A message from Geoff Ballard

After 24 years, during which time he ran race teams for both Honda and Yamaha, Geoff Ballard declared last year’s season as his final as a team manager. However, as Australia’s most decorated off-road racer, Ballard hardly plans to disappear from the scene.

Geoff Ballard

Morning guys!

Without the race team to take up my time this year, I thought I’d branch out and, after 24 years, I figured it’s time for a bit more fun. With so many great bikes to choose from I decided not to limit my options, so this year I’ll be hitting the tracks and trails on a variety of models. Husaberg, Honda, Yamaha, BMW, Maico & Can-Am will all be included the line up for 2013.

I’ve had my MA racing licence for 40 straight years now, so while I’m still having fun and my body is hanging in there, I’ll keep at it! If things work out, I’m also looking into getting back into my old stomping ground for a few events in the USA. I’d really like to race a few Enduro or GNCC-type events again. Back home I’m not really planning on committing to any particular series – I’ll just see what falls into place.

Now, for the bikes I plan on riding. I know those WRF’s pretty well, plus I know they are reliable monsters, so I plan to keep one of those for most Enduro-type events. For other off-road events, I want to try one of these new 450 Berg’s that the magazines are talking up. For anything MX like the Amcross that I usually do, or any local club day’s, I’ll try what Chad rides – the all-new Honda CRF450.

For the adventure stuff, I’ll stick with my favourite tools. And for the big stuff, it’s the GS1200 Adventure; I still think it’s the king! On the smaller, and more go anywhere side of things, I think I’ll forever have a Yamaha TTR250 in the shed! For the ‘all round’ and tighter stuff, you can’t kill or beat that thing. Last month I did my sixth straight New Zealand Safari, where I rode a TTR. I love them – and that ride in NZ – so much that I’ve bought one that I leave over there at a mates place. That bike is definitely under rated!

For the occasional vintage ride, I’ll keep motoring on my all-time favourite – the Maico 490! Plus, I have also been looking out for a Can-Am 250 ASE (AIR cooled SINGLE shock ENDURO) from 1983-1986. I rode them in four of the 24 ISDE’s that I competed in. Hopefully I’ll find one soon, but no luck so far. If anyone can help, I’d be rapt!

It’ll be interesting for sure and I’m definitely BUYING them all. It’s my 54th birthday in a couple of weeks, and I realised I need to celebrate a huge milestone in the second half of the year – the business will be 25 years old! So I figure because of all that, I should be able to do what I want, right? I also figure if a particular bike’s not working for me, I’ll just sell it and try something new.

So there it is… I’m basically just looking for some continued years of enjoyment at fun events on some great bikes! See you out there!

– GB