Geoff Battle

SIDEWINDERS SILVER HELMET SATURDAY JANURARY 21ST RECAP AND THE ROAD AHEAD

January 24, 2023 Filed Under: News, Speedway

The Sidewinders Silver Helmet is a long standing event from the 70’s and 80’s where the final sees a 6 lap journey for 6 riders (up from the usual 4 laps & riders), with riders starting with a handicap of a certain amount of metres (back from the start line), that has been determined on their ability by the club and officials. This gives opportunity for newer up and coming riders to be able to win a title. Previous riders that have won are handicapped out of contention to win multiple times, giving chances to other riders to own the title.

This year it was brilliant to have a total of 11 (competitive) riders enter the event (25 in total entries), which saw the need for 2 semi finals to see who would advance to the final.

THE FINAL: The final saw Nicol lead through the first 2 laps, holding Ambrose at bay, while Schlein had caught McGregor and was looking for a way around, heading into lap 3 and McGregor and Schlein found a way through on Ambrose, followed by Nicol on lap 4.

After that McGregor did everything he could to keep Schlein at bay, but coming out of turn 4 with a lap to go Schlein made a nice clean move to lead into turn 1, which he then held to the end to record a first up Silver Helmet win, with McGregor a fine 2^nd.

While all this was going on at the front Pascoe and Canning were trying everything they could to make up ground from starting rear of field, but they were baulked in their efforts at every turn. First by Schlein & McGregor setting a hot pace, and then by Ambrose and Nicol in the second half of the race.

In the final couple of laps, Canning did manage to get the better of them both to come home 3^rd, while Pascoe had to settle for 5^th after managing to get one up and in front of Nicol on the final lap.

With the likes of the older juniors such as Ashley Jansen-Batchelor, Darcey Timmis and Harry Sadler (out earlier after a crash), not featuring in the Silver Helmet final for the first time in many years, this was very much a ‘changing of the guard’. The Sidewinders Club and junior speedway, certainly have a bright future with the abilities that were on display, not only in this race, but across the novice and pee wee classes as well.

Huge shout out also to Hayden Kuchel, who had his final ride on a 125cc slider, as he now looks to continue his speedway journey on a sidecar. Everyone at Sidewinders gave him a warm round of applause as he did a well deserved parade lap to say ‘seeya’ to his solo career at the Club.

Do yourself a favour – head down to Sidewinders for one of their next meetings – take the kids – and check out the future of speedway here in SA – Great things are always happening there and the racing is always edge of the seat thrilling as well!

Terrysproshots Photography caught all the action. See the full album HERE

SIDEWINDERS NEXT MEETING:

Saturday February 4 – the inaugural Mick Hargreaves Memorial Meeting.

Nominations close this Sunday January 29th at 6.30pm. PM or text Adam on 0493 200 080.

Gates open 5.30pm – racing starts 7.00pm, $5.00 adults U16 free entry, their excellent canteen open all night!

2022/23 CALENDAR – STILL TO COME!

Saturday February 18 The 2023 Graham Baker Shield

Saturday March 4 The Sidewinders Teams Meeting

Friday March 17 The 2023 Bitmead Memorial

Saturday March 18 The ‘Blast from the Past’ Meeting

Saturday April 1 Sidewinders Club Meeting

Saturday April 15 The ANZAC Meeting

Saturday April 29 The President’s Cup

Weather permitting, Sidewinders MAY add more meetings in April and May

SIDEWINDERS 2023 SILVER HELMET MEETING, RESULTS:

SEMI FINAL 1

START

RED	AMBROSE FRASER	35 METRES
GREEN	RYLEIGH McGREGOR	40 METRES
BLACK	HAYDEN KUCHEL	50 METRES
WHITE	JORDAN HARGREAVES	60 METRES
BLUE	KOBI CANNING	80 METRES

SEMI FINAL 2

START

BLACK	JACKSON McPHERSON	GATE
BLUE	WILLIAM NICOL	10 METRES
RED	BLAKE HOCKING	30 METRES
WHITE	BLAKE SCHLEIN	45 METRES
YELLOW	HAYDEN PASCOE	60 METRES

RESULTS 1^st three in each semi go through to the final.

