Back to the future for Shane Parker at Gillman - October 2013

October 22 2013 by Gillman Media

It will be a case of back to the future for Shane Parker this Saturday night when he rides in the 2 Valve Solo class of the Gillman Classic Championships.

Parker made his senior speedway debut riding a two valve at North Arm Speedway back on 4 May 1986. At the time it was all his father Keith could afford, but Shane quickly showed the others what a good rider could do regardless of the bike he was riding, as he won his first ever senior race in a time only 1.37 seconds outside Phil Crump’s track record.

He, of course, went on to have a long and successful international career, and he is still international standard which means, while his appearance will be appreciated by spectators, it could be bad news for the other riders in the two valve class who could find themselves just fighting for the second and third places on the podium.

The race for those positions will be wide open, however, with a number of good riders, led by Townsville’s Roy Stout who has won the championship four times and is the defending champion. Stout has actually had four wins and two seconds in the last six years, with both those second places being behind another ex-international rider, Merv Janke.

Another regular placegetter is Kevin Webb from Western Australia, who has finished second four times – three of those behind Stout – and third twice.

Rick Smith is another former placegetter, while Ashley Watson certainly has the ability to make the rostrum, although his fitness level seem to let him down as he more often than not rides very well for three laps only to drop back on the last lap.

Victoria’s Wayne Morrison could also be in contention, but Australian Champion Troy Batchelor’s father Steve might find the competition a bit too hot. Our only lady rider, Leah Fisher completes an interesting two valve line-up.

Photos: main photo Shane Parker in action at Gillman Speedway last season (photo jdmphotos); bottom photo: two of the regular championship contenders, Queensland’s Roy Stout (left) and Perth’s Kevin Webb (photo Judy Mackay).