Australian Long Track Championship

[Trackman]

Emerging youngster Richard Sweetman gave his career prospects a huge boost, by winning his first national title, the Australian Long Track championship at Blayney Showground.

The small town located 40 kilometres west of Bathurst, staged it's second meeting, and it's first national title on a track that stood up pretty well considering the rain that had bombarded the area for a couple of days prior to racing. Indeed there were a number of occasions on the drive up to from Sydney as to whether this meeting would take place, but with only just the odd quick shower during the day Blayney in the main escaped the huge downpours in nearby towns such as Bathurst. While the track was a little wet on top for the practice it was quite firm underneath and the hard working officials of the Panorama Motor Cycle club are to be congratulated for staging a great meeting under difficult circumstances.

 

Unfortunately there were a few falls during the day, with a couple of riders perhaps trying a little too hard, rather than any problem with the track as the major reasons for the falls.

 

Sweetman was the most consistent rider in the four heats of the 500cc Long Track Championship, with many riders dropping out after falls and bike problems. Sweetman managed to avoid any major dramas and took top four placings (with one victory) in each of his four heats. He certainly looks a good prospect for the future on this form. Second place on the day went to Sydney rider Lee Herne, who was unfortunate in his first heat, after a machine failure on the final lap, saw him pushing home the best part of 500 metres to gain 7th place and 13 points that were ultimately crucial to his second place in the championship. Third place on points was Tim Heffernan.

 

It was also a maiden Australian Championship win in the Sidecars for the experienced combination of Chris Pym and Adam Constable after a competitive 4 race series which saw Pym record two heat wins, a second and a third placing, to win the title from Victorians Warren Monson and Devon Gates, with the favourites Darrin Treloar and Justin Plaistead relegated to third. Treloar won his first two heats, before a second place open the door for Pym in the final race, which saw Treloar pull up with motor troubles while lying in 3rd place. Pym was a really proud man at the presentation and couldn't quite believe what he and partner Constable had achieved.

 

A few riders unfortunately were treated for injuries on track, before being taken away in the ambulance for observation. These included Dirt Track sidecar competitors passenger Neil Hancock, and rider Ian Collettt, after a coming together in event number 46, and Kozza Smith who fell in the final of the 250cc 2 Stroke.

 

Luke Gough who is known to many speedway fans, won perhaps the most competitive class of the day, the up to 450cc 4 stroke championship, where 40 riders competed over four heats per round.

 

 

 

Heat Details for Speedway Sections

 

Solos

1) Strider Horton, Jason Stewart, Richard Sweetman, Daniel Mason, Josh Grajczonek, Tim Heffernan, Lee Herne (pushed home)

2) Richard Sweetman, Jason Stewart, Kozza Smith, Lee Herne, Strider Horton

 

3)Lee Herne, Richard Sweetman, Daniel Mason, Tim Heffernan, Josh Grajczonek

4) Lee Herne, Richard Sweetman, Josh Grazjconek, Tim Heffernan

 

Sidecars

1) Darrien Treloar,Chris Pym, Warren Monson, James Hinton, Jason Trewin

2) Darrin Treloar, Warren Monson, Chris Pym, Hinton (exc tapes), Trewin (n/s)

 

3) Chris Pym, Darrin Treloar, Warren Monson, Jason Trewin, James Hinton

 

4) Chris Pym, Warren Monson, James Hinton, Trewin (ef), Treloar (ef)

 

Results of classes

 

SOLO CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

125cc Michael Dyer (Canobalas), Tom Armstrong (Griffith) Glenn Scott (Central Coast)

 

65cc Juniors Matthew Davies (Wyalong), Patrick McLaughlin (ACT), Hunter Anderson (West Wyalong)

 

250cc 4 Stroke Joshua Waters (Preston), Nathan Porombka (ACT), Rohan Tungate (Kurri Kurri)

 

85cc Juniors Patrick McLaughlin (ACT), Thomas Lewis (Cowra), Nick Rowe (Cowra)

 

500cc FTX Darren Herrick (West Wyalong), Michael Kirkness (Hastings Valley), Ashley Wilesmith (Temora)

 

500cc Classic Slider Chris Potts (Kurri Kurri), Alan Jones (Penrith), John Gurney (VSRA)

 

125cc Juniors Todd Kurtz (Cowra), Keegan Gaskin (Tamworth), Michal Vecchi (ACT)

 

up to 450cc 4 Stroke Luke Gough (ACT), Luke Richards (Hunter), Joshu Waters (Preston)

 

Harley/British Twin Jack Stevens (Kurri Kurri), Peter Lee (Griffith), Darrell Elliott (Kurri Kurri)

 

250cc 4 stroke Juniors Grant Charnock (Cowra), Todd Kurtz (Cowra), Brodie Waters (Preston)

 

250cc 2-stroke Luke Johnson (Cowra), Graeme Smith (Hunter), Michael Kirkness (Hastings Valley)

 

Dirt Track SIdecars Barry Raffin (North Brisbane), Rodney O'Meley (Tamworth), Paul Marko (Tamworth)

 

Over 450cc 4 Stroke Josh Grajczonek (Townsville), Jarrod Koppe (Townsville), Wayne Boserio (Cowra)

 

Heard on Saturday that next year's championship will be staged at Wayville Showground in Adelaide, so my guess that next year's meeting at Blayney will be the N.S.W. Long Track Championship.

 

Best Wishes

Glenn Russell

 

 

 

Via Aus-Speedway....

Regards.

[tarabanko]

Thanks Glenn for the news.

 

Go Sweetman GOO!!