BigFatDave

He's a bit of a hunk as well, Tanya; doubtless there'll be an increase in the gate once youse Sheilas get an eyeful!!

Must have missed that, I only just found out yesterday, thanks Mate. PS Just had a quick squizz and put in a search but couldn't find it - could you put in a link, please?

Neil Coddington, former Australian Test Representative and rider for British National League club Newcastle Diamonds, died at Somerset Dam near Brisbane on February 5 when his Hydroplane, "Blue Max", barrel-rolled at high speed. Rescuers attempted to revive 57-year-old Coddington while bringing him back to shore but paramedics pronounced him dead when they arrived a short time later. He had competed in Power Boat racing for over thirty years along with his brother Graham, and won a number of major trophy races. Neil represented Australia along with John Titman, Phil Crump and Billy Sanders during the early '70s. R.I.P.Neil. Thanks to Speedway Racing News for the info.

FIM were out here late last year checking out various sites including Newcastle and Gillman. Certainly a series opener in March or early April would be on the cards. Melbourne hasn't got a track at the mo; big punt taking on Etihad but very feasible given, as philmac says, Melburnians' love for any sport.

Ten-time Aussie Sprintcar Champion Gary Rush, one of the new operators of Parramatta Raceway, has stated that if the bikes want to use the track they will prepare a track for them. Parramatta is used for all classes of four-wheel speedway, not just Sprintcars. The only logical options, IMO, are Newcastle Showgrounds and Gillman, both of which would need large temporary stands, and Wayville Showgrounds, which already has most of the required infrastructure in place. Of these, Wayville is probably the most logistically-accessible with an International Airport nearby but Gillman, despite being buried in the backblocks of Port Adelaide is without doubt the best circuit in Oz, although with more events happening now at Newcastle the racing is definitely on the improve, the second half of the recent Ozchamps meeting being a perfect example. Sidecar Nationals are there at Easter, April 2-4; it'd be good if the races were 4-lappers.

Good spot for a Rock Concert too - I remember seeing Fleetwood Mac and the Beach Boys there in the '70's, as well as speedcars (Midgets) and bikes. Mainly remember the Beach Boys concert 'cos a mate from Oz was doing the sound for the tour, so we managed to sleaze backstage after the gig, and after the after-gig party I staggered back to me ol' Humber, started 'er up, went to change gear and the gearshift came off in me hand - like, 'Wow, Man'!! Taxi!!

Newcastle Showgrounds?

Nope - but YOURS might be if I catch up with ya!!

I'm sure he'll do well, hun. I saw him at the Ozchamps qualifier at Mildura and he looked red hot!

Sidecars. Friday: Qualifier. Seidel, Totani, Carragher A dnf. Ht 1A Mitchell, Puddy, Edge, White. Ht 1B Monson, O'Connell, Seidel, Gates. Ht 1C Moon, Parker, Miller, Totani. Ht 2A Moon, Puddy, Monson, Seidel. Ht 2B Mitchell, Parker, Gates, Totani. Ht 2C White, O'Connell, Miller, Carragher B dnf. I went a bit pear-shaped around about here, I think some Drain-O vanished up me nostrils so all I've got is Carragher B dnf!! Miller & O'Connell were in it but for all the help the announcer was it could have been Ryan Sedgmen third again for all I know!! I blame Ronnie. Ht 3A Monson, Parker, White, Seidel. Ht 3B Mitchell, Moon, O'Connell, Edge. Ht 3C Puddy, Miller, Carragher A, Gates dnf. Ht 4A Moon, White, Seidel & Gates dnf. Ht 4B Parker, O'Connell, Totani, Puddy dnf. Ht 4C Mitchell, Monson, Miller, Carragher B. SF Parker, Puddy, O'Connell, White. Final: Ronnie copped what looked like a bit of a nudge on turn 2 of lap one, then Warren went bush on turn 4 - could have had a restart with all four back, instead Moonie chased Mark for the next three laps but never quite got him - great match race. 1st: Mark Mitchell/Tom Golding, 2nd: Gary Moon/ Mick Ing. Ronnie Parker/Nick Schwarzer & Warren Monson/Devon Gates dnf. Saturday: Qualifier. Carragher A, Seidel, Totani. Ht 1A Mitchell, Gates, White, Seidel. Ht 1B Moon, Parker, Miller, Carragher B dns. Ronnie boiled the billy in this one and retired to the bar for the rest of the Meet. Ht 1C Monson, Puddy, O'Connell, Carragher A. - 1:09:53 - a TIME!! Ht 2A Moon, Monson, White, Totani. 1:08:42 - another one!! Ht 2B Gates, O'Connell, Miller, Seidel. 1:11:02 - they're coming thick and fast now!! Ht 2C Mitchell, Puddy, Carragher B, Carragher A.1:10:86. Ht 3A O'Connell, White, Carragher B, Edge. Ht 3B Mitchell, Monson, Miller, Seidel. Ht 3C Moon, Gates, Puddy, Carragher A. 1:09:56. Ht 4A Gates, Monson, Carragher B, Edge. Ht 4B Moon, Mitchell, O'Connell. Miller. A great race. 1:08:58. Ht 4C Puddy, White, Seidel, Carragher A. 1:11:50 SF re-run Puddy, Monson dnf re-run, O'Connell dns Re-run, White - Front end disintegration , exc. Final A Great Race with Moonie making the gate and Mark keeping him honest all the way to the last turn - can't ask for better than that! 1st: Gary Moon/ Mick Ing. 2nd: Mark Mitchell/Tom Golding, 3rd: Byron Gates/Michael O'Loughlin, 4th Daniel Puddy/Matt Morgan. Time 1:11 point something - can't read me flamin' scribbles!!!! Luckily I didn't hafta text the results!!

