Old Bike Australasia # 53

Dirt devils Within this issue you will find Peter Smith’s thoroughly researched story of the great Hillview Dirt Track at Muswellbrook in the NSW Upper Hunter Region – one of many such circuits that once proliferated in this country and particularly in NSW. It seemed that every country town had a Short Circuit, as they were referred to a few decades ago. All of these tracks came about by dint of endless hard work by local club members and occasionally the generosity of local businesses and other benefactors. It was always a thankless slog to keep the tracks and facilities up to scratch, and a battle to keep receipts in the black to ensure survival. Most of the circuits promoted at least one major annual event as well as numerous…

Spring surprise Back in the 1940s growing up in the back blocks of a farm on the north coast of NSW, I had heard of Bathurst where they raced motorcycles – the other end of the world. However by 1952 the decision was made to attend the Easter races, the mode of transport being a 1925 Essex Super Six car with possibly the worst engine ever with the power of a fizzy drink. In those days the highway mainly followed the railway line and was mainly gravel. I purchased a couple of army stretchers, borrowed a tarpaulin, a primus, a few pots and pans and a kettle and we were away. It took two days to reach Sydney, by which time the big ends were starting to rattle so it…

Three generations of Sherlocks Many sports frequently see family members, fathers and or mothers, who are followed in their career path by their sons and/or daughters. Motorcycling is no exception with the likes of Chris Watson following his father George Watson’s footsteps and Robert Madden following his father Keo. However some instances go further with the likes of the Hinton Clan; Harry Senior with his sons Harry Jnr. Robert and Eric and then the latter’s two sons. The Hintons of course became a household name both here and overseas. This, and perhaps others, was not the only instance where there have been three generations participating in motorcycling. In this instance I would like to draw readers’ attention to the three generations of the Sherlock family, Llewellyn, Wayne, Doug and his…

Yamaha’s 60th birthday – a year-long party Yamaha Motor Australia is going to great lengths to celebrate the 6oth anniversary of the company. The official launch will be held at Chris Watson Motorcycles in Cessnock, NSW on 8th August, 2015 and continue until June 2016. Peter Payne, Yamaha Brand development Manager, says YMA has created a travelling road show that will tour the country, taking in many major events in a variety of locations in all states. Included are events such as the Australian Four Day Enduro in Tasmania (October), the Perth Motorcycle Show (October), Sydney Motorcycle Show (November), the Australian Supercross Championships and FX Superbikes Final (November), the popular Tenere Tragics in SA (March, 2016), the Penrite Broadford Bonanza (March 2016) and the Conondale Classic Dirt (June 2016). “We…

In a glittering career, Watson won 41 National Titles, and would probably have added to that tally but for a spate of injuries which curtailed his career. In addition to his legendary prowess on Dirt Tracks, Watson was a very successful Speedway and Long Track competitor both in Australia and overseas. He competed in World Long Track Championships in Europe and represented Australia in Speedway test matches. Chris was born into a motorcycling family, his father George also a successful Dirt Track competitor on both solos and sidecars. In recent years following his retirement from racing in 2004, Chris has become just as successful in business as he was on the track, operating a major motorcycle dealership at Cessnock NSW. “I have heard a lot about the Broadford Bonanza, “…

In the early ‘seventies, a great wave of admiration swept through the racing rank with the release of the water-cooled Yamaha two stroke twins. Hailed as a breakthrough in terms of performance, and even more importantly, reliability, the range of TZ racers and LC/RD road-going twins achieved immediate success and acceptance, and made Yamaha a lot of money. But was this really the breakthrough it purported to be? Hark back to the turn of the 20th century – to Bradford, England and the slightly eccentric world of Alfred Angas Scott. Alfred was born in 1874; one of twelve children in the family, and was apprenticed as a marine engineer, specialising in steam engines. He was also intrigued by the growing popularity of the bicycle, and in 1897 applied for his…