Australian Motocross Championships Noble Falls
5-6 October 1985, hosted by the BSA Motorcycle club
Photos: [Left – L-R] 1985 Australian 250cc Championship presentation – Craig Dack (2), Jimmy Ellis (1) and Glen Bell (3); [Centre] Ellis on his way to winning the 125cc title at the Noble Falls circuit in Western Australia; and [right] Ellis before the 500cc race on the Sunday (All photos by Peter Kitchingman)
American expatriate Jimmy Ellis dominates the 1985 Australian Motocross Championships
On 5-6 October 1985, American expatriate Jimmy Ellis dominated the Australian Motocross Championships at Noble Falls.
With Jeff Leisk unable to compete at his home circuit after injuring his back at the Motocross des Nations in Gaildorf three weeks earlier in Germany and Stephen Gall unable to race due to other interstate motorcycle commitments, Jimmy Ellis comfortably won both the 125cc and 250cc classes on a Yamaha.
Ellis did, however, face tough competition from fellow Yamaha riders Craig Dack (NSW) and Glen Bell (NSW), who both finished second and third, respectively, in the 125 and 250cc classes.
In fact, Ellis could have easily won all classes over the 5-6 October 1985 weekend as he was leading a moto in the 500cc class until his chain came off.
Victorian Kawasaki rider Trevor Williams (Kawasaki) went on to win the 500cc class ahead of James Deakin (QLD, Yamaha) and David Armstrong (QLD, Honda), clinching his third Australian 500cc title.
The 1985 Australian Championships in Western Australia will long be remembered for the heroic feats of Darren Williams and Mark Kendle in the two sidecar classes.
The pair became the first sidecar team to successfully and consistently jump the double jumps on the Noble Falls circuit, thrilling the large crowd.
Click above to contribute results or content to the Australian Motocross History website, or email:
amxhistory@outlook.com
SUBSCRIBE HERE
To receive FREE Australian Motocross Championship list updates, eNews and new video releases.
Williams and Kendle put on a spectacular show in the sidecars
Newly crowned Australian 1000cc Sidecar champions Darren Williams and Mark Kendle
Darren Williams, the son of legendary sidecar ace Murray Williams, broke through in 1985 to win his first Australian Championship.
With Mark Kendle in the chair, the South Australians won the Unlimited Sidecar class on a home-built Honda lightweight machine ahead of Walter Preisig – Don Stewart (VIC, Wasp) and Bernard Mueller – Robert Duke (VIC, Honda Wasp).
Williams-Kendle, the day before on the Saturday, finished third in the 500cc Sidecar class behind Brian Stewart – Kim Demarte (VIC, Kawasaki EML) and David Wells – Simon Chapman (SA, Honda JRS).
Stewart crashed out in the 1000cc class unsuccessfully attempting the same double jumps that Williams mastered over the weekend.
Race day videos
1M Trailer – Channel 9 Australian Motocross Championships coverage, featuring 250cc Champion Jimmy Ellis (USA)
Channel 9 Australian Motocross Championships coverage highlights of solo and sidecar racing
Darren Williams and Mark Kendle (SA/NT) Australian 1000cc Sidecar Champions jumping the double jumps
Photo gallery
Photos by Peter Kitchingman
Craig Dack (NSW) was the runner-up Australian 125cc and 250cc Champion, behind Ellis
David Armstong (QLD Honda) finished third in the 500cc class
James Deakin (QLD Yamaha) finished second in the 500cc class
500cc presentation ceremony [L-R] James Deakin (QLD, Yamaha), Trevor Williams (VIC, Kawasaki) and David Armstrong (QLD, Honda).
1000cc Sidecar presentation ceremony [L-R] Don Stewart-Walter Preisig, Darrem Williams-Mark Kendle and Bernard Mueller-Robert Duke
[Left] 500cc Sidecar presentation ceremony [L-R] David Wells-Simon Chapman, Brian Stewart-Kim Demarte and Darren Williams-Mark Kendle.
Sidecar photo gallery
Photos by Alison Kerr-Little
Darren Williams and Mark Kendle (SA/NT) Australian 1000cc Sidecar Champions jumping the double jumps. Note: Photographer Peter Kitchingman in the foreground.
1985 Australian Motocross Championship Results
125cc
1 Jimmy Ellis (USA, Yamaha)
2 Craig Dack (NSW, Yamaha)
3 Glen Bell (NSW, Yamaha)
250cc
1 Jimmy Ellis (USA, Yamaha)
2 Craig Dack (NSW, Yamaha)
3 Glen Bell (NSW, Yamaha)
500cc
1 Trevor Williams (VIC, Kawasaki)
2 James Deakin (QLD, Yamaha)
3 David Armstrong (QLD, Honda)
500cc Sidecars
1 Brian Stewart – Kim Demarte (VIC, Kawasaki EML)
2 David Wells – Simon Chapman (SA, Honda JRS)
3 Darren Williams (SA) – Mark Kendall (NT, Honda)
1000cc Sidecars
1 Darren Williams (SA) – Mark Kendall (NT) Honda
2 Walter Preisig – Don Stewart (VIC, Wasp)
3 Bernard Mueller – Robert Duke (VIC, Honda Wasp)
