Putting on a Race Face

The Roddy Shirriffs Trophy

maddix park mx

What is it ?                      It's been on the Woodville programme for close to 40 years - previously incorporated into  the Invitation Feature Race but now as a stand-alone. There's a large trophy & $300 in prize money.  It's for under 22 year old riders on 125cc and MX2 (250cc) machines.  It is, of course,  the Woodville Roddy Shirriff's Memorial Race.

But who was Roddy Shirriffs ?

Tim Gibbes, one of the founders of the Woodville GP, has kindly provided the following info.

“Roddy died, aged 21,  as the result of an MX crash at the famous Devil’s Drop motocross track at Wanganui in 1976.  A spark plug lead had come loose just as he powered off the jump.

He was NZ 125 MX Champion at the time and his family have ever since put up the prize money for that race in the Woodville programme  for riders under 22 years of age.

Roddy was quite a character in his own way. He worked at our shop for a while & we chose to send him out into some deep ponds to demonstrate that a Honda ATC 90 three wheeler could float, but, in fact, it actually floated upside down with Roddy doing his best put it right!

I got him off a couple of court cases for doing wheelies in the main street during a Christmas procession - who would expect a cop to ticket that?

Perhaps the significance of the race and celebration of his memory is no more extraordinary than for others who have suffered the same fate, but at least this guy is remembered with real family money, dedication & integrity. His brother Morley, himself another MX legend, goes there each year to present the trophy, as well as visiting his grave monthly”.

Phil Turnball was Roddy’s friend, flatmate and fellow racer in NZ and during a year spent overseas.  He presents the award each year with Morley Shirriffs.

“Roddy was a funny and loved personality” says Phil. “The Memorial race at Woodville is particularly appropriate because it is at Woodville that Roddy won the title. I thought I had it in the bag but Roddy just put on his race face and that was that.”

Who won in 2014 ?

This year, the  trophy and prizemoney were claimed by Husqvarna rider Kayne Lamont. Laurent Fath (pictured left) from New Caledonia was second and Sam Dews was third.

However. although there were 17 pre-entries for the 2014 Roddy Shirriffs Memorial Race,  only a disappointing six riders put on their race faces and were on the  start line on Sunday.

The reason lies probably in the fact that the race was scheduled part way through the Sunday GP programme. It was a hot day, the track was rough and the racing was hard work. With further Grand Prix races yet to come (long races - not just a sprint), a number of potential riders may have been unwilling to jeopardize their chances by depleting their energy and taking extra risks.  Despite the gates being pretty full in all classes, the numbers were also down in the International Invitation Feature Race. 

To remove this "conflict of interest", it is possible the Manawatu Orion Motorcycle Club, organizers of the Woodville MX GP, may consider running the feature races at the end of the day's programme in the future.  Just have to wait and see. 

 
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