Lew amped for bigger better Motocross
WHEN Lew Marshall invested in a Pee Wee 50 for his young son, little did he realise that this off-the-cuff purchase would lead to him becoming quite accomplished in the sport of motocross.
In 2003 Lew decided to buy himself a trail bike – just something he could ride with his son on special weekend visits to Mount Isa.
With the passing of time, Lew grew to be passionate about his purchase and the time it allowed him to spend with Lee.
"For a long time I was heading up to Mount Isa once a month to ride in club meets and to spend time with my boy," Lew said.
"Motocross is a very family-orientated sport.
"It’s a controlled environment for the kids to ride their bikes in, instead of being out in the open or on the street."
As the kilometres clicked up on his trusty trail bike and Lew’s enthusiasm for the two-wheeled sport grew, so did his trophy collection.
Lew’s most recent success was in the North Queensland Championship, where he claimed second overall in the veteran’s unlimited class and second overall in the clubmen event.
"I have always been a sports person and when I do something, I do it properly and really get into it.
"I set out to win and I do the best I can.
"I especially love racing against the younger guys, they have even given me a nickname – ‘The Fossil’."
While Longreach is home to a quality motocross track and a bunch of successful and eager riders, Lew is disappointed that the local club he has been involved with from the get-go has not reached its full potential.
"When I first got involved with the Longreach Motorcycle Club we built the track near the Showgrounds.
"The Longreach track is rated one of the best tracks in Queensland, but we can’t just go out and ride it because of the dust.
"And we can’t just water the track whenever we like because of the water restrictions.
"But when it rains we all go out straight away."
Lew sees a solution in using bore water to by-pass council restrictions.
"This would lead to more club days, especially coaching days.
"But at the moment, the track is so dry that is dangerous.
"The local interest is there. We have got one of the best tracks in Queensland and it is in the middle of town – it’s all there, just not the water to maintain it."
This year’s motocross season wrapped up at the end of July, but the 47-year-old is planning to head into the 2007 with a renewed drive.
"I plan to do the entire Central Queensland circuit next year, taking in Proserpine, Mackay, Dysart and Middlemount.
"But next season will be my last.
"I would like to get more young riders involved though, so if we go to an event we will aim to take along a young bloke.
"The club’s not about its senior members, it’s about the juniors and that’s where the focus should be."
In 2003 Lew decided to buy himself a trail bike – just something he could ride with his son on special weekend visits to Mount Isa.
With the passing of time, Lew grew to be passionate about his purchase and the time it allowed him to spend with Lee.
"For a long time I was heading up to Mount Isa once a month to ride in club meets and to spend time with my boy," Lew said.
"Motocross is a very family-orientated sport.
"It’s a controlled environment for the kids to ride their bikes in, instead of being out in the open or on the street."
As the kilometres clicked up on his trusty trail bike and Lew’s enthusiasm for the two-wheeled sport grew, so did his trophy collection.
Lew’s most recent success was in the North Queensland Championship, where he claimed second overall in the veteran’s unlimited class and second overall in the clubmen event.
"I have always been a sports person and when I do something, I do it properly and really get into it.
"I set out to win and I do the best I can.
"I especially love racing against the younger guys, they have even given me a nickname – ‘The Fossil’."
While Longreach is home to a quality motocross track and a bunch of successful and eager riders, Lew is disappointed that the local club he has been involved with from the get-go has not reached its full potential.
"When I first got involved with the Longreach Motorcycle Club we built the track near the Showgrounds.
"The Longreach track is rated one of the best tracks in Queensland, but we can’t just go out and ride it because of the dust.
"And we can’t just water the track whenever we like because of the water restrictions.
"But when it rains we all go out straight away."
Lew sees a solution in using bore water to by-pass council restrictions.
"This would lead to more club days, especially coaching days.
"But at the moment, the track is so dry that is dangerous.
"The local interest is there. We have got one of the best tracks in Queensland and it is in the middle of town – it’s all there, just not the water to maintain it."
This year’s motocross season wrapped up at the end of July, but the 47-year-old is planning to head into the 2007 with a renewed drive.
"I plan to do the entire Central Queensland circuit next year, taking in Proserpine, Mackay, Dysart and Middlemount.
"But next season will be my last.
"I would like to get more young riders involved though, so if we go to an event we will aim to take along a young bloke.
"The club’s not about its senior members, it’s about the juniors and that’s where the focus should be."
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