HEADLANDS WIN BRADSHAW MEMORIAL

headland bradshaw

HEADLANDS WIN BRADSHAW MEMORIAL

A great night of Sidecar racing at Mildura’s Olympic Park Speedway came to a sensational end when dual World Champions, Mick and Jesse Headland won the Kelly Panel Refinishers – Sidecar Shootout, taking home the Dudley Bradshaw Memorial Trophy.

Racing was tight right throughout the heats and got even more serious in the two finals. It was obvious that even minor points scores would have an impact by night’s end with many riders swapping places each heat on a track which provided good opportunities for riders prepared to “have a good go”.

The outstanding riders of the night were Clint Mayes / Sean Coleby, who have only just teamed up, with Clint resuming speedway after a 2 – 3 year hiatus. They looked fast a smooth and while they have not ridden together prior to this season they are both experienced campaigners, which became more obvious as the night progressed. They threatened to take an immediate spot in the “A” Final after they started well with two second places in their first two heats. A gate four start in their last heat against Byren and Brock Gates, who had the inside gate put paid to their chances, as the Gates’ charged from gate one into the turn with a clear lead. Brock Gates, as fill in passenger did well with his cousin and the team finished with eleven points and selection two in the “B” final rounding out a good night.

The “save of the night” however, went to locals Dale Milner / Nick O’Brien, who had their machine lift severely whilst travelling sideways in the middle of turn 1 and 2. A quick shift of both rider and passenger saw the machine settle, with the result that they were able to speed down the back straight with good drive from turn two. A less experienced combination might have seen the machine head towards the fence with a resultant crash putting paid to their chances.

The Headlands, during the heats, had an unusually wretched night for them, scoring only ten points during the heats which required a start in the “B” Final to get any chance at the Main event. At night’s end Mick Headland said that “they had used their second bike and tried many options during the heats, but switched to the better machine for both the finals”, which proved to be a mastermind selection, as they won the “B” Final and were left with the last gate available for the “A” Final, from which they ultimately won.

It was obvious that many teams were making changes in set up to try to get a better result in the Australian Championships, which will be held on 9th April. Teams who finished in the middle of the field were probably pleased with an overall outcome as track time is vital prior to a Championship. Broken Hill’s Ricky Stephens / Scott Morris and Darren Howse / Kyle Jarvis learned more about themselves as they both brought new passengers to Mildura for the first time. Shane Rudloff / Thomas Adams were in the same category as was Queensland visitor, Brodie Cohen / Josh Sinnott, who have not ridden the “new look” Mildura track. They chased gearing and set up until they had mechanical problems which finished them for the night.

Kurri Kurri visitors Paul Hemsworth / Don Morris looked fine until they crashed heavily on the exit of turn two in their first outing, with the veteran, Morris, ending up seeking medical attention off track with suspected bruised or even broken ribs. In true speedway style, Morris vowed to be back in a fortnight for the 39th running of the Mildura Sidecar Spectacular on Saturday 12th March – the long weekend.

The 2016 Sidecar Shootout was a meeting which grew as the event progressed, with some riders showing good form, scoring well through the twenty heats. Best amongst the heat rides were SA’s, Damien Niesche / Mitch Spear and NSW pair, Shane Hudson / Eli Wright, who both finished their five rides on fourteen points, with Niesche getting the nod in the count back as he won against Hudson when they met.

Broken Hill stars, Rick Howse / Adam Commons dropped their only points in the first and last heats, but finished the heats with thirteen points and a secure place, direct into the “Bradshaw” Final along with Niesche / Spear and Hudson / Wright, even though bad luck would befall the top Broken Hill team during the night’s final race.

Three Mildura teams were next in line with Byren Gates, taking cousin Brock, on the side for the night and the “Dad’s Army” team of Neale Hancock / Brendan “Tubs” Johnson and the best showing from Clint Mayes / Sean Coleby, who were only having their second serious ride together, finishing with a dozen points and taking first selection in the “B” Final ahead of Gates, the Headlands and Hancock.

The “B” final showed just what was to come as again, Headland did not get away well as Mayes and Gates fought for the inside line and Hancock staying wide from his outside gate position. Headland showed his vast experience and no fear when he ranged up on the leaders, taking them both and cruising to a lead and then the win to join the others in the “Bradshaw Final”.

As often happens in finals, where the best riders come out to play, the Dudley Bradshaw Final was no different. Niesche selected the inside gate, with Hudson taking gate two and Ricky Howse selecting gate three. Mick Headland, by winning the “B” Final was left with an outside gate start. Headland got away to a poor start as Hudson and Niesche charged to the front, with Howes very close and working hard out of turn two. The riders entered turn three, with Hudson just a nose in front and Niesche slightly to the left of Howes, who was fast into the turn. At the apex of the turn the Niesche machine started to turn to the infield as both Niesche and Howes locked together. Headland who was still trailing and Hudson took a good run through the turn. Inevitably, the Niesche machine turned further and sent the SA pair infield. A Red light was the result, with the race stopped before the final had made the 300 metres of lap one and a White light was illuminated on the overhead crossbar. Niesche ended up stopping on the Junior track and Howes spun to the infield as well. The crowd was most vocal and Howes realized that he and Commons had been adjudicated as the cause of the race stoppage. Commons immediately spoke with the Clerk of Course, pleading their case that Niesche had turned in front of them, however, the judgement was that Howes had had a strong involvement in turning the SA rider around and that the exclusion would stand. A most unhappy Howes / Commons team trudged back into the Pits with their machine but overall, should have been happy with their night’s great work and a good score.

The re-run was just a spectacular as Headland, who made the most of his second chance at the Final, charged from gate four and stayed wide, getting amazing grip from the dirt out wide and he and son, Jesse, attacked the back straight with blistering speed. Hudson and Niesche worked each other over all race, but neither could catch the quick Headland team, who went on the win the 10th Anniversary Bradshaw Memorial Trophy and record their names in the Mildura Club’s

history. Hudson came second ahead of Niesche with both teams being satisfied with a nice hit out prior to the Australian Titles which are only six weeks away. Eldest son, Wayne, his daughter, Brianna and borthers and fellow Mildura MCC Life members, Damion and Jason were on hand to present magnificent 3D Crystal Trophies, Dudley Bradshaw Memorial awards to Mick and Jesse Headland.

The reserves, Ash and Mitch Duncan, from Shepparton and Paul Donnelly / Jake Roberts were worked overtime riding their reserves races with Dale Milner / Nick O’Brien. The Duncan’s and Donnelly / Roberts took at least six reserve rides in the actual main event.

A good field of Classic Sidecars provided support to the Shootout, with spoils being shared between Broken Hill’s Robbie Kemp / Peter Harvy and locals, Simon Cohrs / Reece Farr and Rod Gebhart / Jamie Knudsen. The other Classic team of Chris Wakefield / Jason Pinnock had an abrupt end to their night when they ran up the back of Cohrs, when that machine stopped rapidly. Wakefield had nowhere to go and they crashed heavily, with both rider and passenger receiving medical treatment and taking no further part in the night.

Next meeting at Olympic Park will be the 39th Mildura Sidecar Spectacular held on Saturday 12th March.

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