Firko do you know where at Singleton these shots were taken.
Monty, I can't recall the name of the Singleton track but remember that it was just off the main road (Possibly the New England Hwy) and that a railway track had to be crossed to get into the place. There was quite a keen vintage mover and shaker local whose name I can't remember involved in getting these meetings happening. He rode Husky's and owned the ex Guy Cooper Surf team RM Suzuki which I had the honour of using as my transport for the final day of the Cessnock ISDE.
From memory the track hadn't been used much since the seventies and was part of a sheep or cattle property. The owner/farmer put an end to the venue when he decided that he wanted to resume pasture on the land. It was a great vintage friendly track with minimal dust and a firm base that didn't break up. The racers loved it and Penrith club got well above average entries for the three of four meetings held there including many Queenslanders and even a few Victorians.
This stuff is the very eccense of this forum and our sport/hobby. It is so sad to know that so many of these guys have met the big C.
Firko I didn't know him but a guy like John Hind with the 'guts' that ride took is missed by all good men
'Hinesy' was such a character. His main deal was dirt track at which he was exceptionally quick on his rattey looking but extremely fast Bultaco Astro's (now owned and ridden by John Imrie and raced by young Olly). When Klub Kevlar sat to decide the racers to be honoured on the perpetual trophies we donated to HEAVEN for the Crawford River Classic we picked John Hine to be honoured on the Pre '70 Award.
I've been involved with the vintage movement in one way or another since 1986 and while compiling these photos it dawned on me how cancer has taken so many good people from our sport. Perhaps it's because we're from a generally older demographic that there seems to be so many but it's sad just the same. The one that really got to me and the 'good 'ol boys' was Greg Sweikert's trip to CD1 at Kyneton. He was in the final stages of prostate cancer and knew he didn't have a lot of time left. He took Nathan his seven year old son to the event so the boy could experience one last father and son bonding weekend away. They were staying at the same YMCA camp as us and Greg told us his sad story and asked us if we could involve him and Nathan in as much of the fun as we could...he really wanted that weekend to stick in Nathans mind. We all adopted the kid that weekend taking him for 'doubles' on our race bikes and Jonesy even took him for a spin on his Hagon Jawa long track bike which he was racing in the Aussie Long Track titles in Bendigo on the same weekend. We partied hard with Greg and his little bloke was right in the middle of it all, having a hoot of a time, Greg wanting him to experience everything, even stuff Mum might not think suitable for her little boy. It was a special time for all of us, contributing to what may have been the last time Greg and his son spent time together. A few weeks later he took his family to the USA to do the 'Route 66' trip and do the California theme parks as a family unit. Greg died a few weeks after they returned and I'm certain none of us will ever forget the time we spent with he and his son at CD1.
A side aspect of that CD1 was that we got to know Magoo for the first time. He was staying at the same YMCA camp that we were and although not riding due to recent knee surgery, he got right into the camaraderie and partying that CD is famous for. I well remember him sitting having a quiet chat and a beer with Greg. It's ironic that the 'Big C' has since taken him and VMX magazine founder Ray Ryan, the originator of Classic Dirt out as well. There are quite a few more.
Get your prostate checked every year, it may save your life.
