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Former Member
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18 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Feb 2002 : 3:58:28 PM
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Morgan Park – here we go again (11 November 2001 race meeting)
On the Saturday afternoon you could almost be forgiven for unpacking the bags and sticking the bike back in the shed. It was bucketing down. On Sunday morning at 5 am it was a spectacular Spring day – who could possibly stay at home in bed ????
Thanks to Philip Ariel, we were away from my place bright and early with the BSA in tow – ready for another fun day at my favourite place – Morgan Park Raceway.
It’s an interesting turn that I used to frequent Morgan Park in the early ’80s when living in Warwick. All the main street lappers (the local bike club) used to head out to Morgan Park for fun days, where we would thrash our poor old road bikes (I had a 750 Bonnie) around the motocross track, gymkhanas around witches hats, grass tracking, egg and spoon races – the lot. We used to look longingly across at the car club’s dirt track and dream about charging around there on our bikes – 20 years later here we are, and what a great place it is.
Back to the race day – where is everybody? Lots of people (who will remain nameless) obviously didn’t trust the weather bureau – losers! Thankfully, plenty of buckets arrived from northern NSW, so we had over 30 competitors.
As always, Morgan Park was action packed with spills and excitement. First race (period 3) I got a blinder of a start and was way out in the lead. It was too much for my poor old brain and I was running wide everywhere. It wasn’t long before Brian Fleming shot past on his rocketship JAP. I managed to settle down a bit before Bert Skuce could also shoot past on the Triumph, but then the good old hairpin bit. Down went Brian, under brakes, right in front of me – sparks everywhere and seemingly no-where for me to go. I managed to straighten up and head for the mud, and amazingly stayed upright (those Dunlops are like nobbies). This let Bert and the rest of the crew through, so would have to try another day.
Lots of fun races ensued, with John Downs on the Commando and Russell Bentley on the Bultaco showing some real class. Then the famous QEMSC Quarter Hour. After a friendly warning to Bert not to fall off in front of me, off we went. It was a neck-and-neck drag race between Bert and I for turn one, but I was at a distinct disadvantage. I’d talked to Bert previously about his boat racing tactics, so I knew there was no way he was going to back off an inch. I chickened out and pulled in behind him. We had a couple of great laps – Bert better in some parts of the track and me picking up in others. Then it all happened again. Bert was screaming through turn one – a beautiful sweeping corner, then just before the apex out went the back wheel. He caught it, but the bike picked up and threw him over the top – off they slid across the bitumen and dirt at great speed.
I managed to stay inside this time and kept on the track. Next lap it looked like a demolition derby, with bikes down everywhere and red flags flying. I rode up to the scene and found that Russell Bentley and John Downs, who were right behind me, had gone off the track with Bert. They didn’t fall, but threw their bikes down in their haste to assist Bert, who could have been badly hurt. He was a bit spaced out for a while, and I don’t think he remembers too much of the incident, but was OK, although in no state to ride again (you should have seen the bruises a week later). It turned out that oil had leaked onto the back tyre, so he had no chance.
We stopped for lunch then restarted the Quarter Hour, where I took the lead for a while but was passed by Russell then John pretty quickly. I managed to get John again as we hit traffic, which there was a lot of. Then disaster struck in front again. Russell came together with Phil Kenward on a bucket, which came down pretty hard – once again right in front of me. (Phil was pretty shaken but on all accounts he’s OK – the bike needs a bit of paint though.) The Quarter Hour obviously wasn’t meant to run the distance so we called it quits at that – the only race I’ll ever get to beat John Downs in no doubt.
I can’t write this report without some excuses for the push start race. I’ve built a bit of a reputation to live up to, so felt pretty stupid pushing the old BSA half way up the straight before realising it was in second gear !! So that was a wipe-out. I think Russell and John had a good old ding-dong for this one as well – the pair of them really stole the day. John Eastwood was going like a rocket out in front in the all-Japanese race, but some scary noises erupted from the bowels of the Honda (good luck with it John).
All in all it was a great day as usual. We’d all wiped ourselves out by about 3:30 pm, had trophy presentation and said thanks to all the helpers who did a sterling job, even though considerably overworked as we were well down in numbers (an issue the club needs to think about addressing). Then down came the rain for a wet trip home. Somebody up there likes us.
The next Morgan Park club race day is on 10 March 2002. Let me know if you want some info. These meetings are great fun and we'd love to see you there.
Bill Stephens
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Former Member
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13 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2002 : 9:46:14 PM
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Thanks for the report Bill, Lets hope this encourages some southerners to report on the meetings down south.
Black Mac |
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steve
Level 2 Member
Queensland
86 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2002 : 11:50:22 PM
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Yes Bill sounds like you have your hands full not to run over the other fellows!! Maybe you need to stay in front then you won't have a worry what's going on, just remind me on the 10th not to pass you all weekend so I don't fall off in front of you so you don't write something about me ha ha!! It's good fun just watching you in front of me flapping like a cock-a-too everytime you change gear at least I know when you are changing gears, but it's one of best run race meetings all year I wish some of the other meetings that I attend around Australia were the same atmosthere!! But come the 10th I'll show no mercy!! if it doesn't rain too much?? I can remember some time ago racing under lights at Morgan Park & yes it was raining the Dunlops I had on were good in the rain & just about snow at the time of year & also dirt tracking when the gennie started running out of petrol, yes fun or what, I just about got ran over by John M's car rollers trying to get the Benelli started in the rain I was yelling stop!! he throught I was yelling faster I lost a bit of skin before I got to the track!! But it's all fun & look forward at the up & coming events at Morgan Park, P.S. Were you there that week-end racing under lights or were you one of the losers didn't turn up because it was raining!!Touche!! P.S. Peter (Black Mac) it's about time you got the old bike out & have some fun!! Come up to Morgan Park on the 10th & watch all the old fellows beat the young guys.
Race Safe Steve
quote:
Thanks for the report Bill, Lets hope this encourages some southerners to report on the meetings down south.
Black Mac
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