New South Wales Suzuki rider Anthony Gunter was the rider to beat at the 1977 Australian Motocross Championships at Acusa Park, Adelaide in South Australia – winning back-to-back Mr Motocross titles in 1976-77.

After mechanical problems let him down at the 1976 Australian Championships at Tivoli (QLD) on 16 October 1977, Gunter finally secured his first Australian titles – winning both the 250cc and Unlimited titles.

Motocross in Australia boomed during the late 1970s due largely to the breakthrough in technology with the release of the lightweight Japanese two-stroke machines and Suzuki promotional tours down under, following Belgium rider Gaston Rahier’s World Championship wins.

The Mr. Motocross series really blossomed in 1977 with good backing, a big budget and inclusion of New Zealand. 1977 was also the first year in which Hang 10 sponsored the Australian championships – with qualifiers and in some cases, State championships too.

Gunter won his first National title in the 250cc class at Acusa Park – winning both legs in easy fashion, after disposing of Mark Pace (NSW, Honda) and Stephen Gall (NSW, Yamaha), he saved his best ride of the year to win the Unlimited title too.

After leading the first race from Ivan Miller, Geoff Ballard, Hans Applegren, Graeme Smythe, Stephen Gall, Mike Landman, Stephen Dinsdale and Dave Fulston, he had a flat rear tyre at the half way mark. He didn’t pull out however, he just kept on riding at a slightly reduced pace.

Gunter’s determination gave him third place, and in the second leg he won by a considerable margin, winning the Unlimited class overall ahead of New Zealand legend Ivan Miller (NZ, Suzuki) and Graeme Smythe (WA, Yamaha).

Smythe, who switched to a YZ400 after a disappointing year on Kawasaki, capped off a great meeting winning the 500cc title ahead of David Fulston (SA, Husqvarna) and Jack Pengelly (VIC, Maico).