Geoff Battle

PRESS RELEASE :- DIRT TRACK IN SA – LOOKING FOR A RESURGANCE IN 2023!

December 19, 2022 Filed Under: Dirt Track, News, SA Women in Motorcycling

After a number of years with no Championship, mainly due to COVID and the issues that has caused to the sport in general, the Mud N Tars MCC are looking to 2023 as the time for a resurgence in the discipline and are already looking to June and the 2023 South Australian Dirt Track Championships, being held at their brilliant Day Road venue.

Says Mud N Tars MCC President Wade Sweet, “Our Club has already started planning for the 2023 SA Championships to be one of the biggest and best we have yet run, and we are really putting an emphasis on getting a large entry, especially as this will be the first Championships to be held since 2019.

We are very proud of our Day Road facility and the amount of effort from Club members to make it what it is, and we want to see it being used more often, so we look forward to seeing everyone in Victor in June!”

Stay tuned for more information to come out in early 2023 regarding the SA Championships, but Wade did state that their excellent canteen will be open to fully cater the Championships, and that to warm up for the Championships, the Club will be running a number of RPA days so people can get familiar with the venue.

Need to know;

www.facebook.com/mudntars

2023 Dirt Track calendar

2023 SA Dirt Track Championships

Sun June 25 @ Victor Harbor (Mud N Tars)

Mud N Tars (RPA)

February 12

March 5

June 11

PRESS RELEASE :- ENDUROS 2023 – THE SA OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS

December 19, 2022 Filed Under: Enduro, News, SA Women in Motorcycling

The 2023 Enduro season has been difficult to put together, to say the least, especially as one of the largest disciplines of our sport at present does not have a Sports Manager, with the resignation of Wes Haydon due to work commitments.

In signing off, Wes had the following comments, “I have been filling this role as acting Sports Manager for the last four years, and while it has been challenging at times, it has also been rewarding. We have seen much change and growth over this time and I’m sure it will continue into the future.

I would like to take a moment to thank all of the clubs, officials, committee members, sponsors and volunteers for their support. There have been many emails, meetings, phone calls and late-night messages along the way. At the end of this we have put together many events and seen our juniors improve, move up to seniors and our SA riders excel at the elite level. This is why we do it. So once again thank you for your support.”

With many of the enduro clubs having planned to have a year off in 2023 to re-charge their batteries, and that of their volunteer club members who make the events happen, up until the 11^th hour, it did look like no SAORC was going to happen in 2023, which would have been the worst possible outcome!

BUT – due to Motorcycling Australia not wanting SA to miss out on a round of the AORC, the Keyneton MCC was asked to once again run a round, and after a number of discussions, they decided to put their hand up for the second year running, which then led to the Keith and Gawler Clubs agreeing to run rounds of the SAOC to compliment the AORC, meaning the SAORC has gone from looking like a stand-alone 2 round, 1 weekend Championship to now being a 6 round, 3 weekend Championship – so a huge thanks to Keyneton, Keith & Gawler, and their members, for making this happen!

SO – while it is fantastic that the Championship will be a happening thing in 2023, it is now more important than ever that a new Sports Manager is found, as the Championship can’t really be organised and run without a Sports Manager, and a committee to assist with all of the logistics!

If this might be you, and you would be keen to get some more information into the role, and also get a nomination form, please email events@motorcyclingsa.org.au – and preferably before 12.00 midday this Friday (Christmas shutdown), or you will have to wait until January 3^rd when the office reopens.

Need to know;

www.saoffroadchampionships.com

www.facebook.com/saoffroadchampionships

Also in 2023 – there are already 3 Club Enduros planned, so if chasing an SAORC Championship doesn’t appeal, but you still feel like banging bars through the bush, then check out the 3 club events on offer -and contact the clubs for all the details!

