This London man just brought home a motocross world title. Did we mention he's 80?
CBC
Bill Van Vugt is living a life that's unlike most other people his age, and one which has seen him turn a longtime hobby into championship gold.
Last month, the 80-year-old Londoner brought home the +80 title at the 41st Dubya World Vet Motocross Championships at California's Glen Helen Raceway.
It's the latest chapter in a motocross journey that began when he was 40.
The affinity for motocross runs in Van Vugt's family. His daughter and son, Jolene and Billy, are both accomplished motocross racers themselves, and Jolene is also an experienced stunt actor.
The London octogenarian sat down with London Morning host Andrew Brown on Friday to talk about his motocross accomplishments and what keeps him going back to the track at his age.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Andrew Brown: Congratulations, first off.
Bill Van Vugt: Thank you very much.
AG: I did not know that there was an 80+ class in motocross.
BVV: It started about four or five years ago in Glenn Helen, California. They added it to the list.
AG: How many people were you racing against?
BVV: There were five of us.
AG: What was the competition like? What did it feel like to participate in it?
BVV: It's like with the younger guys. The gate drops, and you go, and then whoever gets over the first finish line first wins. There's one day of practice, and then every day there's a race, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and they take the overall.
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Bill Van Vugt is living a life that's unlike most other people his age, and one which has seen him turn a longtime hobby into championship gold.
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