing I was close friends with the organising Clarke family and even at that early stage was reasonably well known in vintage circles? My mates were calling me Ekko for ages after that. ;D

Looking through those names I'm saddened to see Kiwi Chris Drake listed. The poor bugger took his own life last year after years of battling the demons. He was a good bloke and rocket fast. There was also another Yank on the program. #65 Gary Crosby was from New York and he rode a mate of his's Bultaco from memory.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: number8 on January 07, 2011, 10:57:18 am
Looks Like my "old man" was entered for that one too,

#8
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Freakshow on January 07, 2011, 11:28:51 am
Firko,95 was at that track in the Barossa SA was it Tunnundaso was Andy Haydon on the fastest Elsinore I've ever seen.
seen that bike the other day, might be at this years nats, was the one with the fins on the head cut back and was running on methonal, actually looks very low and fat for an elsie 250 and still looks well used.
i think both andy and Jason rode it at differant times as there are fotos of them on it.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Stan S on January 07, 2011, 12:17:01 pm
Looks Like my "old man" was entered for that one too,

#8

How old would your Dad have been when he rode there #8.

Stan.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Brian Watson on January 07, 2011, 01:21:46 pm
I recall Andy Haydon riding "that Elsinore" at the Pirie nats.... reed block was that big it could have served a Jumbo Jet... and the thing went like a jet also..the two Andys chased each other around the whole weekend...great to watch..
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: number8 on January 07, 2011, 02:03:56 pm
Looks Like my "old man" was entered for that one too,

#8

How old would your Dad have been when he rode there #8.

Stan.


Stan,

He's going to be the Big #80 this July,that should put him at 59 then,He's keen to come up to CD8 so we will have see how it goes,

#8
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: firko on January 07, 2011, 02:05:54 pm
I can remember having one of my 'philosophical' discusions about the legality of said Elsinore with the officials and nobody wanted to know about it.  I couldn't understand why nobody wanted to deal with the bike's "irregularities", especially as we'd just settled a similar case in NSW with Kevin Hortons Elsinore that had been fitted with a CR500 reed block and V force style reeds being found ilegal. Andy Haydon could have won on an Alron so I couldn't understand the need for such shenanigans. I was told at the time that the bike had programmable ignition as well....not that that's ilegal of course, it just shows how much development had gone into the bike, unusual for 16 years ago.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Hardex on January 07, 2011, 06:31:39 pm

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-21.jpg)

(http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/IT400C/VMX92/Ravenswood92-22.jpg)

[/quote]
Hey IT400
Love these two shots , Beeks (David Murry)TM with a bent rear shock, It also looks like another weird Mod that Beeks pulled out of his hat ;D can't find an original TM guard so Use a TS guard and weld on brakets to suit. ???
I Think he is still racing this bike today or at least he is still racing "a" TM400.
He is A top Guy and a great fan of Vintage Bikes
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 07, 2011, 06:44:23 pm
Yeah, I love that shot - pity the quality was so low..   ::)

I don't think the shaft's bent though, it looks more like the shaft has come out of the shock body (started disassembling itself internally?)

Also, the rear frame loop looks all wrong - top of the frame loop is almost at top of seat level??

I remember taking that shot - he was still enjoying himself even with the DNF!   ;D
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SAABCOMBI on January 07, 2011, 07:42:50 pm
I would cut that rear loop off that suzuki, or make it the same shape as the 74 models
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Stan S on January 08, 2011, 02:25:44 pm
Quote
I think I still have a hangover from drinking with you at Tanunda , no maybe it's from drinking with you at CD7?
I remember meeting Andy after the Barrabool nats when we all stood around the big fishing boat that the sporting club had set up as our bonfire. What a great night we all had with Andy, Johny Selva, Daryl Turner, the Clarke boys etc,etc.
That was a good night. I seem to remember a very pissed John Selva diving into the fire late into the proceedings???

I remember the piss ups at the Ravenswood pub in both '92 and '98 were great fun. I vaguely recall a British racer at the '98 event being pressured into all sorts of drinking 'games' by Peter Clarke and some other naughty boys. Is the pub still in operation?

