whowasthatberntpersson

Remarkable that people still talk about this tournement and the Michanek / Collins run off in particular after all these years. As a kid I remember seeing Norway and Denmark v Russia at Cradley, a very rare opportunity to see the Ruskies in action. Infact before the meeting one of the Russian contingent walked up to me and attempted to swap one of my Cradley badges for a Russian one...I crapped myself, he couldn't speak English and I had to ask my Dad what was going on....they were mysterious characters back then. Turns out one of the Russian team members was a huge badge collector (Plechanov?), so my brush with fame as he turned out to be one of the greatest Russian Speedway riders of all time.

Depends on dates but we are hoping to do the Aussie Title qualifier at Gosford on 2nd January.

From Tamworth NSW - 23rd August 2008 NSW 51 QLD 59 Very close 18 heat contest with under 6 points between the teams until after heat 15. A 5-1 to QLD in heat 16 meant QLD held a 10 point lead before NSW used Dane Cartwright as a joker in heat 17, it was all too late then and the joker points were irrelevant as Dane could only manage second to QLD Captain Nick Morris who would have been unbetaen had it not been for a uncharachteristic fall right on the line whilst leading heat 8 . NSW also utilised their number 7 rider Sean McClelland in a few heats after he had impressed in the first couple of support races. All the NSW heat leaders rode very well but QLD had the strength in depth with the solid Jake Moore / Matthew Day partnership being most fruitful scoring two five one heat wins along the way. Action from this meeting can be seen here Scores > > QLD 59 > 1 Nick Morris 15 > 2 Ellis Perks 4 > 3 Jake Moore 11 > 4 Matthew Day 10 > 5 Harley Brigden 12 > 6 Zaine Kennedy 7 > 7 Bryce Brigden DNR > NSW 51 > 1 Mason Campton 8 > 2 Sharnell Sippel 0 > 3 Dane Cartwright 19 > 4 Kurtis Tydd 1 > 5 Brady Kurtz 16 > 6 Josh Slokee 5 > 7 Sean McClelland 2 350cc Results There were eight 350 riders and some very close and fast racing. Alex Davies was making his final appearance on a 350 and was unbeaten although he had two very close battles with Nick Morris. Australian 350cc Champion Todd Kurtz had mechanical problems throughout. A Final Alex Davies Nick Morris Daniel Begley Bryce Johnson Fletcher Tydd Action from the 350's can be seen here

I don't really know BFD but the people behind Mildura and Gillman seem to have a bit of pull

A return test series on Aussie soil wouldn't do the Brits any arm either.

Hopefully the 350's will be involved again. I've already asked MA and been told to contact the individual promoters, so we'll see what happens.

He rode at KL while he was over for the YGC last year, hence the offer of a ride for Boston in the Conference League

Alex really impressed me on the 350cc during the summer, he's much more comfortable on the full size bikes (350 and 500) and one to watch in the future. Look out for Darcy Ward at Lynn, he'll be on his way shortly, in my opinion the best rider to come from the Australian junior scene in a long time, he just got too big for the 125's in the end but has been flying on the 500cc since he turned 16 recently. There are so many good Aussies stepping off the 350's now, the next two years will see loads of top class riders making the big step, the list is endless.

Justin is the brother of Ryan and is already 16, has been riding 125cc and 350cc speedway until recently. Won a fair bit in junior speedway, had some bad luck in the Australian Under 16 Championships this year(I think he was second before his bike blew up in the final) Cameron Heeps is from Western Australia, not as highly rated as some of the other Aussies but a neat rider...has lacked competition in WA..think he may struggle. #Arthur Sissis# - For me along with Taylor Poole the one to watch, totally dominated this years Australian Under 16 Championships, will give this a shake if he's on the right machinery. Clinton Dennis - Getting a bit too big for these bikes in my opinion. He's had a good year on the junior bikes and has been riding in the 350cc class also.

Possible additions to the Grand Prix calander maybe?

The last big meeting for 2008 ' The Laurels ' for Junior and Senior Solos was cancelled a couple of weeks ago. Here is a youtube clip from the Silver Sash which was held at the Gold Coast in February. Ivan Mauger is seen presenting the Junior Finalists with their Sash's at the end. Some good racing from the Under 16's. Next meeting at the Gold Coast is the annual Sel Walton Classic on 8th June, that will feature all classes with special emphasis on the older machines. Next weekend their is a practice at the track with one or two riders from New Zealand having a spin, then the following day there will be a meeting at North Brisbane.

