Motorcycling Queensland

A very productive meeting between representatives of Motorcycling Australia (MA) and the Promoters of the three venues staging the 2009 Australian Speedway Solo Championship took place at MA offices in Melbourne on Sunday, 3 August.

The finer points of staging the Championship were discussed and major headway was achieved.

With the great depth of young riders now racing in the UK, Europe and Australia, MA now has around 60 riders to consider for selection, with a dozen or so competing in the overseas Elite Leagues, 30+ in the lower Leagues and around 20 promising young domestic riders.

With so many talented Australian riders available, only Australian riders will compete in this year's Championship, and a Qualification Meeting will be held at the Central Coast Speedway in Gosford on Friday, 2 January 2009, the night prior to the first round at Newcastle Showground, to determine the final line-up of riders to contest the Championship. Around 6-8 riders from a 16 rider format are expected to progress into the Championship rounds.

Riders will be contacted by MA to find out if they wish to nominate for this season's event, but it is also recommended that riders contact MA as soon as possible as MA does not have current contact details for some riders.

All riders wanting to compete MUST confirm their participation by 1 September 2008 (contact Motorcycling Australia's Speedway Commission Chairman, Ivan Golding on 0417138378 or e-mail ivangold@sa.chariot.net.au) as the Promoters have taken the extraordinary step of supplying a container for the riders to bring their bikes to Australia and return to the UK. The container should leave England no later than mid-October and be back in the UK ready for the start of the 2009 season.

MA is also looking at a slight change in the race format, with the 16 rider, 20 heat format used, but instead of the top four going into the final, three will automatically qualify for the final, with the next four highest scorers going into a semi-final from which the winner will also going into the final.

MA and the promoters are doing their best to make this year's Championship Series a fantastic success - now it is up to the riders to show their desire to win their National Championship.

Motorcycling Queensland's Speedway Subcommittee is calling for nominations from riders interested in contesting the 2008 Queensland Open Under 21 Solo Speedway Championships.

The Championship will be held at Pioneer Park Speedway, Ayr on Saturday 29th November.

Entry for the Championship is open to any Queensland or interstate rider born after 1st January 1987.

Nominations must be in writing and should be submitted via the following methods by cob Friday 31st October.

Post: MQ Speedway Subcommittee - PO Box 2072 North Ipswich Qld 4305
Fax: (07) 3812-2742
Email: info@mqld.org.au

Successful applicants will be notified directly and will also be posted on the Motorcycling Queensland website.

More information on this event available by contacting the MQ Speedway Subcommittee Chairman - Neil Gould on 0488 529 851.

Queensland Junior Speedway and Dirt Track Champion – Darcy Ward is a junior no longer.

Darcy, who was awarded Motorcycling Queensland’s prestigious Junior Achiever of the Year award in 2006 for his outstanding Speedway and Track results, turned senior in early May 2008, and how time gets away from us.

The weekend after turning senior he was on a plane bound for Perth to compete in his first senior Speedway meeting – the Chum Taylor Cup.

Four wins and a second place had Darcy as the second highest points scorer behind ex British League rider - Frank Smart.

Wins against racing legends like Allan Rivett, Dave Cheshire, and Richard Sweetman had Darcy feeling confident going into his Semi-final.

Bad luck was however to get the better of him with his plug lead coming off whist he was in front, stopping the motor completely, and putting an abrupt end to Darcy’s night of racing.

The following weekend Darcy travelled to Gosford for the Central Coast Cup at Allan Park, Gosford, this time for some Long Track action.

Riding his brand new RMZ 450 fuel injected rocket, Darcy had a blinder. His standard RMZ Suzuki with a Rocket Power Pipe (proudly provided by Future Sport Motorcycles, Townsville), saw him finish the heats as the top points scorer.

He went on to win the final with blistering pace, going round the outside of Rowan Tungate on the first lap (see picture) of the final and cruising victory.

Darcy’s win saw him qualify directly into the 6 lap Central Coast Cup event. Keen as ever, flew out of the gate to win with ease over the strong 12 rider field. Going by the wheelie Darcy produced at the end of the race he was happy with his win.

