Greater MELBOURNE (VIC)
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1964 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE TRACK.
Just thirty five kilometres north east of Melbourne within the Dandenong Ranges lies Sugarloaf Reservoir, which opened in 1981.
But prior to this the region contained one of the best scramble tracks in Australia. The Christmas Hills scramble track opened in 1964 and was built and operated by the Hartwell Motor Cycle Club, based out of Melbourne.
The track came to be after "Big John" Burrows a well known rider himself started talk's with the land owners, the Ashmore family to build this fantastic motorcycle track.
Just short of two kilometres in length the track ran up and down both sides of a steep gully. Physically demanding was the reputation the venue had earnt, especially when raining with its boggy, loamy soil.
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1964 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE. Ron Hunter Memorial Grand National. 1964.
When Christmas Hills first opened the Hartwell Club went all out running what would become there feature annual meeting of that year and years to come, until the track closed in 1977. This event the Ron Hunter Memorial Grand National, named after a previous president that was killed tragically at a Grass Track meeting.
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1966 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE. Australian Scramble Championship. October 1966.
The Christmas Hills circuit soon became the premier scramble track in Victoria and was rewarded with being awarded the rights to running the Australian Scrambles Championship in October of 1966.
1966 - The starting grid was packed for the start of the Australian 250cc Championship. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
1966 - Graham Burford on his 360CZ takes the wide line in the Unlimited Championship of that year. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
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1966 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE. Sidecar Grand Nationals. 1966.
The Golden Era of Scrambling Australia facebook Photo feature
Ken Adams and passenger locked in battle with Murray Williams and his passenger at the National's, Adams; would go on to win 5 consecutive Sidecar Grand National from 1966 through to 1970. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
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1967 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE. Ron Hunter Memorial Grand National. 1967.
Old Bike Australasia Magazine Pictorial feature
1967 - Ray Fisher on his 250 CZ takes the win for this years event. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
1967 - Top USA rider JN Roberts doing a little bit of testing on his Husqvarna. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
1967 - Greg Leaney in this years event. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
1967 - Top International rider Gunnar Lindstron on his Husqvarna at Christmas Hills. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
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1968 - CHRISTMAS HILLSSCRAMBLE. Ron Hunter Memorial Grand National. 1968.
Old Bike Magazine Australasia Photo feature
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1969 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE 16th November 1969
The Golden Era of Scrambling - Australia facebook Photo feature
16th November 1969 - Bill McDonald racing at Christmas Hills on his CZ360. Photo: David Alsop collection
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1970 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE Ron Hunter Memorial Grand National 1970
Old Bike Magazine Australasia Pictorial feature
1970 - Winner of the annual event was John Mapperson on his 400 Husqvarna. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
1970 - Alan Collison from New Zealand on his Montesa. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
1970 - Matt Daley on the back wheel of his Huskqvarna. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
1970 - Tony Ashworth and his passenger on outfit greating some dust. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
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1971 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE. Ron Hunter Memorial Grand National. 1971
The Golden Era of Scrambling Australia facebook Photo feature
1971 - Peter Pioen wins the Grand National in the wet at Christmas Hills. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
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1976 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE. Ron Hunter Memorial Grand National. 1976.
The Golden Era of Scrambling, Australia facebook photo feature
1976 - The Christmas Hills Grand National was always a popular event with riders. Photo: Rosco Holden collection.
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1977 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE. Ron Hunter Memorial Grand National. 1977.
The Golden Era of Scrambling Australia facebook Photo feature
1977 - Jack Pengelly on his 400 Maico the last Victorian Grand National. Photo: Merv Whitelaw.
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David Ayton recalls: Who remembers Christmas Hills, A great track, This was my first race. Hartwell Club Championship, all powers. won that heat. Some good riders, Rod Sharp was behind me, but he was on a 125. Anyway its all under water now, time circa 1980.
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V I C T O R I A N R O N H U N T E R G R A N D N A T I O N A L W i n n e r ' s
19641965196619671968196919701971197219731974197519761977 |
Ian GaffRay FisherGeoff TaylorRay FisherKeith StackerGraham SmithJohn MappersonPeter PloenAlan CollisonGary O'BrienPer KlitlandTrevor FloodSteven CramerJack Pengelly |
250 Greeves500 Matchless Metisse500 Triumph Metisse250 CZ360 Greeves360 Bultaco400 Husqvarna400 Husqvarna400 Husqvarna360 Montesa400 Maico360 Husqvarna250 Suzuki400 Maico |
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2023 - SUGARLOAF RESERVOIR. Fly Over.
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2023 - SURARLOAF RESERVOIR. Walkabout.
2005 - CHRISTMAS HILLS SCRAMBLE. Location.
Now maybe deep under the water's of Sugarloaf Reservoir on property within the Dandenong Ranges, and now owned by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, lie's this once volunteer built scramble track on privately owned land just four miles from Yarra Glen.
(use controls to pause - forward or reverse 2 images)
Dave Barry recall's: I never raced there or even scrambled, as i was too busey with the speedway side of racing. I did however go there to spectate from time to time.