Post Classic Nats journey across Oz

[VMX247]

Some people just read ozvmx forum, some contribute too much and some contribute some real good stuff on vmx.
There's a percentage out there that know us all and very rarely post too.
Just as riders ~ some do, some don't. We are varied and yet we are the same. 

Anyway there are two quiet achievers heading across the long paddock to the Australian Post Classic Championships in Victoria.
Ravenswood, hosted by Bendigo Motorcycle Club. Good on Bendigo for having a go.

The WA rider & support crew left Easter Sunday and have made it Caiguna = Easter Sunday night in Merredin - nothing not even the pub was open! (all out to church   ) Caiguna motel a bit laidback but restaurant & bar seem OK.  Driving has been fine so far. Tomorrow Ceduna !
its a long drive we wish you many a good tune...

[80-85 husky]

I want to know what that big chrome "appliance" next to the numberplate is.... as the barmaid said to the bishop.."what are you planning to do with that!!!"

[FourstrokeForever]

Big effort to drive across the long paddock to get to the PC nats. Hope all goes well on the trip and you make it safe to Ravenswood.

[VMX247]

80-85 Husky  chrome appliance I believe are camping chair legs~,nothing too exciting

Day 2 & 3
Jo - We had a fairly good run till Coolgardie yesterday then 20km of road wks
On the 90mile straight we were coming up behind a road train when he got on the soft stuff and did huge wobbles getting it back.

After Caiguna we were early away and came upon the result of a roadtrn vs a mob of our Australian emblem Skippy - yep you do see a lot of the wildlife out there  , not much alive.
Now in Ceduna hunting for our dinner.

vmx247 - On the subject of Ceduna, this is the BIG town stop after coming  the long miles. Hwy #1 then heads into wheatbelt of SA with towns in closer proximity.

For the usual WA Team when you arrive into Ceduna and had your fruit and vegies disposed of via quaritine gates.. Its then a first main left and head into the car/van park down by the foreshore.
After a leg stretch, we'd all head up to do the general shopping with a lunch of fish n chips.
Fish N Chips where eaten back at the foreshore, lazing on the green lawn taking in the cool seas breeze.
Bill & Mary Watson have done this for as long as they have travelled to the east/west and we have all up held the tradition with Bill & Mary. 

[supersenior 50]

Great stuff, just arrived Bendigo from Queensland. Look forward to meeting the WA contingent.

[VMX247]

Day 3 & 4
On the road again ,I cant wait to get on the road again ...................

We were rained on yesterday in Eucla, quite heavy had wipers on fast for a couple of minutes! Also had some drizzle today near Kimba but it cleared quickly and was sunny by Pt Augusta.

Had fish dinner at Ceduna foreshore last night. Very cold morning when we left, wind screen would not unfog.  (there you go Fish is #1 in Ceduna SA ..(just ask a West Aussies  )

Are now in Clare, SA.(vmx247 ~ best wine ask Tony T too ) Slight detour, direct route would be via Burra but no accommodation in Burra. 
Tomorrow it's 780 K to Bendigo, should be there by late afternoon.
Ford Transit running really well cruises in 6th at 110 comfortably, even overtakes quite easily in that gear.

cheers Jo

[VMX247]

Vans r in     

Couple of Queenslanders headed off in the last 24 hrs...Smooth sailing Jack & Co.

[VMX247]

Day 5 Thursday...
Arrived about 1/2 past 4. Went to track but was deserted had a look at 1st straight and corner but was too cold to hang around. Left Perth it was 31 degrees - have go out tomorrow and buy a beany and hoodie to stay warm.
Time for some Victoria tucker 


13 years ago they where heading into this corner @ the 2002 Aussie Nationals. Source http://www.vmxmag.com.au/08_what_bike/vmx_what_bike_listing.html#events

[alexbrown64]

Now thats an excellent road trip.  I remember back in the eighties when the big boys from the West used to do the trip and reading the stories in the paper.  Peter Benson used to jog half way there to keep fit.
Keep us updated and good luck!!  And your not missing much weather wise.. its pissing cats and dogs here in Perth and has been for 3 days straight.

[Brian Watson]

And even earlier than that Ali.. cover of VMX1 shows Andy Caldecott running down the front straight tyre wall..

[VMX247]

Andy Caldecotts first corner shot and more... 
Out of towners have arrived and base camp is receiving tent pegs..nil water below    '
Scrutineering is  done and all is well.
JO :: Walked track 3 time and helped water it with hoses for a while. Was dusty and powdery at first but water was soaking in OK
Tomorrow is another day 
Thanks to Leanne C (Qld) for pics. 

[VMX247]

and the best team on the vintage planet is about to invade you space ~~ Go Nick & Jo           

[VMX247]

What a day on facebook its been, with blood sweat and tears coming in from Ravenswood.. 


The WA team still cruising along ~.~ quite achievers 

Well 1st day over and I'm in 1 piece still.  Seven races done and 5 to go. Unfortunately they are ripping and watering the track overnight, it might have been bumpy but at least I knew where they were, and where the lines were, start all over again tomorrow.  They have watered so much in some corners were actually boggy on the inside line. 

My only mishap of the day was 1st race, pre85 250 in a good place on last lap and a rock jammed in my chain/sprocket in a slow corner and stopped me dead ! I couldn't move it even when I started it again it just stalled.  Had to get a flaggy to drag me off the track!
Otherwise moderately successful day.
Nick & Jo

edit ::
They still have 1 & 1/2 rounds tomorrow, total 60 races and they got to no.30 today.
They are also going to have more practice tomorrow so probably won't finish until sometime in the afternoon.
no rest for the wicked     

[VMX247]

Im smashed after 200 odd riders and 12 hrs in the canteen all to be emailed that our WA Team has scored a 1st..You gotta love a good day at MX across Australia 
Thanks to all for following the journey of Nick & Jo our WA team that made the miles.
Hope you can make the next Classic/Post Classic Nationals...keep the dream alive 
Alison
http://mylaps.com/en/events/1122725

email :: Heading Home..
Feeling a bit tired, but survived the meeting, at pub/bistro waiting on dinner.
Some success - see pic.
3rd pre 85 race forgot to swap the transponder over so no score, Jo says 6th but not counted!
Evo all ages was a fairly big field but did OK.
Pre89 full of fast boys, 3rd race tried the start in neutral, not the best option apparently, Jo drinking bourbon to compensate.
Good weekend of riding though, and great track when not overwatered.
Heading home tomorrow.
Nick & Jo


Worth every mile 

[FourstrokeForever]

Well done Nick and Jo. I had the pleasure of meeting you both very early on Saturday morning before I donned the fluro vest and headed out to marshal under glorious Victorian skies at the first corner. Great people, great effort and thanks for letting me check out your bikes as you flew past me pinned in 5th before setting up for that slippery first corner. Not 1 incident at the first corner on day 1 so my job was very easy. Only problems were a broken Maico chain adjuster and a flogged back wheel on a C&J Honda. Both guys made it back to the pits to return for more roosting.....