But if your ambition gets in the way of your ability
and you take a dirt sample, there’s a huge crowd to
cheer you on, paramedics on standby, and enough
photographers to guarantee multiple angles of the
moment you ran out of talent. While the event has
grown commercially, it still feels like you’ve snuck
on to a racetrack with a bunch of mates; only now
there are a few thousand spectators, food and beer
trucks a-plenty and a mini-industry trade show
bustling around you.
It isn’t a complete free-for-all, there are at least
a few rules to abide by. Most importantly, you
can still ride almost anything that’s completely
inappropriate for dirt track. Bikes are separated into
somewhat sensible categories; Clutchless Scooters
& Posties, Risky Road Bikes, Old Mates (pre-1990),
and Enduro/MX. Safety gear is not negotiable,
there’s no drinking until you’ve finished riding for
the day and there are no sportsbikes allowed.
Two different track configurations were used
during DH5, with the morning track featuring
doglegs on both the front and back straights,
creating a tight hairpin which really tested out the
bigger bikes. The afternoon’s layout featured a faster,
more flowing configuration that used the long-track
front straight for those wanting to really wind it on.
Where else can a weekend warrior pit their daily
commuter next to Nitro Circus stars Harry Bink
and Matt McFerran and borrow a spanner? Or chew
the fat between rides with Mr Motocross legend
Stephen Gall, or former world endurance champ
Steve Martin? Or watch a Ninja Turtle have a go
around the outside of three-time world Speedway
champ Jason Crump?
Every skill level is represented, from all-road dirt
Don’t let the costumes
and tomfoolery lead you
to believe the level of
machinery and talent are
lacking – nothing could be
further from the truthWhere else can you
watch a Ninja Tur
have a go aroun
outside of th
world
cha
DUST HUSTLE
7 mcn.com.a
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