From an archive of photos sent to me by an old CRRC buddy, Bill Bourke, This and the one below show the Shadowfax (or “The Proto” as Kent calls it) at the March 1981 meeting at Macarthur Park. Yes, this photo is almost exactly 40 years old. The Shadowfax is shown in it’s original livery, the Coca Cola 800 appearance and complete with the the signwriting of the February event but with the allocated #111 number that was used at the road closure. I’m certain that Kent is going to identify many of our mates in this pic but that’s him in the middle with the black T shirt standing over the tailpiece of the bike. I suspect that is is a post-Unlimited C Grade shot and the spectators are celebrating Kent’s emphatic win in that race.
The other photo from Bill’s collection is this one that shows the start of that race.
In the foreground is one of the traveling marshals (hence the vest). The marshals for that weekend were Kevin Fraser, Warren Weldon and Dave Bailey but I’m pretty certain that the photo shows Gary Sutton, so quite how that is so I don’t know. There were lots of changes during those meetings, though. Looking at the camera is the Clerk of Course, the late Ray Lenevez, and what a terrific bloke he was. Hard but fair, you always knew where you stood when Ray was in charge.
One of the benefits of keeping all my programmes from the road closures was that I can identify many of the riders here. Closest to camera is Nigel Bryan, I’m not sure of the other front-rowers but the yellow bike could be #106 David Crowley). On row 2 is Grant Maguire, then Ivan Colghan, #8 is Paul Hill, and Kent is on the inside on #111.
On row 3 I can identify #12 Greg Coleman, #707 Stephen Brooks and #248 Mike Lahiff.
Kent won the race convincingly, nearly lapping the whole field in the 5 lap journey (approx 15 km) He won from David Crowley, Maguire finished 3rd followed by Steven Forbes, John Allen and Neil Cubitt.
I can’t believe that I haven’t published these two gems before but a search of the archives didn’t turn them up so maybe I didn’t. My apologies if I have been repeating myself here and, if I haven’t been, I hope you enjoy. I was sitting right above Bill when he took this photo, in the commentary tower which was just some scaffolding and a 5 ply floor. Access was by a ladder and the whole thing was pretty rickety.
Check out the results from the ASBK at Winton this weekend and see just how many ex-MotoStars graduates are laying the smack down in the senior ranks, what a great advertisement for MotoStars.
Grey Gum International Cafe is celebrating its 10th anniversary as Kimmie is celebrating her 6oth. Would love to be there but it’s not going to happen.
I do love the birthday cake, though.
That better be all, catch you soon.