Andy Caldecott – Remembered, Five Years on

Rosco Holden

Rosco Holden

Andy Caldecott left us five years ago on that fateful Stage 9 of North Africa’s Dakar Rally on January 9, 2006. So for the past five years, a bunch of Calde’s mates and family have gotten together in Andy’s hometown of Keith, South Australia, to remember the man’s achievements and acknowledge his legacy during an invitation-only Memorial Weekend.

This year, Friday afternoon was the start of the organised activities, when I had the opportunity to ride Andy’s Red Bull factory KTM, while Andy’s Motorex factory KTM was ridden by teammate Dave Schwarz. Other Keith Club Members came out on various trailbikes for a local district ride in the 40-degree heat, so the 4WD drive drink back-up was an absolute necessity.

Then it was back to the Keith Hotel, once again hosted by Tony and Lynette Griffin, for the Friday night fundraising and insightful talks from FoxSports commentator and 500 GP legend, Kev Magee (back for his second year), Andy’s teammate in the 2005 Dakar, Dave Schwarz, and Team 888 Vodaphone head motor engineer for V8 Supercar’s Craig Lowdnes and Jamie Whincup, Mark McVeigh (who’d busted his collarbone while riding at the Leigh Adams event in Mildura the previous Monday, and still drove down five hours on the Thursday – awesome!)

Invited guests came from Melbourne, Geelong, Ceduna, Victor Harbour and Adelaide, while Paul Chapman – who bought one of Andy’s bikes off eBay last May – made the trip on his road bike from Warnambool.

I provided the MC duties, and drew 10 raffle prizes to the 60-strong crowd and at the end a lively auction. Signed memorabilia from V8, MX and MotoGP paddocks raised some much needed funds for Tracey, Caitlin and Mitch Caldecott.

On the Saturday, 20 riders turned up and showed their skills around Andy Caldecott Park, before the bus took those who didn’t want to ride to the long lunch at the Mundulla Pub, and then finally back to hosts Russell and Julia Davis at Emu Rise, where a more relaxed time for catch-up and Andy stories continued.
It was a great weekend and, after a quick walk and talk around the township of Keith, it’s obvious Andy Caldecott’s legend status and memory is alive and well.