Australian Motocross History website

ALAN NICOL EMULATES HIS BROTHER TO WIN 3 AUSTRALIAN MOTOCROSS TITLES AND HARLEY SCRAMBLE AT THE SAME TRACK ON ONE DAY

On this day, 64 years ago, Western Australian Alan Nicol performed a repeat of older brother Peter’s 1955 efforts when he dominated the 1962 Australian Motocross Championships to win three titles as well as the prestigious annual Harley Scramble.

The 1962 championships – the first to be televised – were held at the Rope Works circuit in Mosman Park, Western Australia (13kms south of Perth) in front of more than 15,000 spectators. And as in 1955, the race-hardened local brigade filled the placings.

Spiraling travel costs reduced the interstate contingent to only token level with Gerry Vial (NSW), Leon Street (VIC) and Rob McDonough (VIC) being the only ‘Easterner Staters’ competing.

Due to the success of the annual Harley Scramble at the Rope World since 1928 (excluding the World War II years 1940 to 1945), the Auto Cycle Council of Australia (ACCA) approved the 1962 Championships and Harley Scramble to be combined for the second time.

But unlike in 1955 where the Harley Scramble format was adopted with riders starting in pairs at ten second intervals and being timed and all classes riding together, in 1962 the racing reverted back to usual Australian Championship format with mass starts and separate races for each class.

Alan Nicol rode his 350 BSA to three wins (Unlimited, 500cc and 350cc) – as well as the Harley Scramble – setting fastest lap times in all of them and generally outclassing the large field of over 100 riders and bigger machines.

It was Nicol’s fourth Australian Motocross title, having won the 250cc class at Royal Park, Adelaide in South Australia in 1959.

South West riders filled the placings with the late Glen Britza finishing with a second and two thirds in the 250, 350 and Unlimited classes.

Another Bunbury rider Gordon Renfree won the 250cc title and was second in the 350cc class. Manjimup's Bob Cutts finished third in the 500cc title, also following in his brother Doug's footsteps who won the Unlimited class at this venue in 1955.

See full report and results – https://amxhistory.com.au/australian-motocross-championships-mosman-park-1962

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photo: The July 1962 Visor cover, featuring the 1962 Australian Motocross Championships and Alan Nicol who dominated the event and Harley Scramble.

MCFARLANE STUNS THE WORLD WITH HISTORIC GRAND PRIX MX2 WIN IN ITALY

On this day 22 years ago, in front of around 20,000 spectators, the late Andrew McFarlane had his first Grand Prix victory.

The Queensland rider created history at the Grand Prix of Italy at Gallarate on Sunday 7 June 2004 becoming the first Aussie to sweep both motos in his first GP win until Dean Ferris matched this achievement in August 2013.

McFarlane became the third Australian rider in Grand Prix history to win an overall World Championship round, with Chad Reed (QLD) and Jeff Leisk (WA) the only others to achieve this feat at the time.

Finishing second and third, respectively to McFarlane in Italy in the MX2 Grand Prix were two crowd favourites Claudio Federici and Alessio Chiodi. All three podium riders were Yamaha-mounted.

Riding for the Yamaha factory racing team run by 1984 world champion Michele Rinaldi, McFarlane won Moto 1 ahead of Federici and series leader Ben Townley, from New Zealand (KTM).

Townley had to settle for seventh in Moto 2 after crashing on the first corner. Much to the disappointment of the parochial local crowd, McFarlane held off the two Italian Yamaha riders Antonio Cairoli and Alessio Chiodi, who finished in second and third respectively.

After nine rounds, McFarlane was now in fourth overall in the World Championship on 260 points, behind leader Ben Townley NZ, KTM (352), Stephen Sword GB, Kawasaki (306) and Tyla Rattray ZA, KTM (291).

Cont…

See full story, results, photos and video: https://amxhistory.com.au/mcfarlane-wins-his-first-grand-prix

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Rider album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1622831921171544&type=3

Photos: [Clockwise] Queenslander Andrew McFarlane (Yamaha) on his way to winning the 2004 Italian MX2 Grand Prix at Gallarate; celebrating with his wife Natalie; and at the press conference after his victory with Italian Yamaha riders Claudio Federici (left) and Alessio Chiodi (right).

JONO PORTER: A TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIA'S FLYING MOTOCROSS HERO

On this day, the late Jono Porter was critically injured when he crashed heavily at the Australian Motocross Championships in Coolum, Queensland while leading the pack. He was run over by riders behind him and, sadly died in hospital three days later of multiple injuries.

