Bryn

Glad to see you've woken up Jojo!

Currently being down here in Oz, I can't refer to any of my records but Jack Vallis (ex_Southampton, now in his 70's I believe) raced in second half veteran challenge matches / second halves at Coventry etc right up to the end of last year when he got injured in a crash on the IOW! Another that springs to mind is Ted Ede who rode for West Ham circa 1966 who still rides regularly in the Southern Track Riders Association "Over 40s" class.

Just about recovering from a hectic weekend after flying up to Sydney from here in Melbourne, meeting up with Ron Malm and then heading off to Newcastle Showgrounds to join the hordes of fans who turned out to bid a final farewell to Todd Wiltshire. The former World No.3 bade farewell to his adoring Aussie fans on a night of fine entertainment, tears and laughter. And only a broken front chain that occurred on the very last bend of his last race, the evening's finale, robbed him of going through his farewell night unbeaten. Going into that final race, he had scorched through his heats unbeaten defeating Adam Shields, John Jorgensen, Troy Batchelor and Ty Platt in their previous three meetings. As the massive crowd prepared to cheer him over the line that chain let him down allowing the others to pass him in the run to the finish. Not that it really mattered for the night really was all about the fans, and his fellow riders, paying due homage to the great man. And so it's the end of an era but what fond memories speedway fans will have of a rider who was, and still is, a model professional. For the record, new Somerset Rebel John Jorgensen took advantage of Todd's mechanical misfortune and nipped through to win the final ahead of Troy Batchelorand Ty Platt. Adam Shields, on his solitary appearance in Oz this winter, was a non-starter in the final race after his bike developed ignition problems. Gotta say Batchelor was very impressive indeed and looks to bve another gilt-edged Aussie prospect. And don't bet against an older, and wiser Ben Shields returning to the UK in the not too distant future. He looks to have got his career back on track and was untouchable in the "Evolution" section of Saturday's meeting, winning the final in style after being unbeaten in his heats. All in all a great night.

As I understand it from what I was told at Newcastle last night, Jason's opponents will be Leigh Adams, Ryan Sullivan and John Jorgensen.

Alas Poona I've no details other than the fact it's at Newcastle (Showgrounds I think) and the fact that Todd rides in Oz for the lasdt time and Adam Shields makes his only riding appearance out here before going back to the UK after a whistlestop visit.

Shame Sam has to miss out on school again Marty! ;-) Remind him, if he needs any reminding, to avoid playing such dangerous games as cricket in future!

Phew! Have just about recovered from my three weeks "on the road" taking in all three rounds of the Oz Champs; the Under 21 Title and the "Young Guns" meeting at Broadford. Met some great people on my travels and, firstly, thanks to Gavin Elmes (Brisbane), Ron & Shona (Sydney), John and Janelle (Mildura) and Marty & Sam (Tailem Bend) for their fantastic hospitality and welcoming me into their homes. Ryan Sullivan was a deserving winner of the Oz title as was "Roo Boy" in the Under 21ss and, yes Ozyace he DID use Johnno's speech! LOL. BTW Glad to hear you're still alive after your "experiences" with Johnno on the road! ;-) Look forward to seeing you in June mate. As Lunchy has said, we hotfooted it straight to Broadford for Undera and, at my age, I soon realised that three hours kip on a makeshift campbed some two inches off the ground in a cold classroom (will explain that bit in a mo!) is definitely not good for the soul let alone the body!!! Broadford is a huge Motorcycle complex owned by Motorcycling Victoria and has something like 12 different tracks situated within (e.g. Road Racing, Motocross, Junior Motorcross, Longtrack, Supercross etc etc). The classrooms are used for training days / weekends - hence us commandeering same for an all too brief kip! Thoroughly enjoyed announcing at the Young Guns meeting (despite the lack of sleep the night before!) and am now looking forward to travelling up to Newcastle in NSW this coming weekend for Todd Wiltshire's farewell Aussie appearance. BTW was good to catch up with Todd's brother-in-law Dave Hamnett (am sure some Hackney & Newcastle fans will remember him) and his wife Michelle again. Alas, just got a fortnight left here "down under" before heading back to the UK but am already looking forward to coming back next winter!

Tomorrow (Saturday) yours truly, in the company of Marty and his son Sam, will be setting off at the crack of dawn for Shepparton for this year's Oz Under 21 title meeting. Defending champ Rory Schlein will start as a red hot favourite to retain his title but I'm sure the other 15 in the field will be eager to put one over him. I know Lunchy is making the trip to the meeting (and Ron Malm too if he can sort out some wheels!) - anyone else going? Then, on Sunday, it's back to Broadford for a "Young Guns" meeting so, all in all, should be a great speedway weekend out here.

