CD-5

[AjayVMX]

Reading up in anticipation of CD5 I see that the Dirt Track is "not available", which is a bit of a shame seeing it is so close to the MX track. Any reason that can be told? We'll possibly miss out on some very interesting Hunter Valley "short circuit" bikes seeing this was Australia's stronghold for this type of motorcycling.

The possibility of including Dirt Track in CD5 was the subject of considerable discussion, however it was decided not to include it for several reasons.

The primary reason is that adding the Dirt Track to the CD5 activities greatly increases the complexity and cost of running the event.  It requires an additional First Aid crew, organisers etc...  It also means that we may have to reduce track time for the MX track.

Another reason is the lack of attendance of dirt track riders at CD4.  While there appeared to be lots of apparent excitement prior to the event last year, the reality is that only 13 riders actually paid to ride DT.  While this may be slightly more in the Hunter region, it may not also.

In particular, my feeling is that Dirt Track is an activity that is probably far less exciting in the Classic Dirt non-competitive format and this may have been reflected in the attendance at CD4 as well.

Lastly, it's a possibility that the Dirt Track area at Raymond Terrace will have to be used for overflow parking, if the event is very well attended.

Having said all that, (and if the Dirt Track area is not used for parking), there is a slight possibility that a Dirt Track "Demonstration" will take place sometime during the weekend, but please note that the participants in the Demonstration will be by invitation only, in the same manner as "Legends Laps".

[vandy010]

thanks for the clarification Ajay as i had the same question running through my head.

[firko]

Les Richters and I took a run out to Barleigh Ranch today to check out the progress of the upgrading. The construction crew led by new promoter Todd Hughes were really going for it with excavators, bulldozers and bobcats trying to catch up on the time they lost due to the unseasonal rains. Todd assured me that all is well and it'll be up and running in beautiful condition by CD5.
I must admit that I was pretty impressed by all of the activity going on today. Although the track still has quite a way to go before it's ridable, it looked pretty impressive to me once Todd and Roger Starkey explained the layout to me. Bring on CD5!

A view of the pit area overlooking the northern end of the track

Looking north towards the pit area and the officials tower

The very fast appearing main straight.

looking south, the bottom part of the straight on the right. This bottom area is recieving the biggest revamp. All sorts of equipment was going for it while I was there.

One of the two dams that feed the brand new underground irrigation system. Dust isn't going to be a problem.

[vandy010]

wow! looks like they've flattened the lot so as to start from scratch.
i didn't mind the origional layout. did they mention anything about how pre75 friendly it will be?

[firko]

I've been assured that the track will indeed be pre 75 friendly. The jumps are either mellow ramps or table tops so it shouldn't be that bone jarring.

[firko]

Hunter racer Kev Crossey has laid a challenge to Klub Kevlar that demands an immediate response. The otherwise amicable Crossey is under the sorrowful delusion that he makes the best Chili Con Carne in the Southern Hemishpere. We here at the Kevlar Kitchen believe that out 'Ring of Fire' Deluxe Gourmet Chili is the rightful holder of that title. We have challenged Crossey and his turgid slop to a Chili shootout in the Kevlar Kompound at a time to be announced during the CD5 festivities. Rumours are also flowing in from accross the Northern border that another 'Greatest Chili' contender is also intending to challenge for the CD5 Chili con Carne title. This particular Queensland racer,famous for his yellow works bikes, is adament that his chili is the best. We are hoping to form a judging panel of VIPs to decide once and for all just who is the VMX Chili King.

A smiling Bultaco owner samples Kev Crosseys Chili Con Carne at last years Bultaco Rally. It went down a treat with the Cocoa Fluffies and a steaming pot of Lan Choo.
 

[jake57]

hi firko
cathy(retired chef) said she can cook a chili con carne that will bun the balls off a bull ( or a ram if you are a kiwi)
jake

[090]

I'd love to put my name in the hat to be a judge ! I like it hot hot hot.

