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The XS650 club was a welcome sponsor at the City of Penrith Dirt Track charity event over the 9th and 10th August, a well supported event with approximately 100 riders, competing at the Nepean Short Circuit track. An annual event, it is worth getting along to it. The format includes races hosted in age groups and 5 year grouped era's, from pre 1965 until 1985. A number of XS650 club members were involved as competitors as well as the show and shine for XS's. This year the charity which received the profits from the event, was the local bush fire brigade, who not only saved the track in last year's October fires, but also played a part in preventing the spread of fire, in the short distance towards President Geoff's shed full of never used and valuable XS650's and anybody who has attended an AGM at Geoff's shed would know how valuable it is to the club. The ridersMark Meyers showed up with a stunning, non muffled street tracker - a white xs 650, and it won best modified in the show and shine. To his credit, despite it being a show stopper, he got out and raced it on the track. Crowd favourite Herb Conlon looked a perfect match on his dirt track Kenny Roberts look alike special XS 650, and Herb was a medal winner in the seniors event, with a very respectable 4 th place amongst some previous era legends who proved they haven't lost their talent, well done Herb! And word is, the day after the event, the big man is feeling the pain of having let it all hang out on the track and allowing the adrenalin to take over. At the trophy acceptance, we were all shocked with him keeping it to a few gracious words, the organisers had allowed him an hour and half. Mark Peatman rode the sister bike to Herb's, I got up close and personal in the same race with him, and whilst he was a bit wobbly through the hairpin turns, he quickly turned the XS horse power in to a gravel spitting behemoth, and on to yours truly. Mark backed up to make his XS side car scream at the top of its lungs to gain a second place, and the man is truly talented at this part of the sport. Club supporter and stalwart Geoff Watson put on a good show on his slider and gained a 3rd place against riders more than half his age. Ivan Hoey was racing his XS dirt tracker and also managed another trophy to add to his already full cabinet in the pre 1975 open class. I saw in the crowd and visiting on their XS's, Rod Johnson, our website man on his black XS, Pat Newman on his perfect green and white XS1, who took out the best stock bike in the show and shine. Kevin Bossy, as usual was keeping a low profile in the shadows and offering fellow club members like myself some encouragement and advice. I think it was encouragement? Bungy was noticeably absent and terribly missed, and Geoff Bamford rode in on a very nice borrowed XS with a "for sale" sign on it. Geoff was obviously enjoying himself and in his convivial state of mind offered to match Mark Peatman's donation to the rural fire brigade. All in all a good time was had by all and we left feeling good to have helped the fire brigade out at the same time Well done XS650 club! Club member and XS1 owner Herb Conlon, Geoff Watson, and Mark Meyers......no caption can reflect this scene Herb Conlon in action
Mark Peatman showing how it is done
Mark Peatman and Colin Waltho who came Second for the day on the side car
Yamaha dirt tracker, and sidecar belonging to Mark Peatman
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