2023 SA Off Road Championships (SAORC)

July 29 – Round 1 @ Keith (venue TBC)

July 30 – Round 2 @ Keith (venue TBC)

Aug 26 – Round 3 @ Keyneton (with AORC)

Aug 27 – Round 4 @ Keyneton (with AORC)

Sept 16 – Round 5 @ Gawler (venue TBC)

Sept 17 – Round 6 @ Gawler (venue TBC)

* Round order to be finalised when TBA dates are finalised

2023 Club Enduros

August 6 – Calperum Enduro @ Riverland

September 3 – Stockos Enduro @ Mud N Tars

September 10 – Pony Express @ Levis

Cooper Sheidow (Above)

The champion Gear brothers Davie and Ollie (Below)

Emma Haylock (Above), Kye Little (Below)

Photo credit ‘Eric McConnochie Photography’

PRESS RELEASE :- TRIALS SA 2023 CALENDAR

December 19, 2022 Filed Under: News, SA Women in Motorcycling, Trials

2023 is going to be a huge year for Trial in South Australia, with a 14-event season spread from April to October, culminating with the running of the 2023 Australian Trial Championships at Eden Valley, which is also the main event of Trials Week SA 2023, meaning the whole of the Australian Trials community will be on SA soil at the end of September!

Before the Championships come to town though, there will be the usual array of events, but some with a new type of event as the Trial Sports Manager, Ella Peacock, mixes the season up to give it an exciting new feel for the coming year.

Says Ella, “Super excited for the trials season to start up again in the new year. The 2023 calendar has had a refresh with the addition of new events and formats! South Australia will also be hosting the Australian Trial Championships so we’ve got a packed year ahead!”

As always though, the Trials SA community will go all out to offer something for every level of rider, from 4 years of age and up, from the Novice to the Expert, competitive and non-competitive classes, and on 3 wheels as well as 2!

Bec Rees (Below)

The season will have its, now, traditional kick off at Victor Harbor for the Frank Tuck Trial, which will also be the opening round of the TROY Series SA 2023, and who knows, with all the rain that 2022 has seen, there may even be some damp spots on the waterfall section for the first time in many years!

The season will then head to two of the best known trials areas in SA, Tungkillo in the Adelaide Hills and Eden Valley, just north of the Barossa Valley for 2 TROY rounds, as well as 2 ‘special events’ on the calendar. The 48^th running of the Peter Sparkes Trophy will lead it all off, followed by the Trials des Nations fundraiser trial which will be raising money for Team Australia to head overseas in September, with this part of the season rounded off by the 15^th running of the SA Womens’ Cup & Diener/Holmes Sidecar Trophy and then The Max Graetz Trial.

The season really starts to ramp up in August as the countdown to Trials Week starts in earnest, first with the annual trek to the Southern Flinders for the undefeated ‘Event of the Year’, The Woolshed Trial at Mungeree, before heading to Robertstown for the first running of the SA 2 Day Trial, the final event before Trials Week kicks off.

Trials Week will start with the running of the AMX Superstores 2023 South Australian Trials Championships at Tungkillo, with onsite camping and a full set of classes to suit all riders – and – with 4 classes for juniors (2 boys and 2 girls), with SA being the only state to offer this!

Next up will be the mid-week event, the ‘Mid-week to the Xtreme’ Trial, being held at Mount Pleasant and hosted by the Juventus MCC, before the Trials community of Australia converge on Barina at Eden Valley for the running of the Vine Inn Barossa 2023 Australian Trial Championships, which will also include the 50^th Australian Sidecar Championship – plus a heap of other highlights yet to be released.

Lucy Cowan (Below)

The season will then wrap up with the final round of TROY Series SA 2023 with a second trip to Robertstown to play in the ‘black mud’ before the end of season presentations at a new venue at Mount Osmond!

For all of the Trials SA need to know – head here;

https://www.facebook.com/trialssouthaustralia

And for Trials Week SA 2023;

https://www.facebook.com/trialsweeksa2023

2023 Pre-Season @ Mt Wingfield

Saturday January 21

Thursday February 9

Saturday February 25

Thursday March 8

Saturday March 25

Haiden Barwick (Below)

2023 Trials SA Season

April 16 – The Frank Tuck Trial @ Victor Harbor (AJS) TROY 1

April 30 – 48^th Peter Sparkes Trophy Trial @ Tungkillo (AJS)

May 14 – TdN Fundraiser Trial @ Eden Valley (Keyneton)

May 28 – Keep Ya Feet Up Gate Trial @ Tungkillo (Gawler)

