Australian Championships at Gillman Speedway Saturday night

Gillman Media 23 November 2022

The first of several Australian Championships to be held in Adelaide this season will be the feature events at Gillman Speedway on Saturday night (26 November).

Riders from around Australia, including riders who have just returned from competing in the British and Polish League racing, will contest the Australian Under 21 500cc Solo Championship, while the best under 16-year-old riders will ride in the Australian 250cc Solo Championship.

Keynan Rew (Queensland), Fraser Bowes (South Australia) and James Pearson (New South Wales) represented Australia in the Speedway of Nations Under 21 Championship Final (equivalent to the old World Pairs Championship) in Denmark this year and so will start as favourites to take the National crown on Saturday night, along with Maurice Brown (New South Wales) and Jacob Hook (Queensland) who also rode overseas, Brown in the Polish League and Hook in the British League.

There are a number of riders capable of causing an upset by beating the international riders, however, and interstate journalists who have seen them ride regularly in recent months rate Tate Zischke (Queensland) and Harrison Ryan (New South Wales) in particular as strong contenders. Both were in top form last Saturday night when Zischke won the NSW Under 21 Championship and Ryan was third. James Pearson (second) and Maurice Brown (fourth) were the other finalists.

The NSW 250cc Championship was also decided on Saturday and resulted in a win for Alexander Adamson ahead of Beau Bailey, Noah Grabham and Tristan Ayers. Earlier this month Western Australian riders Mitchell McDiarmid and Linkin Metcalf finished 1-2 in the Victorian Championship with Bailey third and Grabham fourth.

All of these riders are in the line-up for Saturday night and will be amongst the favourites along with Adelaide riders Ashley Jansen-Batchelor and Harry Sadler.

Adamson, Bailey and Grabham have also been gaining experience on the Gillman track by attending some of the winter practice days.

Both Championships will be decided by 16 riders competing in 20 heats with the top three points scorers going into a final, along with the winners of the ‘last chance’ semi-finals for the fourth to seventh highest scorers.

Gates open at 3pm, practice will be from 5 till 6pm, and racing starts at 7pm.

For anyone unable to make it to Gillman, the meeting will be livestreamed (details below).

Everything You Need To Know:

Meeting Date: Saturday, 26 November 2022

Venue: Gillman Speedway Stadium, 65 Wilkins Road, Gillman – near the Port Adelaide area.

Parking and entrance: Patrons can enter via gates at the western and eastern ends of the venue. There are free off-street parking areas near both gates.

Gates open: at 3 pm.

Practice: 5pm to 6pm.

Racing starts: at 7 pm.

Pit access for spectators: Free spectator access to the pits until practice starts.

Riders:

Australian Under 21 500cc Championship: Fraser Bowes (SA), Maurice Brown (NSW), Tom Dixon (Vic), Patrick Hamilton (Vic), Lachlan Hayes (NSW), Jacob Hook (Qld), Liam May (SA), Jack McDiarmid (WA), Jackson Milner (Vic), James Pearson (NSW), Teagan Pedler (SA), Keynan Rew (Qld), Cordell Rogerson (Qld), Harrison Ryan (NSW), Michael West (NSW), Tate Zischke       (Qld).

Australian Under 16 250cc Championship: Alexander Adamson (NSW), Tristin Ayres (NSW), Beau Bailey (NSW), Noah Grabham (NSW), Ashely Jansen-Batchelor (SA), Anika Loftus (Qld), Jordy Loftus (Qld), Colby Mason (WA), Hunter Mason (WA), Mitchell McDiarmid (WA), Linkin Metcalf (WA), Bradley Niven (NT), Riley Plum (Vic), Liam Powell (Qld), Harry Sadler (SA), Broc White (NSW), Darcey Timmis (SA, reserve).

125cc Junior (Under 16) Solos (on the infield track during track grades on the main track): Kobi Canning (SA), Ruby Chapman (SA), Blake Hocking (SA), Hayden Kuchel (SA), Ryleigh McGregor (SA), William Nicol (SA), Hayden Pascoe (SA). Blake Schlein (Vic).

Championship formats: 20 heats, last chance semi-final, final.

Admission: Adults $25, Age Pension and Student Concession $20, Children Under 16 free. Parking free. Souvenir programme $5, includes chances to win $50 fuel vouchers. EFTPOS available at both entrances, canteen, bar and souvenir shop.

Concession is limited to holders of the Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card and Student Concession card holders only.

Livestreaming: This meeting will be livestreamed on https://spacequakesports.vhx.tv/products/u21-u16-250cc-solo-championships-november-26th (cost $25).

Seating: There are large grassed viewing mounds and terracing suitable for deck chairs. The Grandstand is not available for this meeting due to refurbishment.

VIP Area: The Bob White VIP area is available to anyone who would like to treat their business colleagues, family or friends to the best view in the stadium. Enjoy the elevated view overlooking the track, either from inside the temperature controlled rooms, on the timber deck, or on the enclosed lawn area. The VIP area also has its own bar and toilet. Ring Ivan Golding on 0417 138 378 for more details.

Food and drink: Full bar and catering available. Food includes hot chips, hamburgers, chicken burgers, pies, pasties, sausage rolls, Chiko Rolls, dim sims, hot dogs, doughnuts, coffee, cold drinks, sweets. “Gillman has far and away the best speedway tucker” [Peter White’s Speedway World]

Please note a condition of our liquor licence is no byo alcohol or glass can be brought into the venue.

Souvenirs: There is a well-stocked souvenir shop. See the “A Night At Gillman” tab.

Pets: No animals are allowed into the venue except assistance animals, eg guide dogs.

Weather Forecast as at 23 November: Maximum 27, minimum 21. Medium chance of 0 to 1mm rain.

[www.bom.gov.au/sa/forecasts/adelaide.shtml]

Directions:

The best way to get to Gillman Speedway is off Hanson Road.

If you are coming from the eastern and southern suburbs, get on to Hanson road off Torrens Road or Grand Junction Road, travel north on Hanson road over the train line then take the first road on the left, which is Wilkins road.

From the northern suburbs, travel down the Port Adelaide expressway and take the Hanson Road exit. Once on Hanson Road, take the first exit on your right, this is Wilkins road.

From the western suburbs, Wilkins Road is the continuation of Bedford Street, north of Eastern Parade.

Contact for this meeting: Ivan Golding 0417 138 378 or email contact@gillmanspeedway.com