chopper

No probs there Lee, im sure you will return the favour over the next few years. Sidewinders is currently going through a spurt, a big improvement in rider numbers after a few lean years.A lot of credit to the people who over the last few years have run training , practices etc. As for the final, its hard to believe sometimes that the last three are still only thirteen years of age, no doubt they will have some more battles over the years if they stick at it.Robert dwarfed the little tackers. All credit to Justin, hes been a good rider over a lot of years and deserved his success in his last season as a junior. Cheers Chopper

Australia has a very good junior system, 125cc bikes on smaller tracks that has produced most, not all of the current crop of riders. There is also now a 350cc class running on full size tracks that is starting to grow, but you must be 14 to ride in this class, and most of the kids in the 15 year age bracket are riding them and showing great progress. The other way is the riders and parents spending the time and money travelling the vast country in search of regular rides. I know the Sedgys, Proctors and plenty of others really clock up some miles and any success they have is through these efforts, i would be interested to know how many kays they clock up in a year. And believe me when i say the in the next three to four years there are probably 20 or more kids coming through the system that have the potentual to make a career of speedway. Darrell

Stolen from elsewhere. C Holder, J Holder, Sweetman, Dore, Bevan, Masters, Woody,Gathercole Sedgy, Proctor, Stewart, North, Evans, Hedley, Gates, Anderson A lot of the new crop coming through. Darrell

Thinking about it Lunchy, then might head to Broadford to give the new 350 a run. We have actually sold the junior bike, but it is on loan for a few meetings up till christmas. Regards Darrell

Anyone done the trip from Undera to Broadford. How far is it. Regards Darrell

Go to motorcycling australia web site, im fairly sure they have results on there. Regards Darrell

No probs Morganbike, would be interesting to compare the costs to a new one in australia. Regards Chopper

Good post, as has been said something needs to be sorted before rather than later. Not saying what you have suggested is wrong but here is an example of the way it is run in australia. Nine to under sixteens can ride a 125 scaled down bike but this is really only good on tracks between 100 to 150 metres. From thirteen, they can ride on a full size track on a full size bike with up to a two fifty motor.This is ok, more to get used to the speed but on tracks over 300 metres they do struggle to break the back wheel.(only ever seen 250 hondas). From fourteen they can ride full size bikes with 350 motors which is really starting to take off over here, after a few years of running. Which brings me to a question does anybody know of any 350 lay down motors that they would be prepared to send to aus as they are in short supply second hand. Regards Chopper

Sounds like a good day, Tyron Proctor also rode at Gillman on sunday. Are there any 350s left there now a few of the lads have moved up. Regards Chopper

Pardon my ignorance, but were the kids riding 500cc bikes. Cheers Chopper

QUOTE(chopper @ Aug 1 2007, 08:06 PM) see what entries they receive before deciding if a qualifying meeting is justified. Regards Darrell /////////////////////// Not my words as quoted on speedway bikes aus. Darrell

Anyone know if or when or where the qualiflying meeting for the Aust Titles is going to be held? Read on Speedway bikes australia that they will wait to see what entries they receive before deciding if a qualifying meeting is justified. Regards Darrell

Yes pleased to see the numbers picking up.Hopefully most of the kids will follow on through to seniors, although its going to be a few years with most of the kids in the 12 to 13 yr age bracket. Darrell

Have seen Chalie down at adelaide sidewinders speedway on a few occasions, he is following the progress of his friend Bill Mitchells kid. Still looks well for his age. Cheers Darrell

Probably should have added this only applies if Gathercole wasnt under power when the red light came on after the Holder crash. By the way what did Batchelor say, must confess to not hearing the after speach. Hey its given us something to talk about. Darrell

I would have thought it obvious that if you fall on your own account that you are excluded.Its been that way in the 30 yrs ive followed the sport. Cheers Darrell

Had to add a few words in defence of Batchelor, i suggest that if the ref had of listened to what he was saying, I CHOSE GATE FOUR, and allowed him to start there it wouldnt have taken so long to get started.Perhaps they need to listen some times.And to be honest both Gathercole and Holder should have been excluded , Gathercole fell by himself mid corner and as was pointed out was picking himself up, when Holder lifted and fell taking down Batchelor.Tell me in the rules why both shouldnt have been excluded , neither were the result of first corner bunching.Had it been me i would have been peed as well. My lad was even cost a win over Sissis when he went wide and fell to miss a fallen rider who had been laying on the track for nearly a lap.And what can you do about it, nothing. So to be fair what people say and do in the aftermath is probably not well thought out.I dont Know Troy personally but it seems he has a bad boy reputation that in this case is he didnt earn. Darrell

Just got in from gillman, Carly rode well, one fall but certainly didnt disgrace herself.Some very impressive performances from some of the 16 yr old kids. How old is Sweetman, he looked to have a great style, Sedgy was impressive but so were a lot of the young kids. Looking forward to tommorow nite. Darrell

I will be there, Robert is riding in the juniors.Wouldnt miss it as it was the meeting of the season last year, its certainly going to be hot in adelaide the next few days, 38 forcast for friday and 40 for saturday.Good luck getting some moisture into the track. Cheers Darrell

Have any british team picked up Tyrone Proctor. In my opinion he has what it takes , and at his present rate of improvement would be worth a look.Not sure on his patrialety. Darrell

Great to hear Mikes still involved i stayed with him while in edinburgh, pass on my best wishes. Regards Darrell

Hi there Ali, yes that was me.Ive been drawn back into the sport by my son even though i swore off the sport for nearly 15 yrs.Hes making good progress in the juniors, although he is a better rider than he showed in the titles, just had one of those nights, and was much better in the pairs.If he follows through with it he wont have the problems i had with work permits as his moms a pom.Do you still follow the sport?, i hear its moved tracks from when i was there. Regards Darrell

Dont want to get too involved in this conversation as it was my son who was involved but one thing that wasnt mentioned was that not only had the rider in front locked up, he was three quarters of the way to the ground and would have fallen anyway.What you have to ask yourself is what could the rider behind have done to avoid the accident , and if the answer is nothing, as in this case surely the rider at fault has to be the rider falling. Regards Darrell

Yes that concrete is fairly hard, tried it out a few times myself.Seems to have been a huge success , good crowds , top racing.Its going to be hard to top next year.The profile of the sport has been lifted by having Jason involved this year. Darrell

Thanks for the updates, i said the gualifier would take some topping and sounds like it has been done.Great to hear a big crowd was on hand , makes it worth while for the promoter, support staff, etc when people turn up.Look forward to catching a couple of rounds myself,and great work by Tom Hedley his form in adelaide has been very good. Regards Darrell