The well attended dinner was held in the Auditorium of the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club, the major sponsor of the Motorcycle Club, in keeping with the now long established tradition of mutual co-operation between the two bodies.

Individual presenters paid tribute to the various recipients in the particular categories of achievement in the Motorcycle Club.

The competition clubman, “Rigby Trophy” was made to Club Captain, Brock Gates, who has completed an excellent season, riding and excelling in every discipline offered in the Club.

The Motorcross, “Stevenson Trophy,” was presented to Life member and Club Motorcross stalwart, Rohan Hollis, who continues his riding activity at the top level well into middle age.

In what was an impressive roundup of awards to the younger Sedgmen brother, Justin, who is now riding in England and Europe professionally, he was awarded the “Nemstas Trophy”, speedway solo aggregate, while the Byren Gates and Mick O’Loughlin Sidecar team took out the “Teague Trophy,” for the speedway Sidecar aggregate. Gates and O’Loughlin finished their season in fine form, taking a sixth place in the 2010 Australian Title meeting in Newcastle over the Easter weekend.

The Dirt Karters Trophy went to the most highly decorated driver in the country when Rob Latta took the award. Rob has two National Titles as well as many State Championships and podium positions to his name, in what has been a memorable, even if well travelled season for him and his family.

The newest Trophy in the list was the initial awarding of the Quad Racers trophy, which went to Club committeeman, Troy Mills. Mills has been most active in getting and assisting recruits to the Quad discipline, which includes, even three generations of his own family. The category continues with good growth and great entertainment.

Both the Karts and Quads have been a welcome addition to the Olympic Park program and their individual racing is enjoyed by many speedway fans around Sunraysia.

The two major Club awards for the night are the Competition excellence award, the “Winton Shield,” which went to Justin Sedgmen, in recognition of the stellar start to his professional riding career both in Australia and overseas. Sedgmen, even at the time of the dinner, was in Krsko, Slovenia, waiting to take part in a semi-final of the World Under 21 Championship, the ultimate results of which saw the young Sedgmen finish just out of a place to progress to the World Title series in the coming months. The award to Justin was well recognized by all in attendance as an indication of further things to come for the Merbein youngster.

The Best Club member award, the “Gaulke Trophy,” went to committee member and energetic worker John Willcock, who is the Club’s liaison with the State’s DSE as well as the local CMA. John’s continued work, especially in the management, husbandry and re-afforestation of the Johnston’s Bend site, has been well recognized by the departmental and State agencies. John continues to encourage all members through his work and commitment to the future of the Club.

In what turned out to be a great night for the Sedgmen family, there were Life Memberships awarded to both Garry Watt and Gavin Sedgmen in recognition of their many years of valued service to the Club. Both members were delighted to receive their Life membership badges and join some of the elite members in the Club’s history. Both men were elected to Life membership even thought hey have concentrated their efforts in different areas of Club activity.

The Sedgmens join the Crumps in having both father and son as Life members of the club. These latest two members complete a list of only forty five members who have ever been awarded the ultimate prize in the sixty three year history of the Club.

Representatives of the Clubs major sponsors were official guests with Directors of the Coomealla Club, Deputy President, Garry Harding and Norm Simms, the current MRCC Deputy Mayor, Cr. Sue Nicholls and former Mayor, Cr. John Arnold as well as WinTV Manager, Ms. Tess Lane and Sunraysia Riverland Refrigerated Services, Tania and Terry Meredith along with Noddy and Alison Riordan, from Riordan’s Paint and Panel and Director of North West Funerals, Mathew Spain, representing the Club’s most recent naming rights and season sponsor.

A great night was held and all members are looking forward to the new season coming, which will again see the Club hosting the final round of the 2011 Australian Solo Title as well as being the venue for the recently announced, Leigh Adams Testimonial, which will probably be the biggest meeting ever staged at Olympic Park.

Adams is currently competing in his final year of European competition and hopes to go out with a bang on January 5.

“I hope to put on one of the biggest speedway events our sport has seen for many years” said Adams from his UK base.

“It will be a special night of racing for all the fans that have supported me over the years and this will be my thank you to them as well as a celebration of the career I’ve had in the sport.”

Adams is currently in negotiations with two foreign grand prix riders and he hopes to announce their participation in coming months – should he pull this off it will be huge news for fans down under.

The meeting will feature a very strong field of senior riders, some Junior competition, as well as Australia’s top sidecar riders and a host of other cameo appearances by champions past and present.

“The Sidecar field is nearly sorted” said Adams, “and all but one of the competitors rode in the Australian Championship this year”.

The odd men out are actually the brilliant duo of Glenn and Nathan O’Brien, who jumped at the chance to take part.

“What an honour to be part of such an event” said Glenn.

“As soon as I got the phone call there was not even a pause, I just said put us in and nobody will keep us away!”

“Leigh has done more for Australian Speedway than anyone else I know and this will be my thank you to him for the enjoyment that he has given me and many others over the years”.

More information on the Leigh Adams Testimonial will be released in coming months – should be a beauty!

