Australian Motocross Championships Wanneroo
9 September 1979, hosted by the AJS Motorcycle club
Australian Motocross Champion Pelle Granquist – Winner of 250 and 500cc classes at the 1979 Australian Championships at the Wanneroo circuit in Western Australia (All photos by Peter Kitchingman)
Granquist the standout rider in the National Motocross titles at Wanneroo
Swedish rider Pelle Granquist (NSW) was the stand-out rider winning two Australian Championships at the Wanneroo circuit in Western Australia. Riding a Husqvarna, he finished ahead of local riders Kevin Russell and Graham Smythe in the 250cc class and Neville Cutts in the 500s.
Apart from Granquist, the “sandgropers “ revelled in the deep sandy conditions with Shane Kirpatrick winning the 125cc class, also on a Husqvarna, and Neville Cutts winning the Unlimited All Powers on a Suzuki.
An injured Kirpatrick defied doctors orders that day to compete. He actually tied for first place overall in the 125s with Australian legend Stephen Gall, with both riders winning a leg each. But the Bunbury rider was awarded victory for his fastest time in the first leg.
On that same day in the 125cc RLH (Juniors) class, Jeff Leisk won ahead of Rick Speak and Micheal Sears.
In the Unlimited sidecar class, brothers Wayne and Dean Fanderlinden finished third behind South Australian teams David Wells-Trevor Thompson and Barry Buckley-Russell Elmi.
The South Australians dominated the sidecars with Geoff Taylor-Peter Menz winning the 500cc class ahead of locals Cliff Cook-Jeff Holmes and Australian sidecar ace Buckley.
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Race day photos
By Peter Kitchingman
Presentation ceremony – All Powers winner Neville Cutts on third-place-getter Graeme Smythe’s shoulders
125cc winners – [L-R] Max Stipanicev (3rd), Shane Kirpatrick (1st) and Stephen Gall, NSW (2nd) on a countback
1000cc Sidecar winners, SA – David Wells [far right] with passenger Trevor Thompson [centre] and runner-up Barry Buckley
Terry Wigzell (SA) ahead of Stewart McLaughlin (QLD) in the 250cc class in the quarry section at Wanneroo
The start of the Junior class race. Rick Speak (28) finished second behind Jeff Leisk who is already ahead of the pack
David Wells-Trevor Thompson (SA) lead Barry Buckley-Russell Elmi (SA) in the 1000cc sidecar class
Trevor Williams (4, VIC) leads Stephen Gall (3, NSW) in the 125cc class
South Australian sidecar legend Barry Buckley & Russell Elmi lead the 1000cc class
Local riders Wayne and Dean Fanderlinden finished third in the 1000cc sidecar class
1979
Australian
Motocross Championship Results
125cc
1 Shane Kirkpatrick (WA, Husqvarna)
2 Stephen Gall (NSW, Yamaha)
3 Max Stipanicev (WA, Honda)
250cc
1 Pelle Granquist (Sweden, Husqvarna)
2 Kevin Russell (WA, Kawasaki)
3 Graeme Smythe (WA, Yamaha)
500cc
1 Pelle Granquist (Sweden, Husqvarna)
2 Neville Cutts (WA, Suzuki)
3 Trevor Williams (VIC, Kawasaki)
Unlimited
1 Neville Cutts (WA, Suzuki)
2 Anthony Gunter (NSW, Suzuki)
3 Graeme Smythe (WA, Yamaha)
650cc Sidecars
1 Kevin Taylor – Geoff Graetz (SA, Kawasaki Wasp)
2 Cliff Cook – Jeff Holmes (WA, Yamaha Wasp)
3 Barry Buckley – Russell Elmi (SA, Yamaha Wasp)
1000cc Sidecars
1 David Wells – Trevor Thompson (SA, Norton Wasp)
2 Barry Buckley – Russell Elmi (SA, Norton Wasp)
3 Wayne Fanderlinden – Dean Fanderlinden (WA, Norton Wasp)
Restricted License Holders
Juniors
1 Jeff Leisk (WA, Honda)
2 Rick Speak (WA)
3 Michael Sears (WA)
EVENT PROGRAM & RACE REPORT
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Australian Motocross Champions