Well we had some ripper races on Saturday night; another good crowd had a ball as the Red Centre turned on a great show. Alas the Prince had an early bath; I got a text from Spiderweb to tell me he'd had to pull out due to Over-eating or something like that - it was dark and the eyeballs were a bit blurred at this stage. The Quads were a novelty: apparently they're getting a lot of attention down south but they still look top-heavy to me; the Stockbikes were a bit of organised mayhem with a few thrills and spills. Robert Branford took out the solos after Robbie Ksiezak ran out of bike, blowing the donk on the last straight of heat 2, and former No 1 Gary Moon knocked off current Aussie Champ Mark Mitchell in an old-fashioned bumpfest in the sidecars final - a great race that had the crowd on their toes. The semi was a race of attrition with Joe White's outfit losing its front end, O'Connell failing to start the re-run and Warren Monson failing to finish, leaving Daniel Puddy to cruise into the final. Some weird and wonderful pieces of equipment were on display - White's outfit for one was fitted with an original Kill-switch - a 10 amp plug & socket! Good party in the Pits afterwards: everyone agreed it was a stroll down Memory Lane and hopefully it'll become a regular event on the Calendar in future. I'll have a go at putting some results up later on - honest! Solos. Friday: Ht 1. Ksiezak, Branford, Bugeja, Pigram, Hatcliffe, Turner. Ht 2. Branford, Ksiezak, Bugeja, Pigram, Hatcliffe, Turner. Ht 3 Re-run after Sooty fell and was excluded: Branford, Bugeja, Turner, Hatcliffe, Ksiezak dnf. Ht 4 2 re-runs; Turner fell, exc, then tapes malfunction all five back Ksiezak, Pigram, Hatcliffe, Bugeja, Branford dnf (fuel). Huge burnout from Budgier & Robbie K after this one!! (on Youtube) Saturday: Ht 1 Ksiezak, Bugeja, Branford, Pigram, Turner. 1:07:24 Ht 2 Branford, Ksiezak (ef), Bugeja, Turner. 1:09:24 Ht 3 Branford, Bugeja, Turner, Hatcliffe, Pigram, Lennon. 1:08:98 Ht 4 Branford, Bugeja, Hatcliffe, No effing idea for the minors!! 1:09:50 We actually got some times tonight but the announcer was still just as hopeless, calling Ryan Sedgmen in every race and Robbie Ksiezak in all races - he didn't take part in heats 3 &4. Dave Parker offered to go up and give him a hand in the Box but was told he wasn't needed! Arunga Park is 402 metres on the pole line, so the times were pretty good.

Hold tha ******* Front ******* Page!! Moonie won the chairs in a thriller, and Robbie Branford won the solos!! More news when I sober up, in a coupla daze!! PS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmkzwm8DbQY

Alas, you're right, Gav. No times given last night and results? Put it this way, luckily I can read the Riders' names on their leathers, so I knew who'd won, but that was all too hard for the announcer, who'd lost the plot by the time the flag fell. Ryan Sedgmen was credited with a couple of thirds, which was pretty good as he wasn't there. con·nip·tion (k-npshn) n. Informal A fit of violent emotion, such as anger or panic. Also called conniption fit. [Mock Latin, perhaps influenced by snip or snap.] from the Free Dictionary. Only cure is humungous amounts of Bundy Rum.

I'll do up a list when I get back to Darwin, Phil, bit flat out partying at the mo. ( I know, its not like me! ) I havn't got the results of the Junior Sedans, btw, hope that's OK?

