Gold Coast Speedway

[Trackman 3]

Spring Cup Action - Posted 03 September, 2007

 

 

 

Near-perfect track conditions created some great racing as the new season got under way with a 52 Event programme which started with junior solo racing. Two riders making their debut in the the 14 strong junior line-up were Gladstone youngsters Brandon Coglan and Scott Schofield. Harley Brigden, Mathew Day and Nick Morris were the most impressive in the heats, with Harley registering four wins and a fall. These three were joined by Jake Moore in the final, where Morris got away smartly to claim the Junior Spring Cup. Brigden worked his way through the field to take second, with Day third and slightly "off colour" Moore in fourth. Ivan Mauger presented their trophies.

 

 

 

All eyes were on newcomer Tysen Thackeray in the senior solos and he lived up to promise with a debut race win, spirited riding and finally a second win in the B Final. Nathan Apps also acquitted himself well. Showing great improvement on his brand new JRM was North Queensland's Ashley Cathcart, who knocked up wins over Jon White and Sam Taylor. Seventeen year-old Josh Grajczonek flew down from Townsville, then flew around the track in a polished performance to top the points chart, but not without dropping a point to both Taylor and White. It was Taylor who led the final away, but Grajczonek reeled him in with and outside swoop on pits bend to clinch the Solo Spring Cup. Taylor filled second, with White third and Cathcart fourth.

 

 

 

There were thrills and spills aplenty in the sidecar section, starting with Ross Brown/Ricky Tumini flipping their outfit in practice. They were able to repair any damage and take their place in the field of 14. Comeback lady Kym French was also one to take an inverted view of the track after careering into the fence and rolling violently. French was unharmed, but passenger Steve Kelly required ambulance attention in getting back on his feet. Several sidecars spun out and several charged infield, throwing their passengers. There were some tenacious moves and some very close finishes, one of these being the cut and thrust race which saw Wayne Munck/Shelley Warnes pip Steve Taylor/Daniel Newman on the line. Very impressive was former passenger Robbie Wilson, with experienced Cameron Bell in the chair. They dropped just one point (to Taylor) in the heats, as did Munck (to Wilson). Taylor/Newman were next highest on points. Dave Oliver did himself proud on his return to the saddle, with Teneille Taylor as swinger. The pair were fourth qualifiers for the final. A disqualification cost Jeff Barth/Steve Craker a place in the final. It was Taylor who led all the way to take the Sidecar Spring Cup, as interest centred on a battle royal for second place between Wilson and Oliver. Munck was crowded out in the first turn and didn't recover. Wilson held Oliver off until the sprint to the chequered flag, where Oliver got the verdict as the two outfits crossed side by side.

 

 

Thanks Gavin.

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