Will sort Bryn out tomorrow Trackman. Taking him out in the boat, so might chuck him on the ski's Glug! Glug! Glug!

Flipping 'eck! Looks like Lunchy is busy totting up figures at work; Marty is making Pizzas; Ron is still trying to sort out the repairs on his very bashed up Toyota thanks to Bullbar Bill and his ten ton truck; Poona is still recovering from his journey back from Mildura and OzyAce is still pinching himself after (apparently!) surviving a fortnight or more on the road with Johnno & crew! So, as no one has posted full details of Round 3 as yet (the blighters!) - here goes! SCORES AFTER 20 QUALIFYING HEATS (in programme order): Kevin Doolan 10 Rory Schlein 10 Ashley Jones 4 Travis McGowan 10 Steve Johnston 9 John Jorgensen 8 Ryan Sullivan 13 Mark Lemon 6 Todd Wiltshire 12 Nathan Hedley 4 Cory Gathercole 0 Rusty Harrison 4 Leigh Adams 13 Jason Lyons 13 Trent Leverington 3 Chris Ferguson 1 Brock Gates (res) 1 Matt Jones (res) DNR HEATS: 1. (r/r uns. st) Schlein, Doolan, McGowan, Jones. 60.80 2. Sullivan, Johnston, Jorgensen, Lemon. 59.86 3. Wiltshire, Hedley, Harrison, Gathercole. 60.87 4. Lyons, Adams,Leverington, Ferguson. 59.84 5. (r/r uns.st) Adams, Doolan, Wiltshire, Johnston (fell) 60.79 6. Lyons, Schlein, Jorgensen, Hedley. 60.70 7. Sullivan, Leverington, Jones, Gathercole. 61.09 8. (r/r fall) McGowan, Harrison, Lemon, Ferguson (fell-ex). 60.94 9. Jorgensen, Doolan, Ferguson, Gathercole. 61.19 10. Johnston, Schlein, Harrison, Leverington. 60.77 11. Wiltshire, Lyons, Lemon, Jones. 59.94 12. Sullivan, Adams, McGowan, Hedley. 58.91 (new track record) 13. Sullivan, Lyons, Doolan, Harrison (ret). 59.32 14. Adams, Lemon, Schlein, Gathercole. 60.11 15. Johnston, Jones, Hedley, Ferguson. 62.29 16. McGowan, Wiltshire, Jorgensen, Leverington. 61.20 17. Doolan, Lemon, Hedley, Leverington (fell). 59.47 18. Wiltshire, Schlein, Sullivan, Ferguson. 59.79 19. Adams, Jorgensen, Jones, Gates. 59.63 20. Lyons, McGowan, Johnston, Gathercole. 60.73 B FINAL: Schlein, McGowan, Doolan, Johnston. No time recorded. A FINAL: Sullivan, Adams, Lyons, Wiltshire. 60.38 FINAL SERIES POINTS (top 10): Sullivan 60 Adams 54 Wiltshire 49 Lyons 47 McGowan 43 Jorgensen 41 Schlein 38 Johnston 36 Doolan 35 Lemon 35

Yes indeed Ryan won at Mildura last night completing a clean sweep of all three rounds to win his first ever Aussie title. Brief results (I'll let Lunchy/Ron/Poone or whoever type a full report save my aching fingers!!!): A FINAL Sullivan, Adams, Lyons, Wiltshire B FINAL Sclein, McGowan, Doolan, Johnston. TOP TEN OVERALL (3 legs): 1. Sullivan 2, Adams 3. Wiltshire 4, Lyons 5. McGowan 6. Jorgensen 7. Schlein 8. Johnston 9= Doolan 9= Lemon

Gidday Poona It's Ron Malm replying to you on Bryn's sign on (he's staying here this week). I think you'll remember me - I'm the big fat guy you met with Sir Lunchalot (think that's how you spell it) in the pits last week at Gosford. Remembering that this weekend is a long weekend in Sydney you should aim to be hitting Sydney sometime AM. There are 2 ways to go. Firstly get off on the Pacific Highway at Wahroonga (turn left) go through the frustations of the lights on the Pacific Highway till you get to Chatswood and turn off onto the Warringah Expressway ultimately there are no lights from here to Mildura!). You will then go through the Sydney Harbour Tunnel (costing $3.00) then follow signage to Canberra through to the M5 to Liverpool and beyond past Campbelltown and the Hume Highway. Secondly you can continue down the F3 past the Wahroonga turnoff (it becomes a normal road) to Pennant Hills Road. This is Ring Road 7 and continues through to the Cumberland Highway to Liverpool and connects to the Hume Highway at Lansdowne, turning right at the "Mechano Set". You don't pay a toll, but you could get stuck at lights. Anyway, past Liverpool & Campbelltown, you get a good run down towards Canberra. Get the Yass turnoff on the Hume and go through Wagga Wagga then through Narrandera, Hay, Balranald and through to Mildura. When you cross the river turn right at the roundabout. Then turn left at the Commodore hotel (onto Deakin Avenue). Look for Eleventh Avenue (about 4 - 5 streets inwards) and turn right. Go to the end of Eleventh Avenue (or Street, or Road ... I don't remember what the street is called, but is definitely eleven). Go to the end and you've got Olympic Park Speedway. REMEMBER - BRING PLENTY OF AEROGUARD. The Sir & I will be in the stand on the end of the main straight. Mate - if you get stuck, call me on my mobile - 0417 690 540. Watch the bloody Roos when driving at night, otherwise See you there - safe driving. Regards Ron Malm