Top points scorers for the night were Mildura riders Warren Monson and Deven Gates, who rode with plenty of speed, taking the first selection in the final on countback from the eventual winners. Third on points were fellow locals, Byren Gates and Mick O’Loughlin, who capped off an excellent season with another solid performance, while just sneaking into the final was World Champion, Mick Headland, with youngest son, Jesse in the chair. A three way Countback decided positions five through to seven, indicating the strength of the meeting all night.

Howse and Commons were delighted to receive the Keith “Curley” Carmes Trophy for winning the 33^rd Spectacular, which has finished off their best season ever in Sidecar speedway. The popular duo was full of praise for the slick conduct of the meeting and the excellent track which was presented to riders. They also paid tribute to all team members who have helped over many seasons of top competition, particularly, Phil Austen, who has spent many years of dedication and travel while on the spanners for his Silver City colleagues.

Following rider’s favourable comments on track quality, Mildura officials suggested that they have never seen so many front wheels coming from the ground during races, which is an indicator of the amount of grip which was provided under each machine over the full width of the track. The Howse / Commons pair have had a stellar year, even though they could be disappointed that the country’s major prize eluded them by just a whisker, but they will be all the better for their consistency; proving that a team from a remote area can be right up with the best in the world. They continue to prove that their second place in the World in 2008 was no fluke and this season’s performances at a range of tracks around the country justifies the respect that all other Australian outfit riders have for the Howse / Commons combination.

A large crowd enjoyed all events and certainly justified the Mildura Club’s decision to only postpone the Spectacular when it was rained off back in March. The Mildura Sidecar Spectacular is the longest running, non-title event in Australia and is an event which riders over the 33 years of conduct have said is, ”one of those meetings that a rider must compete in” to complete the full journey in Sidecar speedway.

The Monson and Gates team started the night in electrifying form, taking a significant heat win over Gates and O’Loughlin, while Clint and Danny Mayes started with a good win in the opening event. Howse / Commons and the father and son, Headland combination, each took wins to complete the first round.

Clean, but incredibly fast racing was the order of the night and by the completion of the third round the Monson / Gates team were unbeaten, with Gates / O’Loughlin, the Headlands and Howse and Commons, all just one point behind on eight points each. By this time too, Jason Bradshaw and Simon Cohrs had taken a heat win, as had the Adelaide pair of Daniel Puddy and Matt Morgan, who were making constant adjustments in set-up as they came to terms with the vagaries of the Olympic Park circuit. Their changes and some friendly advice from some of the Mildura teams assisted the Adelaide pair in improving their racing situation during the night.

Consistent riding had also brought six points to the Munro brothers, Scott and Kyle, from Ouyen from their three second placings while Clint and Danny Mayes were next on five points.

During the interval, it was obvious that the Mildura crowd, who had been starved from speedway for just a few weeks, were hankering for some great action to complete the year and they were not to be disappointed; as the final two rounds and the final itself was some of the best speedway seen at Olympic Park for a long while. The evenness of the field was a contributing factor and by the conclusion of the twentieth heat, all riders had been beaten in one heat which made for a final which was awaited by all.

Teams were cheered onto the arena for every contest, so the crowd was really getting into the action, which encouraged the riders to always be having a red hot go at winning at all times.

It was obvious by the end of round four that Monson / Gates, Howse / Commons and Gates / O’Loughlin were all safe in the final. In that round the Headlands had pulled to the infield during their heat, so did not score any points, which then put the pressure on them to do the business in their last heat, which was against the unbeaten Monson and Gates team. Headland won the start, but Monson was looking for the unbeaten status in the meeting and fought Headland right to the finish flag. Headland, with this heat win, secured the last place into the final, which proved to be one of the best individual events for the year.

The start of the final saw bikes climbing all over each other from the start as there were many grooves on the line and beyond, as the bikes had ripped the track with massive horsepower from the start line. At least two passengers took a knock during the incident, with Mick O’Loughlin and Adam Commons both showing some effect of the encounter. The start line was re-prepared for action and after a short spell; all teams approached the line for a further try.  The final was a blistering affair and the crowd noise over the engines was most evident as patrons cheered on their respective favourites as they swapped positions and some paint during the journey.

The Broken Hill pair of Howse and Commons, took a slight advantage into the second lap, but the remaining three teams had no desire to be at the rear of field, so the fight for the minor placings was furious, with chances being taken and lost while positions were swapped. Lap times only varied by point zero one of a second as the leaders, Howse and Commons charged ahead. The reception for their Spectacular win at the chequered flag could be heard from Broken Hill, even though many Broken Hill fans had made the journey to watch this prestigious event. The crowd loudly applauded all four teams for the entertainment that they had provided.

Classic sidecars were the support for the meeting, with a popular first ever meeting win going the way of Ash Needham, with first up passenger Blain Tucker taking over from Ash’s wife, Kat, who had had to take a spell after a recent shoulder injury. Patrons also enjoyed the distinctive sound of the new Bryan Gathercole, Harley Davidson powered classic sidecar machine, ably ridden by Dale Milner and Nick O’Brien, which appeared along with the Mildura pair of Roly paver and Rex Byrne and the visiting Gavin Murtagh, Honda machine, ridden by Ian Treloar from Melbourne.