June 4 – The Classic Trial @ Tungkillo (AJS) TROY 2

June 18 – SA Women’s Cup & Diener/ Holmes Sidecar Trophy@ Barossa (Keyneton)

July 23 – The Max Graetz Trial @ Tungkillo (Gawler) TROY 3

August 6 – The Non-Stop Trial @ TBA (TBA)

August 19/20 – The Woolshed Trial @ Mungeree (Team H & AJS) TROY 4

September 3/4 – The SA 2 Day Trial @ Robertstown (Velocette)

Trials Week SA 2023

September 23/24 – AMX Superstores 2023 SA Trial Championships @ Tungkillo (AJS)

September 27 – Mid-Week to the Xtreme Trial @ Mount Pleasant (Juventus)

September 30/October 1 – Vine Inn Barossa 2023 Australian Trial Championships @ Eden Valley (Keyneton)

October 14 – The Black Mud Trial @ Robertstown (Velocette) TROY 5

October 28 – 2023 Presentation Night @ Mount Osmond Golf Club

Come N Try Days

January 21 – Come N Try @ Wingfield

June 17 – Ladies Come N Try @ Barossa

August 19 – Come N Try @ Mungeree

Finn Cameron (Below) Ella Peacock (Above)

Steve Rees (Above)

PRESS RELEASE :- 2023 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ROAD RACE CALENDAR DATES RELEASE

December 18, 2022 Filed Under: News, Road Racing, SA Women in Motorcycling

The 2023 SA Road Race Calendar will be an amazing opportunity for South Australians to participate in Road Racing, for both recreational fun and to follow opportunities to compete on National or an International stage.

Motorcycling South Australia are excited to release the dates for a packed 2023 South Australian Road Race calendar. There is always continual development and growth of the calendar, with 2023 being no exception. The year coming is looking to provide more high-level events and recreational riding than ever before.

There will be 5 rounds of South Australian Championships for all classes, except Supersport 300, which will have an extra 2 rounds, which will run with the SA Junior Cup in 2 rounds being held at go-kart venues. This is an increase of an extra SA Championship round and an amazing 2 and 3 extra rounds for SA Junior Cup & Supersport 300 respectively from 2022.

Due to the exceptional work done by the team at SA’s Cafnix and Victoria’s Preston MCC’s, 2 rounds of the SA Championships will be held in conjunction with the Victorian Road Race Championships, resulting in not only interstate racing opportunities but also international quality circuits with The Bend International and Phillip Island now included in the calendar.

Gareth Deacon, President of the Phoenix MCC, described the return of the full calendar and exceptional venues being raced at, “After making it through the last two years of COVID impacted racing we’re excited to be returning to a full calendar of road racing events in 2023. Following negotiations with Preston MCC in Victoria we’ve decided to re-start our previous reciprocal race meeting agreement which we started in 2020.

This has enabled us to put the International Circuit at Tailem Bend back in the mix, along with a visit to Philip Island – making the SA road race calendar one of the most exciting and varied line-ups for state level racing in the country. CAFNIX will also be hosting two Brackets meetings this year as Club rounds with the goal of improving competitive racing at the front of the field and also providing an entry point for those looking to try out our sport for the first time.”

Increasing from the 4 rounds in 2022, the bLU cRU SA Junior Cup will increase to 6 rounds for the year with many aspiring junior riders coming into the series setting their sights and hopes on the ultimate prize in getting a ride in the Oceania Junior Cup for 2024.

Reflecting on 2022 the bLU cRU Junior Cup and the 2023 prospects of the series, Road Race Sports Manager, Kym Bolto said: “Our 2022 riders in the bLU cRU SA Junior Cup have all grown as riders into accomplished road racers which is what we set out to do in creating this series.

I can’t wait for the bLU cRU SA Junior Cup series to commence in 2023 and am really looking forward to seeing all of our rider’s progress, home their skills and become the best riders they can be.”

SA Junior Cup ‘Class of 2022’! (Above)

Also in 2023, an extra Brackets race weekend has been planned by CAFNIX, doubling the amount from 2022, and one will include the annual ‘classic’ 2 Hour endurance races, with the old’ 3 Hour Production Race’ now run as 2 x 2 Hour races, as the size difference in bikes can no longer race together like in years past!

