John Hall

[firko]

Robbie Maddisons Dad Peter posted this on the DBW forum this morning.
Condolences to Johns family and his many friends. The Enduro world will truly miss such a great pioneer.

Mr John Hall passed away today (21-7-2010) after a long illness. John was a mainstay of Enduro sport in this country for a very long time, he served on many Australian ISDE teams in various senior roles and his knowlege of the sport is irreplaceable.

John discovered TM motorcycles and became the importer for the boutique Italian bikes about 20 years ago. He helped develop the bikes, giving feedback to the factory and steered CCA to being the biggest per capita TM marketer outside of Italy.

John was a gifted technician and I enjoyed being with him in the workshop at CCA and swapping ideas. I think he kind of enjoyed having another like mind to bounce ideas off.

John developed the JRH powervalve damper to make TMs more rideable with the addition of one device.

As well as being a talented tuner, John was a gentleman in the true sense of the word, considered, thoughtful and intelligent.

I first met John in the early 90s when he brought a new TM80 over to Lakes track to be tested by some junior riders. A young Maddo pounded out 10 laps on the TM and told John it was the fastest, best braked, best suspended 80 he'd ever ridden but it was too heavy. Light riders couldn't muscle the bike and heavier, stronger riders wouldn't holeshot. John was stoked to get honest input and took a liking to Robbie.

John offered Robbie a supported ride on the TM but Honda heard about it and jumped in, John had inadvertantly kick-started Maddos first factory ride.

We've lost a wonderful man and the sport is much poorer for his passing. My condolences to Johns' family, especially Malcolm, who has lost his mate and mentor. The bond between a Father and Son that develops in bike racing is a rare and beautiful thing.

Goodbye John, a life well lived mate.......



John will be remembered at a funeral service at St Johns on Wollombi Rd, Cessnock at 11am this saturday, 24-7-2010.

A dirt bike procession will accompany the funeral vehicles, those riders wanting be a part of the escort meet at CCA at 10am please.

[TeeBone]

Sweet is the sleep that ends all pain....

RIP John.

[allan55]

John was a true gentleman. I had the good fortune to be a near neighbour when I first started riding in 72. My first bike was a Honda CL90s which was quickly pressed into service as a trail bike with Johns encouragement. This quickly led to a Yamaha CT3 then my proper enduro bike, an Ossa SDR, which I brought from John at Harvey Feltons shop in Cessnock. John taught and encouraged so many riders in those days. I will always remember his Greeves, then the Ossa Phantom he rode in enduros. He was deceptively quick in the bush. I will always remember that bastard of a hill in the 75 Forest 300. There were riders stuck all over it, John stopped at the bottom, let a bit of air out of the rear and proceeded to motor up the hill passing scores of riders. He taught me things about riding that I still remember today and always encouraged the best from people. It is sad when one of the people that had such a positive influence on your life passes. Our condolences to Joy and the boys.

[Nathan S]

Well aware of his reputation as a legend of Aussie dirt biking, I was somewhat over-awed when I briefly met him back in the late 90s.
Instead, I discovered a bloke who was happy to share his wealth of knowledge with a young weekend warrior, and who's passion for bikes shone through.
There is no doubt that the Aussie dirt bike scene is much richer for his contribution, and poorer for his passing

My condolences to his family and friends.

[AjayVMX]

John Hall was the father of the ISDE visiting Australia in 1992 (and of course a long supporter of enduros many years prior to that).  I have been fortunate to have met him a few times over the years and a better representative for Australian dirt biking would be be hard to find.

I am very sad to hear of his passing, although I had heard recently that he was quite ill and maybe this is ultimately relief from suffering, which is a good thing.

We (as a dirt biking community) are fortunate indeed to have had John Hall as one of our movers and shakers.  Without him, our experiences would no doubt have been poorer.

Godspeed John.