Australian Motocross History website, Perth (2026)

05/06/2026

JONO PORTER: A TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIA'S FLYING MOTOCROSS HERO

On this day, the late Jono Porter was critically injured when he crashed heavily at the Australian Motocross Championships in Coolum, Queensland while leading the pack. He was run over by riders behind him and, sadly died in hospital three days later of multiple injuries.

Jono was born in Biloela in Queensland on 12 May 1981 and later moved to Gladstone. He was an Australian 80cc Australian Motocross Champion in 1994, going on to become one of Australia’s top motocross and supercross riders in senior ranks – winning the Melbourne Supercross Masters in 2002.

A factory Suzuki Australia rider, Jono later formed his own motocross team and company, JPI Industries. He was a natural racer and excelled in all branches of the sport and was a pioneer of Freestyle Motocross (FMX) in Australia – winning the 2002 Planet X Games.

Jono held world records for distance jumping and was the first Australian to perform a backflip on a motocross bike in an Australian FMX competition.

He was very popular and in his honor after his death ‘The Jono Porter Award’ was announced and is presented to the annual winner of the Australian FMX Title. The Gladstone District Dirt Riders Club in Queensland, which he was a member of, established the annual Jono Porter race award, with the road leading up to the Banarby Motocross track also named after him.

Cont…

Click here for story, photos and videos: https://amxhistory.com.au/motocross-champion-porter

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [clockwise] 1994 Australian Junior Motocross Champion Jono Porter with Supercross promoter John Fenton; in action in seniors; being interviewed by commentator John Cobby (By Peter Coward); the Gladstone District Dirt Riders Club Award named in his honor; and signing autographs for fans at a supercross event.

03/06/2026

ASHKENAZI: AUSTRALIA'S MOTOCROSS MASTER OF THE 1990S

Congratulations to Australian motocross legend Kim Ashkenazi, who celebrates his birthday today.

“Ashcan” as he is nicknamed, comes from New South Wales and was the standout Australian rider in the 1990s, winning seven National Motocross Championships. He was born on 4 June 1974.

In 1992, riding a Suzuki, he won all classes – 125, 250 and 500s – joining legends Gary Flood (VIC) and Jeff Leisk (WA) as the only other riders to achieve this feat in the history of the sport.

But Ashkenazi’s effort was even more amazing! Where Flood and Leisk made a clean sweep when the National titles were staged on a single day, at just 18 years of age he won when the Championships moved to a three-round series across the country – WA, SA and NSW.

For his efforts he was rewarded with selection in the Australia Team for the World Motocross des Nations (MXDN’s) the year it was held at Cosy Creek, Manjimup in WA.

In his first international meeting, he finished ninth overall in the 125cc class, going on to represent Australia at the MXDNs five years in a row.

Between 1993 and 1995, Ashkenazi switched from Suzuki to the Peter Jackson Yamaha Team, winning three more Australian titles – the 500cc class in 1993 and back-to-back 250cc Championships in 1994-95, taking his tally to six titles. In 1993 he was the highest placed Australian in the final round of the World 125cc Motocross Championship in Manjimup, finishing sixth overall, with results of 13-6-6 across the three motos.

After competing at the 1994 San Diego Supercross in America, Ashkenazi returned to the US for a complete season in 1996, contesting the 125 AMA Series on a Honda, where he twice finished on the winner’s podium.

After winning his seventh and final Australian Championship in 2000 aboard a 125cc Kawasaki, Ashkenazi moved to the United Kingdom, where he won the 2001 British 125cc Supercross Championship and finished second in the first round of the 2003 British Supercross Championship.

Later that year in 2003, he switched to road racing and finished 16th overall in the British Supersport Championship.