Results and Links to video clips from North Brisbane last Sunday 'Bushrangers' Classic Speedway Club North Brisbane - 13th April 2008 Junior Final: 1.Nick Morris, 2.Jake Moore, 3.Harley Brigden, 4.Joel Porter. Solo Final: 1.Geoff Tomkin, 2. Harley Horwood, 3. Craig Hyde (fell,rmt), 4. Kevin Beazley. 350 Demonstration - Nick Morris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMjYo2rKASE Evo Final: 1. Steve Burt, 2.Mal Burt, 3. Dave Wilkinson, 4. Ron Hall. Pre-84 Sidecars: 1. Peter Wilken/Kelly Cooper 2. Dave Buxton/? Modern Sidecars: 1. Ross Brown/? 2. Kim French/Steve Kelly.

A clip from the 2008 South Australian Under 16 Championships can be found at Three restarts before the final was completed. Some of the tightest first turns you'll see anywhere. The rut exiting turn two certainly made things interesting.

350cc Clip from the Gold Coast on 29th and 30th March. Nick making his official debut, only doing demos until he's old enough to race in June

Here's a youtube clip from the meeting held on 29th March 2008. Semi Finals and Final

I think a few of the Aussies will be taking there own bikes this time, and they are already practicing on them. One of them may just give the comp a bit of a shake up this year - Arthur Sissis will be right amongst them if he's on a good bike.

Melbourne is the strong favourite, has to be a venue with a roof in my opinion. So the Telstra Dome is a very short priced favourite. Now lets hope they are sensible and have a Malaysian and or New Zealand GP within a week or two, to save costs and to help me organise a racing holiday. A little too early for wild card picking and as for Mount Gambier staging a GP...No Chance, it would be way down the list..if existing tracks were to be considered the Brisbane Ekka would be top of my list, absolutely fantastic venue, track would need altering but that wouldn't be as difficult as laying a complete one night only track. If a roof isn't absolutely vital, Suncorp Stadium = very similar to Cardiff and in a great location for public transport / airport etc http://www.suncorpstadium.com.au/default.asp?PageId=58

Thanks Iris, I'd be interested to hear what comes out of this meeting. I've discussed similar things with Ivan Mauger and Mitch Shirra in recent weeks, everyone seems to have different ideas. I certainly think it would be for the good of the sport if all countries worked together and had the same classes. There are a few problems with any changes though, a. What happens with existing machines and infrastructure if they are replaced. b. Getting all the authorities worldwide to agree is almost impossible. Australia has recently introduced the 350cc class which seems to be working on a small scale, I don't think there is any chance of changing that now, too many people have spent money. Probably the same with the 85cc machines in Scandanavia. Our 125cc scene is being looked at though (apparantly), I think a few people are finding it hard to get parts for the old honda's, and the chinese engines need big money spent on them to get them going.

Any other news from the meeting Anth? Who many riders did they end up getting? Any chance of individual scores from the heats?

Still no confirmation, my guess is; Poole, Davies, Kurtz X2, Dennis, Ward, Heeps, Sedgman but I'm only guessing based on who went last year and what I've heard (other possibilities (Blain, Campton, Sissis)

I've heard Cameron Heeps and Darcy Ward are going. Darcy is 16 before the event too.

All I know is its in Denmark in June this year, have heard that nine Australians have been selected and there will also be a Denmark v Australia test. Anyone got anymore news? Who the riders are?

I thought there was also an environmental issue regarding the two strokes?

Very shrewd move in my opinion. I have heard a rumour that the 250's will be used in the World Youth Championships in the future. The same event that has been dominated by Scandanavians on the 80cc two strokes. The man behind the push for more 250 racing - Ivan Mauger.

I'd say 14 is very optimistic indeed BFD. Not sure what is happening regarding nominations for the Gosford meeting, however I do know the Gold Coast have only mustered 7 for their big one on the 29th March, 4 from NSW and 3 Queenslanders. With Robert out that only leaves the Victorians, and there's only a couple of them and I'm not sure if they will travel (to the GC that is). Gold Coast lineup so far; Darcy Ward, Tyson Nelson Clinton Dennis Todd kurtz Mason Campton Alex Davies Taylor Poole I'll have a stab in the dark and say they'll be lucky to get 12 for Gosford, and they need that many to make it an official Aussie Title. People are saying there are currently 18 350 riders however some of them aren't old enough to race yet (including my young fella) and some of them won't travel.