whowasthatberntpersson

Matty Cheshire eh. No doubt related to Dave...how time flies by, I remember Dave arriving in England as a 16 year old in 1983? Last time I saw Dave he was broken down alongside the road en route to Murray Bridge along with the rest of the WA entourage on their way to the practice for the Australian Titles

This week will see the first two meetings in the North v South Queensland series. The first meeting is at Pioneer Park on Friday night (9th Sep) with meeting number two taking place the following night. Following on from the successful New South Wales tour these meetings look like being just as exciting with strong lineups for both teams. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing NSW youngster Chris Holder again, Chris is guesting for North QLD with his Brother James in the Southern side. Chris's clashes with the likes of Scott Smith on the super fast Pioneer Park circuit should be a treat. The Junior matches also look interesting with Australian number two Darcy Ward taking it to the locals who include the Queensland number one and two in their side.

Looks like he'll be ok, I heard on Sunday that he should be fit for the meetings on Sep 9/10.

As the first two Queensland State matches approach the North Queensland teams and team manager have been announced. Senior Team Roy Stout (Captain) Steven Reid Chris Holder (Aust U21 Champ-Guest rider) Ricky Barney Scott Mckenna Jeremy Linton Junior Team Josh Grajczonek (Captain) Nick Morris Clinton Dennis Mitchell Weismentel Tyler Moon Team manager - Gary Davey The team will have specially made race jackets and team shirts sporting the Rhino emblem, with the slogan NQ Rhinos on top with Pioneer Park "Home of the hard chargers" underneath. The first two matches will be held at Pioneer Park on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th September with the return fixtures in Brisbane on 4th November and Gold Coast on the 5th. The South Queensland team will be managed by Neil Gould with a very strong team comprising the likes of Scott Smith, John Oliver, Dave Booth, James Holder (guest), Jon White plus another (sorry unsure). The teams concept looks like expanding with New South Wales joining in the fun at some stage in the future. Its all very encouraging for domestic racing in the Eastern States, lets hope these initial meetings are a huge success with riders and fans alike.

Its the gaps between races that has long been a problem. Its one of the reasons speedway has had difficulties attracting new fans. Lets face it who wants to sit or stand around for extended periods during races, do the maths, if a meeting lasts for two hours with only twenty minutes of racing or on track activity thats a lot of minutes with nothing happening. My local track in Australia (Pioneer Park in North Queensland) incorporates sidecar racing, Junior speedway(Under 16's), and stock bikes in the main program. I think its fair to say that if they had 15 speedway races without the extras people wouldn't believe they were getting value for money. Strange as it may seem even with the many extra races the local meetings still finish around 2200.

It has been confirmed that the Holder brothers Chris and James will be making the very long trip to North Queensland courtesy of Pioneer Park owners Shelly and Rhino Ryan. The brothers will ride in two meetings at Pioneer Park, the first on Friday 9th September and then the following night Saturday 10th. The two brothers will be split one joining the North Queensland team (Chris I believe) and one joining South Queensland. The teams will be made up of either five or six riders (TBA). I also believe Chris and James will be competing at the Mike Hatcher Park Speedway on the Gold Coast in the very near future. Its an exciting time for the sport in North Queensland, here's a list of upcoming events; 27th August - May Steel Memorial (Brandon) Annual event in memory of the many years service this lady gave to North Queensland speedway. This meeting usually see's some old timers don their leathers with riders like Merve Jenke and Peter Christopher mentioned. From all accounts Jenke stole the show last year. 28th August - North Queensland Team Practice (Pioneer Park) 9th September - North Queensland v South Queensland (Pioneer Park) - Meeting one in the Junior and Senior Solo teams challenge 10th September - North Queensland v South Queensland (Pioneer Park) - Meeting two in the Junior and Senior Solo teams challenge 17th September - Dirt Track / Speedway meeting (Brandon) 24th September - Mick Poole's Junior Training Day (Pioneer Park) 8th October - Queensland Under 16 Solo Title (Pioneer Park) - Qualifying to be conducted during the September meetings with top 8 from NQ and top 8 from SQ 15th October - Dirt Track / Speedway meeting (Brandon) 29th October - North Queensland Sidecar Masters (Pioneer Park) - Top quality sidecar field including current Australian champions and placegetters. 12th November - Queensland Sidecar Titles (Pioneer Park) 28th November - Dirt Track / Speedway meeting (Brandon) In addition to the above plans are currently underway to re introduce solo racing to the Edmonton Speedway in Cairns, former rider Dennis Cavil is in the process of finalising riders for an appearance possibly in the first week of September. The top local riders face a very hectic schedule right through the winter months with many also competing in dirt track events.

