Sel Walton Memorial

[Trackman]

Former Halifax and Glasgow star of the 1980's, Merv Janke, won the

Sel Walton Memorial Shield for Classic Solos on the Queen's Birthday

weekend. The event was not the prime reason for Townsville-based

Janke's trip south, however he was persuaded to enter, having been

offered the loan of a bike and riding gear. And it paid off

handsomely, as he sailed through the heats undefeated and then was

untroubled in the final. New Zealander Barry Free, who made the long

journey just to take part, filled second place from Terry Hentschell

and Kevin Beazley.

 

Evolution solos attracted the most entries, with 16 on track,

including several inter-staters. Local Scott Fisher topped the

points, then shrugged off a full first lap challenge from

Rockhampton's Anthony Wright to win the final. Third home was Geoff

Tomkins with Danny Regeling fourth.

 

Janke had qualified for the evolution final as well, but chose to opt

out. Jack Stevens (NSW) also qualified, but wrecked his bike in a

frightening crash in his last heat. Coming in for the chequered flag,

Stevens' back wheel hit the fence and he careered infield, narrowly

missing the flag marshal and the upright of the starting gate.

However, he destroyed the rack of flags, the flour bin and line

markers, before smashing through the gates of the junior track and

being thrown onto its infield. A veteran of knocks of this nature,

Stevens shrugged off medical attention and walked back to the pits.

 

Wayne Munck/ Yolanda Wilken were first away in the Classic Sidecar

final, but engine failure forced them out before completing a lap.

Ross Brown/ Karac Eden took over and led home from Michael Kent/ Karl

England and Bob Skinner/ Craig Mitchell.

 

The Pre 84 Sidecar final lost some of its punch when Ben Cooper/ Ryan

Spann broke a chain before reaching the starting line. Peter Wilken/

Kelly Cooper took the win over Ross Brown/ Ricky Tumini, with Craig

Shannon/ Darryl Mealey third.

 

Former Australian Test rider Kevin Torpie took to the track after a

long absence to put in some demonstration laps. The 70 year-old, who

rode for Edinburgh in 1965, added to the nostalgia of the day, along

with many other stars of yesteryear including Ivan Mauger, Bluey

Scott, Don Lawson, Keith Cox, Trevor (Ghost) Harding, Bill Bryden,

Steve Regeling, Mitch Shirra, Jim Airey and Nigel Boocock.

 

Modern speedway was also catered for. Harley Horwood and Darcy Ward

were winners in the modern solos, with Jake Moore and Nick Morris

best in the junior solos. Rapidly improving Glen Vercoe, with

experienced Chris Lewis in the chair, won the modern sidecar final

from Kim French/ Steve Kelly and Bob Hill/ Nick Bain. Paul and Daniel

Newman withdrew from the final with a cracked fuel tank.

 

From Gavin Elmes

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Regards.

[Trackman]

Photos added ... Merv Janke, Kevin Torpie.

http://goldcoastspeedway.homestead.com/

Regards.