The dirt bike nostalgia bug will be alive and well at a fundraiser for children with cancer, with a supreme line up of former Mr Motocross Legends from the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Craig Dack, Ray Vandenberg, Anthony Gunter and Jeff Leisk will come together for the first time ever in a glorious return from their past, along with the original dirt bikes that propelled them into the history books.
They are lending their support to this year’s annual KTM Ride4Kids, Australia’s biggest charity dirt bike event, created 12 years ago by Challenge, a charity supporting kids with cancer and their families.
The ‘Mr Motocross’ series, a phenomenon that swept across the nation between 1972-1986 brought motocross riding into the lounge rooms of Australians and prompted thousands of kids and teenagers to take up the developing sport.
The late 70s was dominated by Anthony ‘The Grunt’ Gunter who netted three Mr Motocross championships, three Australian Motocross titles and numerous state titles, while Victorian rider Ray Vandenberg, nick-named ‘Goof’, became the youngest ever rider to win the prestigious Mr Motocross title in 1983.
Jeff Leisk followed on to win the illustrious title twice in ‘84 and ’85 before becoming the first Australian rider to win a world motocross Grand Prix. Craig Dack, who won a record breaking six national titles in his career, won four consecutive Mr Motorcross titles in the mid eighties.
“The Mr Motocross series was a ground breaking concept for Australia that has never been replicated. Its influence made motocross racing mainstream and helped pull huge crowds at events where previously no-one showed up,” said Challenge CEO David Rogers.
“These guys were absolute legends of their time and this lunch is a unique opportunity for key motocross industry figures to meet and mingle with true pioneers of their sport who have paved the way for some of our current superstars like Chad Reed,” he added.
Ride4Kids Pre-Event Day Charity Lunch:
Date: Friday, 19 October 2012
Time: 12.30 – 3.30pm
Venue: SUMAC, Shed 14, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
Cost: $120 per head, includes two course lunch, beer, wine and soft drinks
Fundraising: An auction and table raffle will be held on the day
To book: Contact Challenge on (03) 9329 8474. Tickets on sale until SOLD OUT.
Event Day - Ride4Kids
Date / Time: Sunday 21st October 2012 at 9am – 5pm (gates open at 7.30am)
Venue: Dandenong Motorcycle Club – 220 West Area Rd, Wonthaggi
