(B)rilliant...
(M)arvellous...
(X)citing...
From : The AUSTRALIAN, May 22nd, 1982.
FIVE years ago this month, on a primitive racing track on the grounds
of Macquarie University
in Sydney, BMX racing
revved up for the first time in Australia.
Today there are BMX clubs thriving throughout the country.
Unlike the skateboard craze, this was one fad that was not going to die
out.
In NSW alone there are now
around 45 clubs, with approximately 40 In Queensland,
30 in Victoria.
20 In Western Australia
and a good half dozen
In Tasmania. And from the U.S.
— Big Daddy of the
BMX craze — visiting
giants regularly call. . .
Bob Haro, Stu Thompson and
Greg Hill have all come
so far this year.
“It’s not that we don’t have good riders
of our own", comments president of the BMX Association of NSW. Des White.
"Many Australian riders are
as good as the Americans,
As a nation, I would say we’re
rated among the top five
In the world.”
What exactly is BMX racing? Well,
It’s controlled, highly supervised
cycle racing on a track with various
obstacles to make
it more interesting. There are jumps, table-tops (a run-up along a ramp to what is literally
a “table-top” section of
the track
set above ground
level) double jumps which are two mounds of earth, and camel jumps which are two jumps, one
set lower than the second. Exciting
stuff.
To join as a member of the
BMX Association you can be any age over, believe It or not, three, and all you need to do is be
able to ride a bike.
“I know it sounds almost unbelievable,” says Des, “But it’s one of the safest sports around — much safer than riding a
bicycle round the streets.
The most we get in the way
of accidents is nothing
that can’t be treated
with a splash of
cold
water and a piece of sticking plaster.
“That’s simply because of
the stringent safety regulations we impose. Our marshalls are red-hot, the bikes are checked
over at every meeting, and safety
equipment is a must
for any member.
“Joining a club is a
simple procedure. Most bike shops have membership forms, or you
can look up the BMX Association
for your area in the
telephone directory. In fact, you
don’t have to join straight away. Prospective members are
allowed two
race meetings on a visitor’s fee of $4
to see If
they like the idea, although most kids don’t
bother with that and join straight
away.
“Club membership is $5-$10
a year which includes a state licence, and once you’ve paid
for your beginner’s bike
which is
under $200 with an
extra $80 for basic safety equipment, you’re
well set up.”
Can girls join? “My word
we get girls”, laughs
Des. “In fact, we’d really love to
get more.
And that’s not because my own daughter races.
Some clubs really support girls. Others, I’m afraid to say are rather
chauvinistic.” Oh well.
Anthony McCallum, competing in
the recent national championships at the Liverpool
Raceway in Sydney.
