OBITUARY
I know that Tim was involved in other events , but the next ‘ big one ’ that comes to mind was the 1992 ISDE in Cessnock , Australia . This was the first time the ISDE had ventured out of Europe and due to the proximity to NZ we fielded a large team of both representative riders and club riders . As usual Tim was across everything to make sure we got the best results as well as being a Jury member on the nightly meetings that reviewed each day ’ s riding . The legacy that Tim leaves is immense . His foundation paved the way for a new generation of riders to go participate in international events in MX , Enduro , and Hard Enduro ( e . g . Romaniacs ). In spite of our sadness at Tim ’ s Passing , we are both grateful for , and have fond memories of , the work and support he gave to the betterment of off-road riding in NZ . Tim will be sorely missed , but I know he will long be remembered . SHAUN STANBRIDGE
EFFORTS FOR NZ MOTORCYCLING Tim was a man of action and determination , responsible for many aspects of our sport . I first met Tim in 1982 at the Mosgiel 3 Day . This was my first national Enduro champs . Riding a PE400 , each day I would see this chap pop out in some strange places with his camera . Most memorable from that event was watching Greg Power launch his XR500 into a swamp . Tim was crouched in the slop telling everyone to just go for it , some did and got stuck , but GP hit the swamp fully pinned and , man , did it spray some shit . I rode around it . In ‘ 85 I was racing at the Woodville MX and , once the racing was over , we ended up roaring around the track in my HQ Holden . Tim was egging us on , filming . After several laps the doors were flying open on landing so we called it a day and headed back to Tim ’ s place . Eager to see our efforts , we all sat down ready to watch when he said , “ Bugger , I didn ’ t have any film in the camera ...” with that grin of his . In ‘ 86 I got a lift to the 6 Hour with Croz in his plane . Tim picked me up at the airport in his
Mitsubishi Sigma , it had a digital speedo which just kept going faster . I glanced over and saw 200 , then remarked “ Is this all it does ?” Tim grinned . He was bit put out that I wasn ’ t fazed , but I had heard the stories and went with it . Over the next few years Tim would add obstacles to the course and direct people into bogs , swamps , creeks or holes , always grinning . In ‘ 83 Tim took a team to the ISDE in Wales , a mixed result , but it started a big interest in riding the ISDE . In ‘ 86 it was mentioned the ‘ 88 ISDE would be in South Australia , so Tim got things underway for us to race at the Australian 4 Day in the Barossa Valley ; we had a team of 28 riders and supporters . Whilst Tim was our Jury man and all around source of knowledge , I became the default leader of the tour , it was also my honeymoon , which made it interesting .
Tim kept all the riders in line and informed of any difficulties on the track or in the Jury room and we all came away fizzing about 1988 , but it didn ’ t happen and it wasn ’ t until 1992 that we had a huge contingent enter . Tim was responsible for the Trophy and Vase riders and , as he was so focused on winning , he wanted his riders separate from the rest of us . I didn ’ t agree , so Tim and I had words ... such that we didn ’ t really speak for many years . Stubborn is a word that springs to mind . Tim was the force behind the Suzuki Series which introduced the Sports Production class and Kiwi Rider was involved . We could see what Tim was doing would be good for road racing . Tim had introduced the My Laps scoring system and it was a big step forward in results . Tim started the Woodville MX event and was there for most . At the 2015 event I was invited into the MOMC marquee for a cup of tea . Tim and I were seated at the same table . He looked at me , I looked at him ; we both laughed and shook hands . He remarked I was a stubborn bugger , to which I replied “ Touche .” Tim Gibbes ’ efforts for Motorcycling in NZ are legendary and I ’ m grateful to have been involved . PETE MCPHEE
70 KIWI RIDER