Then last weekend Darcy was back in a Speedway frame of mind at the Winter Speedway Series at Tamworth, on his new 500cc Speedway bike, supplied to him by Darcy’s long time friend and sponsor - Ivor Harm from Brisbane Roof Tiling Supplies.

Two wins & a second put Darcy into the a final, where he ended up in 2nd place behind Hugh Skidmore. A result that Darcy was very pleased with considering how little racing he has had on this bike.

Darcy and Dad (Bryan) fly out for the UK on Sunday 6th July, where Darcy has been offered a Team Spot for the Boston Barracudas in the Conference League (England), something he’s always wanted.

“To ride competitively overseas has always been my goal. This two month stint in the Conference League is going to give me a great insight into what professional Speedway riding is all about” said Ward.

“I’m going to go from one race meeting every 3 weeks, to 3 meetings a week. But I’m confident that I can manage the workload” he continued.

Darcy is looking forward to catching with long time junior sparring partners and fellow Queenslanders Josh Grajczonek and Mitchell Davey – who are riding for the Glasgow Tigers.

“I’ve been in contact with Josh and Mitch, and they’ve offered to show me around the place, so that’s going to be nice” he finished.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Darcy arrives back in Brisbane from his overseas stint on Saturday 5th September, and will be competing at the Hatchers Speedway meeting the very next day.

“I’ve got a really hectic final couple of months this year, with both Speedway and Track State and National Title events, but that’s exactly the way I like it” he explained.

*Three young Queenslanders, Darcy Ward, Tyson Nelson and Clinton Dennis competed in the inaugural Australian 350cc Solo Championship at Gosford on Easter Sunday. Ward went through the heats unbeaten and was joined by Nelson in the final. Unfortunately the two came together and fell in the final, with Ward excluded from the rerun. Nelson then fell while holding down second spot, leaving Todd Kurtz (NSW) to take the honors, ahead of Alex Davies (NSW).

*Scott Smith won the annual Solo Silver sash at Gold Coast Speedway, with Nick Morris collecting the Junior Silver Sash. Geoff Tomkins took the Evolution Solo Challenge trophy at the same meeting.

*Our two young Glasgow Tiger "cubs" from Townsville, Mitchell Davey and Josh Grajczonek, were the heroes of Glasgow's first home fixture of the year. Facing defeat at the hands of the Berwick Bandits, Glasgow's fate rested on the heads of the two lads as they teamed up in the second last race. It was a fairytale run as Mitchell raced to the lead and Josh consolidated second, to draw the scores level. Fellow Aussies Trent Leverington and Shane Parker then wrapped up the win for the Tigers in the final heat.

*Former Queensland Champion Troy Batchelor is one of Motorcycling Australia's three selections to contest the World Under 21 Championship which starts in May. The others are Australian Champion Chris Holder (NSW) and Robert Kseizak (SA). The selections for the three places in the World Championship Grand Prix Qualifying Meeting are Holder, Batchelor and Rory Schlein (SA).

*Twenty year-old Batchelor was unavailable to defend his State title last December, however in January he became the first Queensland rider to win the South Australian Solo Championship. Batchelor has made a steady start to the 2008 British League campaign, where he has linked up with World number two Leigh Adams in the Swindon Robins team. Batchelor switched from Poole, where he rode along side Jason Crump.

*Crump has also left the Pirates and has rejoined the Belle Vue Aces. Crump, together with team captain Joe Screen, signed his new contract in the surrounds of success at the Manchester United museum.

*Filling the void in Poole's team are Chris Holder and Brisbane's Dave Watt. Poole is Watt's parent club and he returns after two years with Eastbourne. "Coming back to Poole is something I'm looking forward to," he said. "My very first day in England was spent at a Poole Press Day, as it was Poole who first helped me to come over here. So coming back feels like coming home to me." Watt is also popular in Poland and has been chosen as captain of the Rzeszow team for the next two years. The selection was made by the club's supporters via an internet poll.

Could he be Australia's best ever sidecar rider? Darren Treloar, that is, and a lot of pundits would say he is.