Cont…

See Kim’s full story – https://amxhistory.com.au/motocross-legend-ashkenazi

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [Left] Kim Ashkenazi representing Australia in the 125cc class at the 1992 Motocross of Nations at Cosy Creek, Manjimup WA; and [Right] at the 1993 Manjimup 15000 (By Peter Kitchingman)

30/05/2026

JUMPING JIMMY ELLIS FINALLY CONQUERS THE MANJIMUP 15000 AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS

Extract from Magic Manjimup 15000 documentary: 40 years history in one hour

On this weekend, 40 years ago, American expatriate Jimmy Ellis won the Manjimup 15000 international motocross.

Despite dominating the Manjimup 15000 All-star races and four event heats on Sunday, 1 June 1986, Ellis only just held on to narrowly win overall on his KTM 500 ahead of New South Wales riders Craig Dack (Honda) and Glen Bell (Yamaha).

Local WA rider Michael Ruttico was fourth with none of the other visiting internationals finishing in the Top 10.

Americans Greg Zitterkops, W***y Simons and Gary DePillo showed speed early on the day to place in the opening All-star races behind Ellis and Dack, but later found the going tough in the longer races and roughening circuit.

Ellis won heat 1 over Vaughan Style (NSW, Honda) and Dack in second and third placings, respectively. With Dack winning heat 2 over Ellis, then finishing second to the American in heat 3, only 2 points separated the pair heading into the final.

In the final, Dack won the holeshot and looked on track to win after Ellis was stuck in the pack at the big jump at the end of the Cosy Creek circuit main straight. But Ellis stormed through the field.

Ellis made up ground quickly on the rest of the field, being the only rider to clear “Jim’s Jump” - the doubles opposite the main straight named after him, which he first accomplished in 1983.

Ellis was unable to catch Dack, but his hard fought second placing was enough to secure the Manjimup 15000 title by one point (1-2-1-2) over Dack (3-1-2-1).

Dack, would however, go onto win the Manjimup 15000 back-to-back in 1987 and 1988, then create history in 1990 to win the event in 1990 for the third time, after returning from racing in the 1989 World 250 Motocross Championships.

Public premiere of the Manjimup 15000 documentary today in Manjimup at 2pm.

View 2M video trailer – https://vimeo.com/1181737481/cbaca443e1?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

See Manjimup 15000 Chapter 1 - https://amxhistory.com.au/history-of-the-manjimup-15000-unleashing-the-event-in-the-1980s-chapter-1

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [Clockwise] 1986 Manjimup 15000 winner Jimmy Ellis (E, USA) on the Cosy Creek Manjimup start line, next to Glen Bell (B, NSW), W***y Simons (S, USA); Craig Dack (D, NSW) and Vaughan Style (V, NSW); Ellis at the awards ceremony; Glen Bell in action on his Marlboro Yamaha; Ellis coming out of the same corner; and Craig Dack preparing for a race (By Peter Kitchingman)

28/05/2026

MANJIMUP 15000 HISTORY FILM TO PREMIERE ON TRADITIONAL RACE DAY THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, 31 May 2026, the Power Up Electricity Museum will host the premiere of a brand-new documentary produced by Australian Motocross History, celebrating the remarkable story of the Manjimup 15000 and the Manjimup Motorcycle Club.

Originally planned to premiere during the 2026 Manjimup 15000 event itself, the documentary found a new venue following the unfortunate cancellation of Australia’s biggest annual outdoor motocross event. Dirt High Promotions made the difficult decision earlier this year amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding rider and team travel logistics linked to fuel supply issues.

The documentary takes viewers on a journey through four distinct eras of Australia’s most successful outdoor motocross event — from its groundbreaking beginnings in the 1980s through to the revival and modern era under Dirt High Promotions from 2009 onwards.

Packed with rare archival footage and hundreds of historic photographs — many courtesy of renowned Australian motocross photographer Peter Kitchingman — the film captures the unique atmosphere, characters and history that have made the Cosy Creek MX Circuit famous across Australia and around the world.

Central to the story are two key figures in the event’s history — Trevor Holm and Willie Thomson. Holm masterminded the inaugural Manjimup 15000 in 1980, named after its then ground-breaking $15,000 prizemoney, and helped elevate the event to international status.

