2012 Three Bridges Vinduro date announced...

The Three Bridges Vinduro will be held on March 4, 2012. Stay tuned for more announcements.

Stolen: 1990 Husqvarna WR125

Drakie's 1990 WR125 was stolen from the back of his ute during the night on Wednesday 7 December (in Melbourne).

It's got a nickel plated frame, extra spring exiting powervalve cover, no sideplates, no graphics, alloy bars, barkbusters, Elba headlight, plain black seat, stock exhaust and muffler.


Contact Peter on 0422 299 003 if you have any info.

Drakie's Canadian adventure

Vinduro organiser Peter Drakeford recently spent a few weeks in the USA and Canada (arriving back home just in time to find Castella was rained out).

When he wasn't hitting the bars in San Francisco with US motocross legend Brad Lackey, Drakie hit the trails in Ontario, Canada on a modern trailbike.

Click here to read all about it.

Harrow Vinduro in Motorcycle Trader

Issue #250 of Motorcycle Trader features an article about the 2011 Harrow Vinduro. Support those that support us; go and buy a copy!

Geoff Morris Concepts website launched

Legendary frame and exhaust builder, and vinduro stalwart, Geoff Morris has now turned his attentions to cyberspace with the launch of the official Geoff Morris Concepts (GMC) website.

www.geoffmorrisconcepts.com

GMC offers a range of services, including frame building, exhaust building, exhaust repairs, and... oh hell, just go to the website and see for yourself! There's an online shop, photos from vinduro events, and heaps more.

Ballan Sprint: video, results and photos

Click on the link below for a short video clip of the day...

http://youtu.be/40YzWFsn-Mc

Check out the final results below:

Rider	Time total	Rider	Time total
1	2524	22	2528
2	3031	23	2707
3	2514	24	2426
4	2300	25	2465
5	DNF	26	2491
6	2900	27	DNF
7	2085	28	2186
8	2634	29	DNF
9	3821	30	3269
10	2886	31	2452
11	DNF	32	?
12	2487	33	2600
13	2313	34	?
14	2703	35	2861
15	2187	36	DNF
16	2707	37	DNF
17	?	38	4078
18	2270	39	DNF
19	2987	40	2657
20	DNF	41	2719
21	2219	45	2522

A selection of photos can be found here:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/94704762@N00/sets/72157628032889938/

First CSC / Vinduro Sprint a hit!

This one-of-a-kind event was a great success, with more than 40 riders attending. The weather was glorious, and everyone agreed that the track was ideal for this format.

A big thank-you is due to the land owners, and the organisers. A special mention must go to the time-keepers who worked tirelessly throughout the morning to record everyone's lap times.

There's already talk of making this a regular event, so stay tuned.

A list of the final times will be available soon.

Drakie’s Observations from Harrow on Sunday...

Following on from Drakies report in the Victorian Vinduro Newsletter #5, here's a list of candid comments made by Drakie after the event...