Pioneer Park have a meeting scheduled for this Saturday night the 13th August. This will be the third meeting for new promoters Shelly and Rhino Ryan and follows close on the heels of the hugely successful Queensland v New South Wales series. Racing starts at 6pm with Junior and Senior Solos and Sidecars, Stockbikes and Formula 200's. In other North Queensland news; Mick Poole will be conducting a Junior (Under 16's) coaching clinic at Pioneer Park on 24th September. The day is due to start at 0900 continuing until late afternoon. The North Queensland v South Queensland series is now confirmed with the first two meetings at Pioneer Park due in September (9th and 10th). The Northern teams are due to be announced this weekend. Pioneer park will stage the Queensland Junior Championships on October 8th, the top 8 from the North and South will compete with qualifying for the Northern kids during one of the September meetings. Next meeting at Brandon will be the annual May Steel Trophy on 27th August, this meeting usually see's quite a few of the elder Statesmen donning leathers, riders like Merve Jenke who can still cut the mustard with the youngsters. May Steel was involved in speedway racing in North Queensland for many many years and this meeting is held in her memory. For more info on Pioneer Park speedway check out the website http://www.pioneerparkspeedway.com

Main Man, I have sent you a private message re contact details.

Pioneer Park have been allocated the Queensland Sidecar Championship and Queensland Junior Solo Championship. Good news for North Queensland.

A very classy rider in his prime particularly at Arlington where he was a world beater. In the early eighties when Cradley were dominant it was always a feature seeing Gordon up against the top Heathens and quite often he came out on top. Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet but didn't he have to overcome diabetes to keep his career going, another fine feat.

I'll give it a go Laurence, as I said previously they have both changed mobile numbers. Maybe one of the Brisbane brigade can make contact.

Venues for the 2006 Queensland State Championships are due for release today. I failed in my attempt to get a sneak preview however someone has already reported that the Mike Hather Park venue on the Gold Coast will get the Senior Solo Title. So still waiting on Junior Solo Title and Sidecars.

It sounds terrible, hope its nothing too serious.

I'm hoping to do the Czech Golden Helmet weekend next year, staying in Eastern Europe for a week and hopefully seeing a Polish meeting or two also. Has anyone done anything similar? Do the Poles run meetings during the week? or are they all held on Sunday's? Basically I want to see as much speedway as possible in the seven or eight days I'm in Eastern Europe.

Hi Lunchy, I think you hit the nail on the head, lack of riders wanting to commit was the main reason for last years no go, compounded by John Jorgensen's early return to Europe. Looks like a goer this time though. I think the fact that the North Queensland scene is currently quite active is really helping things, two tracks within a few hundred metres of each other and promoters working together helps too. For anything like this to work logistically and financially you really need meetings on two consecutive nights, not too many riders will drive 17 hours for one meeting these days. Obviously financial assistance will help and on that I believe sponsorship from the Southern side of the border may be forthcoming. No idea of Southern State involvement at this stage, although I'd say its doubtful. However the last time Australia unearthed a crop of International riders (Boyce, Poole, Adams, Lyons, Parker, etc) it was all helped along with additional winter meetings at Appin promoted by Bob Sharpe. Maybe a little help from the Flying Kangaroo is a possibility....:<)) On a personal note I'm hoping my young fella gets a race jacket for the NQ Junior team.

