Trent Headland/Jaxon Rayner v Mark Plaisted/Ben Pitt part II

Gillman Media 7 January 2025

Just two weeks after their epic battle in the final of the International Speedway Masters meeting, Trent Headland/Jaxon Rayner and Mark Plaisted/Ben Pitt return to Gillman Speedway on Friday night (10 January) to face off again in the $3000 to win Gillman Sidecar Spectacular

In the International Masters Headland/Rayner led all the way only to be beaten on the line by Plaisted/Pitt, and the two former Australian Champions will be expected to produce another thrilling race in the winner-takes-all final on Friday night.

They can’t ignore the challenges of the other riders however, as the field includes a number of other serious contenders, in particular two-time Queensland Champions Tyler Moon/Adam Lovell, New South Wales young guns Max Howse/Riley Commons, and local riders Kym Menadue/Shane Dolan. Another SA team of Josh Pascoe/Greg Black are also one of the main chances of a semi-final berth.

Amongst the nominations are a number of riders making their first appearances this season — former SA number two Kane Golding with new passenger Hayden Kuchel, Aaron Silvy/Jaron Silvy, New South Wales team Zac Campbell/Jason Williams, who won the Australian Championship qualifying meeting in Tamworth in October, and very surprisingly Nate Headland (passenger Sam Horton). Headland is returning much earlier than expected after breaking both legs in February, and is sure to get a rousing reception from the spectators.

The support events are 500cc Solos, including international rider Fraser Bowes, Flat Track Solos, with another international rider, Brayden McGuinness, and 125cc Junior Solos.

Gates open at 4pm and racing starts at 7pm.

For those that can’t attend, the meeting will be livestreamed through the website link [https://www.spacequakesports.com/ppv] for a cost of $25. As always this is the only official livestreaming link. Any other links touted on facebook sites are scams and should be ignored.

Everything You Need To Know:

Meeting Date: Friday, 10 January 2025

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.

Pit access for spectators: Free spectator access to the pits until approximately 6.15 pm.

Racing starts: at 7 pm.

Competitors:

$3000 to win Sidecar Spectacular:  Thomas Adams/ Brenton Marshall, Zac Campbell/Jason Williams, Nathan Fleet/Jason Mordaunt, Kane Golding/Hayden Kuchel, Nate Headland/Sam Horton, Trent Headland/Jaxon Rayner, Max Howse/Riley Commons (NSW), Wayne Lethbridge/Grantley Simounds, Kym Menadue/Shane Dolan, Tyler Moon/Adam Lovell (Qld), Byron Mordaunt/Jarrad Katzorke (SA/Vic), Adam Pascoe/Mark-John Papastamatis, Josh Pascoe/Greg Black, Mark Plaisted/Ben Pitt (SA/Vic), Darcy Risstrom/Jake Doyle (Vic), Aaron Silvy/Jaron Silvy, Brian Silvy/Glen Zaworski, Willy Walker/Liam Sherwood

500cc Solos: Fraser Bowes, Steven Graetz, Ashley Jansen-Batchelor, Harry Sadler.

Flat Track Solos: Chloe Ackerley (Vic), Graeme Eberhard, Dale Knights, Greg Laanekorb, Adam Lovell (Qld), Brayden McGuinness, Matt Paterson, Simon Sweeney (out 10/1/25), Con Twist (out 9/1/25)

Juniors (on the infield track during the main track grades): 125cc Solos: Owen Chapman, Cooper Karpinski, William Nicol, Jett Plaisted, Nate Sadler, Riley Stout. 125cc Solo Novices (non-competitive): Axel Smith, Koby Smith. Pre-meeting (6pm) Juniors: 250cc Sidecars: Tilo Schultz/Riley Edson. 50cc Pee Wees: Zara Plaisted, Kolby Schultz.

Admission: Adults $25, Age Pension and Student Concession $20, Children Under 16 free. Parking free. Programme $5-includes two chances to win $50 fuel vouchers. EFTPOS available at both entrances, the 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://www.spacequakesports.com/ppv]. The cost is $25 Australian. Any other claimed links to livestreaming are scams and should be ignored.

Seating: Free grandstand seating, terracing suitable for deck chairs, and large grassed viewing mounds.

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.

Smoking, Vaping: by Government legislation, no smoking or vaping allowed at this 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 8 January: Maximum 33, minimum 17. [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.

For interstate visitors flying into Adelaide and getting a hire car, Gillman is about 20kms, and 30 minutes’ drive (depending on traffic lights) from the airport.

The easiest and most direct way from the airport, if not going to your accommodation first is:

On leaving the airport, turn left onto Sir Donald Bradman Drive. Continue along Sir Donald Bradman Drive until you reach the end of the airport grounds and turn right onto Tapleys Hill Road. Keep going on Tapleys Hill Road until you can’t go any further. That’s Port Road. Turn left onto Port Road (you can only turn left). Continue down Port Road for about 1 km to the first intersection which is Grand Junction road and turn right. Go 700 metres along Grand Junction Road, over a bridge over a railway line. Stay in the left lane because at the bottom of the bridge you turn left into Gray Terrace. Go to the end of Gray Terrace and turn right onto Bedford Street. Keep going on that road until you get to the speedway. About 2km.

Accommodation: There is plenty of accommodation in Adelaide and suburbs, within 20-30 minutes of the Speedway, ranging from five star hotels to caravan parks and backpacker hostels.

Contact for this meeting: Ivan Golding 0417 138 378.