• Chris Cater had a ball on my Maico and claimed he ‘couldn’t have ridden faster on my modern’ around the sand and scramble ‘special tests’. He did six laps. Respect. The last one had any passing rider trying to kick it back into life after it stalled. He was so stuffed and he wore out three other riders who stopped to help. Plug lead pulled out of the cap. He fell down in the off camber rocks but luckily threw himself under it. That would have been amusing to watch. No brakes at all after lap two
  did it. I don’t know how he persevered.
• Lanky laconic legend Laurie Alderton cruised around without any trouble criss-crossing the ruts and taking his time. His Maico hadn’t been started since last year’s event, but ol’ faithful made it. It
  might be due for a little TLC now.
• Neil Bayliss’ mint 1983 Maico Spyder 250 was a delight to ride (and ogle) according to Dave Hammond who lent out his own 250 to a few select riders; well, me and Steve Baker, and it got a good thrashing. Ok, Dave was so goddamn fast on the thing it wouldn’t have mattered and he commented if it made it through this weekend he’d be surprised. That would have to be the strongest 250 motor I’d ridden in a while. Combined with the legendary stability it really encouraged you to go nuts. Not so good in the tight stuff though.
• The immaculate Tremayne Maicos of Terry and Darcy had a few little problems but they got them sorted eventually.
• Greg Hewitt got drafted into Team Maico NSW and did a good job playing the supporting role.
• Team Maico fell apart after Paul Stackers no-show and Juz opted for his mid-80s 125 Husky and towed newbie Sean Jarvis around on his 1979 125 until Sean had enough. Ah, kids these days. Watch for Juz Jnr in the future as he hasn’t made the age limit yet.
• The Bus Boyz were back in town but reduced in size to last year. Young Jnr & Snr with Darren made up the team with Steve Taylor on a trip to the Cape. Cohorts Steve Walker and Colin Watts arrived Sunday but were too relaxed to push the laps.
• Team 66 (1966, their DOBs) pulled the pin before the event as a big trip they planned needed all their attention but then surprised me by showing up at the pub on Saturday night. Then Chris Ross injured himself and threw out the timetable. Alex Waterhouse kept himself injury free this time with dad Mark showing him around. Luffy, what happened?
• Team New South Wales of John Reeks, Mike Harding and Rob Langlands were hooking until John’s little DT175 cried ‘enough’. No wonder with all the trail work and the absolute thrashing it got on Saturday, with him and Steve Baker cutting each other up. It was a hoot to watch though. John has since bought two PE175s to challenge Steve to a fair fight next year.
• Mike made it to the event on a PE400 before his entry. This fly in, fly out is the life, eh Rory and Rob L?
• How about Clubby from Trailzone Mag driving through the night from Sydney, smashing the van into a wallaby an hour out from Harrow; photographing and recording the event and driving back the same day? Legend!
• The two Time Warriors Ian Holder on the TL Honda and Ron Boekel on a KTM got around quickly. Ron was unfazed by anything being the old pro he is and Ian’s lines through the slop were reported to be clinical and fast. Get a third member for 2012 boys.
• Team MisFitz were in a cruisey mode but got it on during Saturday. Injuries slowed the pioneers a bit and defector Greg Gunn went Italian.
• I loved the fang on the Italian’s Puch (briefly) and SWM (exuberantly) on the sand special test. That SWM has the perfect power and made me realise the Ossa is just a trail bike. Oh well.
• What about Derek Pickard? The Team Wales member pushed his bike out of the Parc Ferme and went home after my riders briefing. Oops, I didn’t mean to scare anyone…
• Ken Creighton travels with his wife to all our events from Mildura and did a commendable three laps on two Bultaco Alpinas. Not the usual terrain for him.
• Team Carlos Mas (Montesa) had Tony DNS so that left Chris Shaw’s original 1984 gem to run with Bruce McIntosh’s recently bought 1976 model. Montesa ownership is a learning curve but Bruce battled on gamely and each did a credible three laps.
• Paul Chapman had his KDX expire before the event but shared with a mate to get his money’s worth.
• Team Penrite Oil’s main mover and shaker Mark Boddy had two teams ‘going for it’ but unfortunate DNFs for him and Craig Faccioni marred the celebrations. The ACT ‘press on’ style was embodied by David Roberts with six laps. At least Team #2 took the title. Congrats to Nathan, Alan and Neil.
• Team Husky NSW recruited Kristen on his WR250 1973 and so Rory Smith and Rob Shoemark had a good shot at the prize. Yes, the same Kristen who helped lay out the course. Hmmm. Justice was restored when his 250 expired and he had to hop onto Steve’s spare PE250. 
• Next year Rob has threatened us with two Husky NSW Teams. Can the Vics rise to the challenge?
• I have to mention that even the Triumphs and Matchless’ didn’t need Aerostart to fire them up. But you sure can’t push start an Auto. Rob had to resort to ‘the can’ to get the beast fired but then the Auto proved itself with Rob just dismissing the bogs and plowing through wherever he liked.
