Kirkness showed just why he's Australia's best bet for international fame, he was fast, smooth and consistent. The meeting was a cracker, a pity about the weather delaying everything, we were considering heading home at around midday but we thought we'd give it another hour to see what happens and I'm so glad we did. For anyone who's never seen this 450 class racing (with class riders) like myself it was a true eye opener, it's scary just how fast these blokes are and how much leaning on each other and bar banging there is. Some of the old blokes showed that they still had the goolies to run with the young fellas, especially Steve Gall. He looks 18 years old on the bike, as did Paul Caslick,Garry McCoy and Army. My only gripe was that after a 3 hour delay in starting and with such a star studded field of riders that will probably never be able to be duplicated we had to sit through so many kids class races at such a crucial time in the afternoon. With rain clouds threatening to come back I'd have thought that giving the huge crowd what they paid to see would take priority over putting on races for four year olds on Pee Wees or 10 year olds on 80's. (
my 5c rant of the day 
).
What happened to Crumpy? Coming home in the car this morning it dawned on us that none of us could recall noticing him on the track. How much a good sport was my old mate Geoff Grabham fronting up in the over 35's on his Godden slider, the only one at the meeting? The bike was easily 20 years old, the rider easily 60 and although he came last in every race, he had a ball. The two road race tragics next to me had never seen dirt track before and were fascinated by "the bloke on the 1930's speedway bike". Grabbo also bought the house down by fronting on a fully dressed Ducati 750 street bike in the unlimited class. Once again he came last but he did it with such style, the crowd loved it.
I'd like to thank my old comrade Slakewell for his great hospitality both before and after the meeting. His swimming pool and endless Stella Artois beers were a welcome break from the 46 degree drive from Sydney on Friday. Thanks also to Peter Weste for cooking up a storm on Saturday night after the races and to everyone who helped me celebrate my birthday at Slakeys great Raymond Terrace digs. You've created a monster now Mick, we're going to stay at your place for both HEAVEN Buladelah rounds this year. Weste's and your cooking's too good...as Arnie once said in some dumb movie, "
We'll be back!) 
