In 1983, at age 19, Ray Vandenberg from Heany Park in Victoria etched his name in the history books when he became the youngest rider to win the prestigious Mr. Motocross series.

Two years earlier, the Suzuki rider burst onto the national motocross scene finishing second in the Australian 250cc Championships, behind Stephen Gall (Yamaha) at Symmons Plains in Launceston, Tasmania.

Then in 1982, Vandenberg won the 125cc Championship on a Suzuki at the Echo Valley Circuit in Toowoomba, Queensland, after finishing ninth in Mr. MX – in his first attempt.

“Goof”, as he was nicknamed, was not expected to challenge the stars of the 70s and 80s on the big 500cc two-strokes. But he did in 1983!

That year was the tenth anniversary of the series and the line-up was strong including Mr. MX champions Anthony Gunter (1976, ‘77 and ‘79), Stephen Gall (1978, ‘80-82), plus two visiting US stars – Jimmy Ellis (KTM) and Marty Moates (Suzuki).

The race format comprised four back-to-back 20 minute plus 1 lap motos (with a five minute break in between races), changed from the previous four 8-lap sprints. 

The number of rounds was also increased from four to five and were held at Mallala (SA), Toowoomba (QLD) Newcastle (NSW), with the opening and closing rounds in Broadford (VIC).

Vandenberg blitzed the opposition in the opening round, winning it ahead of Gall and Ellis to lead the series early. But rounds 2 and 3 were evenly contested with Gall taking over the lead mid-way through the series and was now on track for four successive Mr. MX wins.

In Round 4, Leisk finally hit his straps and convincingly won in Newcastle to narrow the points gap on Gall, Moates and Vandenberg, who lost points after being disqualified in one leg for passing a rider under the yellow flag.

Going into the final round at Broadford, Gall now led the championship chase by 23 points over Vandenberg. But with double-points up for grabs, Moates and Leisk were also still in the title chase.

In front of a huge home crowd cheering him on, Vandenberg didn’t disappoint and won the first three moto’s.

The racing was spectacular and, with Moates crashing in the second moto and Gall in the third, Vandenberg was now the series leader with one race to go.  He only needed to place to secure the title, which he did cruising home in third place behind Moates and Gall.

The final placings were Vandenberg (Suzuki, 250 points), Gall (Yamaha, 231), Moates (Suzuki, 182), Leisk (Honda, 172) and Trevor Williams (Kawasaki, 162).