• Having said that, a lot of bikes sounded like autos when grinding through the bogholes. Lots of revs for little motion.
• Clubby couldn’t get his camera out quickly enough when Paul Kalika yanked his Rokon into life on the third tug. Style.
• John “Tex” O’Brien rode the event on a terminal sounding PE 175 with a blown exhaust header gasket. How it didn’t drink in all those swamps I’ll never know. True grit. 
• Team PUVIT = Packenham Upper Vinduro Team, Elvis, you’re a legend. Chris Cormack rode for the first time in a year after breaking his shoulder and toughed it out for a lap for a well deserved bronze. Travis had a reluctant starting KLX and Darron (Elvis) thought his was going to blow anytime but made it.
• Team FBI = Fat Bald Idiots from SA, Ashley, Michael and Mark are keen and get to most events in Vic.
• Team Ironbark I’m yet to work out. Let us know boys. 
• Team Dad’s Army made a return but without the uniforms. Rachelle did well and got around and Joe actually finished this year. Poppy had a turn with the IT but I don’t know how far he got as his health hasn’t been the best lately.
• Congratulations Peter Last and Adam Letts for sticking it out for their first ever taste of dirt biking. They swear they’ll be back.
• Team Tolmie gets the ‘most casual Team Award’. Peter Andrijewski on the old original XL 250 got stuck with no spark in the last big mudhole on Peter Cawland’s place before the refuel. He assured the sweep he’d be OK but as we were packing up the Parc Ferme there came Peter pushing his XL along the town’s backyard trail! Jesus!  He pushed it back over the bridge after getting out of the bog, all along the trail into town! The least we could do is give him our last bottle of wine donated by Tony Tervoert and push him back to camp where none of his mates could be found…
• Tony Tervoert, an absolute legend. Drove especially from the Barossa with a dozen great wines, the BPC Team trophies, covered the event from all angles with his usual professionalism and excellent images, donated free shots for Old Bike Australia mags article I wrote up in the café Monday night and put together a youtube show for us. All this after his car died and needed towing to another town, hitched a ride to it on the Sunday with the ACT boys, drove back to pick up some mags he’d bought and left at harrow and got home in time to get the images up to OBA. Amazing effort. His wine was much appreciated by the local helpers we handed it out to, and the one Merlot I sampled was delicious.
• Where would we be without the CSC’s core of hard workers? Guys, you did an awesome job. You know who you are. 
• Again, props to that man Baker when I got him up at 5pm Sunday to go and cut the final fence in section 3. Friggin’ cold with sidecar racer Steve belting through the dark. Then he wore out the countershaft sprocket in section 1 and hiked back to town for bike #2. Rode all day too.
• Bogged the ute towing a bike out on Sunday but luckily Glenn Southern was with us and he got a lift back into town, got his real 4WD and towed my ute out and then his bike from the swamp.
• Steve got misdirected by Lauchie and bogged the Rhino in the swamp. He hiked back to my ute, drove back to town, got his winch straps, we broke suction by levering the Rhino left and right to get some wood under the wheels and then hand winched the front out of the suction and drove 3 m to a firm patch. Steve then blasted the Rhino out pretty impressively with spray and mud everywhere but mostly on him. “OK” he says “Now we have to unbog your ute” Yep, he’d driven it into the same hole. Bugger. It didn’t look like moving and Lauchie said he’d bogged a horse and cart there once and had to dig the horse out and left the cart there for 3 weeks. Hmmm. We tried from the rear, no luck and from the front it just clawed out ‘full gas’. Phew. 
• Then I bogged the Rhino towing out Steve’s bike. Bummer. The day was long.
•  We stayed at the pub that night and as we were both insomniacs we got up at 4.30 and went out to pull down the ‘special test’ track pegs and bunting before Lauchie arrived. When the sun came up we had one more fence to fix (we did five on Monday) and that was pretty much it. Took a while to pack all our gear up. Handed over the keys and it was goodbye harrow.
• Still getting the remaining silver medals minted guys. Sorry.
• Thanks to ADB guy Alec for his comprehensive coverage. Lets hope it play out well in the mag.
• After it was over, Darren Conroy rode his XR200 through the river. Respect. An IT175 made it but spluttered to a halt on the opposite bank. Dave Hammond tried it on his Maico and water-cooled it properly half way through. Too many holes in the airbox sides he didn’t know about.
• Did anyone else make it? I drove the ute through after freed from a bog as a cleanser and panicked when it nosed under half way across.
• Thanks to Stewart Clissold for the pressure washer service and spare parts availability and his donation to the CSC.

