New Zealand rider Ivan Miller

won both the 500cc and Unlimited titles on a Husqvarna at the 1971 Australian Motocross Championships in Clarendon, SA in front of over 10,000 people becoming the first International rider to win an Australian Title.

During that era an International series was running across Australia and New Zealand and the visiting riders discovered that their air fares could be easily recouped if they chose the right meetings. So that year they arrived in Australia early for the Australian titles at Clarendon.

The 1971/72 International tour was headed by Jim Aird (Scotland), Randy Owen (England) and Ivan Miller. Scottish ace Aird was favorite to win, but he had machine problems in the qualifying heats and was eventually sidelined in a crash in the reperchage, the last chance race to win a place in the final.

The internationals were on borrowed machines, (mainly Husqvarnas) and filled the major placings with Miller winning the two prestigious Senior titles and Randy Owen getting three placings. 

Owen finished second in the 125cc class behind South Australian rider Dave Basham and second and third respectively in the 500 and Unlimited classes, with Gary Flood finishing second in the Unlimited class and third in the 500s.

Basham was the best performed of the local riders, taking out two titles on his Frasers CZ machines – both the 125cc and 250cc classes.  He would almost certainly have equalled Gary Flood’s clean sweep in 1969 had it not been for the visiting troupe, which included Gary Flood (VIC) and Laurie Alderton NSW) who were the best of the Australian regulars in all solo classes.