Mark, I remember John Selva and I both ended up in the fire after an attempeted rugby tackle by me. Burnt holes in my best jacket as well.
I went past the Ravenswood pub last Wednesday and It still seems to be open. So all the ingredients seem to be there for another unreal Nats in the future (be it on the brilliant old style vintage tracks that the Bendigo club have always been able to build there)  I reckon ;).


Stan.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SAABCOMBI on January 08, 2011, 02:53:50 pm
I went to bendigo wednesday stan, gee it was a hot day, went to pick my bike up. a lot of good times at ravenswood.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Stan S on January 08, 2011, 02:57:29 pm
I went to bendigo wednesday stan, gee it was a hot day, went to pick my bike up. a lot of good times at ravenswood.

Yeah David it was hot, we drove past bigK's place about 11.30 on my way up to Stanhope to pick up some F11 bits.

Regards Stan.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: SAABCOMBI on January 08, 2011, 03:26:40 pm
ok, off chris, l was at bigk place picking up my husqvarna, what are your plans with the f11, what are building
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Stan S on January 08, 2011, 03:44:21 pm
ok, off chris, l was at bigk place picking up my husqvarna, what are your plans with the f11, what are building

No Plans for it as yet Dave.

Stan.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Hardex on January 14, 2011, 05:37:42 pm
Yeah, I love that shot - pity the quality was so low..   ::)

I don't think the shaft's bent though, it looks more like the shaft has come out of the shock body (started disassembling itself internally?)

Also, the rear frame loop looks all wrong - top of the frame loop is almost at top of seat level??

I remember taking that shot - he was still enjoying himself even with the DNF!   ;D

Spoke to Beek today ,he is still racing this very bike in the pics and the frame is a TS400 with a TM400 motor and he has since cut the TS rear guard bracket of and replaced it with a TM rear including TM guard.
He still uses the shocks that were on the bike at the time the photo was taken that were bent like a Banana and apparently they were new Koni shocks back in the day and fell apart on the first ride that weekend but amazingly they are still serving him well today.

Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: IT400C on January 14, 2011, 06:11:18 pm
haha - that's good to hear!

Strange to hear though that a bike i photographed 19 years ago is still being raced...   ;D
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Hardex on April 07, 2012, 09:06:30 pm
I know this topic is a bit old but found some more shots from this title event that some of you may find interesting.
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/hardexgun/2d4fd56d.jpg)
Rod Sizeland jumping his elsinore 125 way further than it was made to do
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/hardexgun/9830a51f.jpg)
Not sure who this was but it was an amazing looking bike
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/hardexgun/3119dff5.jpg)
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/hardexgun/b2a0b8e8.jpg)

Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: VMX247 on April 07, 2012, 09:26:28 pm
Excellent pics...that 2nd pic elstar/hagon/british  ? ?...its been on here before,cant hit the brain cells with the chat on it..cheets
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Rosco86 on April 08, 2012, 08:23:22 am
No chairs at the 92 Nats. Raced there on the day and Russ bergmeir spannered for me and we wondered if the sport would eventually encompass the chairs. Mark, have great VHS tape of you and the pink Fluor beast. I spent most of the weekend trying to lap in the needle seat of a carb using tweezers and toothpaste to stop a flooding issue.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Tim754 on April 08, 2012, 07:38:03 pm
Sidecars started at Ravo on the second one, still have program with my boys listed on "Home Built Special CB754" hence the reason I call it a HBS/Wasp. Firko wrote a paragraph in the Australasian Dirt Bike Magazine follow up ,giving the lads great praise for having a ball even though they careered, crashed and created mayhem at the rear of the pack  Cheers.Tim754 
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Iain Cameron on November 14, 2019, 07:50:53 pm
Just a foot note to the Questions about GE's YZ360a  , Its now in my possession and will be ridden and showed happily living in Tasmania . Iain .
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Hoony on November 15, 2019, 07:06:33 pm
Just a foot note to the Questions about GE's YZ360a  , Its now in my possession and will be ridden and showed happily living in Tasmania . Iain .

can you post up some pics Iain.
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: Iain Cameron on November 17, 2019, 08:51:13 pm
I can on the Face sook version of  OZvmx  Hoony . Don't have the photo thing for here any more .
Title: Re: Ravenswood Vintage Nationals 19??
Post by: 80-85 husky on November 18, 2019, 02:13:20 pm
i was a corner steward for that wet sunday....GE spotted my Honest Muz t shirt and got vicki to snap it!