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Australian Motocross Championships Wallan
3 September 1972, wallan - victoria
Photos: [Clockwise] Victorian Bultaco team mates Trevor Flood and Gary Adams 1-2 in the Australian 250cc Motocross Championship at Wallan in their homestate with newly crowned National 125cc Champion Pugsley Lancaster crashing out behind them: the Unlimited Champion Gary Adams on his Bultaco; and Jim Scaysbrook on his 125 KTM – Jim Scaysbrook Collection
Adams and Flood dominate the Australian Motocross titles at Wallan
Victorian star Gary Adams claimed the prestigious Unlimited class and the Duke of Edinburgh Trophy at the 1972 Australian Motocross Championships, held at Wallan in his home state on 3 September.
The former National 250cc Champion rode his Bultaco 250 to victory in a gruelling 20-lap encounter, overcoming early race drama and fierce competition. Initial leader and teammate Trevor Flood (Bultaco 325) set a blistering pace before withdrawing on lap four, exhausted after contesting multiple classes earlier in the day.
Western Australia’s Graeme Smythe (CZ 381) inherited the lead and controlled the race through the opening half. Adams, however, steadily charged through the field. Despite battling loose handlebars, he reeled in the tiring Smythe at mid-distance, seized the lead and powered to a memorable victory. New Zealand’s Brian Martin (Maico 400) completed the podium in third.
TREVOR FLOOD'S BOLD CLEAN SWEEP BID
The 1972 Nationals were also defined by Trevor Flood’s ambitious attempt to win all four solo Australian titles at Wallan — a feat his brother Gary would earlier achieve in Tasmania in 1969.
Regarded as one of the most naturally gifted riders ever to compete in Australia, Trevor Flood came tantalisingly close to making a clean sweep. He dominated the 250cc and 500cc classes but was denied the wins in the Unlimited and 125cc divisions.
With the 125cc class looking like an easy class to win for him, Trevor overlooked the preparation of his Pursang 125 Bultaco. After taking an early lead he appeared set for a comfortable win. However, insufficient preparation of his bike proved costly. Bottoming the forks while attempting to land a jump, he was pitched over the handlebars and unable to remount.
Fellow Victorian Ed Lancaster, riding the newly arrived 21bhp Montesa Cappra 125, capitalised on the opportunity. He wore down early leader Geoff Taylor (Yamaha) to take victory, while Steve Cramer (Sachs-powered KTM) passed Taylor late in the race to secure second.
Flood was supreme in the 250cc class. After an early duel with Lancaster — which ended when Lancaster crashed in similar fashion to Flood’s 125cc fall — Flood pulled away to a commanding win.
Gary Adams completed a Bultaco 1–2, ahead of Dave Basham (SA, CZ) and Victorians John Walmsley (Maico), Karl Morland (CZ) and Dennis Curran (Bultaco).
The 500cc title was similarly decisive. Flood’s main challengers were Terry Gunter (NSW, Greeves Griffon) and visiting Dane Per Klitland (Maico).
Flood quickly established control and stretched his advantage. Mechanical misfortune struck behind him — Gunter’s engine faltered and Klitland’s Maico shattered a front brake backing plate, locking the wheel. Gunter held on for second ahead of Mick Nicol (Husqvarna) and Graeme Smythe (CZ), who recovered from a poor start.
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Photo: 1972 Australian Motocross Champion in the 250 and 500cc classes – Trevor Flood on his Bultaco at Wallan in Victoria (Jim Scaysbrook Collection)
Photos from the podium presentations at Wallan
Photos: [Left to right] The Unllmited podium at the 1972 Australian Motocross Championships in Wallan – Gary Adams (1st), Graeme Smythe (WA, 2nd left) and Brian Martin (NZ, 3rd right); the 350cc class – Trevor Flood 1st, Gary Adams (2nd ,left) and David Basham (3rd, right); and the 125 winners Edward Lancaster (VIC), Steve Cramer (VIC, 2nd left) and Geoff Taylor (VIC, 3rd right) – Jim Scaysbrook Collection
Dual sidecar winners at the 1972 Australian Motocross Championships in Wallan – South Australians Murray Williams and Wayne Kearvall (Yamaha)
More sidecar titles for Williams and an early retirement call
In the sidecar competition, South Australian ace Murray Williams — partnered by Wayne Kearvell aboard their Yamaha outfit — secured his second Junior/Senior double at the Nationals, then announced his retirement.
But as history would show, that retirement proved temporary, with Williams returning to claim further titles in the years that followed.
1972 Australian Motocross Championship Results
125cc
1. Edward Lancaster (VIC, Montesa)
2. Steve Cramer (VIC, K.T.M.)
3. Geoff Taylor (VIC, Yamaha)
250cc
1. Trevor Flood (VIC, Bultaco)
2. Gary Adams (VIC, Bultaco)
3. David Basham (SA, C.Z.)
500cc
1. Trevor Flood (VIC, Bultaco)
2. Terry Gunter (NSW, Greeves)
3. Michael Nicol (VIC, Husqvarna)
Unlimited
1. Gary Adams (VIC, Bultaco)
2. Graeme Smythe (WA, C.Z.)
3. Brian Martin (NZ, Maico)
Junior Sidecars
1. Murray Williams – Wayne Kearvell (SA, Yamaha)
2. Darryl Bergmeier – Ian Awty (VIC, Wasp)
3. Barry Buckley – Randy Harris (SA, Jawa)
Unlimited Sidecars
1. Murray Williams – Wayne Kearvell (SA, Yamaha)
2. Stephen Smith – Jim Colligan (VIC, J.A.P)
3. Barry Buckley – Randy Harris (SA, Jawa)