Jono was born in Biloela in Queensland on 12 May 1981 and later moved to Gladstone. He was an Australian 80cc Australian Motocross Champion in 1994, going on to become one of Australia’s top motocross and supercross riders in senior ranks – winning the Melbourne Supercross Masters in 2002.

A factory Suzuki Australia rider, Jono later formed his own motocross team and company, JPI Industries. He was a natural racer and excelled in all branches of the sport and was a pioneer of Freestyle Motocross (FMX) in Australia – winning the 2002 Planet X Games.

Jono held world records for distance jumping and was the first Australian to perform a backflip on a motocross bike in an Australian FMX competition.

He was very popular and in his honor after his death ‘The Jono Porter Award’ was announced and is presented to the annual winner of the Australian FMX Title. The Gladstone District Dirt Riders Club in Queensland, which he was a member of, established the annual Jono Porter race award, with the road leading up to the Banarby Motocross track also named after him.

Cont…

Click here for story, photos and videos: https://amxhistory.com.au/motocross-champion-porter

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [clockwise] 1994 Australian Junior Motocross Champion Jono Porter with Supercross promoter John Fenton; in action in seniors; being interviewed by commentator John Cobby (By Peter Coward); the Gladstone District Dirt Riders Club Award named in his honor; and signing autographs for fans at a supercross event.

ASHKENAZI: AUSTRALIA'S MOTOCROSS MASTER OF THE 1990S

Congratulations to Australian motocross legend Kim Ashkenazi, who celebrates his birthday today.

“Ashcan” as he is nicknamed, comes from New South Wales and was the standout Australian rider in the 1990s, winning seven National Motocross Championships. He was born on 4 June 1974.

In 1992, riding a Suzuki, he won all classes – 125, 250 and 500s – joining legends Gary Flood (VIC) and Jeff Leisk (WA) as the only other riders to achieve this feat in the history of the sport.

But Ashkenazi’s effort was even more amazing! Where Flood and Leisk made a clean sweep when the National titles were staged on a single day, at just 18 years of age he won when the Championships moved to a three-round series across the country – WA, SA and NSW.

For his efforts he was rewarded with selection in the Australia Team for the World Motocross des Nations (MXDN’s) the year it was held at Cosy Creek, Manjimup in WA.

In his first international meeting, he finished ninth overall in the 125cc class, going on to represent Australia at the MXDNs five years in a row.

Between 1993 and 1995, Ashkenazi switched from Suzuki to the Peter Jackson Yamaha Team, winning three more Australian titles – the 500cc class in 1993 and back-to-back 250cc Championships in 1994-95, taking his tally to six titles. In 1993 he was the highest placed Australian in the final round of the World 125cc Motocross Championship in Manjimup, finishing sixth overall, with results of 13-6-6 across the three motos.

After competing at the 1994 San Diego Supercross in America, Ashkenazi returned to the US for a complete season in 1996, contesting the 125 AMA Series on a Honda, where he twice finished on the winner’s podium.

After winning his seventh and final Australian Championship in 2000 aboard a 125cc Kawasaki, Ashkenazi moved to the United Kingdom, where he won the 2001 British 125cc Supercross Championship and finished second in the first round of the 2003 British Supercross Championship.

Later that year in 2003, he switched to road racing and finished 16th overall in the British Supersport Championship.

Cont…

See Kim’s full story – https://amxhistory.com.au/motocross-legend-ashkenazi

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [Left] Kim Ashkenazi representing Australia in the 125cc class at the 1992 Motocross of Nations at Cosy Creek, Manjimup WA; and [Right] at the 1993 Manjimup 15000 (By Peter Kitchingman)

JUMPING JIMMY ELLIS FINALLY CONQUERS THE MANJIMUP 15000 AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS

Extract from Magic Manjimup 15000 documentary: 40 years history in one hour

On this weekend, 40 years ago, American expatriate Jimmy Ellis won the Manjimup 15000 international motocross.

Despite dominating the Manjimup 15000 All-star races and four event heats on Sunday, 1 June 1986, Ellis only just held on to narrowly win overall on his KTM 500 ahead of New South Wales riders Craig Dack (Honda) and Glen Bell (Yamaha).

Local WA rider Michael Ruttico was fourth with none of the other visiting internationals finishing in the Top 10.

Americans Greg Zitterkops, W***y Simons and Gary DePillo showed speed early on the day to place in the opening All-star races behind Ellis and Dack, but later found the going tough in the longer races and roughening circuit.