The large crowd willingly participated in a solemn and moving Anzac tribute prior to the commencement of the meeting.

Download the press release: POST – 2010 Coca-Cola Sidecar Spectacular, 250410

Headland came away from the recent Australian Championships held at Newcastle, with a hard earned fourth place, even though he was riding with his youngest son, Jesse, in place of his injured regular passenger, Paul Waters, who was badly injured in a track accident in New Zealand back in January of this year.

Headland is a class act in any company, but he will not get many things his own way this weekend as the “hot shots” from that Australian Title, Broken Hill’s, Rick Howse and Adam Commons, will be keen to show that their Newcastle form, where they finished in second place, was not any flash in the pan. The Broken Hill pair have been slick all year and have just selected those meetings which have given them their best Title opportunity training as the important ones for the season.

Howse and Commons were the fastest team for the entire Newcastle meeting, winning all five of their heat rides on Championship night and just failing to win the major prize in the cut throat final. Gate selection was possibly just slightly wrong for the Broken Hill combo, but all present could understand that in choosing the inside gate position, it did give some insurance over the five times Champion, Darrin Treloar for Howse, but they did not expect to see the wonderful start that was gained by the eventual winners, Jason Aldridge and Cal Campbell.

Howse and Commons can always know that they were the best riders on the night, but that they could not make up for the start which the Queensland pair took to the major prize.

The action wont be just between these two International teams as it is the Keith “Curley” Carmes Trophy which is up for the winners and there are plenty of locally based riders who will be looking to get their names inscribed on the most prestigious trophy in the Mildura Club’s speedway cabinet.

Locals will be lead by the sixth place getters in the Aussie final in Byren Gates and Mick O’Loughlin, who have been riding all season in scintillating form. Speedway pundits have said that Gates and O’Loughlin have never started as quick as they have been this year. They are very settled as a team and their form at Newcastle was worthy of them being the Victorian representatives at the meeting and their sixth place puts them in the top riders in the country.

Other locals in Warren Monson and Deven Gates, Jason Bradshaw and Simon Cohrs, as well as Clint Mayes / Danny Mayes, Andrew O’Rourke and Jason Mayes and Dad’s Army, Chris Holmes and Neale Hancock will ensure that the top of the points stack will always be under challenge.

We throw in regular visitors in Mark Radford and Steven Stagg and Simon Hartley / Nathan Chisholm, who along with Monson / Gates and O’Rourke / Mayes, will have gained enormously from their collective experiences at Newcastle in the National Title meeting. Gaining from the Newcastle experience too is Adelaide’s Daniel Puddy and Matt Morgan, who would be expected to give the top teams a real run for their money.

All four teams will be keen to show their fans that this season has been a growth season for them and that the final meeting for the year is the time and place to show the spoils of a fruitful campaign.

There is no doubt that the Championship meeting was difficult for many, with tracks issues dominating the weekend, bit it will be great for all riders top be on a real speedway track, which is groomed for the best outcome for all teams in the meeting.

We will see plenty of dirt fly and no doubt, some paint will be swapped, such is the nature of strong Sidecar competition.

This will be a meeting, worthy of the final meeting for the year, even though it is being held some six or seven weeks after its scheduled date. The first attempt of conducting this event was back in March and the annual Sidecar Spectacular is always the final event for the Mildura speedway calendar. Patrons are overjoyed to still have the opportunity to see, what will probably still be the best Sidecar event in the country for the year, with indications that there will once again, be many visitors coming to Mildura to see the best in the business going around and are overjoyed that the Mildura Club chose to only postpone the “Speccy” to later in the season.

Support events will again be from the Classic Sidecar division, which is getting stronger by the meeting. Many riders have dusted off their old machinery and have then dusted themselves to have another try at the sport which is so exciting for many, much to the enjoyment of those of us who watch and continue to be amazed at the daring of those early riders. Local “Oldies”, Roly Paver and Rex Byrne, enjoy their competition more now than they probably did in yesteryear, if the smiles on their faces are anything to go by.

It is fitting too, that we pay tribute to our Anzacs as well as our founding racing Club members on such an auspicious night as Anzac night. The meeting will commence with a small Anzac ceremony prior to any racing. The Club asks all patrons to join us in the Anzac commemoration and advises that the Club will be making a donation to the RSL Benevolent Fund to mark the occasion.

Some years ago, Olympic Park Speedway was donated to a local Ex-Serviceman’s Committee for use as the fund raising venue to conduct a wonderful variety concert, when funds were being raised to build a memorial to recent past conflicts, including the Vietnam War.

The memorial was built on the Mildura Seventh Street lawns.

Patrons are reminded that gates will open at 5:30pm, with Junior racing to precede the main event. A full catering service is offered, as always, at Olympic Park and patrons are asked to comply with the “No BYO by law”, ruling, which is part of the Club’s catering arrangements.

Download the press release: PRE – 2010 Sidecar Spectacular 250410

Cameron Sinclair and Blake “Bilko” Williams, who are two of Australia’s finest, will be in town to “enjoy the Mildura Easter Power Sports weekend, which they have heard so much about”, said Sinclair, when speaking to Mildura Club Secretary, Brendon Gledhill, earlier this week.

