Never have I seen an Australian BMX video that looks so professional, which is why I took a personal interest in making sure everyone knew about the 2002 Australian Championships video. I saw the 1998 World championships video and the 1999 World cup coverage, but neither measure up to this. I love watching BMX racing, I had cable TV hooked up at home so I could watch the televised ABA and NBL races but there hasn't been much on for quite some time now. The 2002 Australian Championships video is everything as good but without the ads.
I haven't seen any of the past Australian Championships videos, even though I have been to about 16 "Aussies" over the past 21 years, and to be honest it was because I assumed the quality would be below par, at least that was the perception I had built up from other people's feedback, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this video.
The
local Tasmanian Fifthwall (www.tassportvideo.com)
crew had a very professional approach to recording the event, and were
well set up around the track, with scaffolding that got their 3 cameras
looking over the entire track, and there was also one wandering camera
getting amongst the crowd and doing interviews -- some of that footage
included a few words from Kamakazi (Redline), Luke Madill (Norco), Tanya
Bailey (Cassap) and Mike Fenwick (Specialized/Avanti). 
From just standing or sitting around the track it was impossible to see 100% of any race. I believe the track itself was well built and a lot of fun for the riders, however because of the slope of the land that the track was built on it was impossible for the spectators to get a good view. Many people had their own personal video cameras at the titles but would have had a hell of a time getting good footage. That's where the Fifthwall guys had an unfair advantage, being able to see the whole track, that along with the slick camera work and floorless editing.
The opening ceremony...
The opening ceremony is the most boring part of any Australian Championships
event, being so long and drawn out, but it was put together in a very
interesting format for the video. Instead of just taping the corporate
and state teams parading around the track, there was a short sequence
of stills or snapshots which included many of the teams and riders along
with some interviews with riders and parents on what they thought of the
track and any predictions they may have had for the main event.
The racing...
The
racing was well recorded, there's a sideview of the start before the gate
drops, then a view of pretty much the whole field for the entire length
of the track. Any of the action that may have been missed by one camera
was picked up by another camera and showed at the end of the race. The
one criticism I would have of the racing is that the start (as the gate
drops) would have been better filmed from a side view to show the riders
fight for the all important advantage out of the gate, which is a little
difficult to make out from a head on view. Apart from that I'd go out
on a limb to say the race footage is flawless. And the commentators must
have been recorded directly from the microphone as there is very little
background noise, although you can still hear the crowd going crazy. After
the finals, the class winners were interviewed, adding a little more of
a personal touch to the overall video presentation and letting the viewers
get into the riders heads as they gasp for air.
The
trophy presentation...
Like the opening ceremony, the trophy ceremony was a series of stills
and a bit of footage from the Norco tent as the celebrations began with
promotional gear being thrown out to the crowd. It was a good summary
of how it went down, some happy faces and some not so happy.
Video packages/Ordering information...
Given the quality of the videos the prices seem quite reasonable to
me, even if you have a large family this is one video that would get a
lot of use, particularly if you were at the event and want to analyse
your performance as the 2003 World championships approach.
Here's the price breakdown:
Package 1 $40 - Races and finals for 1 class, OR
Package 2 $60 - Races and finals for 1 class PLUS semi finals
& finals for Elite Men, Elite Ladies, Junior Elite Men, Junior Elite
Cruiser & Elite Cruiser.
Both packages include interviews, highlights, opening and closing
ceremonies.
Add $30 for 1 additional class then $25 for subsequent classes. e.g. 3
classes in package 1 would cost $40+$30+$25= $95. Add $6.50 for postage
and handling.
OR (added 29 August 2002) - Special offer package: Get all motos and finals for Junior Elite, Junior Elite Cruiser, Elite Men and Elite Men crusier for $40 plus $5 postage and handling. Usual cost $120. reduced now to $40! Add $25 for any extra class.
The videos are available direct from Fifthwall, you can place your order NOW on: (03) 6278 9917 or 0413 139 599 E-mail: martinduffy@tassportvideo.com
The 2002 Australian Championships video is a must for any BMX racer, whether you were at the event or not. There were some very inspiring races in the Elite classes by Tanya Bailey taking the Elite women's class again, Khalen Young (Norco) doubling in the Jnr Elite and Luke Madill (Norco) also doubling in the senior elite, so it might be well worth going for package 2 to have those finals included.
If I had to rate the video and the overall presentation I'd give it an 8/10, as far as value for money I'd say 7/10. The boys at Fifthwall did a fine job, I only wish it was up to me to ask them back for next years nationals and the worlds. Sure it took them some time to complete the video, but if you consider that these guys had to edit every race for every single class that's a lot of editing. These guys did more than just capture the races on tape they managed to capture the atmosphere for each moto and all of the action. Do yourself a favour get your own copy, you won't be disappointed.
Click here for an MP3 audio snippet taken from the video.
If you have a copy of the Australian Championships email us at webmaster@bmxultra.com and share your thoughts, we'll post them right here on this page.
01 September 2002 - Another email forwarded by Martin Duffy...this one from New Zealand
Hey Martin,
The video has arrived.....it is awesome to watch & I am very happy
that I ordered it, the racing is amazing to watch!!
Thanks.
Tony Wilcock
New Zealand
24 July 2002 - the following 2 emails were forwarded to
us from Martin Duffy, head honch of Fifthwall, the video company who put
the 2002 Australian titles video package together:
Dear Martin,
We have been purchasing BMX videos of the National BMX titles since 1995,
when the event was held in Canberra.
The tape you have delivered is by far, the best of the lot, and worth
the wait.
You have raised the bar, and set a new standard for these productions
in Australia.
I trust you will endevour to seek the job next year both in Adelaide and
Perth.
Thank you from all of my family.
Yours sincerely,
Wiliam Buchhorn
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dear Martin,
Thank you. we received the video on friday,the kids were so excited ...
it has already been played numerous times, replayed, and played in slow
motion.
Congratulations on a job well done. it was worth waiting for.
Lynne Docherty