BigFatDave

I'll try & find out Cuz.

For those of you with an interest in the minutae and exotica of a wandering Speedway Fan's Travels around Oz you could do worse than visit here and keep up with BigFatDave's Epic Adventures. Currently in transit to Kurri Kurri (in a pub in Maitland) for Ozchamps Rd 1. Quick update - I'm in Speedway Central - Hunter Valley division, and through a stroke of good fortune my accomodation has been upgraded from the dog box - apparently she's having pups and refuses to share.

Hold the Front Page - Noddy's First Blog! with thanks to MA.

Under 21s Heat Details. Ht 1 Darcy red 1st, Todd blue 2nd, Sam yellow 3rd Rohan white 4th 60.56 (Track Record!) Ht 2 Micky red 1st; Alex white 2nd Tyson yellow 3rd Daniel tapes exc replaced by Mason blue 4th. 61.23 ht 3 Tayl white 1st; Sweets yellow 2nd Josh blue 3rd Justin red e/f - restarted 4th 61.75 ht 4 Clint red 1st Dakota white 2nd Brenton yellow 3rd Mitch e/f dnf 62.54 ht 5 Darcy blue 1st; Taylor yellow 2nd, Micky white 3rd Brenton red 4th 61.15 Taylor kept Darcy honest ht 6 Justin red 1st Alex yellow 2nd Todd white 3rd Mitch red 4th 62.41 ht 7 Josh red 1st; Rohan yellow 2nd Daniel white 3rd Clinton blue f/exc 4th declared - great race until the last bend Ht 8 Sweets white 1st; Sam red 2nd Tyson blue 3rd Dakota f, exc 62.69 1st start Sweets fell all 4 back Ht 9 Darcy white 1st Alex red 2nd Josh yellow 3rd Dakota blue 4th 61.84 Alex gated, Darcy got him home straight Ht 10 Sweets red 1st Micky blue 2nd Clinton white 3rd Todd yellow 4th 62.32 Ht 11 Taylor blue 1st Tyson red 2nd Rohan white 3rd Mitch yellow 4th 63.09 Ht 12 Justin white 1st Sam blue 2nd Brenton red 3rd Daniel yellow f, rmt 4th. 62.93 Ht 13 Darcy yellow 1st Sweets blue 2nd Mitch yellow 3rd Daniel red 4th 62.25 Darcy round the outside turns 1 & 2 Ht 14 Josh yellow 1st Todd red 2nd Brenton blue 3rd Tyson white 4th 64.12 Ht 15 Justin white 1st Micky yelow 2nd Dakote red 3rd Rohan blue 4th 62.81 ht 16 Taylor red 1st Sam white 2nd Clinton yellow f, rmt 3rd Alex blue fell exc. missed the time - Alex turned right. Ht 17 Darcy red 1st Clinton white 2nd Justin yellow 3rd Tyson ef on last bend 4th 60.94 Darcy FTG. ht 18 Todd blue 1st Taylor red 2nd Dakota yelow 3rd Daniel white 4th 62.06 a real match race up front ht 19 Sweets blue 1st Brenton white 2nd Alex Yellow 3rd Rohan red 4th 61.97 Alex a bit wobbly after his Kummagutza ht 20 Micky red 1st Josh white 2nd Sam yellow 3rd Mitch blue 4th 61.85 I start going pear-shaped about now B main Micky 1st Justin 2nd Taylor 3rd Todd 4th 61.75 A main Darcy 1st Sweets 2nd Josh 3rd Micky 4th 61.59.

Thanks for that john - I've amended me favourites! PS Last thing I want is a stiff neck - I just take a quarter every day -it ensures I don't wet me boots when taking a leak!

Racesuit went for $2700 - that's about 5 million of your pounds - no, not really, about 1750 I think. Not my size alas.