Always the “rev heads,” both Cameron and Bilko were coming to soak up some great motor sport atmosphere and thought that they might throw the bikes in as well, as they are being joined by two of Australia’s very serious motorcross riders in the Mosig brothers, Kade and Chase, who will also line up in the Saturday night ArenaX under lights at Olympic Park.

Both Mosig boys are already in the top half of the field in both the Pro Lite and Pro Open classes after round one of the 2010 MX Nationals, held at Horsham just last weekend, so they will bring some serious form to the Mildura ArenaX event. Both Kade and Chase have had some fine National and International results in their sport over recent times and Kade is particularly looking forward to re-acquainting himself with the Olympic Park circuit, under lights on a balmy Mildura evening.

Some excellent entries are being received for the ArenaX, so Sunraysia fans and their visitors to town will enjoy a spectacular event on Saturday night.

All four lads are looking forward to riding at Mildura and then getting down to some socializing at the Mildura 100 Ski race on the next day. They have friends who will race the Mildura 100, so will be part of a large contingent who will spend their Easter in Mildura, filling the town with motorsports fans.

Sinclair, just last weekend, was doing his “back flip” specialty, on the arena at the MCG as part of the pre-game entertainment prior to the Hawthorn – Melbourne AFL game held at the “G” last Saturday afternoon.

Both Sinclair and Williams have concentrated on the Freestyle part of the sport even though they are both good Motorcross and ArenaX competitors. They will ride Mildura “just for FUN”.

It will be wonderful to have these FMX stars in town to be part of the ArenaX event, which is now such a strong section in the Easter Power Sports promotion, a promotion now which extends into the second week with the Mildura Harness racing Club joining in with their excellent one horsepower attraction straight after Easter.

Download the press release: PRE – Easter ArenaX – FMX Coming, 300310

Top Victorian team of Byren Gates and Mick O’Loughlin are seeded riders directly into the Championship final on the Sunday night whereas the other Mildura challengers will be the team of Warren Monson and Deven Gates, and Andrew O’Rourke and Jason Mayes, who will need to finish in the top ten teams in the Saturday night Qualifying meeting to get another ride in the final the following night.

The Gates / O’Loughlin combination has had a wonderful season so far, being the best local crew in a very tight bunch of Mildura based teams, but the Monson / Gates and Howse / Commons team can never be under-estimated. Monson probably has the most powerful machine going around and will take some scalps if he has a track which allows him the transfer that horsepower into drive and speed on the track.

The O’Rourke / Mayes team are the great improvers of the last season locally and they have been taking some away rides to get experience ready for this Title foray.

Broken Hill is well represented by Ricky Howse and Adam Commons, who will defend their bronze medal position from last year and the sparkling new combination of Rick Stephens and Dean Hobbs, who are probably the biggest improvers in Australian Sidecar speedway today. A little bit of luck to either of these teams, who both need to go through the Qualifier, could see them place well on the big night as well. The Broken Hill teams are ready to race as they have been competing well at their home meetings, especially at the massive St. Pats weekend just two weeks ago.

The Newcastle Showgrounds circuit is long and quite wide, which should suit the style of Monson, who is always looking for grip to gather his speed. The track has a good tight line too, which will be exploited well by the Gates and O’Loughlin pair as they seem to be able to ride according to any conditions. O’Rourke, Howse and Stephens should be comfortable in Newcastle and will expect to make it into the final on Easter Sunday night.

These fellows will be up against the very best Sidecar exponents in the world in a field which has, for the first time the World Champion in the field, even though Mick Headland will ride with his youngest son Jess in the chair instead of his World Championship winning passenger, Paul Waters, who was badly injured in a race incident in New Zealand back in January.

Favouritism for the 2010 Australian Championship should be shared between defending Champs, Mark Mitchell and Tom Golding and local and five times Champion, Darrin Treloar and Justin Plaisted as well as the World Champ, Mick and Jess Headland.

Former Speedway sidecar Gold Cup winners, Scott Christopher and Trent Koppe, from FNQ, will be like Monson and Gates, trying to make it through the Qualifier as they had some bad luck in the Queensland Title, which they lost to Brodie Cohen and Geoff Ferguson. The Christopher / Koppe team is well healed and should give a good account of themselves as world class competition has been a strength for them.

Former Aussie Champ, Russell Mitchell, with the tiny Tina Karen along side will be out to set the record straight from a Western Australian perspective. Tina won an Australian Title as passenger with Mark Drew in Broken Hill way back in 1994, so she brings experience to the event. Mitchell is the man who really revolutionised the geometry of the modern Speedway Sidecar machines more than 25 years ago, when he refined the format of the “kneeling” type and purpose built frame for the three wheelers.

Grant Bond and Glenn Cox are another team who will have to qualify but should achieve that goal and then would be a threat for the final as well, as will the unluckiest riders around for the last three years in SA pair, of Mark Plaisted and Sam Harrison. These two were the only unbeaten riders at the World Gold Cup in Adelaide back in 2007 and since that time have suffered the most engine blows of any team around. A change in luck could se this team breeze through the Qualifying meeting and then be a chance for a podium on the Sunday night in the major event.

