Victorian motocross rider Mike Landman was one of Australia’s leading and first professional riders in the 1970s. Throughout his career, which spanned 12 years between 1972 and 1984, Landman won many state motocross titles in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

At the National level, three times he finished in the Top 5 of the prestigious National Mr. Motocross series, finishing on the podium in third in 1975, in his first attempt. In 1976 he won the Australian 250cc Championship at Tivoli in Queensland and 125cc title in 1978 at Broadford in Victoria, finishing on the podium four times through to 1980.

After being selected to race for Australia in the 1976 trans-Tasman showdown with New Zealand in Hamilton (NZ), he lived there between November 1976 to March 1977. 

Returning to Australia, Landman secured a ride in the factory Yamaha Team with Stephen Gall and South Australian Lester Rowley, with Mr. Motocross promoter Vince Tesoriero arranging Myers to sponsor the team – one of the country’s largest retail stores.

Landman created history in 1979 becoming the first rider to take back-to-back wins in the prestigious Victorian Grand National event on a Yamaha YZ490. He was the consummate professional, totally dedicated to the sport, making fitness and training a priority, which was highlighted in his wins in the grueling 30-lap Grand National events which he won for a record three times. Previously, only legend the late Ray Fisher won the multiple events – in 1965 on a 500 Matchless Metisse and in 1967 on a 250 CZ.

Landman returned to race in New Zealand in 1978 when the talented Victorian captained the Australian Motocross team, leading the Aussies to victory in the ANZ test. It was always his plan to race in Europe, a dream that came true in March 1980 when he contested the world motocross championships and international meetings.

With Gary Benn as his mechanic and support from Yamaha Australia and Motorcraft, Landman was the first Australian for some time to race the Grand Prix circuit. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Tim Gibbes and Jack Pringle (NSW), Charlie West (WA), Ray Fisher, Kelvin Franks and Bob Walpole (VIC) were our early pioneers racing in Europe.

Landman found the Grand Prix circuit tough and after securing some podium finishes at International motocross events across Europe, he returned home in time for the Australian Motocross Championships on 21 September 1980 in Dargle, New South Wales.

Landman finished third in the 250cc class at Dargle, with Stephen Gall breaking through to secure his first of four 250 titles in a row. Dargle would be Landman’s last National podium.

Mike Landman continued to race in Australia for four more years, retiring in 1984 after 12 years of racing. He continued to be involved in the sport, however, turning his attention to rider development and training, then later establishing his own motorcycle business.