2015 Hopetoun GP (Vinduro): June 20 - 21

[80-85 husky]

spoke to a mate from up that way and he said it will still be slick in the clay bits but the sand should be nice.... woo hoo bikes almost ready (quick test tomorrow am then load up and depart. looking forward to it, charging the go pro as we type

[Viper79]

Yes you can drive into the Dattuck dune refueling area with a 2wd without a problem

[Flipper]

Thanks for the confirmation - I'm looking forward to getting there this arvo 

[Tex]

Some pics from today/tonight, courtesy of Geoff Morris.













Tex

[80-85 husky]

coolish start to the day soon changed when we hit the sand and it warmed up real quick!

[80-85 husky]

forgot to add a huuuugggee thanx to the team organising the day, was a great course again, made even better with some extra sand sections. the mild disappointment when farmer brown filled in the wall of death was sorted by the sensational hard c*ck hill section...luved it!

[Flipper]

My first Hopetoun GP, and I've got to say, that was an absolute hoot 

A great mix of loose sand and firmer trails to keep us on our toes. I'm stoked to have managed to get 3 laps under my belt, although my body is feeling a bit worse for wear today.

Well done to the VERI team on organising such a well run event - I can only imagine the amount of effort required to get the whole thing coming together as smoothly as it did.

[Tex]

Thanks to everyone who made this event such a success!

You can read about GMC's adventures at the Hopetoun GP in the latest edition of Scooter News.

Tex

[Flipper]

I'm surprised there hasn't been more feedback on this event - Considering that at least 60 people got to enjoy the efforts of the organisers, I am surprised that it seems to have happened without more than a murmur.

From my perspective as a competitor, this was run almost perfectly. IT was FUN!
I would have liked the track to be open till 3:30 as originally advertised, but I was feeling a bit stuffed after 3 laps, so doing 4 would have made it hard to drive home.

I think this was a brilliantly run event, and will happy come back next year to play in the sand again.

[Canam370]

Thanks for the positive feedback Flipper - I'm sure the VERi and volunteers do appreciate it! Come along to Harrow in July to partake of more merriment and great riding.

[fred99999au]

I certainly appreciate the effort of the organisers and volunteers, however I am still walking funny and possibly a little mentally scarred from tank slapping a 38 year old bike through 60 odd kilometres of sand.

Obviously without any gumption to be able to open the throttle and lean back on the pegs. Also following two mates, one who broke a clutch cable and the other who broke the rear brake mount off the frame.

The camping was great, the venue was great, we need to get GMC a big hat, the food was good.

A memorable weekend all up, but bugger me, I hate sand. Due to not being able to ride it effectively.

[80-85 husky]

its the weirdest stuff sand, promises so much when you set eyes upon it and it promptly dumps you on your arse when you set wheels upon it. took me 1/2 a lap of weave wobble to get into the swing and let the bike go. the husky was very unhappy below 3rd gear. the engine mass was like having the front brake on and it wobbled and wallowed like the Costa Concordia till you hit 3rd then it sat up and behaved itself. I fluffed the hill at the fuel dump and I also stalled at the very crest of hard c*ck hill when 2 kph ground speed and a rear wheel speed of 60Kph finally clashed! thank Christ it started on the second kick!

I poked the fork tubes down in the clamps and the rear end was very plush which was fab in the sand straights but "Wal's Weave saw a lot of straight lining going on.

feeling pretty happy with my self and the monster, I was then passed by a bloke standing upright on a kdx 250 like I was standing still!

good fun!

very impressed with the extra section at the start, a real sand workout.



here is some more footage of some of the easier bits!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ9c0fJ4y8U

[fred99999au]

I had a crack at the entry hill in second on the IT400 and muffed the line, spearing off to the left side. My mate was at the top of the hill and reckoned it was hilarious.

Cleared about 4-5 metres of scrub from the side of the hill though, so that was nice.

[redrider1]

What a great weekend ride with a variety of different sections.The course had a mix of slow heavy sand to fast top gear harded packed tracks, somethng for everyone really. I think we all had a 'this might hurt moment' throughout the day but luckily no real injuries were to occur. All volunteers, riders and crew were friendly and respectful of each other and the area and I`m sure there will be quite a few returns next year.
A huge thankyou to all the people who volunteered to organise and run the event, to the local land owners who gave permission to use this spectacular part of the State, to all the riders and crew that turned up and especially the Township of Hopetoun for hosting the event.

Again, well done guys I will definitely be back again next year.

Rod

[GMC]

Thanks to everyone who made this event such a success!

You can read about GMC's adventures at the Hopetoun GP in the latest edition of Scooter News.

Tex

Report now also on the VERi website along with some members photo's

http://www.verivinduro.com.au/81/hopetoun-gp-2015