More Harrow photos

Relive the memories!

Tony Tervoert (Barossa Photo Company) took some excellent shots, check them out at the links below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHnQF6xO6VE&fmt=18

http://duckpond.onpix.com/pro/propListView.asp?plid=820&pid=71

Some pics by Tex of the parce ferme area can also be viewed here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/94704762@N00/sets/72157627318444231/show/

Just how boggy was it at Harrow?

Take a look at these pics of Peter Drakeford's ute, taken on the following day while packing up. That Ossa looks nicely bogged too!



Harrow a Hit!

Over 90 entrants, a wide range of machinery, perfect weather and a challenging loop. All of these factors combined on Sunday 31 July to make the 2011 Harrow International Two Day Vinduro an event that more than one attendee has described as the “best vinduro ever”!

Dedicated riders travelled to Harrow from all over Victoria, as well as SA, Queensland, NSW and ACT. Alas, the Italian guests were unable to make it, but the Welsh team was in attendance to make the event truly international.

Also among the distinguished identities were enduro legends Laurie Alderton and Chris Cater.

Chris Cater entertained everyone with his ‘back in the day’ anecdotes and enthusiastic endorsement of the event, before presenting a Maico poster that he’d autographed to the best Maico rider of the day.

The team award went to Team Penrite 2 who prevailed despite being the “B team” from the ACT ! Several other awards were presented at the end of the day in categories such as furthest distance travelled, most original Japanese / Euro bike, quietest bike, most punctures, and more.

Thanks are due to Discount Motorcycle Wreckers and Ballard’s for providing these prizes.

Commemorative medals were presented to the riders, with a bronze issued to those who completed one full lap, silver to those who did two or three, and gold to anyone who managed four or more.

Incredible events like this don’t happen by themselves, so recognition needs to go to those who made it happen: Peter Drakeford, the Classic Scramble Club, Discount Motorcycle Wreckers, Ballard’s, the property owners, Harrow hotel, Lions Club and all of the other local people  and volunteers who lent their support.

Some photos from the weekend are already available on the Enduro Bike Talk forum. Stay tuned for details of more pics as they are published on EBT and elsewhere.  A write-up of the event will also appear in the next Vinduro Victoria newsletter.

Harrow Vinduro Poster



A nice little flyer to print out. Feel free to circulate it far and wide!

The International Harrow Two Day Vinduro

July 30 - 31, 2011

This year we have an international flavour to the event as our fame has spread to Italy!

We welcome Ugo Cocchis and Maurizio Gerni who will be riding an SWM 250 1980 and a super rare Puch 250 GS 1983 imported by Ugo and Greg Gunn and prepared by Nick Macrokanis of Macro Race Products http://www.macroraceproducts.com.au/  sponsor of the stunning main prize in 2010.

To add to the International flavour a team from Wales: Steve Baker, his mate ‘Boyo’ and ‘Taffy Hammond’ will be fronting; all genuine born in the UK emigrants. We’re going to have to break out the national flags and give them a big Aussie welcome.

We also welcome the well travelled Team Penrite Oils from Canberra (leader Mark Boddy), Team Maico NSW (leader Chris Cater) and Team FBI from SA (leader Mark Gardner).  Team Husky Vic (leaders Rog & Juz) will be there too as well as the Reservoir Dogs and last year’s winners of the stunning Barossa Photographics Team Trophies from Tony Tervoert http://www.barossaphotocompany.com.au/  the BusBoyz.

All these guys put in a lot of effort to get here and it certainly adds to the flavour of the event. I know there will be other teams entering now so get three mates together and see how you go.

Timetable

The trip from Melbourne GPO will take 4.5 hours, and about the same from Adelaide.

It’s advisable to get to Harrow in the daylight on Saturday to see the town facilities and the Parc Ferme and practice track location.

All riders must report to the Parc Ferme at the Johhny Mullagh Reserve to collect their ID numbered oval sticker and be scrutineered for headlight, taillight etc.

Saturday 30th July:

• 9am-5pm: Check in at the Parc Ferme;
• 12pm-4pm: Practice at Mr L Turner’s property. Use the CSC natural terrain track (same as 2010) or the new sand track just below it in the bend in the river.
• 5pm:  Impound your bike in the Parc Ferme. Numbered wooden boards provided will support your bike on the soft grass. Side/centre stand essential.
• 6pm: Meal at the Hermitage Hotel, Harrow. 7pm; Presentation of International Riders and local Teams.

Sunday 31st July:   

• 8.30am: Riders Briefing.
• 9. 00am: First rider starts.
• 3.00pm: Rider presentation at the Parc Ferme.

Bike details

While this is just a recreational event, we do need to uphold some standards. We are glorifying old enduro bikes and while motocross bikes were used in their day they were converted to full rego to use in the bush. Do NOT just slap on a modern headlight; we need them to have a period lights and good mufflers too. No red tape for a taillight Des!

We need an actual taillight Russel! Get with the spirit. While we won’t be meticulously scrutineering the bikes we will be keeping an eye out for unsafe items or late models. ‘Red Plate’ Club Permit registered bikes will enable you to ride to the practice track but not Rec or unrego’ed bikes. There will be no special course or extra loops for these bikes. Last year some unreg guys still rode out there; don’t do it. The local police are aware of what’s going on and we don’t need the extra scrutiny.

The course

It is about 35 kms long winding around the Glenelg River. This year the course is divided into 5 sections in a rough ‘cloverleaf’ with the main control (apart from the Start/Parc Ferme/refuel) at the blue metal river crossing in Mr L Turners Property.

As of last weekend (June 11 – 12), the water is only calf deep up your leg. No problem!

Section 1: Parc Ferme, brief bush bash, camping ground river crossing, through Mr B McClure’s property, through to the main control on the south side of the river.  Distance 5 kms.

Section 2: Continue on the south side of the river, open paddocks, river sand, return to main control.

