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In April this year, Les Walch, formerly of Hawkes Bay and now currently living and working in Kalgoorlie W.A., took possession of an example of K.T.M`s very popular Enduro weapon, a 300EXC. In fact the same machine that the Oz Mag ADB recently tested.
The first ride after an interval of 8 years, apart from a couple of co-rides in the H.B. 6Hr, was a 4Hr. event in Kalgoorlie, finishing 1st in the IronMan. class and 3rd overall. Next ride was 25 June, the 1st round of the W.A. Enduro Champs at Manjimup, riding in the Experts class and resulting in a 4th place, with the same result in the 2nd round, 23 July at Tallanalla. Travelling to both those venues required 6 hours plus driving. He reckons the 300EXC is sweet and that bikes have come a long way in 8 years.
Because incomes are relatively high in the mining town the standard of machinery is also high. Motor Cycle dealers carry large stocks, with two or more examples of the popular models in their showrooms. Beginners buy brand new bikes, trick them out with all the goodies and then learn to ride. Nobody starts on dungas. Kalgoorlie features a permanent Moto Cross track with facilities Kiwis have only dreamt of.
Les has been riding with a W.A. competition license and has now been drafted into their Experts team to ride in the Australian Four Day Enduro [A4DE] to be staged in the Melbourne area at the end of August.
Thus, after only 3 rides he has made a rapid transition back to the deep end of off road competition. That also means he will be competing against the team of Kiwis who now contest the National event each year with status equal to that of the Oz State teams. N.Z. becoming the 7th State of Oz is becoming even closer to reality with next years [2001] A4DE being staged in the Hamilton [N.Z.] area.