I'm blushing like crazy here Ozi Ace! Thanks for the kind words and it was certainly good to meet up with you as it was Big 'n Beefy and all the other Aussie listees I've met up with. Glad you're having a ball in Mildura and I'll see you there on Saturday. Now, one thing, a certain WA rider told me that the "world speedway waterski championships" were due to take place sometime this week up there in Mildura....er did they go ahead? Or did other 'distractions' get in the way????

Like Lunchy (and a few others I suspect!) I'll be attending all three rounds and look forward to meeting up with everyone.

Travis McGowan won his fourth Victorian State title in a row at Olympic Park, Mildura last night. Yes Travis made it four state titles in a row but was the first to admit that Jason Lyons handed the title to him when the ex-Belle Vue Ace fell whilst leading on the last lap. Lyonsy explained afterwards that he put on a new rear tyre for the final but that gave him problems trying to turn the bike on the bends especially as Travis was pressing him hard for first place. Those two had topped the qualifying scores with 14 each - Jason dropping his only point to Travis in the opening heat and Travis dropping his point to Kevin Doolan in heat 20. The latter joined the top two in the final having scored 13 as did Mark Lemon on the same figure and it was Lemmo who claimed the runners up spot with Kevin third and Jason officially placed fourth. Full result (with heat scores in brackets): 1. Travis McGowan 14 2. Mark Lemon 13 3. Kevin Doolan 13 4. Jason Lyons 14 5. Nathan Hedley 9 6. Chris Ferguson 9 7. Ashley Jones 8 8. Mark Jones 8 9. Joel Parsons 8 10. Robert Ksiesak 5 11. Matt Jones 5 12. Corey Gathercole 4 13. Tyrone Proctor 4 14. Brock Gates 4 15. Paul Bogdanowicz 1 16. Sam Dore 0 Right you forum members - Im off to get another tinnie of Bundy(!) as tis only 3.45am here!!!

Addy!!!!! I trust you are aware of the Aussie meaning of the word "rooting"?????

Great line up for the Aussie Champs...looking forward to witnessing all three and will post my thoughts after each (and details if no one else does!) but, alas, because of the clash of dates will not get to see the Oz Under 16 champs. Good luck to all the young 'uns. Despite having plenty of the Xmas spirit yesterday, I'm up at the crack of dawn this Boxing Day morn as we're off to Mildura later for tomorrow's Victorian State Champs. Maybe see one or two of the Aussie listees there?

Yep BrizHeathen, I'm flying up to Brisbane on Wednesday Jan 7 to take in the first round of the Oz Champs on Sat 10...will also be doing the other two rounds (Gosford & Mildura) on the following two Saturdays.

