Australia Meeting

[daveyracing]

Meeting Report - 16th June, 2007 - Posted 20 June, 2007

 

The crowd at Pioneer Park on Saturday night were treated to some very good racing with over 55 events run and won. The night was the first for two months and top class nominations saw the competitive racing that followed. While Sidecars were the top shelf, the battle for spots in the Queensland team in the upcoming Solo Test match ensured that the Solos were full of interest and did see some very close racing. A slip on turn four in round 4 of the "A" Solos saw Ayr's Ricky Barney come down in a spectacular crash which will see Barney out of action for at least 8 weeks. The oldest Solo rider on the night in the "A" section at 19 years old, Barney will now miss the Interstate Test match series between New South Wales and Queensland set down for July 20 and 21 at Pioneer Park and the Ayr Motorcycle club complex.

 

 

 

Barney and Mitchell Davey had been the dominate riders on the program in the "A" Solos with Davey beating Barney in their first clash and Davey again ahead when Barney crashed. Barney was in pain even though it was initially thought he was winded, but closer examination by the Medical staff saw Barney taken to Ayr hospital. With Barney out of the final it was expected that Mitchell Davey should win. Josh Gracjzonek had other ideas as while Davey lead for the first two of the four laps, Gracjzonek took over into turn one on the third lap and looked set for a good win. A chain came adrift on the last two turns allowing Davey to pass and claim the win with Steven Reid in second and Ashley Cathcart in third with Gracjzonek coasting across the line for fourth.

 

 

 

Aaron Stewart who has just turned 16 was having his first ride as a senior in the "B" Solos and won his first heat ride and then the "B" Final. Stewart was a busy rider on the night as he was passenger for Rob Patterson in the Sidecars as well.

 

 

 

Australian Sidecar No 2. Gary Moon had to over come an indifferent night and was lucky to qualify for the final but once there was very impressive in winning the event. The Final which was equal to any major final saw current Australian No 2 in Moon and Dennis with Current Australian no 3, Scott Christopher and Trent Koppe a former Australian No3 in Dave Bottrel and Ayr pairing of Jason and Joel Aldridge. Bottrel won the start but Moon was out wide with The Aldridge combination diving in to the pole line to be in second going down the back straight the first time. Moon took over the lead on the bottom turn and while Bottrell and Christopher challenged Moon had their measure to win from Christopher and Bottrel in third.

 

 

 

A lot of interest was created with the appearance of two 350cc Solos ridden by youngsters Clinton Dennis and Jesse Tuffin. The bikes are similar in all dimensions to the 500cc machines except for the smaller 350cc engine. Dennis has in resent times been campaigning the bike in New South Wales where there are greater numbers of the bikes, with good results to his credit. Dennis got into early trouble in the "A" Final of the Juniors and had to settle for second behind Tyler Moon and Dylan Blain in third. In the "B" junior Solo final, Michael Detenon looked set for his first major win but a momentary laps in concentration on the last turn allowed Jake McLean under him to claim the win.