To be fair to Robert, the Referee may not have been used to seeing Bikes; he was quick to hit the red lights after a fall but in both cases in the 6-man Tag Team events the riders got up and either remounted or removed themselves and their bikes from the circuit, thereby negating the need for a re-start. That said all the riders gave everything, a decent crowd certainly got their money's worth, and the track held together without the need for a major grade, although the Sidecars final was a bit of a lottery with a few decent ruts in turns two and four. Bit like the good ol' days: the Junior Sedans were evenly matched and made for some great racing, and tho' we only had three Formula 500's they put on a good show. The Sidecars were the main event; an ol' Kwaka Z1-powered outfit came out of someone's shed along with a few other interesting pieces of machinery; some high quality performances from Gary Moon, Mark Mitchell, Warren Monson, Daniel Puddy and of course The Prince, who made the final after a thrilling semi against Puddy. Alas Ronnie Parker and Warren both fell victim to the track in the Final, which left us with a nail-biting match race between Moonie and Mark with the Australian No 1 getting up in the death. Great to see Moonie back on the pace: word is his son, who's been piloting chairs, is now looking at Solos. The Burgers were great - thanks to Flo & the Variety Club ladies; the beer was as it should be - Ice-cold in Alice. Only poor spot was the Announcer, who didn't have a clue who was riding or even what race it was on occasion. Ryan Sedgmen would have been pleased with all the mentions he got - if he'd been there he would probably have got even more!! Luckily Bryn wasn't there, he'd have had conniptions!! Seconds out - Round Two tonight, with Quads and Stock Bikes providing the mixed part of the meeting, plus a few more local riders due to take part. If its anything like last night there could be some more uprights on display. Justin Clarke last night almost had his dialled in by the third of the local Scratch races only to Kummagutza while leading: Luckily his amply-padded carcase took the brunt of the fall! (I know - Pot, Kettle etc!!) Robbie K might need a new rear tyre tonight after giving us a you-beaut Burn-out at the end of the Solos!

Hey Chopper!! You've gotta tell Robert to stop when the Red Light comes on!! He was very good apart from that; his duels with Robbie Ksiezak in the 6-man solo races had the crowd up and cheering. Full report tomorrow: I'm just heading back to the bar for a few sherbets.

Just finished packing (apart from the laptop!!) Weather's looking good - 21 - 36C. Latest from the Centralian Advocate: http://www.centralianadvocate.com.au/artic...6015_sport.html

I always reckoned he'd look good on Radio. Actually, he should have been a Singer - he's got a head like a sewing machine!! If yer reading this, Ronnie, I'm only joking, mate - and if yer not................... See you there!

Great to see Nick going so well. Fingers crossed for him in Bonnie Jockland. There should be a rule to ensure Arthur rides Speedway this season!!

Thanks for that, Crazy!! Congratulations to Brady, and Well Done to all who took part. Bit of an off night for Robert Medson?

I'm too busy impersonating an inflatable fence, Brynbach!

Confirmed so far, thanks to Twig from The Alice; Solo Stars (4 races, 6 riders in each race): SA 121 Robert Branford WA 29 Samsurray “Sooty” Pigram Vic 12 Jason Stewart SA 21 Robert Ksiezak SA 56 Arlo Bugeja NT Phillip Miller Solo Encouragement Scratch Racers (4 races, 4 riders each): SA 49 Ben Hatcliffe NT Ryan Walk NT Ben Lennon NT Justin Clark Sidecar Scratch Races (12 riders, 12 heats plus B and A finals); Aus 1/ SA 35 Mark Mitchell / Tom Golding QLD 13 Gary Moon / Mick Ing V43 Warren Monson /Deven Gates V50 Byren Gates / Michael O’Loughlin SA 55 Ronny Parker / Nik Schwarzer SA 43 Daniel Puddy / Chad Herbert NT 64 Shayne O’Connell / Yancey Lee-Ross NT 17 Joe White / Shane Cramp NT 59 Brian Carragher / Janelle Carragher NT 7 Brendon Edge / Casey Hall NT 34 Cameron Miller / Sam Fidler qualification race NT 32 Arny Carragher / Nick Howord NT 33 Dave Totani / TBA NT 42 Mark Seidel / TBA Matt couldn't get time off to swing for Ronnie then, spiderweb?

Big Sidecar meeting at Newcastle. Easter? Check this out - http://www.facebook.com/n/?group.php&g...1cd6fG49b23d8G6

Great to see Maryborough locals supporting their track. Looks like Darren Cafe has got that new motor run in! Is Nick venturing to Pomgolia this year?

Thanks for that, Chopper - I bet you've had a gutful of the drive up to Mildura this year. Mark Jones went well again I see. Are you coming up to The Alice? I read in the NT News that Ryan & his girlfriend are planning on making you an Uncle!!