Bryn

Marty (alias Mark Martin) and son Sam arrive Heathrow tea time Wedneday and, all being well, will go straight to Arena to meet myself and Mark Loram...will then spend couple of ddays or so with Mark and, once sorted, have arranged digs for him in Oxford where Sam will be given every opportunity

Courtesy of Jane Collier: SSRAV CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS AT BROADFORD On a perfect autumn a good sized crowed witnesses some excellent racing at the SSRAV Club Championships, held at Motorcycling Victoria’s state motorcycle complex, Broadford on Saturday March 27, 2004. It was a busy day for everyone with fifty eight events on the programme, competitors and officials had an early start, with racing starting at 11am. The solo class attracted a field of thirteen solos, riders included Ashley Jones, his younger brother Mark, and Matt Jones (no relation to Ashley and Mark), Cory Gathercole, Chris Ferguson, and young gun Tyron Proctor. With a field of this class the championship was wide open and the promise was there for some fantastic racing. Heat six saw brother against brother with the Jones brothers (Ashley & Mark) and the Dore brothers (Corey & Sam), going head to head. Mark made the best of the start and recorded and all the way win, try as he might Ashley was unable to pass Mark, and had to settle with second, Corey was third and Sam fourth. Chris Ferguson was the only rider to lead Mark Jones on the day. In heat twelve Chris got the better of the start and was leading when another rider fell and the race had to be red lighted. In the restart Mark got the best of the start and went on to record the win, with Chris a close second. Mark Jones claimed the championships with a perfect 12 point score line (Mark was riding Ashley’s spare bike), Ashley was second with 11 points, Matt Jones was third with 10 points fourth was Corey Gathercole with 9 points. The classic solo class was won by former international rider Danny Young. Danny and fierce rival Mick Evans were having a good dice for the lead in their third heat of the day, when while in the lead Mick’s bike ceased. The over 30 solo class attracted a field of twelve riders, and produced some fantastic racing that had the crowd on their feet on numerous occasions. Mick Evans won the championship from John Morgan second, Mayne Morrison was third and Wayne Dawson was fourth. Malcolm German/Nathan Chisholm put in some impressive rides to win the Sidecar class ahead of Steve Davies/Brendon Marshall (2nd), Mark Radford/Matt Putkunz was third and Rory McEnroe/Tony Kavetani was fourth. An accident in the first Classic sidecar heat saw the race meeting held up for ¾ of an hour while the other couple of competitors were treated on the track and taken away by ambulance. It happened when on the exit to corner two Gus Seegar/Peter Scott were in second place an clipped the out side fence, spitting them off the machine, the following bike was able to get passed but then the Seegar/Scott bike bounced back onto the track and the Peter Spiden/Jim Carter machine had no where to go and collected the bike. Both were thrown from the machine. Seegar and Scott walked away from the accident with some bruising. Peter Spiden received a broken wrist and Jim Carter who was knocked unconscious was transported to hospital for observation. Results from other classed were: Classic Solo 1st Danny Young 2nd Daryl Spiden 3rd Mick Evans 4th Bret Jenkinson Junior Solos 1st: Josh Munro 2nd Jake Anderson 3rd James Godden 4th Beau Evans Junior Sidecars 1st Josh Munro/Jake Booth 2nd Jordan Hartley/Keira Fordham Formula 250 Sidecars 1st Ronny Roberts/Lyn Hartley 2nd Andrew Timmerman/Chris Pontin 3rd Craig Carter/Jason Carter 4th Paul Hartley/Kim Rezmann Classic Sidecars 1st David Cottrell/Marie Chapman 2nd Jason Carter/Michael Moremile 3rd Alan Bush/Stephen Bush 4th Peter Spiden/Jim Carter At the finish of racing the SSRAV put on a BBQ for competitors and spectators alike. It is a great chance for everyone to mingle and have a good chat. From all the comments I heard it seems like everyone had a good day and is looking forward to the clubs next race day in a couple of weeks.

Tut! Tut! Andy! Tis only 'up the road" isn't it??? Would have thought you and Mark could have jogged there!

Wondering what Lunchy has been getting up to in Shepparton thus preventing him bringing us a meeting report thus far?

I think you'll find that Trent is Steve's nephew, not his son.

Thanks for the update Lunchy...only wish I had been there too as I can't stand this flipping cold weather! Spoke to Matt earlier today and gave him a ticking off for dropping it...he couldn't work out how I knew! LOL Says he'll make up for it at the club championship meeting. MUSt find somewhere over here that sells cans of Bundy - only got one bottle left!

Did you see me? I was the one with the can of Bundy & coke in my hand!

I'm surprised that no Monarchist has mentioned Darren Winkler on this thread!

Phew! Rain in Oz??? Glad I'm back in Blighty then where I'm basking in a temperature of 30degs celcius - wll that's what the central heating is set at!

Anyone got details from last night's meeting?

Good to hear Joe is still riding bikes! He developed into something of a "living legend" during his spell at Crayford.

I'll let "Lunchy" post a full report later cos I've gotta start packing for my return to the UK tomorrow and goodness only knows how I'm gonna cram everything into my suitcase! Anyway just to let you know that, on a blistering hot day it was teenager Mark Jones who set things alight to win the solo section of the SSRAV's latest club meeting at Broadford He dropped just one point in his four rides, losing out to the Cory Gathercole oin his first race. Gathercole claimed the runners-up spot overall by virtue of the greater number of heat wins (two) from Mark's elder brother Ashley. A full day's racing featuring several classes, both of the solo and sidecar variety, with former Scunthorp Stag Danny Young unbeaten in the "Classic Solos" at the tender age of 51. A most welcome sight too (and sound come to that!) for all present was the appearance of some vintage sidecars including two Vincents - bringing back fond memories of the days before the dreaded "noise police" came into operation! Ah well, that's it for this trip "down Under" - once again I've enjoyed some fabulous hospitality, met some wonderful people and witnessed some great racing....er and sunk a few tinnies! Thanks guys...see you later in the year (hopefully!)

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????