Season opener at Gillman Speedway
10 November, 2021 by Gillman Media
It is time to get back to the track when the 2021/22 summer season starts at Adelaide’s Gillman Speedway on Saturday night (13 November).
Speedway fans keen for some action will see a 36 event programme of Solos, Sidecars, Flat Track Solos and Go Karts.
Despite the challenges presented because of the continuing border restrictions, the meeting has attracted a good line-up of riders across all classes which should ensure an entertaining night’s racing culminating with the all-important finals for the top point scorers and winners of the “last chance” semi-finals.
The Sidecar class looks the most open, with Kym Menadue/Eric Melton, Shane Rudloff/Scott Morris and Mitchell Spear/Glen Zaworski possibly favourites just ahead of Brian Silvy/Damian Egan, but Dean Hobbs/Daniel Low, Stephen Fowler/Ben Goodridge, Thomas Adams/Michael Bell and Wayne Lethbridge/Grantley Simounds are all capable of grabbing a berth in the final.
The 500cc Solo class sees a return to action for the first time in several seasons of former British Under 21 Solo Champion, Jack Young Cup winner and Gillman Champion, Robert Branford, who will share favouritism with current and four-time Gillman Champion Dakota Ballantyne.
Former international speedway rider Nigel Sadler dominated the Flat Track races last season and will be the unbackable favourite on Saturday night.
Support events will include a number of 125cc Go Kart demonstrations by members of the Angas Go Kart Club, and the 125cc Junior Speedway Solos who race on the infield during the track grades so there is continuous action throughout the meeting.
Gates open at 4pm and racing starts at 7pm.
Everything You Need To Know:
Meeting Date: Saturday, 13 November 2021
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 4 pm.
Covid requirements: COVID Plan in place. Everyone must sign-in to the contact tracing system at the entry gates. Social distancing inside the venue - 3 people per 4 square metres if seated; 1 person per 2 square metres if standing or mixed seated and standing. Masks required when getting food, drink or souvenirs, and if going into the pits. Hand sanitiser placed at the gate, toilets and all sales areas. COVID Marshals will be in place.
Racing starts: at 7 pm. Free spectator access to the pits for a close look at the bikes until approximately 6.30 pm.
Classes and Nominations:
Solo 500cc: 19-Jake Turner, 23-Brian Johnson, 39-Steven Graetz, 56-Arlo Bugeja, 67-Shaun Sampson, 82-Dakota Ballantyne, 88-Blake Ridley, 121-Robert Branford, 211-Teagan Pedler
Sidecar: 11-Thomas Adams/Michael Bell, 12-Brian Silvy/Damian Egan, 14-Kym Menadue/Eric Melton, 15-Shane Rudloff/Scott Morris, 27-Stephen Fowler/Ben Goodridge, 46-Mitch Spear/Glen Zaworski, 82-Wayne Lethbridge/Grantley Simounds, 970-Dean Hobbs/Daniel Low
Solo Flat Track: 5-Kyle Machin, 9-Caillen Fitzgerald, 11-Nigel Sadler, 46-Seane Chapman, 55-Sean Curtis, 70-Hannah Conradi, 75-Steve Batchelor, 94-Darren Barnes, 181-John White, 272-Adam Pascoe, 281-Julian Timmis, 602-Graeme Eberhard, 672-Dale Knights, 713-Con Twist
250cc Junior Solo: 131-Ashley Jansen-Batchelor
Go Kart Demonstrations: 4-Kipp Ward, 5-Talitha Stott, 15-Daniel Stott, 20-Matthew Mellor, 22-Corey Forrest, 51-Noah Smith, 53-Matthew Baillie, 58-Anthony Hein, 82-Nicholas Tapley, 89-Ben Oxley
125cc Junior Solo: 15-Seth Pascoe, 16-Hayden Pascoe, 26-Jordan Hargreaves, 27-Travis Clarke, K48-Kobi Canning, 128-Hayden Kuchel, 131-Ashley Jansen-Batchelor, 524-Harry Sadler
6 p.m. pre-meeting junior riders — 125cc Novice Junior Solo: 4-Riley Stout, 13-Jackson McPherson, 37-William Nicol, 49-Blake Hocking, 112-Ruby Chapman, -Ryleigh McGregor. 50cc Junior Solo: 16-Riley Edson, 46-Owen Chapman, 49-Blake Hocking. Pee Wee Junior Solo: 1-Lila Canning, 5-Cooper Coats, 11-Nate Sadler, 15-Kolby Schultz, 75-Jett Plaisted, 114-Koa McPherson, -Cooper Karpinski
Admission: Adults $25, Age Pension and Student Concession $20, Children Under 16 free. Souvenir programme $5. Grandstand seating free. Parking free.
Concession is limited to holders of the Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card and Student Concession card holders only. Eftpos available at both gates and in the canteen.
Seating: Grandstand seating is free for this meeting but is limited to 216 people. There are large grassed viewing mounds and terracing suitable for deck chairs.
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] Eftpos available at the main canteen.
Please note a condition of our liquor licence is no byo alcohol or glass can be brought into the venue.
Pets: No pets, other than guide dogs, are allowed into the venue.
Souvenirs: There is a well-stocked souvenir shop. See the “A Night At Gillman” tab.
Weather Forecast as at 13 November: Maximum 17. Partly cloudy. Medium (60%) chance of showers, 0 to 1mm.
[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 new 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