Sunday, October 20, 2024

DUSTY EASY RIDER

Darwin agronomist  Robert Wesley-Smith- aka Rural Rebel Rob- displaying  motorbike  racing trophies  he  won in  the Northern Territory. When the  ABC recently  asked for information about  early motorbike  adventures in  Darwin,  Wes   wrote  an  acount  of  how  in  l969 he was in a group, mainly mounted on 250cc  Yamahs  DT  1's, which made a quick  return trip from  Darwin   to  the  Nourlangie safari camp  , run by The Great White Hunter , Alexander Allan  Stewart, part of celebrations  to mark  100 years of  settlement.
 
His  gripping story  was  read over  the airwaves . It  detailed a  wild  ride through  much dust   , coping with  poor  air filters  and rough roads  which  took a   toll on  bikes.  A member of  the  party wrote to Yamaha  and   received  five  motors  and   new   filters  for  nix.  

Wes  got involved in motorbike  scramble races and motorcross events  and  won  the  first  three  NT  championships.