Geez you don't want much do ya! Gillman the usual times are Gates open 5 p.m. Racing starts: 7.30 p.m. Sidewinders haven't updated their Website since August last year, but the dates at the moment are: 20/01 Under-16s 125s Australian Championships Qualifying meeting; 21/01 Under-16s 125s Australian Championships, Featuring Under-16s 350 Champ Arthur Sissis; 23/01 Under-16s 125s Australian Championships Pairs. Usually Gates open around 5.00pm, so we'll just have a few with Rob at the Royal whatever then meander down there - don't forget it's a dry venue, so I'll be relying on assorted other means to achieve that inner rosy glow! The good lord alone knows what time Broke 'n 'Ill will start; usually with Ozchamps the party starts when we arrive. An ol 'mate of mine lives there; mad Prawn Trawler skipper and his missus - I think he's fallen out of love with the sea, but I doubt if he's forgotten how to party. Mildura you should remember, you were only there last Tuesday! Gates open usually around 4.00pm, racing about 7.30 when the sun's gone from turn one. Hopefully we won't need Gumboots like North Brissy - mine are still being held as evidence in that Rock Wallaby Molestation case back in Darwin. Incidentally I've got a lucrative little earner going at some of these tracks: I'm capitalising on your amazing resemblance to a certain Polish World 500cc Solos Champion, so don't be surprised if you have to sign a few autographs, and don't forget there's a 'Z' in Tomasz. I'll split the proceeds with you after I've deducted all my expenses of course, but your share should be enough to at least cover the price of the U-beaut Black Texta I'm gonna sell ya! Trust Me!!

Since the opening round of OzChamps at Parramatta has been cancelled, tomorrow night I'm going to - Parramatta! Occasion is the $10,000 to win Sprintcars meeting, featuring American drivers Tony Stewart - yes that's right, the NASCAR Ace, along with World of Outlaws stars Donny Schatz; Joey Saldana; Cody Darrah; Jason Sides and Shane Stewart. They'll be taking on some of the best of our Aussie speedsters including Territorians 'Bad Boy' Benny Atkinson and Daniel Goldoni, Saint's son. Other top Aussies on show include ex-Oz No 1 Gary Brazier; Ian Loudon; Kerry & Ian Madsen; Grant Tunks and Adrian Maher. Any Solos fans in Sydney feel free to join us, 4 wheel Speedway is better than nothing at all, and the Things with Wings will put on a great show - weather permitting! Long Range forecast for Round 1 at Kurri Kurri on Saturday is fine with light N/E Seabreezes with a top temp of 32 degrees. . While I'm out partying you're welcome to check on what else is going on Downunder on this site - http://australianspeedway.com/forumdisplay.php?f=61 - just mention my name amd don't be surprised at the reaction.

I really appreciate the fact that everything's there within walking distance in Cardiff, and I'm more than willing to pay the extra for the convenience of being able to stagger from my Hotel to the Walkabout to the Stadium to the Walkabout to the hotel to the Walkabout to the Markets to the Walkabout and back to the hotel again, not necessarily in that order.

I managed to get reasonably-priced accommodation for Cardiff this year at the Ibis in the town centre. Of course I'm getting topped up, but that's the joys of capitalism for you (Don't start me up!)

Gothenberg is right in the guts as well, Iris. Cardiff is wonderful for the travelling public-transport reliant fan.

That's just me getting an alibi, mate.

Following his participation in next week's Under-16 125 Individual and Pairs at Sidewinders in Adelaide and the completion of this year's OzChamps he's down for a week's intensive training camp in a secret North-western location in Victoria which for the sake of clarification I'll identify as not a million miles from Mildura under the personal tuition of a recently-retired former Ten-time Australian Solo Champion. If HE can't bend Arthur's ear in the right direction who can? Phil Mackay - a former King of Darwin sidecars and Arthur's mentor & mechanic for the last seven years, reckons he's the greatest talent we've ever produced, while Queensland Fans who'd never seen him until tonight were blown away with his riding style and strength of character. If you watch the 350s Final which Lance has posted you'll see he completely blew the start but by the beginning of the back straight he was totally in control and never headed. Previous to that he had a thrilling match race with Jack Holder - no mean talent himself - and came out on top after a tightly-contested tussle. He's the real deal.

It's not easy, Brynbach, fulfilling my social duties as well as trying to text in the dark; coupla times I nearly dropped me stubby, and then my hipflask mysteriously evaporated - I blame the Thatcher Government. Diet went out the window - the Kirbys were there and they'd brought that special low fat Camembert, plus the usual choice of Olives for my Martini. Luckily Mitch Schirra didn't have the time to whip up a batch of his infamous home-baked cookies or who knows what would have happened. Arthur Sissis won the Under-16s - those of you who've been fortunate enough to see him in action will appreciate his talents, if you haven't yet there's a treat in store when he turns 16 in July I think and is legally permitted to ride a 500. As far as the Under-21s go, Darcy was imperious in victory although a few of the lads kept him honest; gutted for Sedgy who had engine problems in his first heat, reeled off three straight wins then blew up his brand new second hand ex-Leigh Adams Donk - Warranty!! I'll do a report tomorrow, on account of I'm - what's the word I'm looking for - Paulco? Oh yes - Blootered!

