A little of my history, MX & Superbikes

[John Orchard]

'74 Started racing MX - Suz TM125
'77 10th BP Mallee Rally 400km enduro. As an 18 yo I rode my TS185 to Mildura for the event!
'78 Two broken ribs.
'78 Severed left knee cruciate ligament.
'82 Raced Melbourne Showgrounds & Olympic Park Supercross. - Suz RM250Z.
'82 Graded B grade motocrosser.
'83 Broken right collarbone.
'84 Motocross tester for Trail & Track dirt bike magazine.
'85 Started instructing at Frankston motocross track. - Yam YZ490N.
'86 Right knee ligament reconstruction.
'87 Switched to roadracing Superbikes - Yam FZ750N.
'87 Stars of Tomorrow - crashed, unconscious 2 days. Yam FZ750N.
'88 Stars of Tomorrow - 6th. - Stafford FZ1000
'89 upgraded to B grade.
'89 240 kph crash P.I. main straight - Suz GSXR750H
- All bones torn out of left wrist.
- All bones broken coming from right wrist.
- Broken right ankle.
- unconscious for two weeks.
- burst blood vessel in right eye.
- All vertebrae bent up left side of spine.
'90 Competed at Brands Hatch, Mallory Park & Snetterton UK. - Suz GSXR750H
'90 Competed at Isle of Man TT races - Suz GSXR750H
'90 2nd 600 Supersport race Laguna Seca USA - Kawa ZZR600
'91 1st Hartwell Expert Championship - Suz GSXR750L
'91 3rd Victorian 251 - 1000cc Championship - Suz GSXR750H
'93 Baron of Broadford meeting A, B & C grade - 1st overall - Hon RC30.
'94 14th Australian Superbike Championship Kaw ZXR750K
'94 Upgraded to A grade ranking.
'95 9th Australian Superbike Championship (1st non factory bike) - Kaw ZXR750K
'96 20th World Superbikes - Phillip Island - Kaw ZXR750K
'97 19th World Superbikes - Phillip Island - Kaw ZXR750K
'98 Thunderbike lap record holder, Winton 1.30.1 Hon VTR1000
'98 Thunderbike lap record holder, Broadford 60.9 Hon VTR1000
'98 World Superbikes, Phillip Island - Broken right hand, broken right foot - Hon VTR1000
'99 Broken right collarbone - Aust Superbike Champs, Calder Raceway - Kaw ZXR750M
'00 Raced Daytona USA Yam R1.
'00 3rd GP Pro class, Hallett 4 hour, Oklahoma USA - Yam R1.
'00 Formula 40 3rd, Hallett, Oklahoma USA - Yam R1.
'01 4th GP Pro Daytona, USA - Yam R1.
'03 Left & right artificial knee replacements fitted.
'04 2nd Aust BEARS Formula 1, Production Championship.
'05 2nd Victorian Thunderbike Championship, Benelli 900
'06 2nd Victorian Thunderbike Championship, Benelli TnT1130.
'06 Severed bones, nerves & muscles to left foot.
'07 Instructor at Broadford roadrace school.
'08 Return to roadracing - mid field A, B & C grade Superbikes - GSXR1000K6
'10 1st Superstock 1000 @ PI round of Victorian Champs.
'11 Returned to motocross YZ250 TWO STROKE
'11 Aquired coaching licence, still running roadrace schools with GSXR1000K6
'11 Purchased RM125B to restore.

[Hardex]

Hi John
Man you have a very Impressive riding history .
I think Barry Sheen whould have been impressed with your broken bone history as well
Hope you keep having fun in the VMX scene.

[steve7406]

Apart from all of that when i was looking for sponsorship for my daughter he could not put his hand up quick enough to help out with motor oil (IP oils) i've seen john at meetings and he will allways be the first to help with anything and everything his knowledge is neverending he's just a bloke.And no he's not paying me for this.

[mx250]

You're either the luckiest guy alive or the unluckiest

[John Orchard]

Thanks Steve, you coming to Broadford this Sunday?  You can get a late entry in the Over 45 class, call Christine on 02 6041 1588

[VMX247]

Quote::'11 Aquired coaching licence, still running roadrace schools with GSXR1000K6

Glad we got you on our side    just don't tell them of your past 
There are so many vmx teams out there with stories to tell TART Racing and Fatboy Racing just to name a few...I believe you may join up with them quiet readly   
cheers West Oz

[steve7406]

Love to John but had a little heart scare on the weekend no riding for a while doctors orders

[John Orchard]

Love to John but had a little heart scare on the weekend no riding for a while doctors orders

Hope you're ok soon buddy ..... if you need someone to ride the old jigger at a VMX meeting, give me a call  ;-)

[490 tez]

wow what havent you broken  nice to see you on the vmx roundabout  hope you keep it up right and body intact 

[holeshot buddy]

we should start a race history thread

[oldyzman]

Hey John, welcome to the forum mate. This site Has good and entertaining info, a few hissy fits. But I think most people on here would help rather than hinder.... By the way what race number you gunna run on the 250 - i will be at the other end of the grid to you, no offence
Brett

[Simo63]

You're either the luckiest guy alive or the unluckiest

Yeah what he said ... but can you do me a favour please ... with your penchant for chucking down the road/dirt/whatever, can you tell me your bike and number so I keep well clear of you on the track  

Only joking John ... you've an impressive CV there .... and it's clear to me that you subscribe to the "if you don't crash, you're not trying hard enough" school of thought  

[John Orchard]

" '77 10th BP Mallee Rally 400km enduro. As an 18 yo I rode my TS185 to Mildura for the event! "  From Frankston; about 9 hours ride away!  LOL

[Marc.com]

I vote for the 89 crash at PI .... that was quite a hit you took there ... WTF did it feel like bailing at that speed when you know you are about to go, does it feel in slow or very fast motion ?.   

[John Orchard]

I vote for the 89 crash at PI .... that was quite a hit you took there ... WTF did it feel like bailing at that speed when you know you are about to go, does it feel in slow or very fast motion ?.   

My mind has blocked the whole incident, I have the last half of the crash on video and it still doesn't jog my memory.