BigFatDave

Considering that most road racers - even at the top level - have to raise their own sponsorship this is a huge deal for Arturo - his family aren't well off so it's come as a blessing, allowing him to continue chasing the rainbow.

I'm on the road, Cuz - next stop Kurri Kurri for round 2 plus the Under-16s 125s solos, pairs and sidecars championships. It's a tough gig, but who gives a - oooops - I mean, someone's gotta do it! Troy was racing hard, and Kozza was defending his position. Kozza's front wheel caught on Troy's footpeg: Kozza endoed and hit the fence. Jake Anderson kummagutza trying - and succeeeding - to avoid the wreckage. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Red Bull shouted him a contract - worth 350,000 Euros.

Junior, I couldn't agree more, but as you say, he's gotta follow his dream. Whatever discipline he decides upon He'll be a Champ for sure.

Rode out of his skin, cuz, took me by surprise.

Don't forget Jake last rode over your way in 2010; he always gives 100% plus he's got a more mature outlook now.

You could fit the NA attendance into Gorzow - an all-seat stadium - about four times and still have room left over I reckon. If you turn up late at any British track you'll find it hard to get a good possie.

He smoked 'em, Diesel - won three heats and did it on the bit - lost to Rohan Tungate in one heat and Micky Dyer & Sam Masters in another, so not too bad a night. Caught up with the Kurtz clan in the pits after the meeting and they were well pleased. Brady's riding tomorrow in the 350 supports as well so we'll have both brothers on display - the sooner Laurence signs up Brady the better I reckon; both great kids with their heads screwed on the right way. Talking to Lee Morris during the meeting there was a distinct chance of Nick riding for the Mighty WASPS this year as well, but alas it was not to be. Something to keep in mind is that he's looking for a PL team as well as the Robins this season,

Troy's flying in tomorrow morning - all I know so far. No Start Girls but the Perve was pretty damn good - I reckon the warm weather brings 'em out! Luckily I was able to walk most of the evening, until severe alcohol poisoning started to set in towards the end of the meeting, when I seemed to lose the use of me mind. Lunchy kept pouring JD down me throat, the bastard - I'm not sure if he's heard the expression "Bottomless Pit" before but I think he has now. A great meeting tonight with a few strong performances from some dark horses. Qualifiers: Rohan Tungate 13 Micky Dyer 11 Todd Kurtz 11 Sam Masters 10 Jake Anderson 10 James Holder 9 Daine Stevens 8 Don't ask me who the reserves are - six riders finished on 7 points; Harley Horwood and Tyson Nelson both had two wins so they might be the pick, but I'd suggest that MA will go to track reserves rather than two for the series.. Gutted for Mason Campton who was leading the last heat with 1/4 lap to go when his new engine died; ditto for Brenton Barnfield - one DNF cost him heaps. The racing was so good towards the end that I wouldn't have minded four more heats! Rapt that Jake Anderson and Micky Dyer performed so well, and pleasantly surprised with the strong showing of Daine Stevens and James Holder, who surprised all of us by smokin' the opposition in his first two heats. On the social side it was great to meet up with all the other tragics who were gathered for the fray - too many to mention but all the usual suspects were there, and a few more are promised for tomorrow night. I managed to destroy another deckchair (and a full hipflask of single barrel!) - must have put on a few too many Kilos over Xmas! The club sorted out the early problems with the lights etc and by the end of the meeting there were three or four lines for some great racing - I'll drink to that! We've got the makings of another great series coming up. Only downside was a no-show from Tom Armstrong's replacement, Sean McLellan - maybe Tom's late withdrawal didn't help, but frustrating with riders the calibre of Kyles Newman and Howarth in the country and busting to ride - alas there's a clique of Pommy-haters in Oz who seem to delight in making it tough for visiting riders - in the end speedway's the loser.

I'd imagine there'll be a couple of withdrawals before the meetings, Icicle.

MA has released the Rider Lists for the above meetings. http://www.ma.org.au/index.php?id=12&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=6004&tx_ttnews[backPid]=6&cHash=10513d053d Great to see MA taking such an interest in Aussie Speedway that they can't spell Michael Detenon's name correctly.