Having typed out a report on last night's meeting only to press the wrong damn key and delete it all in error (!!!) here's my second go at things! My excuse is that I didn't get back "home" here to Melton (West of Melbourne) until 5am this morn. And, no doubt, forum member Marty (who put together the whole show) is feeling a damn sight more cream crackered than I am at the moment! Despite that I'm thrilled to report that the eight months of hard graft Marty put into organising the meeting paid off brilliantly with what was described as "the biggest crowd seen here for over 15 years" by a Bordertown Speedway Club official, witnessing a tremendous night of action. The "main event" was the 12 rider 'Bordertown Solo Championship' and the five man final saw Kevin Doolan take out the victory ahead of Brett Woodifield, Shane (Mc)Parker, Nathan Hedley and Matthew Wethers (in that order). Woodifield was the top qualifier from the heats dropping his only point when Shane Parker passed the ex-Rye House Rocket after Brett suffered a rear wheel puncture whilst leading. Surprisingly, chatting to the riders at the Barby afterwards, neither meeting winner Kevin Doolan nor Brett Woodifield have 2004 British berths fixed up as yet. Brett has 'one or two irons in the fire' but "Kev the Rev" hasn't had a single approach as yet...surely that will soon change given the excellent job he did for Glasgow last season and his current brilliant form out here? Heavy overnight rain that fell on the clay-based circuit had put the meeting in doubt at one stage but Marty and his helpers worked their proverbial socks off to ensure (er much to Marty's relief I think!) that it went ahead and the weather gods smiled too with a very warm evening ensuing. Although (thanks to the overnight rain) the clay track may have not been ideal for bike racing (the circuit is normally used for car racing), the riders taking part (in all sections) put on a fabulous show and it was a privilege and a pleasure for myself to announce at the meeting. The big croiwd got a taster of what was to come throughout the evening in the very first race of the night as Parker and Doolan passed and repassed each other as they battled for second place behind the fast-starting Woodifield. That set the tone for the rest of the night and not one spectator left the circuit until after the very last race of a packed programme. The one surprise really was Shane Parker landing on his backside whilst leading on heat, remounting only to finish last! In addition to the main Solo Champiionship, there was also a six rider "Young Guns" series involving the up & coming stars which saw Brock Gates go through the card unbeaten to win from Tyron Proctor and Hayden Redding. Edinburgh / Armadale fans will be interested to learn that Keith Maben (currently out here on holiday) competed in two of the "Young Guns" races but failed to finish on both occasions. There was also a sidecar series of races which saw Kane Irwin and passenger Josh hayes take out the final; A brilliant series of races involving members of the Sidewinders Club (the under 15s) which saw Jonathan Hepburn emerge victorious ahead of "Stormin" Jason Norman (nephew of ex-Peterborough Panther) and forum member Marty's own son Sam (who's following in 'dear old dad's footseps') Martin. What else? Well a 'fun demonstration' by three riders of the Fast 50s (or monkey bikes as we call 'em in the UK) AND an appearance by a certain white-bearded, red-coated gentleman aboard a speedway bike. During the interval, the pits area was opened up to the public, posters were handed out to the kids in the crowd and the riders all made themselves available to chat to all and sundry and sign autographs. It was a great night all round and my question to Marty is....er....when's the next one mate???? Finally, the last I saw of that other forum member Sir Lunchalot he was scoffing a couple of sausages in bread, with a couple of cans of VB by his side at the after-meeting barby...just hope he got up early enough this morn to catch his train home! HEAT SCORES FROM THE SOLO CHAMPIONSHIP (in riding order): Brett Woodifield 11 Kevin Doolan 9 Ford Keane 5 Shane Parker 7 Nathan Hedley 9 Matthew Wethers 10 Cory Gathercole 3 Robert Ksiezak 5 Karlis Ezergailis 6 Matt Jones 2 Ashley Watson 3 Arlo Bugeja 2

Like Lunchy, I've got my fingers crossed as far as the weather goes for tomorrow Marty! I've also got a couple of other things crossed too as I've just finished the last tinnie of Bundy & coke out of the fridge here at Matt Jones's place in downtown Melton! Here's looking forward to a great night at Bordertown and a sell out crowd! Anyone else coming over from Blighty???

On Sunday just gone, I took myself of to announce at the SSRAV's latest club day meeting at Broadford here in sunny Victoria. Lo and behold, amongst the competitors in the "Over 30s solo class" was none other that Ex-Scunthorpe Stag Danny Young. Now aged 51, he has lost none of his enthusiasm for the sport and wishes to be remembered to all the friends he made during his stint in the UK.

The field for the Victoria State Champs, to be held at Mildura on Dec 27, has been announced and is: 1. Brock Gates 2. Sam Dore 3. Mark Lemon 4. Matt Jones 5. Paul Bogdanowicz 6. Mark Jones 7. Ashley Jones 8. Matt Windsor 9. Jason Lyons 10. Tyrone Proctor 11. Travis McGowan 12. Chris Ferguson 13. Cameron Woodward 14. Kevin Doolan 15. Cory Cathercole 16. Nathan Hedley Res: Cory Dore, Wayne Morrison

Have just spotted this topic whilst out here in Oz. Very sad news indeed and my condolences to his family and friends. I was privileged to see Chris in action many times and as someone has already said, those polka dots and sideburns will be a lasting memory.

Anyone else (apart from myself and Lunchy) going to Gillman this Saturday for the South Australia State title? And anyone got a list of nominations?

Good to hear Sam's ok Marty and congrats to him on his showing in the State title....have you got the full finishing order? As for you Lunchy....flying to and fro Adelaide huh? Alright for some...I'll be travelling down with Matt Jones by road! Looking forward to catching up with you again. Trust you'll be going to Bordertown on Dec 20th?