This discussion has morphed into two seperate issues, the need for pre 90 and the sustainability of pre '75. I've made my thoughts quite clear on the pre 90 issue in my earlier post. All of the well argued subsequent posts, both for and against, have done nothing to alter my stance. In fact, I feel even more strongly that by introducing the pre '90 division now or within the next three years will be a huge mistake, on a number of levels.
The sustainability of pre '75 is a seperate issue altogether and shouldn't have been dragged into this. However since we've opened discussion I'll put my 2 bobs worth in.
I agree with Eno that the the glory days of pre '75 have gone and we on the East coast probably won't be experiencing the glory days of 100 plus entries again. There are three major causes for this downturn, the first being natural atrition. a thirty year old in 1988 would now be fifty and most of the first generation racers would be in their mid fifties to early sixties. My Klub Kevlar buddies and I fit into that demographic and although we still love building and riding our old bikes, most of us have cut back severely on the motocross because it's become physically too hard. We still throw a leg over for the occasional dirt track as it's less taxing on the system (and the bikes).
The above demographic has had a direct impact on the second reason for the pre'75 decline. In a catch 22 situation, clubs are catering less and less for the older classes because less and less riders turn up to ride those classes. HEAVEN have included the pre'75, pre 70 and pre '65 divisions in their race programs but with the exception of the Crawford River Classic, riders aren't turning up. Races with two or four riders isn't a good look and those "races" take up time that could be better utilised by the later class majority. Understandably, the clubs need to cater to that majority so the track choices tend to favour the long travel bikes. You'd have to be a pre '75 tragic and as fit as Arnold Swarzenegger to want to race a pre '75 bike at Clarence for instance. The more these modern style tracks are used, the less pre '75 bikes will show up. Catch 22.
The third problem with the pre '75 movement is apathy. Riders winge and whine about how they don't get a fair go at race meetings but when a club genuinely goes out of its way to cater for the pre '75 guys, they more times than not repay the club by not showing up. This ruins it for any further special favours from the club. It's not always totally the pre '75 rider fault though.
When the Crawford River Classic was developed a few years ago it was designed to showcase the pre '65. pre '70 and pre 75 divisions and feature the later classes as a support on a seperate track. The first event went off so well with many old first generation pre '75 racers coming back and getting right behind the concept. Then there were some less than satisfactory heirachy changes in HEAVEN and all of a sudden the happy, friendly vibe that had been the CRC became a two day bitch session with the pre '75 blokes pushed into the background. By the third event many of those those old school pre '75 blokes that had come back found that the pre '75 classes had been relegated to a support role and that being shouted at and treated rudely wasn't the way they'd been treated in the past so they once again moved away from the sport. Thankfully the rude and antagonistic dictator has now gone from HEAVENs management and a new friendly and approachable group are running the show. This years CRC saw a welcome return to the pre '75 classes being the focus for the event so we can hope that we will see those old schoolers come back next year.
Which brings me to the crux of the debate. Is pre '75 sustainable and can it be revived. The short answer is a resounding yes to both questions. The pre '75 divisions are the heart and history of our sport and need to be kept alive. It's not going to be easy but it can be done.
* The first and foremost way to revive the pre '75 division is to lessen the number of events. For the class to be successful it has to seperate it from being a novelty add on to an Evo/Pre '85 meeting. The Pre '75 classes should limit their starts to two stand alone motocross meetings a year. The Crawford River Classic with it's Roy East (pre '65), John Hine (pre '70) and Geoff Eldridge (pre '75) trophies should be promoted as the showpiece of the division. It should be drummed up to be the biggest thing since the parting of the seas with press and internet promotion for six months leading up to the meet. The pre'75 punters need to be convinced that this event is their Woodstock. Non competitive on track parades for those riders past their racing prime who want to show off their bikes on the track, special appearances by famous past racers like Antony Gunter aboard an RH, Gally on his YZA, John Berhens on one of Husky 67s beauties, Per Klitland on a Maico...you get the drift. Include a swap meet, bike show'n'shine and pissup at the pub and pretty soon you've got the Condo vibe that was emerging at the fIrst CRC. With that event plus the VMX Nats, Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza, Classic Dirt and the Vintage Dirt Track Nats, you'd only have enough room for one more quality pre '75 meeting. Perhaps Brisbane clubs ill fated Double the Dirt, or something similar could fill the small remaining void.
*For these events to succeed we need to really drum up the pre '75 community. There needs to be a whole new recruitment drive. Retired riders need to be convinced that there is still fun to be had with their bikes, even if they are past racing. That's where the non competitive aspect of the events needs to be pushed. Even though these riders aren't actually racing per se, their very presense in the pits and at the social gathering adds to the numbers and therefore the atmosphere. From that non competitive portion of the event we may get some guys who may get the racing bug back.
*We need to encourage younger, modern riders to enter the pre 75 division by emphasising the challenge of riding these old bikes. I've see many younger riders get a pleasant surprise from riding bikes that they'd previously thought to be 'old dungers'. If you've got an old bike and don't wish to race any more, offer an Evo/pre '85 rider a chance to race the bike for you. I've actually taken that step and I've found it to be fun and rewarding.
The continuing growth of the pre '75 movement in WA shows that if managed properly the division can be quite successful on its own. With the introduction of pre '90 into the fold it's now imperative that the pre '75 movement break away and manage their own future. The division needs good forward thinking leadership who aren't afraid to try something new. These bikes are the true heart and soul of what vintage racing is about and with a bit of luck and a lot of enthusiasm we can give that heart the bypass it needs to continue into the future as our sports premier class.
