Geoff Ballard is synonymous with Can-Am in the 1980′s as only him and John Martin continued as factory riders when production shifted to the UK, and appeared in some of the sales sheets with John.  His career with Can-Am culminated with winning the 1984 AMA National Hare Scrambles Championship.

In more recent times he is now more well known for his off road business www.ballards.cc where he continued to support cross country and enduro racing in his native Australia.

Now semi retirement has meant an eye towards some vintage racing and Geoff has recently contacted me looking for a 1984 ASE 250, as per the bike he won the championship on. Anyone have one, or know where one is? Fancy helping an ex-Can-Am factory rider regain a bit of the glory? If so please contact me direct canamchris@gmail.com

Geoff notes the following about some of the pictures “The ISDE shot is in Wales in 83 and I went over to Armstrong and built the bike. I had to fight like hell to get the KX500 front disc put on it. I had a shocking event at that ISDE, but beat the Americans in most of the special tests, so that’s what got me the ride in the States for the following years and it eventually allowed me to stay there another 2 years. Then unfortunately it all ended for myself and Can Am.”

Basking in the warm spring sunshine, the UK Vinduro season got underway with the Pott Shrigley event on the edge of the Peak District. Graham “Grip” Waywell at his first outing on his newly acquired  250 Qualifier shows how it’s done (not bad for an old bloke! ). Unfortuneatly Graham was the only Can-Am there (I was still busy bolting my bike together!) and suffered a fuelling problem, so no medals!

See you at Domen Hill, the next event 22nd April!

The appeal of the little Can-Am’s is spreading! Rod Spry, a name synonymous with 4 stroke dirt bikes, both as a racer and restorer, has now taken on the challenge of racing my MX-3 Black Widow. Having had a stand next to Rod at the Telford Off-Road show for the last two years, Rod admitted to having a weak spot for the little bikes and asked if he could have a ride on the MX-3. Sure I said! Tim Britton of Classic Dirt Bike magazine agreed to do a feature on it all. Check on the next issue due May time for the full details.

Although Rod made his name in racing and restoring the big 4 strokes, he loved the look of my original MX-3. It is currently in its original state and carries the patina of 0ver 30 years of racing. So for the 2012 season the bike will remain with Rod for some racing in the North West of England, hopefully taking on the Little Silver, Exeter event in August.

Check Rod’s work at www.rodspry.co.uk

Once again Canned-Ham was at Alan Wright’s 2012 Classic Off-Road Show at Telford. Held the weekend of  04 and 05 February at the Telford International Centre, Wrighty’s show is one of the biggest classic dirt bike shows in Europe.

Unfortunately this year the weather didn’t co-operate dumping snow over most of the UK, cutting the numbers down and closing the show early on Sunday. But I did get my Qualifier done for the show, so one more restoration done, but many more to go!