Thomson later carried the torch into a new era from 2009 onwards, helping restore the event to prominence for a new generation of motocross fans.

A must-see for motocross enthusiasts, sporting historians and anyone passionate about Western Australian history.

Contact the Manjimup Visitors Centre on (08) 9771 1831, or email [email protected] to secure your tickets for Sunday’s session or register your interest for a future screening.

Watch the official trailer here:
https://vimeo.com/1181737481/cbaca443e1?share=copy&fl=sv...
Screening Details:
Sunday 31 May 2026
2:00pm
Power Up Electricity Museum, Manjimup
Tickets: $20 per person
Duration: 1 hour

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history - www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [Clockwise] Record three-time Manjimup 15000 winners - Craig Dack (NSW, 1987, 1988 & 1990) - By Peter Kitchingman; Todd Waters (QLD, 2013, 2016 & 2022); and Kirk Gibbs (SA, (2014, 2015 & 2017) – Courtesy Dirt High Promotions.

22/05/2026

REIGNING MR. MOTOCROSS GARY FLOOD WINS HIS HOME ROUND IN WALLAN

On this day, 50 years ago, reigning Mr, MX Gary Flood raced away with top points on his home track in Round 2 at Wallan in Victoria.

On 23 May 1976 the Wallan track lived up to its notorious reputation with only 10 riders finishing the round and only three of those riders accruing points from all four heats.

Competing on a Bultaco 250 up against the bigger bikes, Flood finished 2-1-1-3 to accumulate 57 points and move up into third place in the overall series.

Suzuki rider Geoff Worrell was third overall on the day (5-4-4-2) on 23 points with his consistent performances over the opening two rounds see him take the series lead om 71 points. Team mate Anthony Gunter was now one point behind him in second in the overall series on 70 points (4-DNF-3-6).

Another Suzuki rider, Victorian Steve Cramer won two races (1st and 4th) and finished second in the round on 30 points, despite not finishing the other races due to a crash and machine problems – moving up into the Top 10 overall.

Wallan was a disaster for many riders, including Stephen Gall and 1974 Mr. MX Trevor Flood on his modified Montessa, which let him down badly on the day.

Young Alan McCarthy’s works Suzuki stopped with plug trouble and he had no spare bike available. Discovering that under his contract he was supplied bikes, but no parts or mechanics, disappointed and homesick he gave up his contract and headed back home where he had the full support of Suzuki WA and his family.

Anthony Gunter won the opening round at Amaroo Park and Stephen Gall the final round at this venue, as well as winning round 4 in Clarendon, SA.

But Gunter went on to win his inaugural Mr. MX on 201 points ahead of Geoff Worrell (Suzuki, NSW, 182) and Gall (153) with Per Klitland, (Yamaha, NSW, 105) and Mike Landman (Yamaha, VIC, 90) rounding out the top 5.

See full report - https://amxhistory.com.au/mister-motocross-series-1976

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photo: 1974 Mr Motocross winner Gary Flood from Victoria in action on his Bultaco at Amaroo Park (NSW)

15/05/2026

TIVOLI BELONGS TO GALL AFTER SECOND STRAIGHT WINTERNATIONALS VICTORY OVER INTERNATIONAL RIVALS

On this weekend, 45 years ago, New South Wales rider Stephen Gall won back-to-back Winternationals at Tivoli in Queensland up against a star-studded international line-up.

Gall was the inaugural Golden Breed Winternationals champion in 1980. On 17 May 1981, the top motocross racers from all over Australia were competing against Kiwi Champion Gary Whittaker and Americans Donnie Hoover and Jim Ollie, with $3,500 prizemoney up for grabs.

The previous year American legend Bob “Hurricane” Hannah was contracted to contest the Winternationals, but unfortunately he suffered an injury and was unable to make it down under.

Three-times Mr Motocross Anthony Gunter (NSW) was unable to compete at Tivoli, out with injury, while Stewart McLachlan and Alex Kidas were overseas in Hong Kong, competing in the Asian Championships.

