GILLMAN SPEEDWAY: JUSTIN PLAISTED AND DAMIEN EGAN WIN BOB WHITE SIDECAR CUP

Gillman Speedway media report:

All photos by: Judy Mackay

Justin Plaisted and Damian Egan won their first Bob White Sidecar Cup in an exciting final ride, while defending cup holders Darrin Treloar and Blake Cox finished runner-up at Adelaide’s Gillman speedway on Saturday night, March 23.

Leading up to final the qualifying heats were quite straight forward at the top end of the score chart. Treloar and Cox were unchallenged to score the maximum possible 12 points, while Plaisted and Egan were only beaten by Treloar/Cox to finish with 11 points.

Below the standings were not quite as clear cut as most of the field were either in contention for the third direct qualifying berth in the final, or for a place in the last chance semi-final.

Ultimately the third berth in the final went to Max Howse and Riley Commons ahead of Kym Menadue and Shane Dolan on count back after both teams scored nine points. The count back was decided by the result of heat two which Howse/Commons won with Menadue/Dolan second.

Joining Menadue/Dolan in the semi-final were Brian Silvy/Glen Zaworski (8), Rick Stephens/Nick O’Brien (6) and Shane Rudloff/Scott Morris (6). Going into the last heat, Menadue and Stephens were safe but Silvy/Zaworski (5), Rudloff/Morris (4) and Dean Hobbs/Daniel Low (4) were all drawn together and the result of the race would determine which two would go through. Silvy/Zaworski scooted away to score a narrow but a convincing win to book their place, but the race between Rudloff/Morris and Hobbs/Low for the other berth was the race of the night as they were side-by-side for three laps before Rudloff was able to edge ahead on the last lap.

In the semi-final Menadue/Dolan took the early lead but the Stephens/O’Brien combination went around them after half-a-lap and won. The victory added to the fine record of qualifying for the final for the fourth time in the six stagings of the event.

So to the final and the showdown between Treloar/Cox and Plaisted/Egan did not disappoint. Plaisted, from gate three, got a good start and led from Treloar (gate one) down the back straight. Treloar nudged his way ahead in turn one on the second lap only for Plaisted to regain the lead through turns three and four. Despite several challenges from Treloar, Plaisted was able to hold the lead to win by a couple of bike lengths. Max Howse/Riley Commons finished third and Rick Stephens/Nick O’Brien fourth.

500cc Solos were also on the card but the main support class was the Flat Track Solo Gillman Championship.

The Flat Trackers produced some close racing in two halves, with half a dozen riders in the top half of the scorecard all with a realistic chance of winning the title. Those in the bottom half of the scorecard figured in some close finishes in the battle for the odd point or two to earn a place in the semi-final.

The top scorers, who secured direct qualification to the final, were Kyle Machin, Nigel Sadler, both with 12 points, Liam May and Roy Stout, both with 9. Qualifiers for the semi-final were Sean Curtis (7), Kane Golding (6), Seane Chapman (6), Greg Laanekorb (3), Dale Knights (3) and Kristy Schultz (2), although Curtis was a non-starter. He’d earlier only been beaten by Machin and Sadler in his first three rides before pulling out of the meeting to allow Sadler to use his bike.

Unsurprisingly Chapman won a close race with Knights for them to qualify for the six-rider final.

It was a strong line-up with May, a current speedway rider and Sadler, Stout and Chapman all former riders, but it was 19-year-old dirt track rider Kyle Machin who took the win after a close race with Sadler who finished second. May was third, Stout fourth and Knights fifth with Chapman a non-finisher.

In the speedway solo class Sam Martin was clearly the top rider but he had an eventful night on his way to top scoring with 9 points, ahead of Teagan Pedler (8), Shaun Sampson 4 and Lilly Cottrell 3. In the first heat his throttle was stuck open for the last three laps before he fell after the finish of the race; in the second heat he suffered a flat tyre; in the third he had engine trouble; before a trouble free run in the last heat which was cut short when Sampson fell on the third lap.

Former junior speedway rider Harry Sadler turned 16 during the week and rode in the Flat Track class rather than the speedway class, but fell in his first two rides before sitting out the rest of the meeting. He and his former 250cc rival Ashley Jansen-Batchelor will now be practising regularly over the winter before making their senior speedway debuts next season.

In the 125cc Junior Solo class, Kobi Canning (12 heat points) was unbeaten and won the final ahead of Hayden Pascoe (9), Riley Stout (8) and Connor Machin 7. Hayden Kuchel won the consolation race in his final race as a junior.

BOB WHITE CUP . . . HERE AND THERE

By Mark Neale

Ventured down to Adelaide’s Gillman Speedway for the running of the sixth Bob White Sidecar Cup on Saturday night, March 23.

A good size crowd went through the turnstiles and packed the terraces for the final meeting of the 2023/24 season at Australia’s premier bike venue.

The meeting started on a sombre note when all riders, officials and spectators stood for a minute silence in memory of Hanno Konn (the keeper of the pit gate) who sadly passed away the previous evening.

Club president Ivan Golding and the club Chaplin addressed the crowd.

As reported by Gillman Speedway media, the Final of the Bob White Sidecar Cup was won by Justin Plaisted/Damian Egan ahead of four times winner Darrin Treloar/Blake Cox(second), Max Howse/Riley Commons (third) and Rick Stephens / Nick O’Brien(Fourth).

The track was in perfect condition, prepared by Seane Chapman and his team. Programme editor Graeme Frost produced another outstanding souvenir edition for the fans to purchase from the souvenir shop run by Eileen Price and her daughter Ielonia was my first port of call once I got my seat sorted out on the elevated decking of the Bob White VIP Room which is a great elevated view of the entire circuit

It was great to catch up with for a chat with some familiar faces during my pit walk prior to the start of the meeting before it was closed to the general public. I have not seen some of these people for quite some time. They included Big Jim Irwin(my dad’s favourite rider) who I haven’t spoken to for well over ten years. We spoke about our health issues, while I also spoke with Andy Stirrat, who I haven’t seen since the old North Arm days when he was passenger for Ron Rohde, David Fritz Fitzpatrick, Malcolm Pridham another who I haven’t seen in twenty years. Others who I met up with were Trevor Anderson, Sam Ksiezak, former work mate Kim Meyer,Trevor Plaisted, Adam Niesche, Ronny Parker, Angela Macfarlane,Sean Curtis,Shane Rudloff, Shane Dolan,Greg Black,Nigel Sadler and his son Harry Sadler who was making his senior debut on the flat trackers after turning sixteen during the week along with Justin Plaisted, the latter always stops for a chat.

Three of my long time friends, who I haven’t seen in twelve months. the legend himself and Australia’s most successful and decorated competitor of all time in any section Darrin Treloar his passenger Blake Cox and Darrin’s young Jake Treloar stopped unpacking their bike and equipment for a lengthy chat.

They made the fourteen hour trip from Sydney to compete in the meeting which means so much to them. Hopefully Darrin will be inducted into the Australian Speedway Hall of Fame when he hangs up the helmet.

It was great to speak with club president Ivan Golding (OAM) ,his wife Shirley,meeting referee Barry Golding, Clerk of Course Phil Turnbull,track announcers Trevor Scott and Laurie O’Connell, Machine Examiner and long time family friend Brett Tomkins,Race Secretary Mary Mundy, Pit Official and long time member of my AFL Super Coach Comp Cory Richardson, track electrician Ross Noble. track photographer Mike Gerlach, long time friend Phil Mackay (missed seeing Judy Mackay as she was busy taking photos), Kristy Schultz and her mum Judy Schultz.

The Bob White Room was flat out all night, serving food and selling drinks, with many sponsors and invited quests enjoying the warm conditions. Lina Bugeja, Chris Bugeja, Alan Litchfield, Michele Wethers and Ricky Summers were kept busy as hosts to the gathering.

Enjoyed a good chat with long time Gillman Promoter Dave Parker, who presented the trophies to the placegetters of the Bob White Cup, Shelley Bugeja, Arlo Bugeja, Brian Wethers,Wendy Turner, Jade Rudloff Matt Muldoon and his partner Kylie Mahoney and Lou and Rob from the United Kingdom.

Also ran into Janelle Fox(formerly O’Brien), Trent Headland and their young son Nate Headland,who is up and about on crutches after his serious accident during the SA Sidecar Title a month ago. Nate broke both his legs (which now have rods in both of them) as well as broken ribs and torn quad muscles. Janelle flew to Adelaide the Sunday morning after the accident to be by her son’s side and care for him, (arriving while he was still in surgery).They are heading back to Perth to continue with his rehab.

A big thank you to Seane Chapman and Judy Schultz(I can’t thank them enough) for all their help this season giving me a lift home after the meetings.

Hope to see everyone at the track in October for the start of the 2024/25 season.