Bathurst 1981 through the lens of Phil Aynsley

Sometimes as a photographer you, through sheer chance, happen to be in the right place at the right time – or unfortunately for the rider, the wrong time!

That seemed to be the case at Bathurst in ’81 anyway…  Firstly a look at some of the machinery there that year.

The Pitmans Yamaha XS1100, fitted with Webers and trick swing-arm and chain drive.
The Pitmans Yamaha XS1100, fitted with Webers and trick swing-arm and chain drive.
Moriwaki-Kawasaki 1100
Moriwaki-Kawasaki 1100
The Mick Hone Suzuki 1100.
The Mick Hone Suzuki 1100.
Ducati NCR 900 (at that time using standard engine cases following cracking to the original sand-cast units). With rider Dave Robbins.
Ducati NCR 900 (at that time using standard engine cases following cracking to the original sand-cast units). With rider Dave Robbins.
The Honda CB1100R of Dennis Neill fitted with the ABC film camera that took the onboard footage during practice which was used to illustrate his big crash during the Arai 500.
The Honda CB1100R of Dennis Neill fitted with the ABC film camera that took the onboard footage during practice which was used to illustrate his big crash during the Arai 500.
Andrew Johnson/Yamaha TZ750 leads John Pace/Moriwaki-Kawasaki 1100.
Andrew Johnson/Yamaha TZ750 leads John Pace/Moriwaki-Kawasaki 1100.
Dave Robbins/NCR900 leads Rob Phillis/Suzuki1100 and Len Willing/Kawasaki/1100.
Dave Robbins/NCR900 leads Rob Phillis/Suzuki1100 and Len Willing/Kawasaki/1100.
John Pace/Moriwaki-Kawasaki 1100.
John Pace/Moriwaki-Kawasaki 1100.
Greg Pretty/Yamaha 1100.
Greg Pretty/Yamaha 1100.
Michael Cole/Honda 1062 retires early in the Arai 500.
Michael Cole/Honda 1062 retires early in the Arai 500.
John Pace/Moriwaki-Kawasaki 1100.
John Pace/Moriwaki-Kawasaki 1100.
John Pace/Kawasaki 1100 passes Roger Heyes’ crashed Honda 1100.
John Pace/Kawasaki 1100 passes Roger Heyes’ crashed Honda 1100.
Heyes receives attention from medical staff as Neville Hiscock runs to the scene.
Heyes receives attention from medical staff as Neville Hiscock runs to the scene.
Heyes helped to the ambulance
Heyes helped to the ambulance
The Ducati 500 Pantah’s first race in Australia. Lee Roebuck follows Jennifer Coates/Suzuki 750.
The Ducati 500 Pantah’s first race in Australia. Lee Roebuck follows Jennifer Coates/Suzuki 750.
Dennis Neill/Honda 1062.
Dennis Neill/Honda 1062.
Roger Freeth/Suzuki RG500.
Roger Freeth/Suzuki RG500.
Ray Spence & Laurie Nicholls/Windle 500 push their outfit over the line to claim second place in the 500 Sidecar GP.
Ray Spence & Laurie Nicholls/Windle 500 push their outfit over the line to claim second place in the 500 Sidecar GP.
Ron Boulden/Yamaha TZ500
Ron Boulden/Yamaha TZ500
Ron Boulden/Yamaha TZ500
Ron Boulden/Yamaha TZ500
Ron Boulden/Yamaha TZ500
Ron Boulden/Yamaha TZ500
Terry Blakeway/Suzuki RG500.
Terry Blakeway/Suzuki RG500.
Greg Pretty runs out of fuel at XL Bend while in second place on the last lap of the 500GP.
Greg Pretty runs out of fuel at XL Bend while in second place on the last lap of the 500GP.
Greg Pretty consoles himself with a beer handed to him by a spectator is one of Phil's all time favourites.
Greg Pretty consoles himself with a beer handed to him by a spectator is one of Phil’s all time favourites.
Greg Pretty collected by the podium riders (1st Boulden, 2nd Freeth, 3rd Blakeway) on their acknowledgement lap.
Greg Pretty collected by the podium riders (1st Boulden, 2nd Freeth, 3rd Blakeway) on their acknowledgement lap.
Dave Robbins/Yamaha TZ350 with Greg Pretty/Yamaha TZ500 hot on his heels.
Dave Robbins/Yamaha TZ350 with Greg Pretty/Yamaha TZ500 hot on his heels.
Andrew Johnson YamahaTZ750.
Andrew Johnson YamahaTZ750.
Paul Cawthorne/Kawasaki KR350 leads John Wood/Yamaha TZ350 and Gary Sutton/Yamaha TZ350.
Paul Cawthorne/Kawasaki KR350 leads John Wood/Yamaha TZ350 and Gary Sutton/Yamaha TZ350.
Greg Pretty/Yamaha TZ750.
Greg Pretty/Yamaha TZ750.

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