Gaythorne Yamaha rider Andrew Bailey shocked everyone by retiring from motocross only days before the event.

Riding a Yamaha 465, Gall held off a strong challenge from teenage riders Robert “Beetle” Bailey (NSW Suzuki) and Jeff Leisk (WA, Honda) to win the title with an unbeaten four-race maximum score.

More than 6,000 spectators were cheering on the Gall as he crossed the finish line to win Race 4, having only needed to finish fourth or higher to take out the $1,100 first prize, finishing ahead of Bailey and Leisk, respectively.

Only two points were separating them heading into the final race, with Bailey finishing second and Leisk in sixth after being caught in the mid pack from the start.

Third overall went to Ron Dinsdale (VIC, Honda) with New Zealand Maico rider Gary Whittaker in fourth. The Americans were no match for the Aussies at this meeting with Donnie Hoover’s best result being fifth place in race 2.

See story and race results: https://amxhistory.com.au/1981-winternationals-international-motocross-tivoli

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Rider album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1172676899520384&type=3

Photos: [Clockwise] 1981 Winternationals action at Tivoli, featuring Stephen Gall 1, Trevor Williams 2, Robert Bailey 17, Jeff Leisk 13, Vaughan Style 14, and David Armstrong 37 and more; overall 1981 winner Gall; American legend Bob “Hurricane” Hannah, who was contracted for the 1980 Winternationals but didn’t make it; Calvin Brewster and Alex Kidas in 125cc class; and Gall leading the pack in 1980.

12/05/2026

SMYTHE EDGES OUT GRANQVIST TO CLAIM MR. MOTOCROSS OPENER AT BROADFORD

On this day, 47 years ago, WA rider Graeme Smythe got his 1979 campaign off to a great start winning the opening round of the Mister Motocross (Mr. MX) series at Broadford in Victoria – tying on points with Swedish expatriate Pelle Granquist on a Husqvarna, who was the reigning Australian 500cc and 250cc champion.

But Smythe was declared the winner on a countback on Sunday, 13 May 1979 with the faster times and was on 50 points, together with Granquist, with South Australian Steve Rowlands (Honda) on 39 points in third.

Reigning Mr. MX Stephen Gall was fourth on 23 points and Gunter started the series with a dismal display to finish in fifth (18) ahead of Mark Hill (VIC, Suzuki) on 15 points. Four starts, four crashes and only 21 points to his credit left Gunter in bad shape with little chance of winning his third Mr Motocross crown.

With Gall winning round 2 at Tivoli in Queensland and Gunter round 3 at Clarendon in South Australia, the fourth and final round at Amaroo Park turned out to be another memorable Mr. MX finish, with Graeme Smythe, Gall , Gunter and Granqvist all with a strong chance of winning the series.

Smythe led the series right up to the final round at Amaroo Park with Gall in second. Thirteen points behind Smythe going into the final round, Gunter knew that to win the series he had the almost impossible task of needing four straight wins, which he did!

In a thrilling final in front of 8,000 people, Gunter lined up on a works Suzuki RM400, which he secured just 4 days before the race from Neville Cutt’s Suzuki team in the West. Gunter convincingly won all four races and won the Mr. MX title for the third time to etch his name in the history books and take home $5,000 in prizemoney. He finished on 171 points, just 5 points ahead of Smythe and Gall who tied for second place (166).

It must have been a bitter pill to swallow for both Smythe and Gall, who ended up finishing equal second to miss out on the series by just 5 points in the very last race of the series!

See full report 1979 Mr. MX series – https://amxhistory.com.au/mister-motocross-series-1979

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: Graeme Smythe (WA, Yamaha 400) – Round 1 winner at the opening Mr. MX round for 1979 at Broadford in Victoria on equal points with Pelle Granqvist (Sweden, Husqvarna).

