chopper

Jr's need track time. A stand alone Speedway is what they all need..... What we would give for some track time. One ride in 5 months at gillman, really encourages us to stay in the sport. Chopper

Thanks for that Lunchy,its hard to concentrate on whos doing what when your kids out there. Still people out there saying that the 350 class shouldnt be running, but when you look at the size of the kids that are riding them i think that if you ride to your ability they are safe.I keep drumming into Roberts head to treat them with respect, because they can bite you like they did to Sam Dore last night, over on your arse in a second. Does anyone know if Trevor Harding was going to ride last night or is he too old. Chopper

Goodonya Chopper! Aaron's come on in leaps & bounds this year. Any heat details on the 350's? Hi BFD, couldnt give you exact details but Young Sedge and Kurtz were having some good races,think they might have shared the wins. The rest of the placings were shared between the other three.Robert had a second and a couple of thirds, hes finding out about riding tracks with some grip, but is learning all the time, problem is hes not getting any rides, gillman arent coming to the party. Chopper

Could anyone who watched the meeting comment on Kozza's two exclusions? First one he got thrown off first corner, second one very soft to say the least, but not suprising considering the lack of good refs around.Not much more than a bump while going through on the inside.Still think he has the goods. Ty Proctor showed the potentual ive always believed he has had, makes a huge difference if you gate well which has been his downfall.He will have some good and bad meetings in the uk, but supporters need to give him time. Aaron Summers, a big improver this season, looks all class. For sure Sedgy has the goods, great first up effort after the crash. Josh Grazonick was quick but needs some time on smaller tracks. Over 20 juniors plus the 350s , so things look bright although they were from most parts of australia.Sedgy junior and Josh Munro having there last junior rides. Chopper

Pleased to say a 350 australian championship has been penciled in for newcastle about the 16th of febuary. Chopper

Just arrived back in adelaide and would like to thank the WA speedway community for the recent aus titles.A very well run event, and certainly worth the long trip.Dont know if anyone from over the club reads this forum, but if so can you pass it on. On the racing front, a real horse power track, Authur too good, the next seven or so were very even, one Young Nick was unlucky with machinery problems,Robert Medson blew his good bike in practice, while Todd and Robert copped a flogging from the ref, but i will be taking that up with MA later, not good to be changing your mind after youve made a decision , leaves you wide open. But it was great to see the kids getting on after the meeting, which is what its all about. Only low point was Trevor Hardings alarming crash. Cheers Chopper

I believe in the old saying, you can only beat whos out there, and as the others werent there, tough. Same can be said of different eras, where the talent hasnt been as strong. Chris stamped his authority on the series and was a deserving winner. My rider of the series and bear in mind i only saw the first three, was Joe Screen, i have talked to people that were at gillman that were blown away with his riding and that included me. I hope the 350s get a bigger billing next year, 5 rounds 8 riders with finals at each round with a series winner would be good, and maybe some sponsorship to off set some of the costs. Cheers Chopper

Some comments on the 350 racing in Newcastle Some of Australia’s most talented Speedway youngsters were sldo given the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of a huge Newcastle crowd on Wednesday night. Four of our best junior riders – Alex Davies, Todd Kurtz, Darcy Ward and Tyson Nelson, raced in six heats throughout the evening on their 350cc machines – a capacity recently introduced into Australian junior racing by Motorcycling Australia. Davies, Kurtz and Ward were all part of the Australian contingent that competed in Poland at the Youth Gold Trophy event in July last year, and all three impressed throughout their heats. Davies, who won three of the six races was happy with the way he performed: “It was great – I topped the night off with a win and having done that with no final, it was pretty good,” he said. “I was pretty ordinary towards the start of the night, but got much better towards the end of the night and that’s where I shone. “The 350 is so much better than the 125. The 125’s are a great stepping stone and everyone has to come through it, but the 350’s are great.” The night was a reality check for Kurtz who also gave the 350’s the big thumbs up. “It was definitely tough out there. I need to get back to the gym I think because I am pretty buggered!” he said. “It has been great to be a part of the Australian Championship series, so hopefully it will go for a bit longer. “The 350’s are awesome. It is a big step from the 125’s to the 500’s, and the 350’s just fill it in a bit, so that’s a big help.” Ward managed to win a heat, and was very consistent with three third placings, as he prepares for an assault at the Under 16 Championship which will be held in WA later this month. “The Under 16 Championship should be good – it will be a big track, it’s going to be hard with a lot of good riders, but hopefully I will come away with a win.” The 2008 Australian Speedway Solo Championship heads to the Sydney Showground for the final round on Friday. Chopper

Not to sure where those comments may have come from, but from my point of view as a parent, bring on an aussie title. The problem is that the 125s while a great learning curve are to small for some of the bigger kids, some kids can ride them till 16 if they are fairly small, but for the bigger kids the bikes become too cramped, the motors have to work a lot harder, and blow a lot more often. Robert will be finishing juniors after the aussie under 16 title, not because we dont love the sport but because he is to big.In the past the 350 option wasnt there, and if it wasnt there now we would have drifted away from the sport for a few years, and who knows if we may have come back to the sport as we also do motocross. So as far as we are concerned we would love to have a aussie 350 title, Roberts first two meetings in the aussie title rounds were brilliant fun,and a great learning curve, and if we had the option next year we would love to do all the rounds, and remember we dont get tow or point money.Todd kurtz rode in mildura, went home and then drove to Mount Gambier a 22 hour return trip so i think that clearly shows the commitment that they along with the other parents have to the class. Cheers Darrell Branford

