P. MARTIN RACING.

NEWS & RACE REPORTS

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30th November 2020.

HEAVEN VMX CHAMPIONSHIP.

“Thank you Heaven, one round, two races per class and big fields...”

The Heaven Motorcycle Club, the primary Vintage Motocross Club in NSW held the only actual NSW VMX Race meeting for 2020 at the Lakes MX Track at Awaba 21st and 22nd November 2020.

Peter takes up the story "The Heaven VMX Committee worked hard to make it possible to have a single round Championship. Thank you Heaven, one round, two races per class and big fields, everyone welcomed the opportunity to go racing.

The Lakes meeting was the Heaven VMX Championship for 2020, not a series, just two races in each class to decide who would take home the coveted Trophies. I was entered in the PRE-1990 Class (all capacities) on the 1989 Honda CR250RK and the EVOLUTION Class (all capacities) on the 1979 Honda CR250RZ, I was also invited to race in the President’s Cup Invitational, a 15 minute + 1 Lap Moto (all ages and capacities of bike).


Half the President's Cup field. Matty Baker Image.

With two 4 Lap class races and one Moto length Invitational each day I considered the racing physically doable so Saturday I did two short practices on each bike and then headed out for the first PRE-1990 all in on the 1989 bike. A crowded and talented grid of 40 riders were keen to go racing. I glanced down at the field and there was #100 Craig Anderson, 5 times Australian Motocross Champion. Surely I am in the wrong place, too late to pull out now. I got a reasonable start to about mid field, the talent started to work up their speed ahead and a few more got by me, then a few more. I settled down and started passing riders, certainly my position was helped by a few riders enthusiastically throwing themselves and their bikes over the top of Berms and into tyre walls - it was carnage fueled by wonderful enthusiasm.

I had two races to recover with just enough time to wipe my face, take a drink and get back up to the start line in time for the EVO all in race on the 1979 bike. I got a great start, fourth into turn 2 and then slowed too early for the entry, whoosh I dropped around 5 places, so head down and I started passing a few working up through the field.

The Presidents Cup was to be the last race of the day and the decision was made to transfer the Presidents Cup to be the first and last race on Sunday. That would mean I had a 15 minute + 1 Lap Moto and two 4 lap races back to back, then a long break to the last President’s Cup Moto at the end of the day.

Saturday night was Heaven’s AGM and Jo Gillan provided a glorious Roast Chicken meal, then off to sleep early. All night my leg muscles played tag on who would cramp next, frequently getting up to stretch or walk off cramp then back in the bed so a squadron of mozzies could continue their attempts to terrorise me and drag me out the door. I had very little rest and the heat and the repellant only encouraged them. After a restless night Sunday dawned. It was overcast and a little cooler (at first), I did two laps to warm up and got ready for the first President’s Cup Moto.

It was another packed grid of 40 riders. I got off the start-line well to be about 5th heading into turn two and... 12th heading out of turn two. Ahhhh, so I picked up the pace and started passing riders - I just kept chasing and moving forward. After 7 or 8 laps the checkered flag saw me reasonably well placed around 10th.

I got back to my pit and thought, I can not go straight out to the second PRE-1990 all in on the 1989 bike. I had prepared a bag of ice in a wet towel and poured cold water over my head to bring my temperature down, there was a short delay and repeated announcements of the start of the PRE-1990, so I put my helmet, gloves and goggles back on. By the time I got to the line I had given the field half a lap start, I just put my head down and raced, pushed, I rode as best I could passing those I could to the finish.

I had two races to recover before the final EVO all in race on the 1979 bike. Again a great start and again giving up too many positions in turn two. I remember nothing of this race, what else happened and the results are a mystery, I just survived.


Between races. Matty Baker Image.

It was a long wait for the final President’s Cup Moto and it was very hot, I packed up what I could and attempted to keep my body moving and my temperature down. After an eternity, the call came and I lined up for the final race of the day. Again a great start and about 4th into turn two and again giving up too many positions leaving turn two, two riders passed me and I passed them back and pulled away. I just rode, pushing where I had an advantage and surviving where I was too weak to push. There were a few riders inserting themselves into the scrub and tyre walls which made it possible to pick up more places. Basically it was survival of the most determined. On the last lap Mark Tompkin attempted a pass, I looked at it and thought I can stop you and then thought, but I won’t. The same for the next corner, I got inside him and thought I can stop you but I had no fight left and just rode to finish the race.


The M Real Estate 1979 Honda CR250RZ. Matty Baker Image.

RESULTS:

PRE-1990 ALL- IN - 12th Overall.
EVOLUTION ALL- IN - 9th Overall.
PRESIDENT’S CUP INVITATIONAL - 10th Overall.