Heard on the Choko Vine that a couple are out of the qualifiers: Tom Armstrong and Jason Stewart have pulled out and been replaced by Shaun Mclellan and Micky Dyer respectively. Some concern over whether Troy Batchelor will be OK for round one as well. Meanwhile, the Aussie Speedway family is gathering apace; several riders are already in Intensive Training raining on the Gold Coast - well, OK, they're Surfing, while fans are rolling in from all over the shop. Lunchy's comfortably esconced in a cheap motel close to the track - without a fridge I might add - while I'm wallowing in the fleshpots of Surfers Paradise. Reports of me running away to escape arrest from the local cops for chasing after the Meter Maids - http://www.google.co...t/meter-maid - are greatly exaggerated - I mean to say, can you imagine me RUNNING anywhere? Interesting to note that NONE of the riders for tonight's qualifier will receive any financial recompense for riding, let alone travelling from all points across Oz, making it a very expensive exercise for some, particularly Brenton Barnfield from Mildura, who faced a 20 hour drive across the Hay Plains to get here.

Qualifier start Friday - according to some it's at 6:00PM and others 7:00 PM Round one Saturday Ditto - as far as I know, but getting info out of anyone at MA or North Brisbane is like getting blood out of a stone. It's been advertised on local Telly but they forgot to mention where! Apparently some riders have pulled out of the Qualifier, but it's all Chinese Whispers at this stage - and this is an Australian Championship!

Stop Whingeing Brynbach - you'll be able to keep up to date on http://www.ausspeedw....proboards.com/ I'm in the bar (Surprise!) at Darwin Airport ready to head South - Brisvegas - and Trackman's spare bedroom - here I come! Good ol' MA - the day before it starts they let everyone know - =6002&tx_ttnews[backPid]=6&cHash=c64a8dd6a9"]http://www.ma.org.au/index.php?id=12&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=6002&tx_ttnews[backPid]=6&cHash=c64a8dd6a9

I'll look forward to seeing you there, Ron, Speed Week in Kurri Kurri is not to be missed. The Juniors meetings will be action-packed as usual. Thursday's two qualifiers promise to be rippers; these kids are riding for Sheep Stations!

Had to slip the stiletto, didn't you! We'll be back! Same to you, Cuz!

Yeah, I suppose Chelsea Fans are a race apart.

All eyes turn to Brisvegas this week with the eagerly-awaited Australian Solos kicking off on Friday Night for the qualifying meeting, then Saturday Night for round 1. Tragics like myself will be congregating in Queensland's Capital, then heading South, first to Kurri Kurri in the picturesque Hunter Valley for Speed Week with the junior 125s solos, teams and sidecars titles to be decided along with round two of the Solos, then it's off to Gillman in SA for round three then Kapunda in the Barossa for the SA Longtrack titles - a Feast of Speedway to pig out on! (Not to mention some of Oz's best vineyards to pop in on to sample the goodies!) Apart from riders and families there'll be a hardcore group of forty or so who'll be at every meeting, travelling thousands of kilometres to watch the sport we love. Youse mob should come down some time and check it out - Speedway in it's natural state, in the country that gave the sport to the world - it doesn't get much better than this..

.....and fulla POMS!

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/news/local/sport/motorbike-racing/champions-deliver/2404493.aspx http://www.nbntv.com...peedway-finals/ - local news media are getting right behind Kurri Kurri - great to see.

Troy was a city located in what is now Anatolia, in NW Turkey.

Good to see you're keeping up, Henry! The results for the KK meeting are here - www.ausspeedwayracing.com

21-y-o Northern Territorian James McFadden took out the World Series Sprintcars at Speedway City last night in front of a bumper crowd, including the entire Schlein Clan cheering on Uncle Wazza, who won a heat early on but died in the bum in the 'A' main. Aussie No 1 Brooke Tatnell had an endo in his second heat but rebuilt the car in time to finish fifth on the night. Oh, and it didn't rain.

Have you ever known me to be in me right mind? Trust me, I have an ulterior motive. Besides - Brooke Tatnell, Jason Johnson, Ryan Farrell, Robbie Farr, Max Dumseny etc, etc; three dozen top drivers - I reckon it's pretty cool.

In Qualifier 1 I expect Brandon Coglan, Cooper Riordan, Dakota Ballantyne, Brody Eves and Max Croker to be prominent, while in Qualifier 2 I'm looking at good showings from Stormin' Jack Norman, Declan Kennedy, Bryce Brigden, Blake Russell and Olly Simpson. The Final will go down to the wire: home track knowledge may favour Brady Kurtz or Jack WooHaa Holder, but my tip is Max Fricke, a very stylish young lad from Victoria..