Excitingly Mac Park will once again host their ‘Seniors Meeting’ but with it moved from Autumn to Spring in 2023, so will now be a great ‘Father’s Day’ present for those who usually run at the Seniors Meeting!

Rounding out the end of 2023, the Collingrove Hill Climb course will be host to the old bikes taking on the challenge and being out to the ultimate test in October, before the Historics crew once again get ready to welcome in the New Year at Mac Park.

2023 will have more opportunities than ever for both racers, seeking extra practice, or riders who just want some fun on the weekend, without the pressure of racing, as there will be a total of 17 Ride Days to be held from January through to December. (with 12 at Mac Park and 5 at Mallala).

So without further ado… the 2023 SA Road Race Calendar:

2023 South Australian Road Race Championships Declan Carberry – Supersport 300 (Below)

*April 7-9, Easter – Round 1 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

July 7-9 – Round 2 @ The Bend International, Tailem Bend, with VRRC (Cafnix)

September 15-17 – Round 3 @ Phillip Island, with VRRC (Cafnix)

*Sept 29-Oct 1 – Round 4 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

November 17-19 – Round 5 @ Mallala Motorsport Park (Cafnix)

2023 bLU cRU South Australian Junior Cup

April 7-9, Easter – Round TBA @ Mac Park

July 7-9 – Round TBA @ The Bend, International

Sept 29-Oct 1 – Round TBA @ Mac Park

November 17-19 – Round TBA @ Mallala

TBA – TBA @ TBA (with Supersport 300)

Daniel Spendlove – Limited, Naked Bike (Below)

* Round order to be finalised when TBA dates are finalised

2023 South Australian Historic Championships

December 29-31 @ Mac Park (Historics)

Special Events

March 3-5 – Classic Master of Mac Park

March 10-12 – Hartwell Champs @ Mac Park

*April 7-9 – The Easter Cup @ Mac Park,

^June 9-11 – The 2 Hour Races @ Mallala (TBC)

Sept 1-3 – Seniors Meeting @ Mac Park

*Sept 29-Oct 1 – The Master of Mac Park

October 1 – The Historic Collingrove Hill Climb

Extra Events

May 26-28 – Brackets 1 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

^June 9-11 – Brackets 2 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

Grant Howarth & Scott Deslandes – Sidecar (Below)

2023 Club Series

CAFNIX

May 26-28 – @ Mallala

June 9-11 – @ Mallala

Tara Morrison – Watch out for in 2023 (Below)

2023 Ride Days

January 28 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

February 25 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

March 25 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

April 29 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

May 27 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

June 24 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

July 29 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

August 26 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

September 23 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

October 28 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

November 25 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

Dec 16-17 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

February 4 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

April 15 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

June 17 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

September 2 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

November 4 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

* and ^ – combined with a special event

Michael Kemp – Superbike (Right)

Sam Pezzetta – Supersport 300 (Below)

SIDEWINDERS U16 SPEEDWAY CLUB LIGHTS UP – 2022/23 SA U16 125CC SPEEDWAY SOLO CHAMPIONSHIPS

December 9, 2022 Filed Under: Dirt Track, News, Speedway

South Australia’s fastest U16 125cc Speedway Solo riders came together at Sidewinders U16 Speedway club last weekend to settle once and for all, who will hold the crown for another year. Glorious 24 degree sunshine made a perfect day for both spectators and riders to enjoy extremely fast racing conditions.

The Solo Championships was run last Saturday (3rd December 2022) with 20 heats. The 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th highest point scorer riders came together in the B final to see who gets the one opportunity to move onto the A’s main final. South Australian riders Darcey Timmis, Ryleigh McGregor and Hayden Kuchel fought it out with Victorian Blake Schlein for the final chance, with Darcey Timmis standing on top in the end.

Harry Sadler had an exceptional day looking to take clean sweeps of first places but was pipped to the mark in round 2, finishing in second place for that round to fellow South Australian Kobi Canning. South Australian’s dominated the A Main Final of riders with Harry Sadler, Kobi Canning and Darcey Timmis taking on New South Wales rider Cooper Antone. Cooper was determined to upset the apple cart and steal away the South Australian Championship crown but wasn’t able to hold off Harry and settled for a second place. Kobi Canning stood proud with the third place green sash and Darcy took home the fourth place white sash.

