A successful inaugural Australian Speedway World Cup benefit meeting and training school was held at Gillman Speedway on Saturday, 29th October, raising in excess of $16,000, which will aid the team’s World Cup campaigns across Europe in 2017.
The action-packed day began with a training school for over 30 participants of all levels across 125cc, 250cc and 500cc solo disciplines, conducted by Australia Speedway Team Manager, Mark Lemon and former International, Shane Parker.
Riders from across Australia, including Speedway World Cup Stars, Sam Masters and newly crowned Under-21 World Champion, Max Fricke headed the field, which also included international names, including Justin Sedgmen, Ty Proctor and Cameron Woodward in the senior solo division.
Continuing his form from the Phil Crump Trophy at Mildura the previous evening, Masters was declared the Solo meeting winner after the final was stopped and awarded following a spill by the luck-less Woodward. Mildura’s Justin Sedgemen and 19-year old talent, Josh Pickering from New South Wales took runner-up placings respectively.
Young impressive solo riders of the future also took part in the 48-heat event and featured 2 x 250cc World Champion, Matthew ‘Happy’ Gilmore and Championship third place, Jedd List. Stars from the world of sidecars were also present. Mick Headland and passenger Brenton Kerr claimed victory in the Sidecar final ahead of Western Australia’s Russell Mitchell and Andy Gajek.
Chairman of the Australian Speedway Commission and president of Gilman Speedway, Ivan Golding said: “On behalf of all those involved at Gillman Speedway, we were delighted to host a training school and meeting and play our part in not only supporting the funds of our speedway world cup teams overseas but also invest in the grass roots of the sport, developing champions of the future. Our sincere thanks goes not only to the riders and trainers who took part in the training camp and meeting, but also those who turned out on the night to support the cause.”
Mark Lemon, Australian Speedway Team Manager said: “The team is extremely grateful to Gillman’s general manager Dave Parker for orchestrating this event and raising essential funds to help aid our 2017 World Cup Campaigns after funding cuts from the Australian Sports Commission. It was great to see so many young kids honing their skills in the training school and rubbing shoulders with current World Cup stars. Huge thanks goes to all of the parents and riders who supported the day and played their part in the staging of a great meeting. Special thanks also goes to Shane Parker whose input and experience was invaluable as a training school instructor. I very much hope that we can look to develop the concept of the training school and benefit meeting in the future across Australia to the support our teams overseas in years to come.”
Full results can be found on the Gillman website http://www.gillmanspeedway.com/category/results/
