Return of ‘The Zook’

By Lachlan Ellis

3A local BMX club has found its stolen track car, and while it’s not in working order, there is a silver lining to the story, with other clubs chipping in for a new track car.

The Bacchus Marsh BMX Club, which is run by volunteers, had its track car, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Zook’, stolen in September, as well as bikes and equipment.

About two and a half weeks later, The Zook was found, dumped in a paddock in Mount Cottrell along the train tracks.

After being checked by the Club, it seemed The Zook could run again, with panel damage and a lost bonnet the main issues.

However, when BMX Club member Mick Odgers later went to recover The Zook, it had since had further damage done which rendered it unusable.

Bacchus Marsh BMX Club Co-President Simon Antonello said it was disappointing that someone would do this to a community group, but it had “turned out okay in the end” thanks to support from other BMX clubs.

“We were dirty about it, it would’ve been working before that extra damage was done. They smashed the engine, broke water pumps, radiators, and windscreens…it was pointless damage,” Mr Antonello told the Moorabool News.

“We were meant to have a ‘Memorial Clubby’ on October 22 to say goodbye to Zook, but it got washed out. In the meantime, the week before, Northern BMX Club donated all their race fees and canteen profit to us, which is about $850. Then Casey BMX Club took donations as well, of about $300 which they gave to us. So we ended up getting back most of the money we lost. We got a grant to be able to pay for the start hill gate as well.”

The Club has since bought a new car, with a competition planned to name it. A new date for a Zook Memorial Clubby is also in the works.

For more information on the Bacchus Marsh BMX Club, visit their social media pages.