whowasthatberntpersson

I've only become aware of Ricky Barney since I moved up here in January so I wasn't aware of any mishap at Tamworth..I think he's ok though, his old man was making plans to get the bike fixed last night so that a good sign. Unfortunately Rod Heathcote wasn't so lucky, he aggrivated rib injuries and also suffered groin ligament idamage..the latter doesn't sound too nice does it? As for the temperature...well it was quite crisp for these parts...must of been the sudden drop from a wintery 25 degrees once the sun went down that made it feel so cool...it was definately well below the low 20's later on.

The meeting at Pioneer Park was absolutely outstanding, the best speedway racing I’ve seen in years. The track was tremendous and a good crowd was in attendance for new owners Shelley and Rhino Ryan. Unfortunately the Solo final ended with a very very nasty pileup close to the finish line, Rod Heathcote was leading but was being pushed all the way by Ricky Barney, whilst Steven Reid was snapping at Barney’s heels, Roy Stout was not far behind, Heathcote seemed to slow very slightly as they approached the finish line on the fourth lap and Barney ran into the back of him, they both fell and Reid who was very close rode straight over Barney. All three were able to walk away but Heathcote and Barney were very badly shaken, with their bikes battered. All four finalists are in the North QLD squad to take on NSW, the three fallers have two weeks to get themselves and their machines into shape before the first hit out at Brandon….without doubt Heathcote has the toughest task, he was in a lot of pain and looked to have suffered rib injuries…or should I say worsened the rib injuries he already had..so reserve Reid is in with a shout. The sidecar racing was awesome, with a final worthy of an Australian Championship, the Wayne Munck/O’Brien pairing pulling off a very impressive final victory ahead of Australian Champions Christopher/Koppe with Gary Moon/ Sinnot third. The combinations of Christopher/Koppe and Moon/Sinnot will represent Australia in Germany shortly

The new owners of Pioneer Park Speedway in North Queensland have their big opener tomorrow night at 6pm. The programme consists of Junior and Senior Solos and Sidecars, Formula 200's and stock bikes, there will also be a firworks display. The place has been given a real spruce up and looks in fine shape. The snackbar will have a new menu and the new advertising campaign should ensure a bumper opening night crowd. Can't wait. Co owner Shelley Ryan informs me that the Juniors will be incorporated in the main programme, with give aways and encouragement awards for the Under 16's .... Pioneer Park is located in the town of Brandon just over 70km South of Townsville on the Bruce Highway.

This weekend anyone in NQ area South of Townsville are in for a double dose of speedway action. On Saturday afternoon starting at 1300 the new owners of Pioneer Park speedway have an official practice to dust off any cobwebs, these Guys have put in a tremendous amount of work on this potentially superb racing venue and I for one will be supporting them, starting off with the practice then with the official opening on the 25th June. The new owners informed me today that the infield Junior track which was around the 220 metre mark has been shortened to around 120 metres which brings it in to line with other Junior Speedway tracks around Aust/the World. After the Saturday afternoon practice the speedway brigade will head just down the road to the Ayr Motorcycle Club complex for an evening of racing at Brandon. Almost a full day of speedway....what more could we ask for? Oh and don't forget the Queensland v New South Wales series coming up in July, three consecutive Saturday nights of top quality racing at Rockhampton, Pioneer Park and Brandon...great lineups including some of Australia's best young riders (Chris Holder - World U21 Semi Finalist included)

I've ordered a few items from the official Crumpy website. The products are top quality and the service is fast and efficient. I'll be flying the flag at the local tracks in North Queensland this weekend.

Thanks to all who have replied so far. So we have Sheffield, Eastborne and Sittingbourne available for 125's. I've just got to keep my fingers crossed that they all have training days during the three weeks I'm in the UK. Does anyone know the track lengths? The two Junior tracks we ride at are 180 and 200 metres, both quite large for the smaller bikes but the youngster gets around them ok.

An interview with Cribby would be fantastic, he's been around a while and would certainly have a story or two to tell.....Both on and off track. Another interesting character is Alan Grahame, one of the greatest team men of all time.

Looking at this result I'm starting to think its going to be very tough for the North Queensland boys when NSW came up for three meetings in July. The evener could well be the large fast tracks, historically NQ have done very well on home soil... The main thing is the young riders are getting the competition, which they need to continue improving. Just for the record the meetings are at Brandon, Pioneer Park and Rockhampton, they are all biggies 400 metre +

Just out of interest how many Junior tracks are there in the UK? I'm talking tracks that cater for the 125cc bikes. I'm travelling over to the UK with my Son who rides 125's in Australia and wouldn't mind organising him a ride or two if its possible??????? Any help is greatly appreciated.