It was Harry’s day overall and is now the back to back South Australia’s Under 16 125cc Speedway Solo Champion. Well done lad!!

Photo credit Terry Scriven Photography

Part 1 photo album: HERE

Part 2 photo album: HERE

Full Results Below:

Number	Name	State	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	TOTAL	SEMI	FINAL	PLACING
8	Harry Sadler	SA	3	3	2	3	3	14		1	1
4	Cooper Antone	NSW	3	2	3	3	3	14		2	2
14	Kobi Canning	SA	3	2	3	2	2	12		3	3
6	Darcey Timmis	SA	ex	3	3	2	3	11	1	4	4
7	Blake Schlein	Vic	2	3	2	3	1	11	2		5
5	Ryleigh McGregor	SA	1	3	2	3	ex	9	3		6
9	Hayden Kuchel	SA	3	2	1	ex	3	9	4		7
2	Jordan Hargreaves	SA	2	ex	3	2	2	9			8
16	Lilly Cottrell	Vic	1	0	2	2	dnf	5			9
10	Angus Hume	Vic	2	1	0	ex	2	5			10
13	Ambrose Fraser	Vic	2	1	1	1	ex	5			11
3	Haydon Pascoe	SA	1	2	0	ex	ex	3			12
12	Blake Hocking	SA	0	1	1	1	dns	3			13
15	William Nicol	SA	0	1	0	1	1	3			14
11	Jackson McPherson	SA	1	ex	1	ex	ex	2			15
1	Ruby Chapman	SA	0	0	0	0	0	0			16

AUSTRALIAN SENIOR SPEEDWAY SOLO CHAMPIONSHIPS – THE RETURN WITH A VENGENCE

December 6, 2022 Filed Under: News, Speedway

It’s been a long hiatus of 2 years the Australian Solo Championships have not been able to be held due to Covid rocking the World of Sport. This Saturday night 10^th December 2022 riders are descending on Gillman Speedway from all corners of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland to take on our South Australian hometown Speedway heroes.

Defending Australian Champion Max Fricke (Victoria) is hoping to make up for the 2021 Covid Championship break and make it a clean sweep of National Titles after an exceptionally challenging time missing the last Grand Prix of the season in late September due to a horrific crash sustained overseas earlier that month. Fricke is definitely a fighter coming back from a list of injuries a mile long including cracked shoulder blade, concussion, broken sternum, sprained shoulder bruised lungs; proving he is not a competitor to be taken lightly.

Fricke can’t relax with Former World Under 21 Champion Jaimon Lidsey riding into Gillman on a high, setting his targets after taking out his second Victorian Championship at Mildura and the last Gillman Solo Championship.

The finals are looking to be an event not to be missed if four-time Victorian Champion and dual South Australian Title Champ Justin Sedgmen has his way. He has been on a heater and hungrier than ever after being a Runner up at the Gillman and Victorian Championships in recent weeks.

South Aussie young gun and former New Zealand under 21 champ Jake Turner is looking at bringing home the title in front of Family, Friends and his SA fan squad lining up with Fraser Bowes who recently returned home after his impressive winter in Poland making 3 semi finals this Season. Both SA Champs are keen to send the tourists packing and show they’re not to be messed with.

Queensland Team are a real strong mixed bag of diverse riders being led by Australian Under 21 Champion Keynan Rew, teamed with Zane Keleher and Winner of the Queensland and New South Wales Under 21 Championships Tate Zischke are looking for every opportunity to score points and mix up the pack.

New South Wales contingent see’s Zach Cook who is fresh back from overseas will be joined by Maurice Brown, Michael West, James Pearson and Harrison Ryan.

Rider Line-up:

Max Fricke
Tate Zischke
Harrison Ryan
Michael West
Justin Sedgmen
Zane Keleher
Jake Turner
Maurice Brown
James Pearson
Zach Cook
Jack Morrison
Fraser Bowes
Cooper Riordan
Dayle Wood
Keynan Rew
Jaimon Lidsey
Reserve Riders
Aden Clare
Brock Hall
Tom Dixon