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Eat
my dust
Air Force rider ADF Champion
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Air
Force motocross rider Corporal Dave Harding shows the technique
that earned him the ADF Champion crown at the recent Interservice
Off-road Motorcycle Training Camp, held near Mudgee. CPL
Harding, an experienced motocross and speedway competitor,
demonstrated superior skills to be judged the camp’s
best rider. Photos by SGT Jason Smart.
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CORPORAL
Dave Harding never expected to be judged the best rider at the recent
inaugural Interservice Off-road Motorcycle Training Camp, but when
you look at his background in the sport, it’s little wonder
he was named ADF Champion.
Harding was first thrown “solo” on a motorcycle at the
age of five and by the time he was six he was racing motocross in
the junior 50cc class.
He went on to win the South Australian C-grade 80cc championships
in 1980 (aged 10), then, after turning his attention to speedway
racing, won the 1984 Victorian Junior Speedway title and finished
runner-up in the 1985 Australian Junior Speedway “Best Pairs”.
When Harding joined the Air Force in 1989, motocross took a back
seat. But since jumping back in the saddle seven years ago, Harding,
from RAAF Base Edinburgh’s No. 10 Squadron, has regained what
he refers to as his “itch” for racing.
The superior skills he displayed at the training camp, held south
of Mudgee in NSW, resulted in him being assessed as the smoothest
rider and earning the overall crown.
“I am actually reasonably surprised [at winning] as there were
some very capable riders there,” CPL Harding said.
“I went there in the hope of winning, as I am sure many others
did, but certainly never expected to win it.”
About 70 ADF members attended the camp, which was aimed at educating
riders in smoothness and bike handling, providing valuable lessons
in how to avoid hazards associated with off-road riding.
The first three days involved tuition from Stephen Gall’s Australian
Institute of Sport-approved off-road motorcycle school.
Two professional riders, Vaughan Styles and Paul Broomfield, gave
coaching on all aspects of riding, with the emphasis on safety,
technique and overall speed.
The training camp focused on motocross and enduro riding, and coaching
was given on cornering and braking techniques and bike maintenance.
The lessons were then put into practice on the final day, with participants
assessed against various safety and competency criteria.
The Air Force team recorded a clean sweep in all categories and
classes but, strangely, was not named ADF Team Champions. That honour
went to Navy.
Leading Aircraftman William Ward was judged the best rider in the
125cc or less category. And Corporal Darren Greig and Corporal Adrian
Bruce both performed exceptionally well, finishing just behind Harding
and Ward.
Other Air Force riders to fare well included Corporal Aaron Kuys
(8th), Corporal Brett Tomlins (12th), Sergeant Chris Brooks (14th)
and Corporal Vaughan Wilds (17th).
Organisers have hailed the camp a success and have already begun
planning for the 2003 event, which is scheduled for March or April.
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