The Sydney-sider romped home to his third consecutive Australian Championship victory at Gillman Speedway, Adelaide, on Easter Saturday. It was also a record-equaling fifth title; Dennis Nash (WA) won his fifth crown at Mildura in 1989.

Treloar and his trusty passenger Justin Plaisted (SA) tasted their only defeat of the night at the hands of Townsville duo Scott Christopher/Trent Koppe in Heat 1. The North Queenslanders were in blistering form and who knows what the end result might have been, had they not been thwarted thereafter by fuel pump woes. Christopher was leading his second outing when his motor died and his night and Championship aspirations were over.

Treloar, however, shone brightly through his remaining heats to top the score chart. His clash with Warren Monson (Vic) was short lived but quite spectacular, with Monson flipping his outfit coming into the first turn. Monson suffered a broken collar-bone.

The final took three attempts to complete, with mayhem causing two stoppages. At the first attempt, Treloar was shunted high and spun against the fence. The other three, Mick Headland (SA), Dave Bottrell (SA) and Grant Bond (NSW), bunched and bumped along the back straight, with Bond being forced off the track. The race was stopped and all four brought back to the tapes for a restart.

Treloar shot straight into the lead, as Bottrell and Headland fought tooth and nail behind him, neither giving any quarter. After two laps of argy-bargy, Bottrell was excluded, the race stopped, and the remaining three lined up for the third attempt. This time, Headland quickly reined in Treloar's early lead and got the better of him. However the defending champion soon regained the pole position to take his title hat trick. FIM Gold Trophy winner Headland was second and Bond third. Bottrell was officially placed fourth.

It just wasn't Queensland's night. Our three contenders suffered mechanical distress from the outset. With Christopher's hopes left in tatters, Gary Moon/Mick Ing found themselves dogged by clutch trouble, which twice forced them onto the grass when the tapes rose. They borrowed Josh Sinnott's bike for their third race, where they met Treloar who promptly rattled off the fastest time of the night. Moon then called it a day.

At this stage, Ayr brothers Justin and Joel Aldridge were also packing up their gear. Dirt had got into their fuel and found its way to the fuel pump and carburetor.

Christopher and Aldridge secured their places in the championship via the qualifying rounds two nights earlier. Rob Patterson/John Van Eerde just missed out after tying on points, then losing a run-off. Other Queenslanders who missed out on qualifying were Josh Sinnott/Hamish Golding, Stuart Firth/Darren Fleming, Scott Lohmann/Melody Carragher and Paul Newman/Daniel Newman. Bill Sewell withdrew from the line-up in advance after his son and passenger, David, broke an arm.

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for the Sunshine State. Our junior sidecar teams did us proud by finishing first and third in the Glenn and Nathan O'Brien Cup, which was staged over six rounds. Dylan Blain/Robert Gottardi (pictured) came from behind to clinch the final from the local brother and sister pairing, Aaron and Teagan Hartwig. Tyler Moon/Denny Cox were third. It was interesting to see diminutive Australian Under 16 Solo Champion, Arthur Sissis (SA), piloting a junior sidecar around the circuit.

Townsville teenagers Josh Grajczonek (pictured) and Mitchell Davey flew out of Brisbane on Saturday to make their British League debut, riding for the Glasgow Tigers in the Premier League.

Photo shows Grajczonek holding a kangaroo mascot given to him at Mildura in January to take to Scotland. They join three other Australians in the seven man Tigers squad.

Team mate Trent Leverington from the Gold Coast also returned to Scotland last week, a couple of days after fulfilling the Best Man duties at the wedding of fellow rider Todd Groves. Leverington rode against his young colleagues in the Queensland Championship at the Gold Coast in December. The other Aussie Tigers are team captain Shane Parker and Robert Ksiezak, both of South Australia.

Said Parker, "I will be doing my bit to look after the youngsters. I had the chance to see Josh in action in the Australian Championship meetings and he is a very smooth rider with a nice style and I think he will be a very clever rider. I have only seen Mitchell when he was riding in England last September and he, too, has a chance to make a big impression, although it may take a bit of time for that to happen. They have both made a good decision to come to a club where there are three other Australians, as we all look after each other and the club will certainly benefit from that in the long term."