Following on from the very successful Queensland v New South Wales series comes more very encouraging news for riders and fans in the Sunshine State. Negotiations are currently taking place between Motorcycling Queensland and various riders and promoters to stage a series of meetings for domestic (Australian based) riders only. At this stage the meetings should comprise of a North Queensland v South Queensland solos series covering both Juniors and Seniors, all the tracks mentioned so far have infield Junior tracks and Juniors will be part of the programme. Exact details to follow however at this stage it looks like being five man teams with weekend racing on consecutive days/night. An example of the way things may run ; Saturday night Gold Coast Sunday afternoon North Brisbane or Friday night - Pioneer Park Saturday night - Brandon Still a little work going on behind the scenes to make this happen but it looks a real possibility and will be a huge boost for domestic racing in the State of Queensland. Let the good times roll

Check out the brand new Pioneer Park Speedway website at http://www.pioneerpark.homestead.com/

I'm very impressed with Chris Holder. As you say Lunchy he's a class above the rest in this series he hasn't really been tested. I'd go so far as to say he's the best stay at home Aussie I've seen in a very long time. I go back to the mid eighties when Craig Boyce stood out in a similar way at Appin West of Sydney..the very same small country town where the Holder's come from..I believe they've put in one or two hours at the old track too...it shows. Chris looks unbelievably smooth and stylish for someone as young, he reminds me of the unlucky Pole Cegielski. As for my young falla, he's doing well, making some real progress and riding regularly on the two Junior tracks out at Brandon and putting in some good practice sessions at the local beaches amongst other places.

Can anyone give me some kind of indication where next year's Speedway World Cup will be held?

It appears that John Oliver may be drafted into the Queensland team after all. Maybe you alerted someone MM? Not 100% sure yet though.

Howard Cole settled on the East Cost of Australia just North of Sydney. He became the head of mathematics at a top Sydney High School, and retired last year. He still has his Wolverhampton accent and regularly attends veteran speedway riders functions in New South Wales.

This Saturday night will see the first of three QLD v NSW matches taking place in North Queensland. This is the first Peter White led NSW team to venture North since 1989, it will also be the youngest ever NSW team, led by World Under 21 Semi Finalsist Chris Holder This weeks meeting takes place at the Ayr Motorcycle Club's Brandon complex, a very large 450 metre speedway track which provides great racing on a regular basis. The local Queensland team has been depleted with the injury to veteran Rodney Heathcote who was involved in a huge pile up at Pioneer Park just over a week ago. Heathcote's place has gone to first reserve 16 year old Steven Reid, Reid has shown fine form recently, he was involved in the crash that looks like ending Heathcotes career which incidentally was the A Final involving four of the selected Queensland team. NSW v QLD starts at 7pm with the Juniors kicking off at 6pm...the show also includes sidecars and stockbikes. Should be a great night, hopefully the weather forecast proves incorrect with showers predicted for the next few days...Typical as this is the dry part of the year in Tropical North Queensland.

Bernie Persson. When I was very young Cradley Heath were a very unfashionable club, Bernie took the weight of the team on his shoulders and was an out and out number one, he was hugely popular with me and thousands of other Black Country fans. I still watch the video of the 1972 World Final at Wembley and I've got the 1973 World Team Cup final tape also from Wembley as reminders of Bernie Persson's on track performances. Over 32 years after I first saw Bernie ride I finally met him in person at a veteran riders dinner in Sydney Australia, it was the night before the Australian Grand Prix, a very nice man who showed great interest in Peter Foster's Cradley Heath book which I had taken along for him to sign, we enjoyed a drink or two, took a few photos and then the night after the GP I stood next to Bernie during a meeting at Gosford Speedway. Got a photo of me and Bernie at the dinner if you are interested TMC.

The Cost is a problem but the biggest problem of all is lack of rides or lack of tracks. A Kid is 15, whether he lives in Birmingham or Brisbane he isn't going to get too many opportunities to ride his 125 or 250cc speedway bike is he?.......He can ride his MX bike any weekend, very likely within an hour of his home....Now Junior speedway is cheap compared to the 500's..believe me I've seen plenty of money spent on normal upkeep, the local Jawa dealer is making a mint....its so specialised people have to use one of only a handful of people... Some very good points are being made here, maybe its about time the Honda's are given another chance in Senior Speedway. Having said that people will always find ways to go faster, how long before a honda engine would be transformed into an expensive finely tuned beast that costs a fortune to keep going.

I'm sure he'll mention the very thick concrete wall, the fast speeds, great shape and tropical environment....this track is set amongst sugar cane fields. The racing on Saturday night was top shelf...One of the locals who has been around for a very long time told me that Peter Collins once said it was one of the best tracks in the world..I'd have to agree with that, especially if it was said by one of the best racers ever.