On 25 July 1982, Suzuki Australia’s Robert Bailey won the State New South Wales 250cc Championship at the Barleigh Ranch Raceway in Raymond Terrace.
The 19-year-old ended the Toshiba Yamaha dealer team’s domination of this event. And Stuart Bennett made it a Suzuki double when he won the State Junior 125cc title.

Despite the rough track conditions after weeks of rain, “Beetle Bailey” (as he was nicknamed after the cartoon character) completely dominated the Raymond Terrace meeting ahead of emerging star Jeff Leisk from Western Australia (6-2-1), who switched from Honda to Yamaha that year.  After nailing two impressive wins in the first of three 20-minute motos, Bailey settled for fourth in the third, which was won by Leisk.

Victorian Kawasaki rider Trevor Williams was on track for second overall – finishing second and fifth in the first two motos, until Leisk flew past him in the final to win it and relegate him down the winner’s podium to third. Bailey’s Suzuki team-mate Peter Carney finished fourth overall (3-4-4).
Apart from Bailey and Trevor Williams, many of the country’s leading stars found the going tough on the Barleigh Ranch Raceway circuit and either crashed or had near falls.

William’s Kawasaki team-mate Anthony Gunter fell on lap 2 in Moto 1 after winning the holeshot – recovering to finish fourth. Then he was forced to retire for the day due to a mechanical failure on his Kawasaki KX machine in Moto 2.

In the National NSW 125cc title, Phillip Robinson (Yamaha) and Robert Scott (Honda) finished on the podium respectively behind Stuart Bennett.
1982 was a big year for “Beetle” Bailey winning many events across the country, including the Melanesia Village 2000 (QLD), Starlift GP at Mallala (SA) and several races at Amaroo Park in his home state.

At Toowoomba (QLD) he was second in the Australian 500cc Motocross Championship behind Jeff Leisk and fourth in the 250cc title, also finishing second in the Mountain Man title, which that year was won by Anthony Gunter.  But unfortunately, Bailey’s year ended in disappointment when on 20 November 1982 he crashed and broke his leg at the Melbourne Supercross, a branch of the sport that Bailey excelled in – winning many titles throughout his career.