1987 MISTER MX: CRAIG DACK’S GUTSY RIDE

CDR Yamaha Team Principal, Craig Dack, has long played a pivotal role in the Australian motocross scene – first as a Pro racer, and then as a team owner in both Australia and the USA for more than 30 years … and counting! It’s been an illustrious career during which time Dack has been a hugely influential figure in the industry. And that contribution was rightfully recognised a few weeks ago, when Dack was inducted into Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

That HOF honour reminded us about one of our all-time favourite Mister Motocross war stories: the 1987 footy coach-style pep talk that inspired Craig Dack to fight through injuries that warranted a trip to hospital, get back on his bike, dominate that round of Australia’s notorious Mister Motocross series, and go on to clinch the title that year – his second of four!

So, who delivered that pep talk and what were the inspirational words of wisdom? Dack’s legendary technician, Gary Benn, is who. Incredibly, more than 35 years down the track, the highly respected Benn is still by Dack’s side; working as a technician on Dack’s enormously successful CDR Monster Energy Yamaha team.

This memorable article first appeared as a Ripping Yarn piece in Issue #15 (December, 2011) of Transmoto Dirt Bike Magazine.Check it out…