The North Queensland pair finally received their necessary visas and documentation only two days before flying out of the Tropics into a cold, wet and windy Scotland. Josh's bikes had already arrived over there, and Mitchell's were on their way as the pair set off in the company of Mitchell's father Gary, who will oversee them and help establish them in their European racing careers.

After touching down at Glasgow Airport, they had just three days to settle in, combat jet lag, collect and assemble their bikes before appearing at the club's official Press and Practice Day. The photo shoot took place at George Square in the centre of Glasgow, followed by practice at the track during the afternoon, then a "Meet the Riders Night" at the track's bar.

The boys had originally planned on being in Scotland much earlier in order to acclimatise and prepare, but bureaucracy intervened and delayed their departures. They, like several other Australian riders venturing to Britain, had to fly to Canberra to deal with the British High Commission then wait two weeks for their paperwork to arrive. Their work permits are for two years, so they won't face similar delays for 2009.

Glasgow co-promoter Alan Dick said, "There is a lot of interest in the boys from our supporters, so I imagine there will be a lot of eyes on how they do in the opening meetings. But as I have stressed before, the time to judge the lads will be at the end of the season and perhaps not even until the end of next season."

They will soon see the huge difference between speedway in Australia and speedway in Britain, where teams have fanatical supporters and treat their riders like VIPs. Fan clubs, websites, signing autographs, etc are part and parcel of it all. They will ride in the cold and wet conditions of the early part of the season, initially taking in one or two meetings a week. The pressure and tempo builds up as the league starts in earnest, and they'll find themselves with four meetings on consecutive nights in July, at tracks as far apart as Glasgow and the Isle of Wight.

Glasgow's opening fixture is on Sunday 9 March against Edinburgh in the Spring Trophy. That is followed by the return leg at Edinburgh the following Friday.

Motorcycling Australia is calling for applications for the 2008 FIM Individual Speedway Youth Gold Trophy 80cc, which is set to take place from 9-13 July in Skaerbaek, Denmark.

Application Forms can be downloaded by clicking on the following link - www.ma/org/au/ygt

Jason Kelly
Motorcycling Australia
PO Box 134, South Melbourne, VIC, 3205
or jason@ma.org.au

Applications will be assessed based on 2008 results, including those of the recent 2008 ‘Smarter than Smoking’ Australian under 16 Speedway Championship conducted at Neerabup, Western Australia.

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact Jason at either jason@ma.org.au or by phoning (03) 9684-0507.

Australian U16 Championships
It was a long haul across the Nullarbor Plain for six young Queenslanders who converged on Pinjar Park in Perth for the 2008 Australian Under 16 Championships on 18 & 19 January.

Diminutive South Australian Arthur Sissis won the final from Qld Champion Darcy Ward, Townsville's Clinton Dennis, and Justin Sedgmen (Vic).

Twelve year old Sissis came into the line-up as a late replacement for injured Taylor Poole (NSW). For Ward, it was his third time as runner-up in the past four years.

Ipswich's Nick Morris got off to a flying start in the heats with a win, but then a fall second time out and mechanical failure while leading a later race cost him dearly.

Gold Coast regulars Harley Brigden and Jake Moore progressed through the qualifying meeting into the main event, while Matt Day just missed out. However, 10 year old Matt has plenty of time on his side and used the trip to take in extra meetings at the Sidewinders track in Adelaide and at Mildura, as well as take part in Leigh Adams' Junior Coaching Clinic there.

On the night following the national individual title, the Best Pairs Championship was staged. Again Arthur Sissis was triumphant, paired with Mason Campton (NSW). In second place came the Victorian team of Justin Sedgmen and Josh Munro. Third place was taken out by the Queensland duo Darcy Ward and Nick Morris.

Australian Solo Championship

Queensland's rising international star Troy Batchelor (pictured) finished a commendable second to NSW sensation Chris Holder in last month's five round Australian Solo Championship Series.