Veterans, Gary Moon and Mick Ing, from Queensland should be in with a shot as well, even though it is nearly two decades since Moon won his only Australian Championship.

Sixteen teams will contest the Qualifying meeting at the Newcastle Showgrounds on the Saturday night, with the top ten from that meeting joining the Title defending and State Champions to make the final field of sixteen on Title night, Easter Sunday.

Download the press release: PRE – 2010 Aust. Sidecar Title – Newcastle, 300310

A star studded field has been engaged to contest the event, which includes the Adelaide based, 2009 Australian Sidecar Champions, Mark Mitchell and Tom Golding, who are keen to contest the Spectacular against Broken Hill’s home riders, Rick Howse and Adam Commons, who currently hold the “Aussie” Number three ranking, which followed their World Champions, Runners up trophy of 2008.

The contest between two of Australia’s top Sidecar teams will be worth travelling a long way to watch, especially with Howse and Commons having a home ground advantage over the Aussie Number Ones. Both teams will not give any concessions to the other and neither will mind swapping a little paint during the course of the action. Baring any mechanical failure it is expected that these two teams should be the major combatants in the night’s final.

Howse and Commons head up a good local line up, with Howse’s two other brothers, Darren and Steven, taking on their more travelled sibling. Family rivalry is likely to be intense so be ready to watch the dirt fly.

Veteran Rob Kemp can’t keep out of the action and will use all the guile and experience that more than thirty years of racing, many times at the top level in Australia, have taught him over his long and distinguished career.

Added to the mix is the laconic but quick, Ricky “Bartman” Stephens, with passenger Dean Hobbs, who have been riding around the country this season preparing themselves to take a big crack at the 2010 Australian Sidecar Championship at Newcastle over the coming Easter weekend. The Stephens / Hobbs combination has been the speedway success story of the year in Australian Sidecar circles, as they have become a fast and reliable team, travelling widely to gather the racing experience which is required to do well. Their efforts at one of the traditional homes of speedway, Mildura’s Olympic Park, has been exemplary this year and they are now a force to be reckoned with at any venue.

The local contingent is strong with Kel O’Neill and Peter Harvy, who also double as the track builders, being joined by another Stephens brother in Daniel “Mud” Stephens, who carries “Bam” Martin in the chair and Joe Doherty, who continues to improve. The O’Neill / Harvy team is well travelled and are regulars at Mildura, often putting pressure on strong teams from, other venues.

Added to the Australian Champions, Mark Mitchell and Tom Golding, are fellow SA team, of Shane Evans / Graham Williams and well as one of the major improvers at Mildura this year, in Chris Holmes and Neale Hancock.

While racing under the “Dads Army” banner, given their seniority in the sport and like Rob Kemp, the Holmes / Hancock team has just continued to improve, especially now with some new and more powerful machinery under them. They were heard to comment at Mildura recently that “older folk are not meant to have this much fun while racing’, which is a lovely way to appreciate your sport.

Western Australian traveler, David McDonald, with Shane van Ginnekin on along side, will be keen to impress at Broken Hill for the first time.

The consistent Mildura team of Dale Milner and Nick O’Brien will again be in action, so don’t be surprised to see them as finalists for the Magic Motorcycles trophy, as they have put together a very good year of racing. Milner’s brother, Jason, with Blain Tucker, will be keen to “put away the bogey” from his last visit to Broken Hill, when had a massive crash while travelling down the back straight of the excellent Broken Hill venue. Jason had the expense and indignity of having his “Kevlar” race suit cut from him after his crash, but thankfully it has been repaired and he will be back in action, hoping to keep all wheels on the track for this prestigious meeting.

A strong line up of Classic Sidecars will be in action with local “aces” Wayne “Sticks” Stephens and regular passenger, Dick Tracy against Adelaide’s Graham Rowley and Terry Hutchinson and two combinations from Mildura in Dale Milner / Nick O’Brien, who will have a regular “double up” situation for them and the young husband and wife combination of Ash and Kat Needham, who have been enjoying their family outings together.

Solo action, which has been missing from Broken Hill for many seasons, will see Adelaide’s Ben Turner, Adam Briggs, Damon Whelan and Ben Hatcliffe racing against Ben Lenon and Jason Clarke, who are all the way down from Arunga Park Speedway in Alice Springs. Both Lenon and Clarke should be riders to watch as the Territory has a dearth of hidden talent out in the bush. Turner should be the pick of the solo bunch, but local patrons should enjoy seeing the two wheelers in action once again.

The Motorcross Mayhem riders will excite and entertain the patrons, with their daring efforts to control these machines in the circular way of going, as they complete the huge program of “bike” events. As usual, the entry list will be large, with the last Broken Hill meeting requiring two heats to accommodate the numbers.

Local “Street Stocks” cars will round out an action packed program of over forty events, which will commence at 7:00pm sharp.

