Close enough is near enough

[N22]

Just read the 40th Anniverary ADB,they must think nobody would notice if they used a photo of the Enduro X at Archerfield last year ,for the 1979 Supercross story,the Quick Shades and Rocks give it away.For the 1980 Sydney Super X,the ADB article is from a 2 Phils Indoor Event at the Sydney Entertainment Centre which was not built until 1982 or there abouts.

Also the urban myth about Doug Domokos ,and his wheelie across the Harbour Bridge,he definitely did it,but I am pretty sure he had permission,I was working with Blair at the time,and I doubt that he would have jeopardised the event.Doug D did have an electric motor to keep the front wheel spinning when he did a lap of the Showground,I recall that the Bobcats got into the wheelie act,putting on a pretty good show as well!

[allan hughes]

how is blair i believe he is 80

[80-85 husky]

the Domokos wheelie was setup with the authorities for sure, he was in town doing all sorts of promotions

[matcho mick]

how is blair i believe he is 80

Blair DNF'd bigtime last month,RIP AJS factory mxer,

[Brian Watson]

Blair Shep.. or Blair Harley..??

[matcho mick]

oops my bad,i just assumed Blair meant Blair Harley,apologies to the other,mick

[jimson]

I remember that Kawasaki doing wheel stands around the track in 1979. They had 2 semi trailer trailers for a big ass ramp & one of the bobcats rolled down doing cartwheels endos trying to compete with the bloke doing the wheel stand around the track without dropping his front wheel. It was a cool night out for a 13 year old kid someone even tried to steel the family Kingswood that night lol. Jimson

[Kenneth S (222)]

I was mates with a Revs writer who set up the Domokos wheelie across the Harbour Bridge. They needed a car to create a buffer zone behind him while the camera car was in front of him so I was it. I had a birds eye view of the whole stunt. I don't know if they did have it set up with the authorities, but they didn't act like they did. It was early morning and all involved seemed quite jumpy before he took off from North Sydney. Hell of a nice guy and a lot of fun.
That is me in the Racing Mate Volvo company car behind him. Remember the RMmm logo?

[N22]

Thanks KJS222,I was sure Doug rode the 250 across the Bridge,not a 1300 road bike,and this proves it.I thought there was some footage on the news?you were there so you would know.Don't be ashamed of the Brick,they are beating Holdens and Fords in the V8's now.
I took a"Panorma Shot"(3 photos glued together) of the Track at the Showgrounds,just before sundown and gave it to Blair,it was a fantastic sight with a full crowd,I think over 30,000 people turned up.That track was the best Supercross Track I have seen in Australia,and with Bob Johnson(white suit and all)commentating it was a "Show" to behold.
Sorry to hear about the attack on the Kingswood,jimson,but the thieves had a big night,the crowd invaded the track after it was over, and took banners,a new YZ 250E(gate prize)and the tailgate off a tricked up Hilux,they just wheeled the bike out like they were part of the crew!
Does anyone else have photos,articles or footage from those early days of Supercross?
The shot of Doug proves,you need to be able to see under the bars to hold a good sit down wheelie!

[oldyzman]

Jimson, was the bobcat doing whellies down at Mr Motocross at some sports ground near the hordern pavilion? . I was 10 at the time and remember it well.
Brett

[N22]

It was at the Old Sydney Showgrounds at the Supercross,in 1980, and again in 1981.The noise police put a 10.30 curfew on it in 1981, which killed the Speedway as well,even though it used draw over 30,000 spectators!

[jimson]

Sorry Oldyzman can't remember I'm sure it was 1979 I kept the tickets for years after.  They were yellow & blue lol. My Dad took me & friend this was a big deal for me back then. As a kid I didn't know the American riders but as soon as Stephen Gall came onto the track wow. Years later I saw Mr Gall riding a push bike from Sutherland to Wollongong for training he was a fit bloke then & still is. Jimson

[Kenneth S (222)]

Thanks KJS222,I was sure Doug rode the 250 across the Bridge,not a 1300 road bike,and this proves it.I thought there was some footage on the news?you were there so you would know.Don't be ashamed of the Brick,they are beating Holdens and Fords in the V8's now.
I took a"Panorma Shot"(3 photos glued together) of the Track at the Showgrounds,just before sundown and gave it to Blair,it was a fantastic sight with a full crowd,I think over 30,000 people turned up.That track was the best Supercross Track I have seen in Australia,and with Bob Johnson(white suit and all)commentating it was a "Show" to behold.
Sorry to hear about the attack on the Kingswood,jimson,but the thieves had a big night,the crowd invaded the track after it was over, and took banners,a new YZ 250E(gate prize)and the tailgate off a tricked up Hilux,they just wheeled the bike out like they were part of the crew!
Does anyone else have photos,articles or footage from those early days of Supercross?
The shot of Doug proves,you need to be able to see under the bars to hold a good sit down wheelie!

Ha, yes the brick was a great company car. Good on the gravel back roads Yes there was a news crew in the lead car and a short clip was on TV that night. Doug even had his toll, which was a 5 or 10 cent coin taped to the tank and literally threw it at the toll collector as he wheelied through the toll gate. It was definitely 1980, I worked for Race & Rally selling Racing Mate products to bike shops for 80 & 81. Don't worry Jimson, I had 2 bikes in the mid to late 80s I bought from Stoney Creek Motorcycles and I can't remember what year I owned them. I raced at the event but in the qualifier had an altercation with a quad jump and didn't qualify for the main unfortunately. It was a hell of a show and I agree, a great track. I'd love to see more photos or footage of it as well. I kick myself for not taking more photos.

[FourstrokeForever]

The Showground Supercross was without doubt the best supercross track ever built in Australia. it took up the whole speedway arena. The 2 truck trailers going up and down the stand on top of the speedway pits was friggin awesome. Me and the mates were sitting right at the top of the berm, giving Mr Gall tips on how to get around the corner faster while getting filled in with roost Lucky I had my Scott race face goggles with me....

Maybe I bumped into a couple of you lads there, I was only 14 myself....great days for motorcycle sport in Australia.

[JohnnyO]

Yep it was the 1980 Sydney SX and I was also sure Doug wheelied a 1300 across the bridge as that's what the TV and magazines had us believe.
I still have Marty Smith's #26 Suzuki jersey from that night..