1981 Winternationals Motocross event at Tivoli
Photos: [Above] 1981 Winternationals action, featuring Stephen Gall 1, Trevor Williams 2, Robert Bailey 17, Jeff Leisk 13, Vaughan Style 14, and David Armstrong 37; [top right] Overall undefeated winner Gall (NSW, Yamaha); and [bottom right] Gall winning the event in 1980 (Still shot by Peter Kitchingman and 1980 WInternational by Peter Fischmann)
Gall beats top Aussies and internationals at 1981 Winternationals at Tivoli, Queensland
On 17 May 1981, 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, event promoter Blair Shepherd contracted American legend Bob “Hurricane” Hannah 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.
US legend Bob Hannah didn't make it down under
For the 1980 Winternationals, promoter Blair Shepherd from Stadium MX Promotions had planned to bring out US motocross legend Bob Hannah to Australia to compete, but unfortunately he was injured and never ever made it down under.
In 1979, when Hannah was at the height of his career, he broke his leg in 12 places in a water-skiing accident in August that left him sidelined for a little more than a year.
Doctors initially told Hannah he would never be able to race again and he was forced to sit out the entire 1980 Supercross and outdoor series while recuperating. But Hannah proved them wrong and returned to motocross in September 1980 at Silver Sands Cycle Park in Anderson, South Carolina where he finished on the podium.
Left – 1980 Winternationals Program featuring American Legend Bob “Hurricane” Hannah to race down under
1981 Winternationals Results
Race 1
1. Stephen Gall (NSW, Yamaha)
2. Robert Bailey (NSW, Suzuki)
3. Jeff Leisk (WA, Honda)
Race 2
1. Stephen Gall (NSW, Yamaha)
2. Jeff Leisk (WA, Honda)
3. Robert Bailey (NSW, Suzuki)
Race 3
1. Stephen Gall (NSW, Yamaha)
2. Robert Bailey (NSW, Suzuki)
3. Jeff Leisk (WA, Honda)
Race 4
1. Stephen Gall (NSW, Yamaha)
2. Robert Bailey (NSW, Suzuki)
3. Gary Whittaker (NZ, Maico)
Overall Placings
1. Stephen Gall (NSW, Yamaha)
2. Robert Bailey (NSW, Suzuki)
3. Jeff Leisk (WA, Honda)