Distance 8 kms.

Section 3: Cross the river, loop on the northern side towards Harrow, return to main control. Distance 8 kms.

Section 4: Stay on the northern side of the river, loop towards the 2009 start area and return to the main control. Distance 8 kms.

Section 5: Cross the river, return to the Parc Ferme through Turner, Cawland and McClure properties. Distance 5 kms.

Note: Riders can do shorter loops; eg: Section 1, 2 & 5 (you won’t have to cross the river at the main control), Section 1, 3 & 5 etc. However, Bronze medals will be awarded to those completing one go at Sections 1-5, silver to those completing 2 or 3 loops of Sections 1-5 and Gold to those completing 4 or more loops of Sections 1-5.

Last year Steve Walker was the only Gold Medal awarded for his admirable 4 laps of the course; even after helping out Rachelle. On this years form so far Graham Hunter will be a possibility and we have 2 Vic entrants who completed the SA 24 Hour Trial just recently so there could be more gold awarded. If any more South Aussie hardmen hear of this we could be in for a goldrush. The challenge is on and spectators at the Parc Ferme/refuel area will be able to keep tabs on progress. Here’s a tip for those going for gold: enter early as they will get the front starting numbers as I open the envelopes.

A recovery vehicle will be main control for breakdown pickups.

Red dots (straight ahead) and red arrows on white card will mark the track as well as Ballards bunting. A new innovation will be DANGER signs this year by special request (sorry about last year Juz).

Timing

You will be issued with a time card which will be marked at the start & finish of every section, and a route check zip tied to your bike (2 bikes entered=2 route check cards). Your time for the special test will be marked on it too. No record will be kept of your times, just your aggregate laps.

Starting

You will have one minute to start your bike from cold when you are called from the Parc Ferme (overnight compound) three riders per minute. If your bike will not start you will have to push it onto the grass area past the clock to work on it. Other bikes. Riders with more than one bike must have numbers on all of them, but must put the bike they will ride on the first lap into the Parc Ferme by 4 pm Saturday. You may change bikes at will after your first lap. Your time card must stay with you not on the bike. Make sure it is kept in a waterproof place.

This year helmet numbers will be issued too. This is just a numerical record for us.

Awards

Oldest bike and rider combined, Most Original Bike, Quietest Bike, Furthest Distance Travelled, Rarest Euro Bike, Rarest Jap Bike, Best Pre 1975, Best Pre 1980, Best Pre 1985, Best MX to Enduro Conversion, Most laps done, Most Team laps done …and the Top Team Trophies from Tony Tervoert’s Barossa Photography.

Support those who support us

Paul Dunne at WFO:  http://www.wfo.com.au/                                          

Stacker Motorcycles, Beatrice St. Heidelberg 03 9459 9535

Ballards Off  Road, Batt St, Penrith NSW. http://www.ballards.cc/

Food and accomodation

A two course meal for $17 will be put on at the Hermitage Hotel 03 55881209 especially for us on the Saturday night. It’s soup/main or main/desert; with a choice on the night of Chicken Pie, Steak Dianne, Roast Pork and Lasagne with vegies or chips and salad. Room bookings to Andrea Lay.

Sunday breakfast and lunch will be available at the Parc Ferme from the Balmoral Lions.

Camping. Only at the Camping Reserve. Ring Sam at the Harrow Café for bookings. $12 a powered site (8 of), $8 unlimited unpowered sites per night. Collect your receipts from Sam or Darren at the Café before setting up.

Harrow Café 03 5588 1205 will be open longer on Friday to Monday (7:30 till late) and serving seafood, traditional meals, snacks, sandwiches, breakfasts and lunches. (note: Roger and Christan; they still haven’t updated their latte glasses!)

A big thank you to

• The West Wimmera Shire council for providing the toilets.
• John Cartland, Bruce Caulfield and all the members of the Harrow District Progress Association.
• The Johnny Mullagh Reserve Committee.
•  Bush Nursing, Harrow
• The Balmoral/Coleraine Lions Club.
• Andrea from the Hermitage Hotel.
• And especially the generous Lauchie Turner, Peter Cawland & Barry McClure, landowners.
• The Harrow Police. While Murray is a tolerant man he will be patrolling the roads to stop any high-jinx so Red Plate Rego, bring your filled out log book. Rec Reg, stay off the roads.

At the Hermitage Hotel after the Saturday night meal, there will be a presentation and interview session for our international guests and the various teams entered. Be there for a bit of hilarity; guaranteed.

All enquiries

Peter Drakeford

drakefordpetersara@gmail.com