Ellis won heat 1 over Vaughan Style (NSW, Honda) and Dack in second and third placings, respectively. With Dack winning heat 2 over Ellis, then finishing second to the American in heat 3, only 2 points separated the pair heading into the final.

In the final, Dack won the holeshot and looked on track to win after Ellis was stuck in the pack at the big jump at the end of the Cosy Creek circuit main straight. But Ellis stormed through the field.

Ellis made up ground quickly on the rest of the field, being the only rider to clear “Jim’s Jump” - the doubles opposite the main straight named after him, which he first accomplished in 1983.

Ellis was unable to catch Dack, but his hard fought second placing was enough to secure the Manjimup 15000 title by one point (1-2-1-2) over Dack (3-1-2-1).

Dack, would however, go onto win the Manjimup 15000 back-to-back in 1987 and 1988, then create history in 1990 to win the event in 1990 for the third time, after returning from racing in the 1989 World 250 Motocross Championships.

Public premiere of the Manjimup 15000 documentary today in Manjimup at 2pm.

View 2M video trailer – https://vimeo.com/1181737481/cbaca443e1?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

See Manjimup 15000 Chapter 1 - https://amxhistory.com.au/history-of-the-manjimup-15000-unleashing-the-event-in-the-1980s-chapter-1

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [Clockwise] 1986 Manjimup 15000 winner Jimmy Ellis (E, USA) on the Cosy Creek Manjimup start line, next to Glen Bell (B, NSW), W***y Simons (S, USA); Craig Dack (D, NSW) and Vaughan Style (V, NSW); Ellis at the awards ceremony; Glen Bell in action on his Marlboro Yamaha; Ellis coming out of the same corner; and Craig Dack preparing for a race (By Peter Kitchingman)

MANJIMUP 15000 HISTORY FILM TO PREMIERE ON TRADITIONAL RACE DAY THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, 31 May 2026, the Power Up Electricity Museum will host the premiere of a brand-new documentary produced by Australian Motocross History, celebrating the remarkable story of the Manjimup 15000 and the Manjimup Motorcycle Club.

Originally planned to premiere during the 2026 Manjimup 15000 event itself, the documentary found a new venue following the unfortunate cancellation of Australia’s biggest annual outdoor motocross event. Dirt High Promotions made the difficult decision earlier this year amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding rider and team travel logistics linked to fuel supply issues.

The documentary takes viewers on a journey through four distinct eras of Australia’s most successful outdoor motocross event — from its groundbreaking beginnings in the 1980s through to the revival and modern era under Dirt High Promotions from 2009 onwards.

Packed with rare archival footage and hundreds of historic photographs — many courtesy of renowned Australian motocross photographer Peter Kitchingman — the film captures the unique atmosphere, characters and history that have made the Cosy Creek MX Circuit famous across Australia and around the world.

Central to the story are two key figures in the event’s history — Trevor Holm and Willie Thomson. Holm masterminded the inaugural Manjimup 15000 in 1980, named after its then ground-breaking $15,000 prizemoney, and helped elevate the event to international status.

Thomson later carried the torch into a new era from 2009 onwards, helping restore the event to prominence for a new generation of motocross fans.

A must-see for motocross enthusiasts, sporting historians and anyone passionate about Western Australian history.

Contact the Manjimup Visitors Centre on (08) 9771 1831, or email [email protected] to secure your tickets for Sunday’s session or register your interest for a future screening.

Watch the official trailer here:
https://vimeo.com/1181737481/cbaca443e1?share=copy&fl=sv...
Screening Details:
Sunday 31 May 2026
2:00pm
Power Up Electricity Museum, Manjimup
Tickets: $20 per person
Duration: 1 hour

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history - www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [Clockwise] Record three-time Manjimup 15000 winners - Craig Dack (NSW, 1987, 1988 & 1990) - By Peter Kitchingman; Todd Waters (QLD, 2013, 2016 & 2022); and Kirk Gibbs (SA, (2014, 2015 & 2017) – Courtesy Dirt High Promotions.

REIGNING MR. MOTOCROSS GARY FLOOD WINS HIS HOME ROUND IN WALLAN

On this day, 50 years ago, reigning Mr, MX Gary Flood raced away with top points on his home track in Round 2 at Wallan in Victoria.

On 23 May 1976 the Wallan track lived up to its notorious reputation with only 10 riders finishing the round and only three of those riders accruing points from all four heats.

Competing on a Bultaco 250 up against the bigger bikes, Flood finished 2-1-1-3 to accumulate 57 points and move up into third place in the overall series.

