76 Qld MX titles

[GD66]

Doc, I was halfway thru typing a query into the kiwi livewire forum, as they have a thread about QE2 Park, which is one of the venues Gaston Rahier rode on his tour of 1975. As I was typing, I remembered the name of the mystery Japanese works Suzuki rider that accompanied Gaston on his eye-opening tour -  Jimmy Ozaki ! Yes, I have a memory ! What a waste of substance abuse THAT was ! Actually I seem to recall Jimmy was a name the commentators gave him for the tour, and it was more like Masanori, but I'm betting that's the guy....

[Doc]

  well there ya go! Jimmy!..I must have had my Gaston goggles on cause I be buggered if I could remember! thanks

[David Lahey]

Feetupfun and PERM250 it's good to hear your stories from the 70's. That rider at Rockhampton probably was John Walmsley, i remember him being Qld #1 in '77 on an RM370. The wheelie guy at the Ekka was a stunt man who also went under the name of Johnny Fogwell and made a few distance jump record attempts over cars as well. Phil Thew Moto was a great shop and had all the latest trick stuff. They also sponsored some of the best riders from the era like Randy Jones on RH Suzukis, Peter Boyle, Grant Macrae, Noel Harker and Stuart Mclauchlan on RM Suzuki's. Unfortunately Phil Thew passed away a couple of years ago after a heart attack while spectating at the Masters Games MX at Reedy Creek.

I just found this photo of John Walmsley on an RM370. I think it was 1978 at Maleny but not too sure.

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[Maico31]

Certainly looks like Maleny. Where did you find the photo? I was probably there that day. Could be '77 as it has 370 on the seat, they were a 400 in '78. Got any more??

[Wombat]

The Maleny track was a personal fave! Does it still operate in any race capacity?

[David Lahey]

Certainly looks like Maleny. Where did you find the photo? I was probably there that day. Could be '77 as it has 370 on the seat, they were a 400 in '78. Got any more??

I took that photo. I think that day I was the pit crew for John Walmsley and George McKenzie.
The only other photo I could find that I think was taken on the same day has been published in VMX Magazine so I'm not sure if I can post here or not. I can't remember what Ray Ryan told me at the time. Can someone please advise if it is OK.
The other photo has what looks looks like a YZ400D or E ridden by a rider sponsored by Beenleigh Yamaha. I don't know his name but he had very long black hair and was quite slim. The photo is in VMX 2003 #21 page 78. Ray has put Conondale as the track in the photo caption probably because that is what I put in the notes with the photos but I'm not sure.

[Wombat]

If you took the photo there should be no reason you can't post it.
I'm aware of two blokes sponsored by Beenleigh Yamaha at that time but there may have been others.
Brett Bull and Mark Penhaligon; but both had blond hair.
What race number is on the bike?

[David Lahey]

Sorry Wombat the number is obscured by some bunting and the riders right calf. I saw this guy at many race days around then always with the Beenleigh Yamaha jersey. Someone will probably remember.
I'll post the photo when I do some more scans.

[Maico31]

Hey guys, that was Wayne Jenkins with the long black hair. Rode for Beenleigh Yamaha in motocross then went road racing. Wombat that track at Maleny is long gone, there is a housing estate there now.

[David Lahey]

Hey guys, that was Wayne Jenkins with the long black hair. Rode for Beenleigh Yamaha in motocross then went road racing. Wombat that track at Maleny is long gone, there is a housing estate there now.

Thanks Maico31. Heres the photo.
David

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