It’s hard not to feel like the entire sport was duped, missled, and hoodwinked when it lost McAdam Park, or Barrabool as most knew it. The Geelong based track run by the long standing Sporting Motor Cycle Club was one of the truly great race tracks this country has ever had.
In short (very short), group of ‘concerened citizens,’ decided it was in thier best interests to see the over 50-year old club bulldozed. A long legal fight ensued. It was messy. MA played a murky role. Millions where spent. Riders stepped-up and pledged support but as soon as any positive outlook could be imagined, it would be shot down again through another set-back.
Without rehashing the many years of the battle, the track was lost in the end. The property to be become just another real estate deal.
There was a lot that went wrong here and some poor desicions in the past came back to haunt, while odd desicions during the fight hindered progress and ultimatley sunk any hope. The club bares a certain amount of responsibility, as does the council and MA was perhaps at its absolute worst during this period in terms of transperancy and the level of goodwill towards it from members and the industry.
What was left however, was the loss of a truly epic, natural terrain track that lended itself to some of the best racing in a brilliant location.
So let’s bolt back in time to 2006, almost 14 years ago to the day (21/5/2006) . We were there while guys like Ando, Hurley, Taylor, Reardon, Dozza and Hoady tore it up. Ando and Hurls were in a huge battle for the title, Suzuki versus Honda, aggressive versus smooth, Aussie versus Kiwi.
Where you there? Is this era burned into your memory too?
2006 NOKIA MX NATIONALS CALENDAR
Round 1 Wanneroo Park WA Sunday April 2nd + National Cup
Round 2 Gilman SA Sunday April 9th + National Cup
Round 3 Wonthaggi VIC Sunday April 30th + Women’s Championship
Round 4 Conondale QLD Sunday May 7th + National Cup
Round 5 Geelong VIC Sunday May 20 / 21st + National Cup Rookies JNR 13-15years South
Round 6 Newcastle Sunday 28th May + National Cup
Round 7 Toowoomba Sunday 18th June + Rookies North
Round 8 Broadford Victoria Sunday July 9th + National Cup
Round 9 Newcastle NSW Sunday July 15/16th (2 day) + Women’s & Rookies Final
Round 10 Coolum QLD Sunday July 22/23rd (2 Day) + Women’s & National Cup
