Manjimup 15000

With recent comments about how there's no round of the MX ( well, it might have been SX, with the controversy / idiocy of having the WSX and OZ SX on the same day / weekend)  in the West, I thought that it might be wise to have Manjimup as part of the OZ series. 

But, it's been, as far as I know, 'stand alone' since the 80s - so, they don't need , or perhaps ever want to to be part of MA's series. 

I wonder if there'll be any 'Internationals' there this year. Years ago, they'd get some pretty Big names - last year one was the  Beach and GP Racer, and sometimes US / Canada National guest racer, from the Freaky Deaky Netherlands.

The Ducati 450 is set to make it's debut there on June the 1st, according to AMCN - no news ( that I've seen) as to whom may be the Rider of it. Maybe Lars van Berkel, said Freaky Deaky Dutchy, could get a run on it, as I doubt they'd be able to get a top Aussie on it, (purely) due to contracts / Team obligations. 

Great race with a long history, on a nice flowing track that gets rough as guts. What’s not to like? 
Shame there’s no stream. Used to get tv coverage back in the day. Does it still have a good payout?

It got it's name from the first one in 1980 - $15,000 AUD, I think, for 1st place, but, might have been the total purse.

I just checked, and AMCN seem to have got it wrong ( and, hence, I got it wrong) about the Duke being raced - it appears it will only be on display - Bummer.

Beato and Webster are topping practice / qualifying, I've read, and Duffy is on it. 

If you go to '2025 Berry Sweet Manjimup 15,000' on YouTube, they've the Press conference,  a 7 minute rider interviews vid, and (very) short highlights of practice. 

Prize Money - it's a bit difficult to find - all I've found is something like $12500 for MX1 ( all up) and $1900 for MX2.

That's a far cry from the $15000 from 1980 and a fair few years after. That was good money then, and the OZ $ was worth quite a bit at that time. It's how we got a fair few Internationals over here - well that and that they got  assistance and  expenses to come. It's how we ended up with Jimmy Ellis and a few other US riders here for their later years of racing. 

It would be great if we could hear Jed's bike instead of someone's favorite tune.

The track looks awesome.

Lars is racing the full Canadian national series this year which kicks off this weekend.

Track is world class. Should have got the GP. 

Thx Bear, that payout definitely attracted good competition. $15000 in 1980 would be about $80000 aud today.

The track looks awesome and appears to have a nice flow. The jumps do look small though.

You've Got to do the drive across OZ, at least once in your life.

I did most of Australia in 80 / 81 / 82, on,  a DT175 and an XL185. Up to Darwin, via the Cape, then down to Alice, back to Sydney, down the coast to Melbourne, then over to Perth / up to Broome / Derby / Kununarra - over to Mount Isa, to Yeppoon, then down the coast back to home.

The little bikes did the job - it's why I'm so disdainful towards so many of the poseurs on their ADV Land Yachts.... Though, said things, are almost the perfect bike for blitzing OZ roads. Well, the mid sized ones are far better than the Land Yachts - especially when you consider the speeding fines, and loss of license you can rack up, on them.......

I wish we still could get the XR650L here in OZ - to me, the perfect thing to 'Doof Doof' around OZ / The World, at legal  speeds, that will also not try to kill, or squash you when you really do some 'adventure'. I've plenty of 'stuff' to fit to an XR, after all these years, and really would like to get a Brand Newie to keep forever, like my CRE500. I might have to self import one from the USA / wherever else they are still sold. Blokes with good ones, or even ratty ones here, want near new prices for them.

Off the subject, I know. I'd love to get back over to the West - the last few times it's just been on the way to some FIFO work I did, quite some years ago. I'm Not up to that, anymore. 

My son had his first run there this year in the Allstar class. Majority of the racers that go are either from over there (western Australia) or top 5 in their respective classes. They combine the allstars with 450's and 250's.

My son is neither (from over there or top 5). They had one moto that was a bit wet and slowed the track. But when it wasn't wet he said it is the fastest roughest track he has ever ridden. It goes from hard pack to full sand. Just a great track. 

The event itself is almost second to none. Compared to our nationals the spectators is impressive. 

For him it was a once in a life time race (for now). But would recommend to anyone. 

Damn that looked bad! It’s been great watching him slowly ride back into the form we know he’s capable of but he certainly doesn’t need another serious injury.

The crowd at the top of the hill went deathly silent when that happened and then went nuts a couple of minutes later when he stood up, got on his bike and rolled back to the pits.

Was a really good mood all day, Beaton got just as much (almost) support as the local boy Webster and Metty got a huge reception waving to the crowd on the last lap of the Allstars race.