A good mate from my local motorcycle forum brought around some motorcycle magazines for me to read while I am recuperating. Amongst them was a copy of AMCN, dated 10th September 2010. Now I hadn’t purchased this issue when it was current and I don’t know why, because it had 2 articles that were absolute gems.
The first was an interview with Freddie Spencer PLUS a centrefold picture of him on the NS500 on which he won the 1983 World 500cc Title. Regular visitors to this site will know that I am a “Fast Freddie” tragic, so the article was the first thing I read.
But also in the same issue was an article on what the editor regards as the 3 greatest races ever in Australia. Not surprisingly, there is general agreement that the second round of the Rothmans Pro Series at Oran Park in August 1976 ranks as #1. The 25 lap brawl between Warren Willing, Gregg Hansford and the Kiwi, John Woodley was the most heart-stopping race I have ever winessed. I have recorded my report on the race on this site in the “Great Races” section.
#2 was also a race I was privileged to see. The 1979 Australian Unlimited Grand Prix at Bathurst, 1979. It again featured John Woodley on the giant-killing RG500 Suzuki, up against fellow Kiwi, Graeme Crosby on the TKA Kawasaki KR750 and the 19 year old upstart, Ron Boulden, on the Yamaha Dealer Team TZ750. Estimates at the time suggest that more than 70 changes of leader occured in the 15 lap race around the 6.3km Mount Panorama Circuit. Boulden used the superior power of the “works” bike to lead the pack up the mountain only to be harrassed all the way across the top by the two Kiwis. Entrhralling stuff.
#3 was the only one of the 3 I missed seeing in person (though I did watch it live on telly) but, it was a cracker, too, although I would have awarded the #3 spot to the 1980, rain-sodden Six Hour rather than the 1982 race.
If you can score a copy of the magazine, I recommend you grab it.