Team CanAm 1974 reunited for the Australian Classic Motocross Championship.

In a twist on the usual scenario, two of the three man Team USA CanAm from 1974 will be competing at the Preston MCC/MA promoted ACMXCs in Australia on April 9-11, 2010.

Gary Jones, four time US AMA 250 MX title holder (1971-72 Yamaha, 1973 Honda and 1974 CanAm) and Jimmy Ellis (3rd 250 in 1974, winner of the Supercross title in 1975 both on CanAm) will be competing on CanAms at the event.

Paul Kalika the Victorian CanAm fanatic will be working overtime to prep his MX-2 for Gary and an MX-6 for Jimmy. Jimmy has raced the bike in a previous event and was relegated to second with a slipping clutch. No such problems this time though as Paul is onto it and now realises the demands a pro rider puts on the bike.

While second placed 1974 team member Marty Tripes will be absent, nostalgia buffs will be over the moon to see these two legends from the 1970s carving the revitalized Broadford GP MX track. Both riders have current racing licences and ride modern bikes in competition so their speed will still be there.

Jimmy and Gary haven’t seen each other for 25 years as Jimmy moved to Australia in the 1980s to ride KTM for Bert Flood and Yamaha for Bert’s son Trevor.

Jimmy was blown away to be invited to the event and especially to catch up with his former team mate. Gary doesn’t know that Jimmy will be there and the organizers are hoping to keep it as a surprise until the two are reunited at the previous weekends Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza.

Preston MCC have distributed ‘two for one’ spectator ticket vouchers redeemable at the gate and they will be available at any Peter Stevens shop soon and at the Philip Island Superbikes at the AMCN and MA booths.

The boys were also Team Honda USA riders in the 1970s and at the Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza Gary will be riding Bernie Leen’s 1974 CR 250 (with fluro muffler), Jimmy will be on Darren McMullins trick Mugen 1979 CR (with all Darrens period gear) but we still need a good CR 125 1973 for Brian Martin to do a few laps. Brian won Honda Australias first dirt title on board the 125 in 1973. He is famous for the crossed up mono that appeared in all Honda ads back in the day and was featured as the ‘poster boy’.

Gary is bringing one of the original Team Honda jerseys his Mum stitched together. That alone is worth the price of admission. The Presentation Dinner will feature Gary and Jimmy handing out the trophies so get serious; start training and get the ultimate photo op with these stars.

Don’t miss this event; it’s a sight never to be repeated.

Images: ClassicCanAm.com