Have to echo BFDs thoughts, a good meeting, great racy track, and once again Screeny good entertainment value, although not being able to beat Holder in the final. Didnt see you around BFD, and Lunchy, but enjoy the rest of your trip, wish we were following the tour, but have to get organised for the perth trip. Hope that the 350s are given a greater presence next year, ten riders with a final at all rounds(including gillman)would be a great boost to the class. Cheers Chopper

Cheers for the link to the photo's, i too noticed Josh Grajocek (sp) wearing a Leatt or similar neck brace. I wonder what his feedback on wearing it is My lad Robert has been wearing one for the past six months, firstly for motocross and now for his speedway and he doesnt even know he has it on now. The only problem we encountered was the brace pushing up on the back protector , so we found a womens protector that goes up to where the spine protector starts on the leatt brace. Personally i wouldnt have him out there without one. Cheers Chopper

Update on Travis Mcgowan, taken from another site is that he has withdrawn from the meeting in Mount Gambier , and will be replaced by Richard Sweetman. Shoulder problems been given as the injury. As for Ty Proctor i feel after watching him wed night that it is only his gating which needs sharpening up , which regular racing will hopefully improve, its easy to be made to look slow in that sort of field, especially if your not gating. Cheers Chopper

Have to agree with BFD, great meeting and the leg trailing of Screen was worth watching alone. Not always close racing up front but great dices in the packs. Roll on the Mount. Chopper

Just returned home from mildura, all the best to young Taylor, hope things arent to bad. Todd Kurtz was the dominant rider in the 350 class, first time ive seen him ride and looks like a super rider. Very proud of Robert in his first ever meeting picking up a few seconds and included a good save when second in another ride, when he decided to ride around the fence, still laughing over that one.(thankfully) Very dissapointed that he wont be given the chance to ride at gillman. Some top class racing in the 500s and anyone who thought than Screen , Sitera, and Lingren are over for a holiday, only had to watch them duking it out against each other to change there minds. Chopper

Correct Gatesy, the only certainties are the first rider in the state titles in the state that they are registered, meaning you cant qualify through another state title.And the defending champion, which didnt apply as Dakota is now a senior. After that its in the lap of the gods im afraid. Back in my day the first two from each state were automatic qaulifiers , but im not sure if that was a rule or just the formula they used.After that they generally picked the next best third placed riders, and im fairly sure probably because the amount of riders was far greater that it was only riders from that state that rode in a state title. Chopper

One glaring omission that i can see. The best south australian rider the past season, last year SA1, second in this years vic titles. Authur Sissis

Yes can confirm after talks with MA today that the 350s are not running as support at Gillman So its 500ks down the road to Mount Gambier. Dissapointing but we will move on, but does leave a sour taste when we have outlayed a fair bit of cash, but if you got out of speedway every time it kicked you in the guts, no one would be left. Cheers Chopper ps,Robert has put a clip of him practising at gillman sat on you tube, just type in his name.

Very sorry to hear of your bad breaks, get well soon mate. Darrell and Robert Branford

Sorry to have missed you Lunchy, a few beers and a snag would have been great, but with 800ks ahead of me, i thought better of it. Drove all night as it was arriving home at 1.30 am, and having to face a day of work. Robert arranged the extra rides, he must be the sweet talker, but as stated it was appreciated. Hope to be able to do it again one day, wouldnt mind a few laps around there myself.Come say hello if you do any of the aussie 500 rounds, as we hope to be doing some 500 supports. Darrell

Spent the day at Broadford sunday with Robert having his first ride on a laydown 350cc after turning 14 a week earlier. Great set up, the track was good but also appreciated being made very welcome by all concerned. Ended up having 6 rides which is 6 more than he has had in adelaide the last two months. Loved watching the older bikes and although not a sidecar devotie, loved the sound of the old vincent and the racing put on. Pity its over 800 km away, would love to be able to ride there on a regular basiS. Regards Chopper

Was there a junior title run on the same nights. Chopper

Hi there John, we are heading over from adelaide. These are the times as per sup regs. Scrutineering 12 noon till 1.30 Practice 1.45 till 2.30 Rider presentation 3.30 Racing at 4.00 pm Catch you there. Darrell Branford

Thats great news Slider, could be a big few months with the aussies in Perth, the supports for the under 21s at Mildura and the 350s if it happens. Might have to get some contacts over your way to help me out. Cheers Darrell Branford

Yes sent the noms away for three of the meetings, we would have been prepared to do all of them if it was run as a series. Sadly though they only want to run one heat , and realisticly i guess they will pick the local riders which is fair enough. They also stipulate that even then it is time permitting, so no guarantees. On a quick count of riders if all riders with bikes nominate you might pull together a 16 rider field. I know my lad Robert is the only one in SA at present, three in Vic that i know of but not sure of the other states. I cant even get him a ride in SA, he hasnt ridden for over two months, so we are prepared to travel to get the rides, doing broadford next weekend. Regards Chopper

Who is going to put there hand up to run a 350cc championship this season. Hopefully there is a forward thinking promoter out there, Cheers Chopper