Raced a honda Dax and SL70 at the Patterson Mini bike Rallies in 70,71. Didn't even need to belong to a club back then. Turned 14 in 72 and wanted to race the newly brought in sub-junior category for 14-16 yrs, before then you had to be 16 to enter an open meet as a C grader. Joined the Oaklieigh MCC as it was close to Bentleigh where I lived. Dad took me to my first meeting at an old building near the footy ground. Two meeting rooms full of men. One the OMCC the other AA, guess which one we picked. After a few minutes they probably worked out I was too young to be in AA (except for the bloke having a swig in the back corner) Oakleigh was a trials club back then except for Steve Cramer and Skppy Parsons who both rode for Athol Patterson. Eventually went to the Hartwell club, then the Speedway Motorcycle Riders Association as it was also a separate body. In the old days you also had to get a clearance from one club to join anoher. Used to practice at the sand track in Tulip St in Sandringham, or at the salt pans at Fishermans Bend or next to the VW factory in Centre Rd,Oakleigh. Much further to drive now to get a ride, except in Mackay where the MX track is righ next door to the CBD.