[Tim754]

1975 grams of rough minced  Beef ,(Fresh shovelled road kill, no furry or crunchy  bits if possible can be used for North Queenslanders, Plucked Crow South Aussies will win you friends), three cloves peeled garlic , Two kilo of soaked overnight in beer beans, (any  beans will do, but must be good Victorian beer ) 500gms paprika , kilo onions , (optional diced carrot, capsicum, cabbage and any other shit guinea pig tucker ya want..) three 500gm jars of "Hot as f**k" Chili paste , 500gms tomato paste, pinch salt for your heart , simmer and reduce down with two litres beef stock and a good hand full of those little orange and red Chillies tossed in. Eat hearty and feel the sultry stinging heat .... more than once......

[firko]

Jake...Get Kathy to build a Chili Cook off entry for ya!

[Husky500evo]

Geez , the smiling Bultaco rider looks a lot like Freddy Krueger . And Tim, there is no such thing as good Victorian beer. ( Had another think about that & decided that Crownies are ok ).

[Suzbulvarna]

Firko,
The photo of the guy eating the chilli.....he used to be a Brad Pitt look a like until he sampled big Kevs chilli at Glenbawn Dam a couple of seasons ago.....aged him  and I couldnt ride next day as every  time I farted it blew me off the bike.
The DT1 I phoned you about yesterday was a much later model 72/73 what a pisser and finally is the blender tuned up getting there on Thursday for a warm up with Andrews he is bunking with me the lucky bugger.
Regards
Suzbulvarna

[firko]

That's a shame about the DT1 Suzbulvarna. The white ones are the cool ones. Big Kev is about to get an ego whipping when the starving hoard at CD5 run past his imitation Chili to savour the authentic TexMex flavours of our Ring of Fire delight. Andrews and you bunking down together is nothing compared to Kiwi Jolleys secret room mate. It's a tad scary. The blender is in getting a refit as we speak but there will be at least one, possibly two more in the Kevlar Kompound.
I won't be there 'til late on Thursday arvo as I have to pick up Jolley and Kawaboy at the airport.

[AjayVMX]

Hi everyone.

Firko's last post has prompted me to just clarify a couple of things, just so there's no misunderstandings about CD5.

The first one is that Firko is being allowed to come to the venue on the Thursday afternoon specifically to coordinate the setup of his marquee for Klub Kevlar.  We don't want everyone to think that this means it's OK to arrive on Thursday arvo - it's not.  General Entry to the event will only commence on Friday morning at the advertised time, so please do not try and turn up on Thursday and try to jump the queue for camping spots.  You will be politely asked to come back tomorrow...

The second issue is one that may not have been highlighted, but we think that it should be, just to make doubly sure that there are no misunderstandings at CD5.  The issue is Juniors on Minibikes. 

No doubt many of you will know that we adopted a fairly loose approach to Juniors riding minibikes at CD4.  This levity was badly abused by some and ended up causing us quite a lot of lost time, heartache and hassle, which frankly we don't need at CD5.  We are there to have fun too, not have to play bad cop to kids which aren't being supervised by their parents.

As a result of this (and also because the venue is not quite as large) we are not going to allow ANY riding of motorcycles, be they large or small, by Juniors at the venue as a whole.  No exceptions.

So please do not come along, expecting for your kids to be able to ride their minibikes like they may have done last year.  Arguments like "it was OK last year" and "no-one told me" are not going to be acceptable.  If you also have friends who don't visit this forum, but are likely to come to CD5, please also let them know.

Please don't be in any doubt:  If a Junior is caught riding a minibike at CD5, it will mean that they and their parent/gardian will be instantly excluded from the event, and obviously this will wreck Dad's weekend as well.

The bottom line is that CD5 is not about Juniors riding minibikes, it's about having fun riding Vintage bikes.

[firko]

Ajay, you are jumping the gun a little. When I wrote the following..................
"I won't be there 'til late on Thursday arvo as I have to pick up Jolley and Kawaboy at the airport"............................... I was referring to the Motto Farm motel at Raymond Terrace, not the track. We were well aware that the event doesn't kick off 'til Friday.