South West Life

This article was written by Nicki Shea-Howell.

Western Australia, and indeed, Australia’s most prestigious mx event is back on the motorcycling calendar with a vengeance.   Western Australia’s biggest, the Manjimup 15 000 shone, and the weather gods smiled down upon the Cosy Creek MX Circuit, with weather conditions perfect for racing on Sunday June 6th.

The 30th anniversary of the event lived up to all the media hype and expectations with big name UK riders Brad Anderson, Billy Mackenzie and Bryan McKenzie having fantastic battles with the likes of local heroes, Louis Calvin, Dean Porter, Paul Humbertson and Michael Addison.

The crowds lined the Manjimup circuit and the hills of Manjimup were alive with the big 450’s and their 250 counterparts with battles throughout the day in the support classes. However the main attraction was the all stars races throughout the day.  

Moto one saw Brad Anderson with a fantastic holeshot, Louis Calvin was hot on his heels, with the fastest lap time for the moto, with Paul Humbertson jumping up into fourth.  Shocking starts for Porter and Addison, great riding from Chris Errey on the KTM saw him settle into fourth, however the flying scot Billy Mackenzie jumped up into third after a great battle with Paul Humbertson.  Pit board messages were fast and furious out to the riders from the sidelines, as riders cleared the historic Monster Energy Jim’s Jump and flew up Rock and Rock Hill towards the VIP area with a succession of magnificent whips.  

With only two laps remaining Porter was out of the event.  Calvin was putting immense pressure on Anderson before an off track excursion saw the Mandurah City KTM rider lose valuable ground on the first place rider of Brad Anderson, which allowed the lurking third place rider Billy Mackenzie a sniff on the second place.  With pressure on Calvin, Anderson gained significant breathing space out in front on the last lap. 

As the checkered flag came out it was Brad Anderson in first for moto one of the all-stars with second to Louis Calvin, third to Billy Mackenzie, Paul Humbertson, Chris Errey with Michael Addison in sixth place on board the Honda 450 supplied to him by local rider Blair Emery.

Moto 2 for the All-stars saw the increasing spectator numbers up to ten deep along the straight area as Billy McKenzie got a great start on the 211 Kawasaki, with Bryan Mackenzie up in second before a flat tyre saw him working his way back through the field, still circulating hoping to get as many points as possible. This allowed Louis Calvin to jump up into second while Brad Anderson and Dean Porter had a great battle throughout.  Shane Murray on the number 6 bike had a big crash over the finish line which saw him lose critical placings.  Brad Anderson opened the throttle and moved up into third and the checkered flag came out to greet Billy McKenzie, Louis Calvin in second, Brad Anderson in third, Dean Porter in forth, Michael Addison in fifth.

Moto 3 was the elimination race.  It seemed that every possible vantage point was taken advantage of for the elimination race: a four lap race, with the finish order halved on each lap to see the best of the best settle in for the final lap.  It was a battle royale. The first elimination lap saw Billy Mackenzie first, Anderson second, Calvin third, Brodie Black fourth and Chris Errey in fifth. The second elimination lap then saw Billy McKenzie first, Louis Calvin second, Dean Porter third, Brad Anderson fourth and Paul Humbertson in fifth.  The third lap saw Billy Mackenzie again dominate with Brad Anderson in second, Louis Calvin in third, Dean Porter Fourth and Michael Addison in fifth.  

It was an epic final lap, Billy Mackenzie jumped out of the gates in blistering fashion with Brad Anderson pushing Calvin wide over Monster Energy Drinks Jim’s Jump to grab an early lead with Mackenzie all over the back of Anderson in second place.  It was a UK one and two as they headed up to Rock and Rock Hill in fine style.  Down into the now known “Moss Pit”, the name of where Matt Moss came to grief in 2009 in the very same race, buckling his front wheel in spectacular fashion crashing out of the vent. But that was 2009 and this is 2010, and we had one hell of a brilliant race to watch unfold.

Up towards the VIP area then down to the heavily rutted sand section, Anderson took the lead from Mackenzie, however heading into the tough right hander, Anderson Crashed out taking Mackenzie out in the process.  The crowd were on their feet, in was a West Aussie one and two, Calvin up into first, Porter into second as they headed off through the tough sand section.  Dean Porter had a mishap in the excitement and went off the track picking up a third place with Michael Addison seizing the opportunity to jump into second. Manjimup put on a show WA first second and third in the final of the elimination series of laps.

Moto 4 for the All-stars Bryan Mackenzie got a great hole shot, cousin Billy Mackenzie jumped into second; however Jake Watling and Brodie Black both got a great starts before being swallowed up by the field which saw Calvin pushed into fourth place and Porter into 9th.  The sandy section was taking its toll on the riders and by moto end it was Billy Mackenzie out in first, Louis Calvin in second and Brad Anderson into third place, Bryan Mackenzie in fourth and Paul Humbertson in fifth.

The fifth and final All-stars moto was without Bryan Mackenzie after bike difficulties in the previous race; Billy Mackenzie again stamped his domination over the entire day’s event with an emphatic victory over the 2009 UK champion Brad Anderson with Louis Calvin in third place.  The winners in the inaugural Manjimup Cup were the three UK riders of Bryan and Billy Mackenzie and Brad Anderson, with  the Australian riders, Louis Calvin, Michael Addison and Paul Humbertson the top three Australian riders.

The 2010 Manjimup 15,000 will go down in history as the best by far, the amazing action of the three UK riders, under pressure with the local WA talents of Louis Calvin, Paul Humbertson, Michael Addison and Dean Porter.

Congratulations to the entire Dirt High Promotions team, it was an event to remember, and, with all three UK riders promising to return, what will be in store for the 31st Manjimup 15,000 in 2011?  Book the accommodation now folks and don’t miss a minute of the action and the opportunity of a lifetime to the see Australia’s best battle it out with the top international names for the Manjimup 15,000.