1ST	RYLEIGH McGREGOR	BLAKE SCHLEIN
2ND	KOBI CANNING	HAYDEN PASCOE
3RD	AMBROSE FRASER	WILLIAM NICOL
4TH	JORDAN HARGREAVES	BLAKE HOCKING
5TH	HAYDEN KUCHEL	JACKSON McPHERSON

SILVER HELMET – FINAL

START

BLACK	WILLIAM NICOL	GATE
WHITE	AMBROSE FRASER	30 METRES
RED	RYLEIGH McGREGOR	40 METRES
YELLOW	BLAKE SCHLEIN	50 METRES
GREEN	HAYDEN PASCOE	60 METRES
BLUE	KOBI CANNING	80 METRES

RESULTS 6 LAPS 1:07:37

1ST	BLAKE SCHLEIN
2ND	RYLEIGH McGREGOR
3RD	KOBI CANNING
4TH	AMBROSE FRASER
5TH	HAYDEN PASCOE
6TH	WILLIAM NICOL

Rider Gradings and Numbers

January 17, 2023 Filed Under: News

Motorcycling South Australia Sports Managers are responsible for the grading of riders in their chosen discipline of competition, so that the riders are competing in classes or competitions that are relevant to their skill level.

Beginning in the sport, junior and senior competition licence holders will usually start in the amateur class to ensure they are able to adapt to the competition. Junior riders who turn senior will usually commence in the amateur class of competition.

Process for Getting a Race Licence:

A rider first gets their competition riding licence. (How to guide – HERE).

Licence Types: CLICK HERE.

Grading request is then made through a request sent to administration@motorcyclingsa.org.au for the rider’s ability to be assessed and “Graded’ by the discipline Sports Manager (Grading Request how to guide).
Once the Rider is endorsed by the Sports Manager for a grade the rider then can apply for a licence number.

Getting a Number:

Currently, numbers are being managed through the Motorcycling SA office, please contact us on (08) 8332 9000 regarding number allocation or email administration@motorcyclingsa.org.au including your Licence number, discipline rider is competing in, multiple desired numbers based on the below table number range (in the event the original number selection is already allocated) & your contact details.

*Important Note: If you are competing in multiple disciplines and wish to have the same number, please contact the MSA Office* (Please be aware that having the same number may not always be possible).

*Numbers stay valid on the allocated rider’s profile until the rider’s Senior or Junior National competition licence has expired for 90 days without being renewed, the rider ages up to senior from junior competition or the rider has decided to change the number to race in a different class.

Need to be graded or re-graded?

Riders whom wish to be considered to be graded/re-graded must submit documentation outlining the reasoning of the grading request and any supporting documentation that supports the grading to administration@motorcyclingsa.org.au. This will be reviewed and determined by the Sports Manager of the specific discipline.

SIDECAR RACING ROARING NEW YEAR RETURN TO GILLMAN – THE BOWES FAMILY SIDECAR CUP

January 17, 2023 Filed Under: News, Speedway

Sidecar racing has made New Years return to Gillman Saturday 14th January 2023 with a night full of 3 wheel action and spills for the 2023 Bowes Family Sidecar Cup.

Mick Headland / Brenton Kerr took home the trophy with 14 Points after a near flawless night and leading from start to finish in the finals. Headland and Kerr stood triumphant in the end after holding off strong competition from Queensland Champions Tyler Moon and Adam Lovell.

Moon/Lovell took every opportunity to make an inside pass on Headland/Kerr, even coming close and drawing level. However were unable make it stick and get the bike ahead. Max Howse/Adam Commons (NSW) waited for their moment, pushed their way under Moon/Lovell on the last lap to take second place. Moon/Lovell settled for third in front of Byren Gates/Michael O’Loughlin (Vic) in fourth place.

Not all riders had a clean night with 2 lengthy delays following incidents in the fist of the Sidecar support races. John Atherton and Greg Black were the first to go down, hitting the fence on the

back straight of the opening lap. The bike twisted the bike towards the fence, throwing both riders hard onto the deck. Black was able to get back up quite quickly, however there was a delay with Atherton being attended to and eventually being taken away in the ambulance. We can report that John spent a couple of days in hospital for observation, however thankfully there are no reported breaks and he is in good spirits.

In the rerun Willy Walker/Jarrad Nash sitting in second place, spun around between turns three and four on lap two, putting their bike backwards into the path of Corey Palmer/Matt Barkla. With no where to go this sent all 4 riders down onto the track with another lengthy delay as Barkla was treated and the race then abandoned.