Visitors to Broken Hill for a big racing weekend will be able to just “finish off” nicely with a visit to the Magic Motorcycles – Sidecar Spectacular, for 2010 – just out of town on the Adelaide Highway. Broken Hill Speedway offers a full catering service.

Download the press release: 2010 Magic Motorcycles – Sidecar Spectacular, 200310

The winner of the 2010 Keith “Curly” Carmes Trophy will be deserving, as the field is top class in the top group of ten. More than twenty sidecars will be on the program, but the Trophy will be decided amongst the ten “A” grade nominees.

Last week’s winners and runners up will start the meeting as firm favourites as Darrin Treloar and Justin Plaisted have five Australian Titles under their belt, but it could always be the local stars, and now Victorian seeded riders into the 2010 Australian Title at Newcastle, Byren Gates and Mick O’Loughlin, who, with their local knowledge could wrest the Curly Carmes Trophy away from the visitors.

Gates and O’Loughlin have been electrifying with their starts in recent meetings and are obviously grooming their style to suit the requirements of most tracks, and certainly the Newcastle venue for Easter, which will also auger well for them for this weekend too. Most local officials have not seen the Gater Racing Team make such impressive starts, as they have been during this season, which has only really heated up for sidecars over the last month, but something has been done to focus the attention of the team on their starts, which is working well.

It is vital that any team gets away from the gate well and over the past few seasons Treloar, who is a great exponent of the start process, has been showing the way by example and has obviously won many races because he is just so good from the trap. Treloar and Plaisted have a very purposeful routine at the start line, which usually gives them an advantage over all other teams in the regular field. Treloar stays on the machine, just hanging back from the line, while Plaisted grooms the start rut or groove before allowing the machine to settle in the start box. It is noticeable that Treloar gets maximum drive from the line, often having the front wheel raised slightly off the ground, such is the total power being delivered through the back wheel. Treloar has always used this technique and now has it perfected, but maybe the other riders have learned from this skill and are applying it, or some variation of it, for their own purposes.

We see the return of Warren Monson and Deven Gates for this week’s meeting after Monson was on Australian Superbike duty last weekend at Phillip Island. Monson will add some action to the track as his is one of the most powerful engines in Australian Sidecar speedway today. He and Gates are no slouches when it comes to getting around Olympic Park and Monson certainly does not mind taking the wide line to go around some other rider which is one of the best sights in speedway anywhere in the world. Monson should be expected to finish in the top order, especially as the Speccy format includes the top eight points scorers into two semi-finals, with the top two teams from each going on to the Curly Carmes Trophy final.

Fellow local riders, Jason Bradshaw and Simon Cohrs and the Munro brothers, as well as Andy O’Rourke / Jason Mayes and Chris Holmes / Neale Hancock should also acquit themselves well.

Bradshaw and Cohrs have something to prove after last meeting, to show that their form is better than their result would have shown. They are a class act and have shown some incredible speed, so it is hoped that some good luck and just some good starts are theirs for the meeting. They have good speed, although sometimes get caught washing off too much speed, particularly in the pit end turn, but Jason has been around the track plenty of timers as both rider and formerly as passenger with his elder brother Wayne, now team mentor, so they should be comfortable that the draw is kind and they get a chance in the odds and evens selection into each semi-final.

O’Rourke / Mayes, Holmes / Hancock and the Munro brothers are the big improvers of the season and are well deserving of their place in the main game for the night. Holmes rides the faster machine owned by passenger Hancock and often comments that it is a joy to ride, with he and Holmes saying recently that “old men are not supposed to have so much fun riding a motorcycle”, such is the ride that they each get from the Olympic Park racing.

The Munro’s have put away the Headers and have been able to concentrate on their racing, although one wonders whether former West Coast Eagles player, Kane, often thinks of his time in Perth as a regular senior player with the Eagles. It sure is different to training the body and mind to the physical requirements of football. Kane comments too that Sidecar racing is” just such a buzz”, so we followers should just accept that football at the very top can be difficult to handle, whereas, sidecar racing is just fun to do.

A rotten meeting last week saw O’Rourke and Mayes with a major engine problem which has now been rectified, so they will be looking forward to measuring themselves, particularly against Treloar, to ascertain whether a trip to Newcastle is a positive goal.

Most of the top flight of Mildura based riders should be thinking very seriously about the chance to ride and qualify into the 2010 Australian Title, as only very few Sidecar riders have ever ridden the big expanse, which is the Showground facility at Newcastle. Speeds will be amazing as the machines will get plenty of space to wind up to top pace and the track should be wide enough for even those with the most massive “tackle” to go around the outside, should there be a requirement to do just that.

Clint Mayes and Jamie Knudsen have had an inconsistent season so far so will be wanting to finish off on a top note as they complete their first season together, while Dale Milner and Nick O’Brien have moved up to the top grade and have had a good season of consolidation during this year.

The unlucky two “A” grade riders who miss out on the two finals will move into a Consolation final, where the top two “B” grade riders will join them to finish the year with something a little different.

The semi-final will see the top eight riders pitted against each other with the selection being made for odd numbers from the top and the even numbers from the top; again something just a little different.

Support events will be a “B” grade division and also a six team Classic Sidecar division, who will also have a final amongst themselves.