05/05/2026

BREAKING LOOSE: UNLEASHING THE MANJIMUP 15000 AND LEISK'S RISE IN THE 1980s

Extract from Magic Manjimup 15000 documentary: 40 years history in one hour

Local WA hero Jeff Leisk was just a teenager when he burst onto the scene at the inaugural Manjimup 15000 on Sunday, 1 June 1980 — the beginning of a legend, and an event that would change Australian motocross forever.

Hosted by the Manjimup Motor Cycle Club, the race offered a staggering $15,000 prize purse — the richest in the nation — and drew more than 5,000 spectators, growing to crowds of 10,000 throughout the decade.

At just 16, Leisk lined up against an international field. The first event was won by Roger Harvey from the United Kingdom , alongside top American riders Russ Darnell, Dave Haugh and Joe Seubert. But it was clear — a new star was rising.

Despite a clash with the eastern states’ Mister Motocross series, Western Australia’s lineup was stacked: featuring national champions Neville Cutts (from Manjmup), Shane Kirkpatrick, Graeme Smythe — and Leisk, already a World Junior Mini-bike Champion.

The racing was brutal: three long motos inspired by the World Motocross Championship format, pushing riders to their absolute limits. By 1983, the format evolved into a faster, more spectator-friendly showdown — shorter races, more action, with the final moto featuring the majority of the prizemoney. The result? Pure magic.

Manjimup became a Foundation Day long-weekend tradition at Cosy Creek, attracting the world’s best and cementing its place in motocross history.

Leisk would go on to become the event’s first double winner, taking back-to-back victories in 1984 and 1985 before heading to the United States.

Alongside names like Darryl Willoughby, Jimmy Ellis and Craig Dack, the legend of the Manjimup 15000 only grew.

By 1988 — Australia’s Bicentenary year — the stakes hit new heights, with a record $33,000 prize purse, as Dack claimed back-to-back victories and the event reached its peak. This is the story of how it all began.

🎬 Coming soon — the Manjimup 15000 documentary.
View 2M trailer – https://vimeo.com/1181737481/cbaca443e1?share=copy&fl=sv...

Each week leading up to the premiere of the Magic Manjimup 15000 documentary at the Manjimup Visitor’s Centre on 31 May 2026, AMX History will release a new chapter on its website and stories from the documentary, taking viewers through the various eras of the event.

See Chapter 1 - https://amxhistory.com.au/history-of-the-manjimup-15000...

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history - www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: [Main] Jeff Leisk competed in the Manjimup 15000 from the inaugural event in1980 to 1985 when he moved to the USA, einning back-to-back events in 1984 and 1985. [Insert - left to right] More than 5,000 spectators attended the inaugural Manjimup 15000 in 1980; the 1980 startline featuring the winner Roger Harvey from the UK; the Cosy Creek clubrooms and timing tower; and first lap action in 1980 – By Peter Kitchingman

01/05/2026

GALL'S 1982 MR. MOTOCROSS TITLE DEFENCE UNDER WAY WITH BIG WIN AT BROADFORD

On this weekend 44 years ago, reigning Mister Motocross (Mr. MX) champion Stephen Gall blitzed the opposition on his Yamaha YZ490 in the opening round of the 1982 series at Broadford in Victoria.

With three Mr. MX titles under his belt on Sunday, 2 May 1982 Gall looked on track to retain his title and win for a record fourth time.
Throughout the round, Gall dropped just one win to South Australian Pitman Yamaha rider Darryl Willoughby – out of the four heats contested.

Young Victorian Suzuki rider Ray Vandenberg emerged at the Broadford round as a future star after finishing the day in fourth place with 28 points. The circuit continued to be a voodoo track for Anthony Gunter, after his four starts resulted in four DNFs.

Gall’s new Toshiba Yamaha teammate Jeff Leisk trailed in fifth place – 31 points of the lead, but would challenge Gall for the series lead after his two wins and two seconds saw him shoot up the points table to be just 15 points behind him after round 2 at Tivoli in Queensland on 6 June.

