Benn Archibald, how did the bike bug bite you?
In 1979 when I was seven-years old I got a Honda Z50 Mini-Trail and started riding gymkhana events and won a trophy in my first year, the Ku-ring-gai club championship. In 1980 I won the Junior Australian Gymkhana Championship. My brothers were also riding and my father had a background in speedway cars so I suppose competition was in the blood. I moved on into dirt track racing at around nine years old and started collecting the wins and podium places while progressing through the ranks of the 60, 80 and 100 and 125cc classes.
You racked up an impressive collection of titles racing dirt track.
I hold 11 National Titles and also a number of State Titles all in dirt track racing. I went all through 1986 and 1987 undefeated in the 125 Dirt Track Titles.
Dirt Track had a pretty high profile in those years didn’t it?
It did. I was riding a YZ125 on the Triple MMM Procycle team (MMM is a Sydney FM radio station) along with Greg Scott, Paul Caslick, Dale Britten and Matt Mladin. I also had sponsorship from Big Ben pies, there was interest back then from sponsors outside of the motorcycle industry.
Has the bug bitten your kids, Benn?
Yes my boys both race but the eldest Jackson, has stepped back a bit from racing and helps in my waterproofing business. My youngest son Cooper also races in dirt track and is doing very well. Our ambition is to go to the US and race over there. Jackson holds the 2018 Queensland Title and Cooper currently holds three consecutive Junior North Brisbane Cups and is going for his fourth (at time of writing this). He’s also won the Casey stoner Cup and the 2023 Junior Australian Flat Track Series and is currently leading the 2024 series (at time of writing).
You switched to road racing, why was that?
In 1989 I won the Ivan Mauger Long Track event on a methanol fuelled YZ125 and attracted the attention of Warren Willing who suggested I try road racing. I was ready for a change of scenery by then so thought it was something new to try. I was an apprentice cabinetmaker at that time, and started road racing on a Kawasaki 250 in the Production class but most of the field were riding Suzuki RGV250s. I also competed in the Superstreet class which allowed certain modifications to the bikes. I was very fortunate to get support and guidance from both Willing and Peter Molloy through my road-racing career as well as from Peter Doyle.
You had a pretty serious crash at one time didn’t you?
That was at the first Grand Prix held at Eastern Creek in 1991. I was riding for Peter Molloy on a Kawasaki in the Superbike class when I crashed breaking 18 bones including my back, ending up in a coma for 15 days. I was back racing again 10 months later on a team with Mat Mladin after having to learn to walk again.
What events stand out for you, Benn?
My favourite win would be the Formula Extreme Championship at Oran Park in 1998. That was special as my Mum and Dad were there to see it; they had stopped coming to the races after my crash. I also have good memories of winning the 1994 Malaysian Superbike title and riding the Suzuka 8 Hours in 1992 against Kevin Schwantz who was an idol of mine as he had started his career on dirt tracks. That was also my toughest race, being the first after my accident.
You’ve mentioned Yamaha and Kawasaki. Did you ever ride other brands?
Over my career I’ve also ridden on both Aprilia, winning the 2004 Naked Bike Championship, and Ducati machinery. I don’t race anymore, I didn’t officially retire I just stopped turning up as my interest waned. I also had family and business commitments to consider. All my interest and efforts these days go into supporting my sons and their ambition to race overseas. Great to see the number one plate on an Archibald bike again.