See a full race recap from Gillman Media HERE.

Terry Scriven (Terrysproshots Photography) caught all the action. See the full album HERE.

All the results of the night:

1st Mick Headland / Brenton Kerr 14 Points.

2nd Max House / Mr Adam Commons 12 Points

3rd Tyler Moon / Adam Lovell 11 Poinjts

4th Byren Gates / Michael O’Loughlin 11 Points

5th Rick Stephens / Nick O’Brien 10 Points

6th Aaron Silvy / Jaron Silvy 8 Points

7th Dean Hobbs / Daniel Low 7 Points

8th Nate Headland / Chloe Ackerley 7 Points

9th Shane Rudloff / Scott Morris 7 Points

10th Stephen Fowler / Ben Goodridge 7 Points

11th Kane Golding / Isaac Amos 6 Points

12th Brian Silvy / Dean Cottrell 5 Points

13th Nathan Fleet / Cameron Diwell 4 Points

14th Damion Niesche / Mirtchell Spear 3 Points

15th Kym Menadue / Shane Dolan 2 Points

16th Tim Bichard / Seth Pascoe 2 Points

17th Josh Pascoe / Matt Crawford 2 Points

18th Willy Walker / Jarrad Nash 1 Point

SOLO’s

Brayden McGuinness 12 Points

Steven Graetz 8 Points

Teagan Pedler 4 Points.

Flat Track Final

1st Roy Stout.

2nd Seane Chapman.

3rd Dale Nights

4th Brent Webley.

Junior 125cc

Ryleigh Mc Gregor 11 Points

Ambrose Fraser 9 Points

Ruby Chapman 3 Points

Jackson McPherson 1 Point

250cc Sidecar

Lachlan Coppin / Hayden Kuchel 11 Points

Kayden Gates / Hartley Ackerley 7 Points

SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S FOOTPRINT IN THE DAKAR

January 9, 2023 Filed Under: News

Dakar stuns the world with incredible feats of man and machinery taking on some of the most unforgiving terrain in an endurance race.

Since its inception in 1978, fans have tuned in and followed all the action of competitors taking on the course in Trucks, off road race buggies and amazingly even riders putting it all on the line, on their bikes (2 or 4 wheels).

Since the start Australia’s motorcycle riders have risen to the task and stood tall in the dunes with this year being no exception. Daniel Sanders has fought hard taking multiple stage wins so far with fellow Australian and previous Dakar champ Toby Price fighting hard through the challenges and rising the rankings.

Over the years South Australian’s have joined the list of worldwide competitors, riding hard for glory and to stand at the end as Dakar Champions.

Andy Haydon kicked off the South Aussie list in 1998 with a fairy tale performance at the Paris–Granada–Dakar. For his first and only ride as a privateer, he threw it all down through the 17 stages racing and being the first Aussie to take a stage win. He took the title win on 2 of the longest stages (8 and 10 hours +) and finished 3^rd overall in a total racing time of 63 hours, 59 minutes, 19 seconds.

(Below): Andy Haydon high in the rocks

(Above): Fabrizio Meoni, Stéphane Peterhansel and Andy Haydon.

Andy Caldecott started his Dakar journey promisingly in 2004, at the last ever Paris Dakar with a 3^rd on stage 6 but tragedy struck and had to end his event early with a broken ankle. Making his return in 2005 again as a privateer for the Barcelona-Dakar, he made up for lost time becoming the second South Aussie to win a stage during his campaign, with wins on stage 5 and 13. Taking a 3^rd on stage 16 gave him a 6th overall for the series with a total time of 48 hours, 15 minutes and 42 seconds. Not being initially entered for the 2006 Lisbon-Dakar , Andy received a late call up from the KTM Factory team. He took the win strongly on stage 3, however tragically crashing on stage 9 losing his life. Stage 10 was cancelled in his memory.

David Schwarz (Left) made his KTM debut in 2005 at the Barcelona-Dakar as part of a team with Andy Caldecott. He came away with a well-earned 3^rd in the 450cc class in 63 hours, 2 minutes, 6 seconds. David was unable to continue his previous placing success and ride in the memory of his late teammate Andy Caldecott, when the 2008 Lisbon-Dakar was cancelled one day before the intended start date due to concerns of a possible terrorist attach aimed at the competitors.

