Stats 5 Posted June 27, 2003 PLENTY OF HISTORY IN WA TITLE By Ken Brown The Western Australian Solo Championship is one of the longest running Speedway titles in the entire world. It was first held during the opening season of the Claremont Speedway at meeting number 12 on Saturday November 26, 1927. A report in The West Australian newspaper the following Monday read as follows- “On Saturday night the State Motorcycling Championship, over 2 miles (5 laps) was decided at the Claremont Speedway, when the W.A. Motor Cycling Association conducted an electric light meeting. There was a splendid attendance and the programme was productive of some good racing. The Final of the State Championship promised to be thrilling and so it was. Schlam gained the jump out from the gun, but Kinnear sprang a surprise by chasing and heading him. His advantage was short lived, however, for Datsun darted through on the inside as they passed the stand for the first time, and established a lead of about twelve yards from Schlam, who was just in front of Kinnear. With three-quarters of the second lap covered, and while the riders were travelling at a great rate, Datsun came off and Schlam went on to win comfortably over Kinnear.” Sig Schlam, known as “The Trackmaster”, became the very first winner of the WA Solo Championship over Ted Kinnear and Charlie Datsun. Tragically Schlam was killed in a race accident at the Perth Speedway (WACA Ground) on November 1, 1930. This Sunday (June 29) sees the 56th running of that historic title at the Bibra Lake Speedway. A total of 32 riders can claim to have taken off the event, with eleven of them being multiple winners. Best of the bunch were Mick McKeon and Glenn Doyle, who each can claim 6 successes in the event. Chum Taylor won 5 times, while Guy Wilson was victorious on 3 occasions. Two-time winners were Wally Higgs, George McPherson, Ross Nickisson, Les Leisk, Glyn Taylor (son of Chum), Steve Johnston and Lee Redmond. Another 21 competitors were single winners of the coveted title. They include Arthur Atkinson (Eng), Wal Morton (Eng), Ken McKinlay (Scotland), Ove Fundin (Sweden), Ivan Mauger (New Zealand), Simon Cross (Eng) and Rob Woffinden (Eng). Of course, Rob Woffinden is the father of present day Junior Solo competitor Tai Woffinden. David Cheshire won the 1983-84 Championship as a 16 year old – the youngest ever winner. It would be simply amazing if he was to score another success some nineteen years later. WA SOLO CHAMPIONS 1927-28 Sig Schlam 1928-29 Fred Kirkpatrick 1929-30 Arthur Atkinson (Eng) 1935-36 Wal Morton (Eng) 1936-37 Mick Murphy 1950-51 Wally Higgs 1951-52 Wally Higgs 1952-53 Ray Melville 1953-54 Rusty Wainwright 1954-55 George McPherson 1955-56 Ron Johnson 1957-58 Chum Taylor 1959-60 George McPherson 1960-61 Aub Lawson 1961-62 Chum Taylor 1962-63 Chum Taylor 1963-64 Ross Nickisson 1964-65 Jim Phillips 1965-66 Ken McKinlay (Scot) 1966-67 Ross Nickisson 1967-68 Chum Taylor 1968-69 Ove Fundin (Sweden) 1969-70 Chum Taylor 1970-71 Terry O’Leary 1971-72 Les Leisk 1972-73 Ivan Mauger (NZ) 1973-74 Rod Chessell 1974-75 Peter Thompson 1975-76 Les Leisk 1976-77 Mick McKeon 1977-78 Mick McKeon 1978-79 Mick McKeon 1979-80 Robert Moores 1980-81 Mick McKeon 1981-82 Glyn Taylor 1982-83 Glyn Taylor 1983-84 David Cheshire 1984-85 Mick McKeon 1985-86 Mick McKeon 1986-87 Simon Cross (Eng) 1987-88 Rob Woffinden (Eng) 1988-89 Glenn Doyle 1989-90 Glenn Doyle 1990-91 Glenn Doyle 1991-92 Glenn Doyle 1992-93 Glenn Doyle 1993-94 Steve Johnston 1994-95 Glenn Doyle 1995-96 Steve Johnston 1996-97 Lee Redmond 1997-98 Frank Smart 1998-99 Guy Wilson 1999-00 Lee Redmond 2000-01 Guy Wilson 2001-02 Guy Wilson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stats 5 Posted July 2, 2003 Unfortunately heavy rain during the week forced the cancellation of the meeting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stats 5 Posted July 3, 2003 The WA Solo Championship will now be held on Sunday July 13. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speedway Chick Posted July 19, 2003 Hiya, Any idea when the State Solo Champs will will go ahead?? I went to go to that meeting, but there was no one there cos of the rain. Track was well drenched. Ive not long come back from a practice at Bibra Lake on my Solo. Had fun, but my bike played up a bit. Oh well.... better get my hubby to strip the carby down i guess. chat soon bye Denise :roll: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sir Lunchalot Posted July 19, 2003 Hi Denise From http://www.speedwaymotorcycles.au.com/ I can see meetings at Bibra Lake every second weekend, namely July 27th, August 10th, August 24th, Sept 7th, Sept 21st etc. August 10th is listed as being for solos, perhaps that is the most likely date ? Just out of interest where exactly is Bibra Lake in relation to Perth, one day I must wander over west and have a look see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stats 5 Posted July 19, 2003 Several dates have been given to the bike boys and a decision will be made shortly. The problem is that several of the guys are coming from the country- Kambalda and Broome. Bibra Lake Speedway is south of Perth - near the Jandakot Airport. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stats 5 Posted July 21, 2003 Just received word that the WA Solo Championship will be run on Sunday September 7 at the Bibra Lake Speedway. The rain date will be October 5. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WATigerman 1 Posted July 23, 2003 Sir Lunchalot - Bibra Lake Speedway is approx. 18 km's south of Perth City. in Jandakot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sir Lunchalot Posted July 23, 2003 Sir Lunchalot - Bibra Lake Speedway is approx. 18 km's south of Perth City. in Jandakot Thanks WA Tigerman I did have a surf on the net after I asked that question and found out it was out at Jandakot, then I searched for a Perth map and saw roughly where it was. Shame for me Perth isn't that bit closer to Melbourne and shame for me too that you race on a Sunday. I did Adelaide last year for the SA titles and that was easy, flew over cheap on Saturday morning, saw the meeting on Saturday evening and back Sunday, I'm just trying to talk myself into doing the same for your meeting. I need a fix !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozyace 0 Posted July 24, 2003 If it rains on September 7th then held on 6th October will this mean (if they are back) we might see Johnno, Frankie, Harding Jnr, Blackman also riding in the championship - Whatever I'll be there I need a fix aswell - no disrespect to the guys racing at Bibra Lake every 2nd to 3rd Sunday either. I might put this on another thread when confirmed or maybe Sir Lunchalot or someone else can confirm the dates for the Oz titles are as follows January 10 - Brisbane Exhibition Ground Jan 17 - Gosford & Jan 24 Mildura? I'll definatley go to the last two if it entices the GUNS to ride. By the way what was the best W.A. Championship any you people saw seeing as there are many sandgropers on this thread. Think mine would have to be Doyle's 91-92 after his big crash coming out of Fowlhouse on to the main straight. Then went on to win his next heat & the championship. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sir Lunchalot Posted July 24, 2003 The bikes are back on at the Ekka in Brisbane ??? I'm there like a shot, it's a magic place for speedway. Only saw speedway there once in early 1995 in a round of the Speedway Masters but what a terrific set up with all the stands and all that atmosphere. (That reminds me, must dig out that program and post what it said about "Smudger" Smith, some things never change !!) I inhabit all the usual speedway net sites here in Oz and I'll post when I find out the dates for the Oz titles if no one beats me to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poona 0 Posted July 24, 2003 I might put this on another thread when confirmed or maybe Sir Lunchalot or someone else can confirm the dates for the Oz titles are as follows January 10 - Brisbane Exhibition Ground Jan 17 - Gosford & Jan 24 Mildura? Great news Ozyace. Is there anywhere or one you or SL knows to get confirmation of these Oz title dates as I'll be putting in for leave & hopefully get to all of them, just hope all our boys overseas get home & take part to make it the best possible title, as without a doubt, our national title could be as good as any meet in the in the world with the talant we have at the moment. GP's included. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozyace 0 Posted July 24, 2003 poona Only Speculating I believe these dates are penciled in, Rod Colquorn, Mick Poole and some others are trying to get it up & going(anyone????), Poole is in the U.K. (Mick that is) at the moment hopefully getting the "GUNS' to ride, I know of one sandgroper who is keen to ride who knows it might even bring some foriegners out here, better than being freezing cold with rain & snow. Just the thought of watching these guys race has me salavating, i can probably only get a week and a bit off though as I'm going to Europe next year also. Cardiff G.P. & hopefully a couple either side of it not to mention, Belle Vue.....Mondays, Wolves ....Tuesdays, Sweden..... Wednesdays,Ipswich...Thursdays.....Newcastle Brown Fridays.... can't wait Ssssssseeya Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speedway Chick Posted July 25, 2003 :?: Hey Ozyace, do I know you????? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poona 0 Posted July 25, 2003 Top stuff Oz, hope Mick & Rod can get it all to come together as we the australian speedway fans deserve it, it fires me up just thinking about it mate. As for your trip to catch a few GPs in UK/europe, are you travelling on a packaged deal tour or winging it on your pat. I've been thinking about doing something similar next year after attending last years Oz GP. I'd also want to catch our boys in the SWC. Anyways, I just hope the Oz titles can be what they can be, the best national on the face at the moment... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
