Andrew Warnest

VALE MAX GRAETZ

Motorcycling SA lost another of its true legends on Saturday, September 28th, a  short 8 days after the passing of Road Race & Trial icon, Mr Peter Sparkes, with Max Graetz, also well into his 90’s, leaving another gaping hole in SA motorcycling,  an amazing 60+ year legacy on the sport of motorcycling in South Australia.

Over the course of Max’s  life, he has been a competitor, official, supporter and fan, and he was also that great character that every sport needs, especially in his latter years when he would spend the 24 Hour Trial running route checks, first in the middle of competition sections complete with many road signs borrowed from council yards, with Weicherts Paddock at Bethel a favourite location – always a bit off putting to see a level (rail) crossing, or speed hump, or speed limit signs in the middle of a paddock at 3.00am in the morning!

In latter years he moved to a roadside location where riders could stop and say hi to the various characters he came up with every year, Don Bradman and Ned Kelly among them, before, when age started to weary him, setting up at main control at the end of the trial to welcome home the riders in character, with Moses and a Russian General just a couple of favourites.

And – as the above pic (right) shows – when it came to supporting a cause, like raising money for breast cancer research, Max was right there dressed for the occasion – he couldn’t not be part of it!

A handy rider on his beloved CZ in the early 1970’s, Max was a driving force in the Gawler MCC becoming affiliated in 1971, becoming a proud Life Member of that Club, as he also was of the Keyneton MCC, an honour bestowed on his for all of the help he gave that club, as well as being a member (pre-Gawler affiliation and in his latter years as well) – and in 2007 he was acknowledged by Motorcycling SA for his contribution to the sport by becoming an inaugural Life Member of MSA.

Max’s funeral will be held on Friday 4th Oct at 1130am at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Gawler – dress code (optional) bib overalls & flanney shirt!

Max with Alison and Peter Sparkes at a Peter Sparkes Sidecar Trophy Day – with Max also having the Gawler MCC’s annual Trial named in his honour.

AND

FROM DAUGHTER JUDITH;

It is with a very heavy heart that I inform all of my friend’s on facebook that at 9:20 last night we lost this great man. My father – Max Graetz passed away peacefully on the 28th September 2019 aged 92 years and 9 months.

It’s a time to treasure the time spent with him, share the wonderful stories and smile at all the jokes he told.

Reunited with Tessa and Brian.

And also ….. 

I would like to thank everyone of you who have posted your condolences to us,your love and support has been amazing. All the beautiful words about my dad and the children’s grandfather and great grandfather were so amazing, they have helped us get through this very hard time.

He was one very special man

Watching his family compete – in his latter years, it meant everything to him! 

FROM GRANDSON CHRIS;

For the second time in my life I am truly heartbroken & am left with a void in my heart. Pa, you were always there, when ever I turned around you were there! 

[Read more…] about VALE MAX GRAETZ

VALE PETER SPARKES

Motorcycling SA lost one of its true legends on Friday, September 20^th with the passing of Road Race & Trial icon, Mr Peter Sparkes, who was well into his 90’s, leaving with a 60+ year legacy on the sport of motorcycling in South Australia.

Over the course of Peter’s life, he has been a competitor, official, supporter and fan, and he also has the oldest, and longest running trials trophy named in his honour – The Peter Sparkes Sidecar Trophy, for trials sidecars, which has run since 1975.

The 1950’s saw Peter competing in trials and reliability trials, including riding a number of 24 Hour Trials as passenger for Max Dowsett, but it was becoming an official, and specifically in road race, where the Peter Sparkes legend grew!

Peter in the sidecar with Max Dowsett in a 24 Hour Trial in the 1950s.

From Mallala in the 1960’s through to Adelaide International Raceway in the 1970’s and 1980’s, where he was a driving force in the AVA (AJS, Velocette & Atujara MCC’s) committee that ran the Australian Road Race Championship rounds in SA, to circuits all around Australia, like Bathurst, Peter earned the respect of fellow officials and competitors alike, with many already expressing their respects to his passing.