Returning in 2009, Dakar made the move to Buenos Aires where David Schwarz lined back up on the start, racing the 14 stages, with one stage cancelled coming 36^th place outright in a racing time of 67 hours, 5 minutes, 24 seconds.

In 2012 Mar del Plata – Lima Dakar, David lined back up again to write history and become the first Australian to finish the Dakar for the 3^rd time. He walked away in 43^rd place outright after the full 14 stages with a total time of 32 hours, 41 minutes, 41 seconds and his name firmly locked in the history books.

Shane Diener won the 2013 Dakar Challenge he won a free entry to the 2014 Rosario – Valparaiso Dakar. After a huge 70 hours, 24 minutes, 11 seconds of 13 stages he placed 38^th outright, becoming the 4^th South Aussie and 11^th Australian to earn a finishers medallion.

Allan Roberts joined Shane Diener in the 2014 Rosario – Valparaiso, making it the first time since 2005 that South Australia had 2 riders finish the Dakar in the same year. Allan just finished closely behind Shane in the overall 39^th outright position after 134 grueling stages and a total time of 70 hours, 31minutes, 49 seconds. That’s only 7 minutes and 29 seconds on the world stage for 2 South Aussie Champions.

(Left): Allan Roberts 2014 finishers medallion. (Below) Allan Roberts blasting through the dunes.

John Maragozidis rounds out the list of South Australians so far taking one of the worlds hardest motorcycle races. in 2019 John piloted his Yamaha quad through the exhausting Lima Dakar in Peru, after a a full 10 stages in 70 hours, 56 minutes and 32 seconds, he earned the placing of 15th in quads and made history as the first South Australian Quad rider to complete the Dakar.

We can’t wait to see the next South Australian’s to follow in the footsteps of their idols and take on the beast to make history. Only time will tell…

CLASSICS RACING TOWARDS 2023 – SOUTH AUSTRALIAN 2022 HISTORIC ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS

January 6, 2023 Filed Under: News, Road Racing

2022 was coming fast to a close and Mac Park was set to send it off in the best way possible, with bikes from past decades roaring back into life for the 2022 Historic Road Race Championships. Mild conditions were welcomed by both bikes and riders, providing exceptionally fast racing conditions. Spectators witnessed history being made with all competitors sights firmly set on finishing the year on top.

See below the Championship points for each entry numbers qualified category. To see all the results and race breakdown, click HERE.

Pit Lane Studio caught all the amazing shots of the action.

Class C:

Period 2:

Period 3 – 250cc:

Period 3 – 350cc:

Period 3 – 500cc:

Period 3 – 700cc:

Period 3 – Unlimited:

Period 4 – 125cc:

Period4 – 250cc:

Period 4 – 350cc:

Period 4 – 500cc:

Period 5 – 250cc:

Period 5 – 350cc:

Period 5 – 500cc:

Period 5 – Unlimited:

Period 6 – 250cc:

Period 6 – 500cc:

SPEEDWAY LIGHTING UP A HUGE FINISH TO 2022 – FIM 2022 OCEANIA SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIO RECAP

January 3, 2023 Filed Under: News, Speedway

The scorching late December day set the mood for a night full of action packed Speedway racing, with 2022 fast coming to a close, as Gillman hosted one of the biggest action packed events to close the year. Both local and Australian talent went up against absolute exceptional international athletes, all vying for the 2022 FIM Oceania Championships title prestige.

Fast paced, down to the line racing didn’t disappoint with UKs own 2021 British Speedway Champion Adam Ellis taking top spot from New South Wales’ 2017 World Champion, Jason Doyle in second and Western Australia’s adopted son, UK 3 time World Speedway Champion, Tai Woffinden.

South Australian champions were mixing it with the best with Brayden McGuinness rounding out the night in fifth place overall with 10 points, trailed by Fraser Bowes in sixth, Jake Turner in tenth, Liam May trailing closely 14th, Steve Graetz in 16th and SA’s Teagan Peddler receiving a last minute call up as a reserves but unfortunately not getting a ride in the main event.

Victoria’s Jackson Milner took a huge fall in race 22 requiring medical attention and a trip to the hospital. We are exceptionally happy to report he has been discharged and returned home but is looking forward, as we are for him to come back and take on Gillman again.

Amazing shots from the night thanks to Terry Scriven Photography

See the whole album: HERE.

Jason Doyle putting on a show for the crowd as always (below)

See below for the night results standings: