20 - 23 Jan Port Adelaide

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Port Adelaide

Went up to Port Adelaide and based myself in the Royal Arms Hotel. The 'Port' is kind of equivalent to Leith in Edinburgh about 15 to 20 years ago. The hotel is cheap and cheerful and along with a few of my Aussie mates is frequented by a number of local .... characters.

Port Adelaide didn't really have much too it but it was a good base for our speedway extravaganza.

Three meetings at the Sidewinders training track and one at Gillman.

20 Jan - Qualifier for Aussie Under 16 title, at Sidewinders
21 Jan - Aussie Under 16 title, at Sidewinders
22 Jan - Gillman round of Aussie Senior title
23 Jan - Under 16 Pairs title, at Sidewinders

By day we attended the speedway, gates usually opening at approx 3pm and the racing going on until 11pm ish. With a few drinkies sank on the hotel balcony upon return each night.

For those that are interested here are a few Aussie speedway names to look out for in the years to come:

Arthur Sissis - regarded by many as the best rider ever to come out of Oz, when compared to previous riders at his age.... now that's a statement. I can only say that I've watched a future world champion, the only question I have is whether it will be a MotoGP or Speedway world champ. Arthur is currently keen on both sports, in fact any motorbike sport. Rumour has is the Dark side 'Glasgow' have offered him a contract.

Jack Holder - yup another of the clan. Chris thinks he is better than him!! To give you an idea of how good young Jack is he held off Sissis in the pairs title (heat 15). A bit unlucky in the Under 16 solo champs with a couple of offs and a retiral but when he finished a race he won it. Nice style and looks to have tremendous bike control... like brother like brother.

Max Fricke - an excellent style very Adams-like. A bit unlucky in the Under 16 solo champs with a bit of a harsh exclusion in his first but recovered well to reach the final. Another smooth style in the making. I believe Matty Wethers dad has taken Max under his wing.

Jack Fallon - not as stylish as the above riders but suitably effective. Usually good from the gate and when in front difficult to pass.

Cameron Heeps - for my money similar to Jack Holder in style and attitude. Great racer with magic bike control and an all action style.

The above guys are approx 13 to 15 years old, so we'll see them shortly in Scotland.

The following couple of names are even younger but definitely names to follow without a doubt.

Dakota Ballantyne (11 years old) - smooth style but fast with it.

Stormin' Jack Norman (9 yers old) - son of Scott Norman so he has pedigree. Has his father's gating ability and even at this tender age has a bit of the racer about him.

I've got to mention Olly Simpson as well (son of Nathan I'm led to believe), he just started speedway, literally on the few nights I was here. Excellent style and was passing his opponents with ease.

Suffice to say Scotland has got a way to go before it will produce any of this type of talent.

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