Suzuki rider Geoff Worrell was third overall on the day (5-4-4-2) on 23 points with his consistent performances over the opening two rounds see him take the series lead om 71 points. Team mate Anthony Gunter was now one point behind him in second in the overall series on 70 points (4-DNF-3-6).

Another Suzuki rider, Victorian Steve Cramer won two races (1st and 4th) and finished second in the round on 30 points, despite not finishing the other races due to a crash and machine problems – moving up into the Top 10 overall.

Wallan was a disaster for many riders, including Stephen Gall and 1974 Mr. MX Trevor Flood on his modified Montessa, which let him down badly on the day.

Young Alan McCarthy’s works Suzuki stopped with plug trouble and he had no spare bike available. Discovering that under his contract he was supplied bikes, but no parts or mechanics, disappointed and homesick he gave up his contract and headed back home where he had the full support of Suzuki WA and his family.

Anthony Gunter won the opening round at Amaroo Park and Stephen Gall the final round at this venue, as well as winning round 4 in Clarendon, SA.

But Gunter went on to win his inaugural Mr. MX on 201 points ahead of Geoff Worrell (Suzuki, NSW, 182) and Gall (153) with Per Klitland, (Yamaha, NSW, 105) and Mike Landman (Yamaha, VIC, 90) rounding out the top 5.

See full report - https://amxhistory.com.au/mister-motocross-series-1976

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photo: 1974 Mr Motocross winner Gary Flood from Victoria in action on his Bultaco at Amaroo Park (NSW)

TIVOLI BELONGS TO GALL AFTER SECOND STRAIGHT WINTERNATIONALS VICTORY OVER INTERNATIONAL RIVALS

On this weekend, 45 years ago, New South Wales rider Stephen Gall won back-to-back Winternationals at Tivoli in Queensland up against a star-studded international line-up.

Gall was the inaugural Golden Breed Winternationals champion in 1980. On 17 May 1981, the top motocross racers from all over Australia were competing against Kiwi Champion Gary Whittaker and Americans Donnie Hoover and Jim Ollie, with $3,500 prizemoney up for grabs.

The previous year American legend Bob “Hurricane” Hannah was contracted to contest the Winternationals, but unfortunately he suffered an injury and was unable to make it down under.

Three-times Mr Motocross Anthony Gunter (NSW) was unable to compete at Tivoli, out with injury, while Stewart McLachlan and Alex Kidas were overseas in Hong Kong, competing in the Asian Championships.

Gaythorne Yamaha rider Andrew Bailey shocked everyone by retiring from motocross only days before the event.

Riding a Yamaha 465, Gall held off a strong challenge from teenage riders Robert “Beetle” Bailey (NSW Suzuki) and Jeff Leisk (WA, Honda) to win the title with an unbeaten four-race maximum score.

More than 6,000 spectators were cheering on the Gall as he crossed the finish line to win Race 4, having only needed to finish fourth or higher to take out the $1,100 first prize, finishing ahead of Bailey and Leisk, respectively.

Only two points were separating them heading into the final race, with Bailey finishing second and Leisk in sixth after being caught in the mid pack from the start.

Third overall went to Ron Dinsdale (VIC, Honda) with New Zealand Maico rider Gary Whittaker in fourth. The Americans were no match for the Aussies at this meeting with Donnie Hoover’s best result being fifth place in race 2.

See story and race results: https://amxhistory.com.au/1981-winternationals-international-motocross-tivoli

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Rider album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1172676899520384&type=3

Photos: [Clockwise] 1981 Winternationals action at Tivoli, featuring Stephen Gall 1, Trevor Williams 2, Robert Bailey 17, Jeff Leisk 13, Vaughan Style 14, and David Armstrong 37 and more; overall 1981 winner Gall; American legend Bob “Hurricane” Hannah, who was contracted for the 1980 Winternationals but didn’t make it; Calvin Brewster and Alex Kidas in 125cc class; and Gall leading the pack in 1980.

SMYTHE EDGES OUT GRANQVIST TO CLAIM MR. MOTOCROSS OPENER AT BROADFORD

On this day, 47 years ago, WA rider Graeme Smythe got his 1979 campaign off to a great start winning the opening round of the Mister Motocross (Mr. MX) series at Broadford in Victoria – tying on points with Swedish expatriate Pelle Granquist on a Husqvarna, who was the reigning Australian 500cc and 250cc champion.

But Smythe was declared the winner on a countback on Sunday, 13 May 1979 with the faster times and was on 50 points, together with Granquist, with South Australian Steve Rowlands (Honda) on 39 points in third.

Reigning Mr. MX Stephen Gall was fourth on 23 points and Gunter started the series with a dismal display to finish in fifth (18) ahead of Mark Hill (VIC, Suzuki) on 15 points. Four starts, four crashes and only 21 points to his credit left Gunter in bad shape with little chance of winning his third Mr Motocross crown.

With Gall winning round 2 at Tivoli in Queensland and Gunter round 3 at Clarendon in South Australia, the fourth and final round at Amaroo Park turned out to be another memorable Mr. MX finish, with Graeme Smythe, Gall , Gunter and Granqvist all with a strong chance of winning the series.

Smythe led the series right up to the final round at Amaroo Park with Gall in second. Thirteen points behind Smythe going into the final round, Gunter knew that to win the series he had the almost impossible task of needing four straight wins, which he did!

In a thrilling final in front of 8,000 people, Gunter lined up on a works Suzuki RM400, which he secured just 4 days before the race from Neville Cutt’s Suzuki team in the West. Gunter convincingly won all four races and won the Mr. MX title for the third time to etch his name in the history books and take home $5,000 in prizemoney. He finished on 171 points, just 5 points ahead of Smythe and Gall who tied for second place (166).

It must have been a bitter pill to swallow for both Smythe and Gall, who ended up finishing equal second to miss out on the series by just 5 points in the very last race of the series!

See full report 1979 Mr. MX series – https://amxhistory.com.au/mister-motocross-series-1979

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: Graeme Smythe (WA, Yamaha 400) – Round 1 winner at the opening Mr. MX round for 1979 at Broadford in Victoria on equal points with Pelle Granqvist (Sweden, Husqvarna).

BREAKING LOOSE: UNLEASHING THE MANJIMUP 15000 AND LEISK'S RISE IN THE 1980s

Extract from Magic Manjimup 15000 documentary: 40 years history in one hour

Local WA hero Jeff Leisk was just a teenager when he burst onto the scene at the inaugural Manjimup 15000 on Sunday, 1 June 1980 — the beginning of a legend, and an event that would change Australian motocross forever.

Hosted by the Manjimup Motor Cycle Club, the race offered a staggering $15,000 prize purse — the richest in the nation — and drew more than 5,000 spectators, growing to crowds of 10,000 throughout the decade.

At just 16, Leisk lined up against an international field. The first event was won by Roger Harvey from the United Kingdom , alongside top American riders Russ Darnell, Dave Haugh and Joe Seubert. But it was clear — a new star was rising.

Despite a clash with the eastern states’ Mister Motocross series, Western Australia’s lineup was stacked: featuring national champions Neville Cutts (from Manjmup), Shane Kirkpatrick, Graeme Smythe — and Leisk, already a World Junior Mini-bike Champion.

The racing was brutal: three long motos inspired by the World Motocross Championship format, pushing riders to their absolute limits. By 1983, the format evolved into a faster, more spectator-friendly showdown — shorter races, more action, with the final moto featuring the majority of the prizemoney. The result? Pure magic.

Manjimup became a Foundation Day long-weekend tradition at Cosy Creek, attracting the world’s best and cementing its place in motocross history.

Leisk would go on to become the event’s first double winner, taking back-to-back victories in 1984 and 1985 before heading to the United States.

Alongside names like Darryl Willoughby, Jimmy Ellis and Craig Dack, the legend of the Manjimup 15000 only grew.

By 1988 — Australia’s Bicentenary year — the stakes hit new heights, with a record $33,000 prize purse, as Dack claimed back-to-back victories and the event reached its peak. This is the story of how it all began.

🎬 Coming soon — the Manjimup 15000 documentary.
View 2M trailer – https://vimeo.com/1181737481/cbaca443e1?share=copy&fl=sv...

Each week leading up to the premiere of the Magic Manjimup 15000 documentary at the Manjimup Visitor’s Centre on 31 May 2026, AMX History will release a new chapter on its website and stories from the documentary, taking viewers through the various eras of the event.

See Chapter 1 - https://amxhistory.com.au/history-of-the-manjimup-15000...

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history - www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [Main] Jeff Leisk competed in the Manjimup 15000 from the inaugural event in1980 to 1985 when he moved to the USA, einning back-to-back events in 1984 and 1985. [Insert - left to right] More than 5,000 spectators attended the inaugural Manjimup 15000 in 1980; the 1980 startline featuring the winner Roger Harvey from the UK; the Cosy Creek clubrooms and timing tower; and first lap action in 1980 – By Peter Kitchingman