Holder had no equal as he scorched to five straight finals wins, but Batchelor kept the pressure on, finishing second in three of the rounds and leading Holder for much of the last round final at Sydney's Homebush Showground.

It wasn't the ideal start to the series for Batchelor at Mildura, when he failed to make the final, but he stormed home to win the B Final and start the series in fifth place overall.

He bounced back in Adelaide to leapfrog into second place, a position he then maintained to the end.

Defending Australian Champion Jason Crump and nine times winner Leigh Adams didn't contest this year's title, as they took time off racing to recover from injuries received in last year's European campaign. However their absence was compensated somewhat by the inclusion of three foreign internationals. Belle Vue ace and former World Under 21 Champion Joe Screen finished in third place. The Englishman, who was the oldest rider in a very young field, has raced in Australia several times in the past, and proved to be a crowd pleaser with his spectacular leg-trailing style.

Grand Prix rider Freddie Lindgren of Sweden took a little time to adjust to Australian conditions, but managed fifth place overall. Czech teenager Filip Sitera, who rode in Ivan Mauger's Golden Helmet Series in 2005 and 2006, also made an impact on the contest by coming in seventh.

Queensland Under 21 Champion Josh Grajczonek finished in twelfth place, but his points tally belied an impressive performance which the 17 year old will build on for many more titles to come. Grajczonek and fellow Townsville teenager Mitchell Davey have been signed by British Premier League club Glasgow Tigers for the forthcoming season, which starts early next month.

Holder Takes The Double

Hot on the heels of his senior Australian Championship victory, 20 year old Chris Holder (pictured) claimed his fourth consecutive Australian Under 21 crown at Mildura on the Australia Day weekend.

In achieving this feat, Holder also became the first rider to hold both the Senior and Under 21 National Titles since Leigh Adams back in 1992.

Again Troy Batchelor found himself riding in Holder's shadow. Right from the start, when Holder beat Batchelor in Heat 1, the writing was on the wall. Who or what could stop Holder?

Not even the notorious Olympic Park track, which broke up and rutted badly, could faze the defending champion as he rode to top spot in the qualifying points.

Batchelor's fourth outing resulted in an uncharacteristic third place. This necessitated a run-off between him and equal points scorer Aaron Summers (SA) for the last berth in the final. Batchelor won, and then rode side by side with Holder into the first turn of the final, before Holder broke away. Batchelor chased him hard, before falling and sliding into the fence on the third lap. The race was stopped and restarted without the Queenslander.

Again Holder shot away, with Ty Proctor (Vic) coming in second and Robert Ksiezak (SA) pulling out with mechanical problems.

Two other Queenslanders contested the championship. Townsville lads Josh Grajczonek and Ashley Cathcart made the long trek south and joined 24 other riders participating in Leigh Adams' Coaching Clinic at the Mildura track two days prior to the big meeting.

The title got off to the worst possible start for Qld U21 Champion Grajczonek when he touched the tapes first time out and was excluded. It was a race he should have done well in. With Holder and Batchelor still to meet, this virtually crippled his chances of reaching the final.

The less experienced Cathcart found the track conditions treacherous and he came to grief several times. To his credit however, he picked himself up each time, remounted and refused to let the conditions get the better of him.

The Queensland Speedway Sidecar Championship scheduled to take place at the Rockhampton Showgrounds this Saturday night (16th February) has been postponed.

Recent heavey rain in the area has made preperation of the track for the meeting impossible. All riders entered for the event will be notified directly by Motorcycling Queensland.

An alternate date is yet to be confirmed, however once a new date has been confirmed all riders will be notified directly by Motorcycling Queensland, and the new date / details will be advertised on this website.

Matt recives the $2,000 cheque from Bob Leyden

The Gold Coast Sidecar Championship at Mike Hatcher Park on January 19 was a special night which, I am sure, left everyone feeling very good about life.

Not only was the racing sensational, which is almost a "given" on this track when it comes to sidecars, but the generosity of speedway people was never more on display.

The collection arranged on the night to raise funds for young Dirt Track and Road Race star Matthew Kuhne netted over $2,000 (see photo).