It has been reported but unconfirmed that Pioneer Park speedway has been sold to a Brisbane based buyer who is known in speedwy circles (Any guesses?). This should strengthen the future of this potentially fantastic racing venue. The local calender or should I say "rumour mill" already had Pioneer Park penned in for a meeting on the 23rd April, I haven't heard anything to say this has been changed yet. The other venue in these parts "Brandon" run by the Ayr Motorcycle Club had a practice day last Saturday with a smaller than usual rider attendance probably due to the unsettled weather in Townsville, etc.. So the calender for the remainder of April reads; Saturday 16 April - "Brandon" (Normal Club Meeting) Saturday 23 April - "Pioneer Park (Solos and Sidecars) Saturday 30 April - "Brandon" (Junior Challnge, with a strong Junior lineup both local and Interstate with Senior Solo and Dirt Track Support races and QLD Cup for Quads) With the Tropical weather now easing the climate is perfect for a good day/night at the races. Today the sky is blue and we are expecting a maximum temperature of 31 degrees centigrade, forecast for tomorrow is mainly fine.

Blimey Tony you must of been a young un when you were involved in the speedway mail?

I really enjoyed my visits to Blackbird Road, the atmosphere in the main straight was electric during Leicester v Cradley fixtures, and I enjoyed the racing there. I'll never forget the last heat decider in 1980 when Rolf Grandstad? beat Bruce Penhall, didn't Rolf get badly injured shortly after?. A team of triers in the early eighties too. Personally i'd watch speedway almost anywhere, not sure where I'd go if I had to choose between Wolverhampton and Coventry though.....probably Stoke.

Obviously quite a few Aussies have British ancestry and for them the dream is alive. However I think we'd probably all be surprised at how many would be travellers don't. To the ones without any UK or EC connections the chance of giving the "big time" a shot is a distant dream. Back to basics I reckon, State and National Championship participation being a must........for World Championship qualification also.

The loss of handicap racing at various venues in Australia is definately seen by some as one of the main factors behind the decline in speedway solo racing. Speedway needs something different to draw in the neutrals, maybe more handicap racing would help. Watching some talented youngster trying to hold off an experienced top liner certainly appeals to me.

Without any shadow of a doubt my Highlight was just last week when my ten yaer old Son made his Junior speedway debut. Having said that the season hasn't finished in North Queensland so we could better that. Biggest dissapointment.It hurts me to say this but it has to be the inactivity of the current World Champion who in my own opinion could of done so much for speedway in Australia this summer.

In the late seventies Finn Thomson turned up at Cradley in a very small European mini van, I have no idea what it was but he had all his gear squashed in the back.

I actually witnessed some decent racing at White City. Although I never saw league racing there some of the Overseas and Intercontinental Finals were quite good. I know the track received bad press and I do remember it being dry and slick at times but the real racers had the room to have a go in particular the likes of Chris Morton and Bruce Penhall spring to mind.

No problem, get in touch and I'll help you out. Both tracks are a little out of town, heading South from Townsville, about an hour away, but they are very easy to get to (they are both on or just to the side of the Bruce Highway) which is the main Highway in and out of Townsville. Best to email me incase I miss a posting on here.

Diamond, Labrador is on the Gold Coast only a few minutes from the various attractions, Surfers Paradise, etc, and about an hours drive from Brisbane, a great little venue it is too.

Pioneer Park 9th April Brandon 16th April

Diamond, You may be in luck. Pioneer Park - Saturday 9th April (Traditional speedway solos and sidecars, plus Junior Solos) Brandon - Saturday 16th April (Dirt Track and Speedway, speedway is under lights) Email me for more details, locations etc.

Diamond, I'll get the dates for you shortly. My Son made his Junior Racing debut at Pioneer Park on Saturday night and I missed the announcement for the next meeting.

Standby for Pioneer Park and Brandon dates, both an hour out of Townsville. Pioneer Park is for sale but I believe it will continue operating.

Diamond, There are two tracks in the Townsville region running monthly at the moment, they both run on Saturday's (consecutive) usually. So you have a very good chance of seeing one in Mid April. When you say you will be in Queensland I'm assuming you mean North Queensland because its a very long way to Brisbane etc from Townsville. You can contact me via email at lwmorris@iprimus.com.au I'll get the dates asap. There is a meeting at Pioneer Park this Saturday 12th March so I should find out more then. Brandon runs next Saturday 19th. Get in touch when/If you are in the area.

Leigh Adams must be the shortest price in the history of the Australian Championship. The rest of the filed is quite evenly matched. Its a real shame Crump and Sullivan aren't competing...shame being the appropriate word.