Patrons are advised that gates will open at 5:00pm and a full Junior program will be conducted before the senior meeting. Olympic Park operates a full catering facility and advises that there must be No BYO by law.

Patrons are reminded too, that the next meeting at Olympic Park will be the 2010 Easter Haymes Paints, Arena Motorcross, which will be conducted on Easter Saturday night, 3^rd April as part of the Mildura Rural City Council Easter Power Sports Promotion, which is now in its twelfth year of operation.

The Club thanks all of its valued sponsors, particularly those who have been naming rights sponsors for the year or those who have given of their time, effort or the machinery to assist in the new improvements to the Track and surrounds which are part of the ongoing new planning and strategy changes which the Club can progress as the longer term lease of our grounds has been secured during the year.

Patrons should look forward to the continual improvement of facilities and services into the next season.

Download the press release: PRE – 2010 Sidecar Spectacular, 060310

Darrin Treloar / Justin Plaisted, Glenn and Nathan O’Brien and Scott Christopher / Trent Koppe are all previous wearers of the coveted blue sash as the National Champions and they will be joined by as strong a line up as has ever contested the State Championship in many years.

Byren Gates and Mick O’Loughlin started every heat and final last week like scalded cats, with amazing speed from the trap, but more importantly, with brilliant reaction time from Gates on the throttle and clutch. The Gater Racing Team has been improving their form as the season has progressed, as they plan on making an assault on the Australian Championship in Newcastle over the Easter weekend.

The other top chances to wave the Mildura banner are the team of Jason Bradshaw and Simon Cohrs, who are often brilliant around Olympic Park and could take some big scalps over the course of the meeting. They were very fast last week and like Gates, stood out from the crowd with some great racing. Apart from one blemish, when they turned themselves around after coming into the Pit turn too hot, they won all their heats well.

Added to this august group, we need to throw in Rick Howse / Adam Commons, from Broken Hill, who were second in the World in 2008, fellow northerners, Rick Stephens and Dean Hobbs and the English rider Matt Tyrrell, who is contemplating shifting to Australia permanently to commit to his Sidecar racing future, plus our long list of Olympic Park experts, which includes all our local champions and those regular visitors from further south in Victoria.

Mark Plaisted / Sam Harrison would be another team in contention for top honours, as they were unbeaten at the 2007 World Sidecar Gold Cup meeting in Adelaide and all except a poor decision, which cost them one start, probably would have won the Gold Cup meeting. Olympic Park will buzz with excitement as the pressure builds. They have maintained good form for the past two seasons so expect them to do well this week.

There are plenty of Olympic Park specialists who will have something to say about top points in each heat that they all contest. If Mildura patrons want any more than such a line up, then I am sure they are kidding themselves. The temperature will rise, according to the status of the heat event and patrons will be on the edge of their seats all night as the heats progress.

As mentioned before, Jason Bradshaw / Simon Cohrs and Byren Gates / Mick O’Loughlin will have a fair say on proceedings, as will other local teams, in Clint Mayes / Jamie Knudsen, Andy O’Rourke / Jason Mayes as well as Dale Milner / Nick O’Brien and Chris Holmes / Neale Hancock. Any of these teams are a chance to take points off any of the fancied teams along the way, with one local team hopefully getting the easy route to the Australian Championship by being the first Victorian home. Do not be surprised if any of the Mildura teams don’t steal the thunder of any of the, perhaps more highly credentialed teams from out of town.

Another team who might give a few people a big surprise is the Headland team of Trent and Jess, who will be on their father’s machine, given the present injury status of the current World Champions. Trent and Jess have ridden Mildura plenty of times and from all reports their work at Murray Bridge just three weeks ago was very sound. We all know that the Headland machine has never lacked for speed and there is a strong gene present to “wind on the throttle”.

We should not forget too, that it is the four times champions, Glenn and Nathan O’Brien, who are still, after nearly fourteen years, the fastest team ever to do four laps of Olympic Park. The O’Brien’s four lap record was set at 62.32 seconds, way back in the 1996 Sidecar Spectacular, held on the 8^th April 1996. Their form at the moment is probably not as fast as that evening, but with the throttle in his hand, Glenn O’Brien and brother Nathan along side, will have not lost any of their skills of race craft and Title races like this one usually only require the winning team to do just enough to win the event, no matter what the overall speed of the individual event might be.

All teams will be focused on getting into the top points scores for the meeting, to ensure a place in the North West Funerals Final for the night. Perhaps not for many years, will it have been so vital to accumulate points all the way through the night, because the safe entry to the Australian Title will go to the Victorian team who finishes with the most points. Any place in the final might be just enough to get the direct seeding into the Easter weekend at Newcastle for the Victorians.

The Club is most gratified to be involved in a joint venture with long time and respected local business, North West Funerals, who are keen supporters of speedway in Sunraysia. It is most timely that NWF join with Olympic Park in a new sponsorship venture, as it is in the same month that NWF have opened their magnificent new Funeral Home premises at 1586 Deakin Avenue, South Mildura.

Sunraysia speedway fans should be hanging off the rafters to see this meeting, as the status of the event will increase every heat along the way.