Darryl Willoughby took out the third round at Amaroo Park in New South Wales, to overtake Leisk for second overall in the series with Gall clinching a record fourth title with wins in 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1982.

Final points for the series were Gall (179 points), Darryl Willoughby (173), Leisk (168) with Vaughan Style (NSW, Honda, 97) in fourth and Robert Bailey (NSW, Suzuki, 86) in fifth.

See full report – https://amxhistory.com.au/mister-motocross-series-1982

Rider Album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1172676899520384&type=3

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history. www.amxhistory.com.au

Photo: Broadford Round 1 winner Stephen Gall being interviewed by journalist Neil Crompton, on track to create history and win four Mr. MX titles in 1982.

24/04/2026

COSY CREEK CALLING: WHEN THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL AND TOP STATE MOTOCROSS STARS FIRST CAME TO MANJIMUP IN THE ’70S

Extract from Magic Manjimup 15000 documentary: 40 years history in one hour

Long before the Manjimup 15000 exploded onto the world stage in 1980, the Manjimup Motor Cycle Club was already leading the charge — at State, national and international level.

On 5 September 1971, Manjimup hosted its first major international event: Round Two of the Australian International Motocross Series. Run in collaboration with the Auto Cycle Council of Australia and State bodies, the series followed the bold international format pioneered by the late Tim Gibbes.

The opening round, staged a week earlier at Herne Hill by the AJS Motorcycle Club, had drawn massive attention — filmed live by Channel 7 and watched across the country. The riders were world-class. Jim Aird from Scotland, Randy and Rowley Owen from England and New Zealand champion Ivan Miller.

The official Australian team consisted of national champion Gary Flood from Victoria, Laurie Alderton from New South Wales and Ritchie Kings from Western Australia.

Across the first two rounds, the results were almost identical. Aird and Miller went head-to-head, trading victories and taking their rivalry all the way to the final round at Tivoli in Queensland. In the end, Miller claimed the series on a countback — tied with Aird on 44 points.

Victoria’s Gary Flood was the first Australian home, ahead of West Australian Graeme Smythe. Local WA riders Philip Bruce, Richie Kings, Alan Reid, Doug Underwood and Laurie Johnson also finished in the points. The championship then rolled on through Mount Lofty in South Australia, Christmas Hills in Victoria and
Mount Kembla in New South Wales.

Just three years later, in 1974, Gary Flood returned to Cosy Creek with his brother Trevor — and together they dominated the Australian Motocross Championships.

Graeme Smythe from Kalgoorlie was the best performing WA rider finishing second and third respectively in the 500 and Unlimited classes.

The event, which coincided with the club’s silver anniversary, was a big success and followed two unsuccessful bids to host the National titles in 1962 and 1968, which were allocated respectively to two WA circuits - the Rope Works in Mosman Park and neighbouring town Collie.

From that moment on, Cosy Creek was no longer just a local circuit. It was a stage, a stage that would host more State Championships, Australian Championship rounds and international events.

In 1992, history was made — when the Motocross of Nations was held at Manjimup for the first time ever outside the Northern Hemisphere. Then in 1993, Manjimup hosted a round of the World 125cc Motocross Championship.

Each week leading up to the premiere of the Magic Manjimup 15000 documentary at the Manjimup Visitor’s Centre on 31 May 2026, AMX History will release a new chapter on its website and stories from the documentary, taking viewers through the various eras of the event.

See introduction - https://amxhistory.com.au/manjimup-15000-past-winners

View 2M trailer – https://vimeo.com/1181737481/cbaca443e1?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

AMX HISTORY in assoc. with HOLDEN ON TIGHT, preserving Australian motocross history - www.amxhistory.com.au

Photos: In 1971 and 1974, the Manjimup Motor Cycle Club hosted a round of the International Motocross series and National motocross championships at Cosy Creek; Graeme Smythe [top] from Kalgoorlie competed in both events; and Scotland’s Jim Aird tied with Ivan Miler (NZ) at both the opening rounds at Herne Hill and Manjimup.

Australian Motocross History website

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