Australian Motocross History website

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.