“Come Fly with Byrd”

Thursday afternoon we arrived in Darwin and were greeted by Stoney and the Darwin heat. Rocked up to Stoney’s joint and shown our air conditioned rooms, we didn’t want to come out, but we did and made our way to the Top End Motorcycle Club where the man himself , Joe Byrd, was conducting a school for about 14 riders wanting to improve there skills.

We took pleasure in watching these riders enjoy their two days of fun and torture. Push ups were the order of the two days and Joe handed out heaps of them.  While the riders had their own bikes, Joe had borrowed Stoney’s Honda 700. Big table tops, no problems. This man can ride. It’s no wonder he is one of the States top riders, and he’s here in Australia to race. For those who didn’t come, you missed out big time!
We got to talk and hang out with Joe at the track and that evening at a barbecue. Talked about racing and what ever else came up. He was great! Not a big shot like some would think, just very approachable.

Saturday was Race Day. No getting up with the sparrows here. 7.00am rise, in the car and head for the track. Riders meeting happened about 9.00am then came practice. Surprisingly, only two laps of practice for all classes which meant one lap under yellow and one lap caning it. The Pro Quads were given a second practice of two quick laps. On the 1^st lap of practice Ryan Lancaster broke a swing arm. Craig, Bundy and I started to remove the swing arm and fit it to the spare bike which didn’t make it through the 2^nd practice. With that done, we also changed the axle over. It’s bad enough working on the bike, but in Darwin, it’s a whole lot worse. Luckily all three of us are in shape and fit. Lesser beings wouldn’t have faired so well.

There were all classes in both quads and two wheelers on the day with all classes running three rounds, but I was here for the Pro Quads and to watch Joe Byrd.

Race 1:   With all entrant drawing pegs for the 1^st round to get gate selection, Byrd was about the 4^th rider to pull a peg, and you wouldn’t believe it when he pulls out No.7.  The 30 sec board was held up and we pulled our umbrella down leaving the riders in the direct heat of the Darwin sun. Many nervous riders on the line, ready to have a race with a real Pro rider. What was going through their minds? What ever it may have been soon disappeared as the 5 sec board was turned. The gates dropped and they were off with Byrd leading the way through the first corner. Ryan Lancaster faired the best after Joe. It didn’t take long for Byrd to start checking out with an impressive display of riding. No one expected anything else from this man, it’s his job. Chris Brenton didn’t take too long to catch Lancaster, but things weren’t going right for these two. Lancaster picked up a rear flat on lap three and Brenton’s bike was running and sounding like a dog. Mitchell Van Vliet from Vic was enjoying his own tussle with local rider Blake Waldman. After 10 laps Byrd finished just short of 30 sec in front of Lancaster and Brenton who were about 30 secs in front of Van Vliet then Waldman.

Race 2:    I’m sure the riders thought it would be different this time. Brenton had his ride running well and Lancaster had new tyres on, yet out of the 1^st corner it was Byrd again. Lancaster 2^nd and after pulling a bit of a wheelie from the start, Brenton 3^rd. Byrd checked out again as expected and Brenton was on Lancaster’s tail. Lap three saw Lancaster do the step on step off and gain time, Brenton’s attempt saw him come off. He looked a treat chasing his bike, but it didn’t want to start. By the time he had a push he was a lap down. He chased down Van Vliet over the next three laps and passed him at the end of the back straight only to see Van Vliet cut back and pass Brenton. I’m sure Van Vliet won’t forget that pass for a long time. By the next jump Brenton was passed, but it still left him a lap down which meant Van Vliet was 3^rd behind Byrd and Lancaster. Waldman and Matt Stone were 4^th and 5^th. Brenton finished a lap down in 6^th.

Race 3:    You guessed it, Byrd out of the 1^st corner with Lancaster right there with him to the second corner. Brenton was not liking the concrete starts but he was still there and took advantage when Lancaster over cooked the corner before the back straight as did Van Vliet and Stone. Lancaster made the ground to get back to 3^rd but was unable to make ground on Brenton who had finally conquered the step on step off. Positions stayed that way with Byrd 1^st, 25 secs ahead of Brenton and Lancaster 15secs behind. Van Vliet and Stone a lap down in 4^th and 5^th.

This event wasn’t about winning; it was the opportunity to pit yourself against one of the best in the world. Those who came had the best days racing ever. Joe Byrd, what can I say, he was awesome and a great bloke. He had hats and shirt for sale. Signed anything you brought up to him and when I asked him how much to buy one of his race jerseys signed for our Matt Batista Charity Event, he said, heck, I’ll give you one. At tea that night he gave me a race jersey, hat, Tee shirt and several posters all signed. Just hope he comes back next year and I would encourage everyone to get there.

Auction for the Jersey/ Hat and T Shirt will be held at the Presentation Dinner for the Nationals in Smithton.

Lance Brenton