Although the event was an instant success, high costs and logistical challenges meant it did not return until 1983. When it did, it delivered one of the most memorable chapters in Australian motocross.

South Australian Darryl Willoughby claimed overall honours in 1983, but it was American expatriate Jim Ellis who electrified the crowd. Launching an astonishing 30 metres over the doubles, Ellis became a fan favourite — and inspired the legendary “Jim’s Jump,” a name that remains part of Manjimup folklore.

The mid-1980s cemented the event’s growing prestige. Jeff Leisk secured back-to-back wins in 1984 and 1985, before Jim Ellis broke through for a popular victory in 1986.

New South Wales champion Craig Dack then dominated, winning consecutive events in 1987 and 1988. The 1988 race, held during Australia’s Bicentenary celebrations, raised the stakes even higher with a record $33,000 prize pool and a truly international field.

By 1989, the Manjimup 15000 had become one of the premier motocross events in the country, attracting a record 256 entries and competitors from across the globe. That year, Australian great Glen Bell took the win.

In 1990, Craig Dack returned from international competition to secure his third Manjimup 15000 victory, becoming the first rider to achieve the milestone and cementing his place in event history.

The Manjimup 15000 of the 1980s laid the foundation for one of Australia’s most iconic motocross events — delivering unforgettable racing, international competition, and moments that still live on today.

In the early 1990s, the international status of the Manjimup 15000 helped Australia bring the 1992 World Motocross of Nations to Cosy Creek, followed by the final round of the 1993 World 125cc Motocross Championship.