My results are far from what I am capable of yet better than I expected. With the consideration I am in the process of changing my whole Motocross riding style to enable better results on the Supercross type tracks Heaven go to, being around the top 10 overall in all three classes considering the competition is actually a pretty good result.

I am taking away so much from this Meeting; My starts are consistently good and I slow too much and brake too early into the first real turn. My riding ‘style’ is evolving, yet there is a long way to go before I am competitive. Compared to before, I have improved my speed on some parts of the track and I am slower on other parts. The real victory is that my body is not as beaten and damaged as it was before. It is not that I am not hurting, I am hurting much less and my body is not taking as long to recover. I am even starting to enjoy riding again, for these reasons we had a victory.

Thanks to the Heaven committee and all the Heaven members who make VMX Racing so much fun. A big thank you to the volunteers who make it possible for us to ride. Thank you to David Middleton (Excel Tint) who helped to revise and set up the Suspension which has provided a significant improvement in comfort. Thank you to all the wonderful, patient people who support my racing. Race Images from Matty Baker Images, thank you for the great photos”.


Thank you for supporting the Australian businesses and brands that support our racing, thank you for supporting Australian small Business.

NEXT YEAR: Heaven are promoting both the Classic National Championships and Post Classic National Championships in July 2021. The Heaven Championship series will also be back.


The M Real Estate 1989 Honda CR250Rk. Matty Baker Image.


There is a group of people and their products that make my racing possible, they are the Companies and Brands that provide support, I am privileged to represent:

M REAL ESTATE – If you are considering an Investment property, this is where you go. You will be listened to and supported to accomplish your objective. M Real Estate has access to a wide range of properties in the major cities of Sydney, Brisbane & Melbourne along with some of the larger growth centres. Using knowledge and experience MRE focus on fulfilling the purchaser’s criteria whether they be an investor, owner occupier or first home buyer – Call Judy on 0409 044 088.

P MARTIN & Co – For Small Business consulting and coaching, For Real Estate Consulting and Project Management, Sales strategies, Sales closing services and for Business coaching, training and Mentoring – Call Peter on 0403 916 996.

ULTIMATE FRAMEWORK - Ultimate Framework (UF) are production Engineers. From port facilities, bus shelters, rescue chopper bases, factory production machinery, process line maintenance and local Council amenities to one off prototype manufacture, fabrication and welding. UF has the flexibility to consider both big and small jobs – Call Bill 02 9666 9677.

MOUNTAIN SHADE – Do you want a high quality & durable Marquee built to Australian design standards? We did and we have used Mountain Shade for two Years, when other marquees are blowing away or collapsing, Mountain Shade stands firm and looks great. Do not compromise on quality or price, Free design service, Free delivery Australia-wide - Call: 1300 850 832.

PIVOT PRGZ – Every point of contact on a motorcycle is important, especially the feet. To have Pivot Pegz means that I can have solid contact at all times, wide for better grip and pivoting as I go over jumps or rough terrain, always good contact for foot control and good angle for comfort. There is none better, for fitment confirmation, please call 03 6423 1800.

BEACONSFIELD MOTORCYCLES - Beaconsfield Motorcycles provides the highest level of service and support, a level most Dealers have forgotten about. For bike service, parts and support to keep your bike running well, BMS will look after you, visit 7/24-26 Burrows Rd, Alexandria NSW 2044 or call: 02 9318 0008.

WHITE'S RACING PRODUCTS – Go here for all Motorcycle Tyres and Accessories. With a fitting service every Thursday night until late, there is no better service or more supportive than WRP and with straight advice every time. For your Tyre needs call Craig on: 0413 461 353.

GT TOOLS – I am amazed at the quality and how easy it is to use GT Tools, the rolling chest came with all the tools I need at the race track and they have proven to be reliable and good quality. Do not buy cheap, poor quality tools, get GT Tools for a brilliant price and for great quality – visit: https://garage-workbench.com.au/

CANVAS MX APPARRELL – I have never been happy to have some big brand mx clothing maker plastered all over me so I advertise them for free. They do not contribute to my racing so I am happy I have found Canvas MX, they custom make and print my MX race shirts and pants in the colours I want and so I can say what I want to say on my gear. It means I promote the Companies that support my racing and not some fat cat for free. Take a look at; https://canvasmx.com/

SUOMY HELMETS – You do not really appreciate a Helmet until it prevents an injury, for me I have learned that I can only afford to use the best safety equipment when on a Motorcycle, anything less is a risk and an invitation to injury. Consider Suomy visit: Picture Me Rollin Motorcycle Accessory Emporium, Surry Hills, Sydney.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

In the 'Berm Bowl' on the 1979 Honda CR250RZ. Matty Baker Image.


The view of Lakes from the top cutting.

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