Support events will include some “classic” sidecars, which are always enjoyed by genuine speedway fans. Some of the genuine classic machines of yesteryear will be seen, with Honda and Suzuki 750cc machines as well as the stinging noise of the smaller 500cc two – stroke powered machines will be back on track.

Olympic Park gates will open at 5:00pm, with Senior practice scheduled to begin at 5:30pm. A Junior program will be completed ahead of the senior Championship event, which will commence at 7:30pm sharp.

A full catering service operates at Olympic Park and patrons are reminded that there must be no BYO by law. Grandstand seating is provided on a first served basis and patrons are also reminded that flash and video photography is not allowed from outside the track confines. On too many occasions in the recent past, Club Officials have had rider complaining of seeing “red” lights coming from the public area. The Club seeks the total co-operation from patrons on this matter.

Download the press release: PRE – 2010 NWF Vic S’car Titles,270210

The double seven format proved to be most successful as more chances are given to, perhaps some of the lesser riders, but this meeting had intensity right from the start as all teams worked hard for enough points to get them to their own semi-final, which would then give them the chance of winning the Dudley Bradshaw Trophy.

Whilst Gates and O’Loughlin won all their heats and finished on a maximum score, it was the “Dad’s Army” team of Chris Holmes and Neale Hancock who finished with the second selection chance on eight points. The older gents have some very good machinery under them this season and are using it and their massive experience to be really at one with their racing. Total local domination in division one continued with Andy O’Rourke / Jason Mayes just “pipped” for third place points on count back from Clint Mayes / Jamie Knudsen, with each team on seven points.

O’Rourke / Mayes were fortunate to join the Gates / O’Loughlin team going into the final, with the bad luck probably going the way of the elderly team, who came home in third place in the final. At the after meeting presentation, it was interesting to hear Dad’s Army passenger Neale Hancock say to many young fans that “old folks can still have a lot of fun and enjoyment racing Sidecars”.

In the second division it was again some good riding from another of the locals when Jason Bradshaw and Simon Cohrs won all the heats that they finished, just spinning out coming into turn one, while carrying a bit too much corner speed into the turn, in the heat where the stakes were the highest. They and their machine looked fast all night and they were always going to be the team who gave it to Australian Champions, Mark Mitchell and Tom Golding, but it was the pressure coming from the SA pair that caused the local boys to spin while trying to gain ground on the Title holders. Joining both these teams in the semi-final was Ouyen team of Scott and Kane Munro, who are just getting faster with each meeting and are now riding some very good lines and Warren Monson and Deven Gates, who just pegged away at their task and accumulated enough points to make it into their fifth ride for the night. Monson has one of the fastest engines going around and when track conditions are suitable, Monson is always hard to beat.

In a most eventful final, racing lines were at a premium and, with the pressure on for a place in the Trophy event, spectators saw the exclusion of both the Australian Champions and the Ouyen pair for cutting a corner during the race, although Mitchell pointed out to the Referee, that he had had to go slightly infield to avoid any contact with the Munro team, who he figured were in some sort of trouble just ahead of him. The Referee was not having too much of that story and it was the two local teams who went through to the main event for the evening.

The Dudley Bradshaw Trophy was won clearly by the Gates / O’Loughlin team, who shot out of the gate with amazing speed and settled nicely into a race winning rhythm.

Bradshaw and Cohrs got away just slightly to the advantage of Monson and Gates, who chased hard for nearly two laps before moving through into second place. Monson and Gates were able to maintain their advantage, but at no time during the event were the event winners ever under pressure of losing their chance at glory.

A reduced group of Quad racers still provided some good racing but it was the second support group, the boys in the “Motorcross Mayhem” who brought the crowd to light, with some daring and even sometimes desperate riding. Prominent Dirt Track star, Rohan Tegart, had some great battles with Nick Waters, with the wily old fox, Jason Stewart always in contention, from Lewis Gunn, Brock Gates and Josh Knights. Most interest was created when a reverse direction event was included, as many of the riders are only tuned to race in an anti-clockwise direction and, when forced to think the opposite way of going, things can be quite difficult for some.

Sunraysia’s sidecar fans are in for a massive meeting next weekend, with the North West Funerals – Victorian Sidecar Championship to be held. The field will be strengthened by three past Australian Sidecar Champion teams, who have ten Championships between them. Darrin Treloar / Justin Plaisted, Scott Christopher / Trent Koppe and the amazing Glenn and Nathan O’Brien will all be in attendance, just to get some high level competition. Top opportunity will come for the best Victorian team, whether they win the event or not, as it will ensure that they represent Victoria in the Australian Title in Newcastle at Easter. This could be the easiest way into the National Title, as the Qualifying meeting will be expected to be very tough and to make it through a solid qualifying meeting and then race for the Championship the next night could be most stressful.

Only Sidecars will operate next Saturday night, as a full compliment of “classic” chairs will be the support for the Victorian meeting. Patrons will enjoy the full Sidecar schedule as the season now turns to three wheeled action as the main entertainment.

Download the press release: POST – 2010 Sidecar Shootout, 210210