This money will go someway towards defraying the costs of enabling Matthew to
travel to San Diego, USA, to undertake an intensive rehabilitation program with
Project Walk. Matthew's mother, Lisa, will travel with him as his carer.

Matthew, who grew up on his home track at Mike Hatcher Park, suffered an
accident in early August last year which left him with a broken neck in three
places and a C6 quadriplegic analysis. He has been in Brisbane's PA Hospital ever since and is due for discharge on January 31. This, is itself, is a remarkable feat, as this is the quickest anyone in Matthew's situation has completed the
rehabilitation program the hospital can offer.

He is best mates with World Moto GP Champion Casey Stoner and was Casey's best man at his wedding a little over a year ago. Casey caught up with Matthew just before Christmas and both he and Anthony West, another good mate, have been very supportive. These three, of course, raced together so many times as juniors at Mike Hatcher Park and tracks all over Australia.

Matthew is a determined character who is very positive about his future and absolutely determined to walk again. He was accepted into the Project Walk program in America when they found out about his determination and will to succeed, a trait which characterised his racing days.

His initial visit to America will see Matthew complete two stages of the five-stage course, the final one being able to walk again. This will necessitate numerous trips back and forth between Australia and the USA, with no set time-span for the complete course. As every case is different, determining a final stage date is impossible at this stage, but it goes without saying that Matthew will give it 110% effort, and will not take 'no' for an answer.

Everyone who knows Matt, has every confidence that he will succeed. A massive thank-you to all of the wonderful Speedway people who so generously gave for the cause. What makes their generosity even more heartwarming is that Matthew is not even a Speedway person, yet everyone their on the night saw beyond this and supported someone in need.

If anyone who was not there on the night and happens to read this and feels he/she/they would like to contribute something, please contact Bob Leyden on (07) 3277 3367 to arrange.

Morris (left) listens attentively to Two-time Speedway World Champion Jason Crump

Two-time Speedway World Champion Jason Crump delivered Motorcycling Queensland's 'Ultimate Speedway Coaching Experience' to 13 year old Nick Morris at North Brisbane Track on Tuesday 8th January 2008.

Morris, was amongst hundreds of other riders who had submitted an entry in Motorcycling Queensland's 'Ultimate Coaching Experience'.

The competition, developed by Motorcycling Queensland, offered Queensland licence holders from all riding disciplines, the opportunity to win a one on one coaching session from some of Queensland's and Australia's top riders, including names like Jason Crump (Speedway), Chris Vermeulen (Road Racing), Daniel Reardon (Motocross) and AJ Roberts (Enduro / Off Road) to name just a few.

Morris's name was drawn as the lucky 'Speedway' winner at Motorcycling Queensland's Presentation Dinner on 2nd December 2007. The full list of winners can be viewed here.

The 2-hour one-on-one coaching session was held at the North Brisbane track, and Crumpy gave young Nick a range of pointers and advice which will be put to great use as Nick prepares his transition from the junior 125cc to his brand new 350cc machine Pryme Pty Ltd - http://pryme.com.au

Morris is seen as one of Queensland's most promising up and coming junior Speedway riders, and in the year's to come hopes to follow in the footsteps of other Queenslanders such as Josh Grajczonek and Mitchell Davey who have recently signed contracts to compete competitively overseas.

Crump (together with another Speedway legend - Mitch Shirra) recently completed a Level 1 Coaching Course with Motorcycling Queensland and demonstrated an effective, relaxed and attention gripping manner in his delivery.

Motorcycling Queensland would like to offer a huge thank-you to Jason Crump for agreeing to give upt his valuable 'holiday time' be involved with The Ultimate Coaching Experience.

The remaining 'Ultimate Coaching Experiences' have been arranged to take place throughout the first half of 2008.

Nick Morris was one of the youngest competitors at the Australian U16s Speedway Championships held at Neerabup, Western Australia on the 18th & 19th January. A shattered engine in the last qualifying race saw Nick narrowly miss the main final. Morris and fellow Queenslander Darcy Ward, did however pick-up 3rd place in the 'pairs' event.