Last I heard Darcy was worried he'd cracked a rib at Mildura, and plenty of young up-and-comers are here to take on the Top Gun. I'd like to see Sedgie do the trick - I reckon he's ready to take the next step.

Still some ill-feeling between a couple of riders but at bottom no-one's gonna fence anyone about it. Results are here - http://speedwaybikesdownunder.webs.com/results.htm

Its bad enough with the Ashes results sticking in me throat at the mo, cuz!

With all the rain up in Queensland it's not the only thing that's shrinking lately - might hafta consult my Siamese Herbalist mate for a cure! Anyhow, all the smart money is down at Gillman in the sunshine while we sit around praying for Blue Skies - so far so good. If it des rain we're having a Barbie at Trackman's tonight - we won two meat trays at the local Nerang RSL last night! . Howd'ya like ya steak burnt, cuz? I just like the chef to knock off the horns & hooves & stick it on the plate.

One of the reasons I go to GPs is to see the best riders performing in the best possible surroundings. Coventry is a long way from being a comfortable stadium for a large crowd, whereas Cardiff is a proven performer, with a guaranteed meeting due to the roof. On another angle, can you seriously imagine a GP at Coventry on the track they dished up for the play-offs? Incidentally Oz & NZ GPs are still firmly on the agenda for IMG, and Australian promoters are constantly working at delivering; Gillman's acquisition of an Airfence being the latest evidence of this. (Me & Spiderweb are working on sponsoring a segment, but I don't want one that looks like me.)

Try here. Speaking to David Tapp this week he assured me there will be a DVD available of Leigh's Cheerio at Mildura; details will appear on this site when it's available.

Unfortunately, pitstop, after typing em out for an hour the forum refuses to allow me to post the results,, why I don't know but when I type a small letter b it changes to ( - if you'd like to know who beat who oops sorry, whom, pm me with your email address and I'll send them to you.

I wasn't sure if he was doing Gillman, dirtbagmeol'mate, and would hardly post ubnsubstatiated rumours on here, would I? He did say he'd just bought a house, so that's probably taking up all his off-season this year. Good on him for coming out for this; he also spoke well at the LAR Supper and ensured that Leigh will turn up at HIS Testimonial - although Leigh'll probably be riding a motorised Zimmer frame by then!

Got it in one BJ! Managed to bump into him a few times at the LAR Supper but stayed outta the way during the meeting - I was too busy being a social butterfly, as you do. I put it down to his pony-tail - too much hair hangin' out the back increased his wind resistance. All credit to Troy: only out here for a week and one meeting but he came with his race face on and did the job. PS Forgot to mention There will be a DVD of the meeting - David Tapp's Power Productions was filming the event; I'll keep you posted.

Not to my knowledge. I plan on bumping into him a few times over the next three weeks, starting with Brisvegas this weekend, if we're not flooded out like the rest of Eastern Queensland! Fingers crossed for him and another ultra-popular Mildura rider who hasn't got a berth yet, Jason Lyons. Cam was good value last night; Sweets had one to forget as did Johnno; Cory was crash through or crash as usual - a good win over Darcy but a fall; Kozza had a good win over Ricky Kling, who also was there or thereabouts all evening along with Jason, Doyley, Ty and Chris; four seconds and a fall for Steady who stayed away from the fence this trip; Mark and Jake looked a bit out of their depth. Darcy had some great races as did Justin; Troy was superb including a brilliant lay-down to avoid Cam locking up on the last bend of ht 4, but even tho' he finished runner-up the night belonged to Leigh - great passing rides, a duel with Justin; beat Troy in the heats in a ripper and lost to Cam in another thriller - LEGEND.

He just did what he does - hadn't been on a bike for a coupla years 'til practise on tuesday - pretty to watch, & very popular with the crowd & in the pits afterwards. Re Justin - at least one other EL club sniffing around, plus he's fixed up for Poland. Door's open.