AUSTRALIAN SPEEDWAY CENTENARY: SIDECAR CENTURIONS ADDITIONS

The dynamic young pairing of Brandon Warke and Mitchell Firth have been added to the spectacular field of speedway sidecar stars, contesting the Sidecar Centurions Trophy, on night one of the Australian Speedway Centenary.

The Australian Speedway Centenary, two-night super show, is being staged at North Brisbane Speedway, on December 28 (Sidecar Centurions)) and December 29 (Ikon Suspension 500cc Solo Centurion Classic).

Brandon Warke, just nineteen years of age, is Brisbane veteran, Stuart Firth’s (who’s already been named in the line-up) step son and Mitchell, twenty three years of age, is Stuart’s son.

Regarded as one of the nation’s best emerging young teams, Warke and Firth, combined to finish second in the Queensland Championship, in just their first year of sidecar racing.

The duo also teamed to win the Rockhampton Handlebar Heroes Trophy and placed first in the North Brisbane Speedway Track Championship. They also finished fifth in the prestigious Gary Moon Memorial and made the final at almost every meeting they contested last term.

Warke and Firth were seeded automatically into the Australian Championship but were beset with bad luck after breaking a crankshaft in half in their first race.

They have prepared a brand new bike for the coming season, that is powered by a Firth Racing Suzuki GSXR 1000. Both youngsters come from a successful dirt track background and somehow make riding a sidecar look easy!

Warke and Firth are the fifteenth team named in the Sidecar Centurion field. The sixteenth team will be announced later this week.

BUCHANAN MAKES PASSENGER CHANGE TO HONOUR THE LATE WARREN MONSON

New Zealand’s best sidecar rider, Andrew Buchanan, meantime, has announced a passenger change for the Australian Speedway Centenary.

In an effort to pay tribute to the late, great, Warren Monson, Andrew and Philippa Buchanan (team owners) have recruited Andrew Summerhayes as their passenger for sidecar racing’s night of nights.

“I have asked Drew Buchanan to step aside as my swinger for the Centenary meeting and offered the job to Andrew Summerhayes. Philippa and I thought it was important that the Monson/Summerhayes Team was being represented at this momentous race meeting,” Andrew Buchanan explained.

“I’m delighted to announce that Andrew Summerhayes has accepted our offer and he’s confirmed that he’ll swing for me at this meeting, as a one-off.

“I really wanted Warren Monson’s memory to be honoured at this huge Centenary this meeting as he was a huge figure in Aussie speedway and was a great friend to me and so many others. We will be coming to win”.

The sidecar field, in its entirety will be announced by the end of this week.

Further major announcements regarding big name solo stars contesting night two of the Australian Speedway Centenary, on December 29 (the Ikon Suspension Solo Centurion Classic), will also be made in coming days.

Tickets are now on sale for the Australian Speedway Centenary at – https://www.ticketebo.com.au/speedwaycentenary

A reminder, following the Australian Speedway Centenary, North Brisbane Speedway is also hosting the opening round of the 2024 Australian Solo Championship, on Thursday night, January 4. Ticketing details will be released soon.

David Tapp

Managing Director

Mail:         PO Box 6170, West Gosford, NSW, 2250

Phone:     (02) 4322 6001 | Mob: 0402 928 700

Email:       david@powerproductions.net.au

Website: www.powerproductions.net.au