Shane Parker Swan Song? - December 2013

December 1, 2013 by Gillman Media

A throw-away line by Shane Parker after winning the Gillman Solo Championship suggests the South Australian Solo Championship next Saturday night (7 December) could be his final speedway meeting.

When asked by track announcer Colin Gitsham during the trophy presentation if he would be contesting the Australian Championship he replied, “No, the next meeting could be my last”.

While we hope it isn’t, if it is it will add extra interest to the State championship as his fans will be hoping he can add a fifth title to the four he has previously won.

Parker’s four wins has him equal fourth on the all-time winner’s list, behind Jack Young, John Boulger (9 each) and Troy Batchelor (5). With wins at Murray Bridge, North Arm and Gillman he is also second on the list for wins at most tracks (behind Mark Fiora with 4).

One list he is well ahead on though is most times runner-up. As well as winning on four occasions, Parker has finished second 7 times. And this is despite missing the championship on 13 occasions, mainly because of being in Europe but also occasionally because of injury. After finishing runner-up in 2004, he did not compete in the championship again until last season when he again finished second, showing his durability as a top-class rider.

Full details for the championship meeting will be on the Gillman website on Monday night but at this stage the biggest threats to a fifth win by Parker appear to be newly crowned Victorian champion Cameron Woodward, Australia #2 Dakota North, the previous Victorian champion Justin Sedgmen and English rider Kyle Newman, with British Under 21 champion Robert Branford and Australian Under 21 champion Max Fricke as outside chances.