A Life Member of the AJS MCC (as it was then) and an inaugural Motorcycling SA Life Member in 2007 at the very first MSA Night of Champions, Peter was one of very few from the ‘golden age’ of motorcycle sport in SA still able to remember those days in detail – and he will be greatly missed.

Perhaps his son, Steve says it best;

It is with great sadness that I let you all know that dad has passed away. After fighting an infection for a few weeks, he passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday 20th September.

I would like to thank all of you for being a part of Dads life. There are a lot of you dotted around the globe and I can tell you that he enjoyed every moment with you all. We are very blessed to have had him for such a long time with so many wonderful memories. Love you Dad.

Peter (left) with fellow MSA Life Member Jeremy Burgess (centre) and Peter’s son, Steve, at Birdwood Mill

And from some of Australia’s finest motorcyclists;

Robbie Phillis (Australian Superbike Champion & World Superbike rider)

…. your dad was such a hardworking good bloke and an absolute gentleman he looked after all us out of control riders without any stress and put us in our place and helped us all in the right direction. R.I.P. Sparkesy Ole mate

Steve Martin (SA’s World Endurance Champion, Road Race)

…. Peter was right there at the start of mine and many other careers! He was a true gentleman and had the respect of the whole motorcycling fraternity.
He shaped and governed all of us in to not only riders and champions, but good people.

Adrian Harry (Team Australia Trials des Nations rider)

…. One of those motorcycling great names. If he was just there it made you put in that extra effort. RIP

Rick Dowsett (Phoenix MCC President and long-time ARRC competitor)

…. Peter was a good friend of our family and also there at the start of my racing. He was road racing for decades. RIP Peter and condolences to family.

And also from Steve – and for those who would like to pay their respects;

His funeral will be held at the Heysen Chapel at Centennial Park on Monday 30th September at 12.30 pm.

Peter, front right, with the other Life Members of the AJS MCC (now MTC) at the 90th Anniversary of the Club.

(Above & below) Peter, with wife, Alison, and children, Steve and Carol, at the presentation of the 2017 Peter Sparkes Sidecar Trophy, with the winners Steve Rees & Melissa Rogers.

Nominations are now open for the other annual Motorcycling SA Awards that will be presented at the 2019 MSA Night of Champions on Saturday, November 23rd at Titanium Security Arena.

Along with MSA HALL OF FAME & MSA LIFE MEMBERSHIP, nominations are now open for;

THE FRANK FRANKLIN TROPHY;

(For an outstanding contribution to South Australian Motorcycling – and Motorcycling SA’s most prestigious off bike award – to be awarded ‘The Frank’ means a fantastic legacy has been left on our sport)

MSA RISING STAR AWARD;
(For our most outstanding riders under the age of 16 – and once again, this will be a highlight of the night, especially with so much outstanding young talent in SA at the moment!)

MSA REGIONAL VOLUNTEER AWARDS;
(For our hard working & quite brilliant volunteers – this is your way of saying thank you to all those who do the hard yards so riders can ride at event after event!)

All nomination forms can be found on the Motorcycling SA website – under the icon ‘Night of Champions’ on the right hand side of the page.

Nominations CLOSE;

Hall of Fame; September 23rd

Life Membership; September 27th 

The other 3 awards; October 25th 

Also to be presented on the night will be the highly coveted ‘Çlub of the Year Award’, and there will be recognitions presented to Australian Champions and those who have had International successes – including representing Australia!

Also still to be confirmed – a special guest speaker for 2019 – stay tuned for a press release in the coming weeks!

Tickets for the evening will go on sale in early October – with once again Clubs able to book a table of 10 and receive a 10% discount (book 10, pay for 9). Menu and costings to be released just before tickets go on sale.

Last year was a brilliant night with a near full house – so don’t leave it late or you may miss out, or have to stand all evening!