GILLMAN SPEEDWAY: TUNGATE AND LIDSEY CHASE FOR A GP PLACE JANUARY 25

Feature photo by: Judy Mackay …Jaimon Lidsey (blue) and Rohan Tungate (red).

Speedway fans can expect some desperate riding at South Australia’s Gillman Speedway this Saturday night (January 25) as riders in the FIM Oceania Solo Championship chase a place in the European qualifying rounds of the Speedway Grand Prix.

Despite Australia having four riders in this year’s Grand Prix series, it has only been allocated three places in the 2025 qualifying rounds (to qualify for 2026) and two of those have already been claimed by Brady Kurtz and Jack Holder by finishing first and second in the Australian Championship.

The one remaining place goes to the highest placed Australian rider in Saturday night’s Oceania Championship, and two riders stand out as the favourites — Rohan Tungate and Jaimon Lidsey.

Both riders competed in the qualifying rounds last year and want to ride again this year but unfortunately one, or maybe both if they are not on form, has to miss out. Adding to their desire to get through will be the knowledge that the rider who got through from this meeting last year — Brady Kurtz — successfully negotiated all the qualifying rounds in Europe to book a place in the SGP.

Tungate and Lidsey both had successful meetings at Gillman last year. Tungate came from five points behind to win the Australian Championship, while Lidsey dominated the Oceania Championship, winning all seven of his races – his five heats, the first semi-final and the final, so both deserve their rating as overwhelming favourites.

However, both riders failed to make the final in the Gillman round of this year’s Australian Championship only three weeks ago, so nothing can be taken for granted.

If either, or both, rider falters, the riders with the most chance of causing an upset are Victorian Justin Sedgmen, local star Fraser Bowes and Sydney’s James Pearson.

Sedgmen was a finalist in last year’s Oceania event, and top scored in the heats of this season’s South Australian Championship before crashing heavily in the final, aggravating existing injuries he was carrying from a previous crash in the UK. If he is fit he is sure to be a front-runner and a win would not be a shock.

Bowes finished second in the SA Championship, after leading the final several times, and at the last meeting clocked time comparable with the Australian Championship heats. Both Bowes and 19-year-old Pearson are capable of beating anyone in the line-up, it will just be a question of whether they can do it in the semi-finals and then again in the final.

Also based on SA Championship form Jack Morrison and Brad Page should be in contention for a place in the semi-finals.

The rider who could be the biggest challenger to Tungate and Lidsey, however, is 23-year-old English competitor Tom Brennan, who was a member of the British team that won the silver medal in the 2023 Speedway World Cup final, but, although he might win the meeting he is not eligible for the SGP qualifying place up for grabs.

Towards the likely lower part of the scorecard will be a number of Australia’s best teenagers, who are likely to be front-runners in next season’s Australian Under 21 Championship, including local boys Ashley Jansen-Batchelor and Harry Sadler. Others in the line-up are Reid Battye, Dayle Wood, Senna Summers, Alexander Adamson, Lachlan Russell and Anika Loftus.

The meeting is being staged over the 2024 Grand Prix format of 20 heats, two Semi-Finals and a Final, with the first and second placegetters in the semi-finals contesting the final.

There is also a small support programme of Under 16 250cc Solos with riders who are attending the FIM SGP Academy – Down Under, with six-time speedway world champion Tony Rickardsson, at Gillman over the next three days.

Gates open at 4pm and racing starts at 7pm.

For those that can’t attend, the meeting will be livestreamed through the website link [https://www.spacequakesports.com/ppv] for a cost of $30. Please note this is the only official livestreaming link, any others touted on facebook sites are scams and should be ignored.

Everything You Need To Know:

Meeting Date: Saturday, 25 January 2025

Venue: Gillman Speedway Stadium, 65 Wilkins Road, Gillman – near the Port Adelaide area.

Parking and entrance: Patrons can enter via gates at the western and eastern ends of the venue. There are free off-street parking areas near both gates.

Gates open: at 4 pm.

Pit access for spectators: Free spectator access to the pits until approximately 5 pm.

Practice: 5.15pm—6.15pm

Racing starts: at 7 pm.

Championship Sponsor: CBS Bins — a family owned and operated business which commenced in 1975 when Graham and Marion Baker started with the purchase of a model 610 Bobcat. As the years progressed they were joined by their sons Steven, Mark and Darren, and today CBS Bins has grown into one of South Australia’s leading waste and rubbish removal companies. The western end terracing at Gillman is named The Graham Baker Terrace in memory of Graham, and in recognition of the family’s long and valued support of Gillman Speedway. Website [www.cbsbins.com.au]

Competitors:

FIM Oceania Championship riders (in alphabetical order):  Alexander Adamson (NSW)…Reid Battye (NSW)…Fraser Bowes (SA)…Tom Brennan (Eng)…Ashley Jansen-Batchelor (SA)…Jaimon Lidsey (Vic)…Anika Loftus (Qld)…Jack Morrison (Vic)…Bradley Page (NSW)…James Pearson (NSW)…Lachlan Russell (NSW)…Harry Sadler (SA)…Justin Sedgmen (Vic)…Senna Summers (Eng)…Rohan Tungate (NSW)…Dayle Wood (Vic)…Steven Graetz (SA, reserve)…Noah Grabham (NSW, reserve).

Under 16 250cc Solo Support riders: Cooper Antone (NSW)…Kobi Canning (SA)…Ruby Chapman (SA)…Jordy Loftus (Qld)…Lachlan Hawgood (Qld)…Xavier Hawtin (Vic)…Nate Shortt (Vic)…Nate Smith (Vic).

Admission: Adults $30, Age Pension and Student Concession $25, Children Under 16 free. Parking free. Programme $5-includes two chances to win $50 fuel vouchers. EFTPOS available at both entrances, the canteen, bar and souvenir shop.

Concession is limited to holders of the Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card and Student Concession card holders only.

Livestreaming: This meeting will be livestreamed on [https://www.spacequakesports.com/ppv]. The cost is $30 Australian. Any other claimed links to livestreaming are scams and should be ignored.

Seating: Free grandstand seating, terracing suitable for deck chairs, and large grassed viewing mounds.

VIP Area: The Bob White VIP area is available to anyone who would like to treat their business colleagues, family or friends to the best view in the stadium. Enjoy the elevated view overlooking the track, either from inside the temperature controlled rooms, on the timber deck, or on the enclosed lawn area. The VIP area also has its own bar and toilet. Ring Ivan Golding on 0417 138 378 for more details.

Food and drink: Full bar and catering available. Food includes hot chips, hamburgers, chicken burgers, pies, pasties, sausage rolls, Chiko Rolls, dim sims, hot dogs, doughnuts, coffee, cold drinks, sweets. “Gillman has far and away the best speedway tucker” [Peter White’s Speedway World]

Please note a condition of our liquor licence is no byo alcohol or glass can be brought into the venue.

Smoking, Vaping: by Government legislation, no smoking or vaping allowed at this venue.

Souvenirs: There is a well-stocked souvenir shop. See the “A Night At Gillman” tab.

Pets: No animals are allowed into the venue except assistance animals, eg guide dogs.

Weather Forecast as at 22 January: Maximum 31, minimum 15. Sunny. [www.bom.gov.au/sa/forecasts/adelaide.shtml]

Directions:

For interstate visitors flying into Adelaide and getting a hire car, Gillman is about 20kms, and 30 minutes’ drive (depending on traffic lights) from the airport.

The easiest and most direct way from the airport, if not going to your accommodation first is:

On leaving the airport, turn left onto Sir Donald Bradman Drive. Continue along Sir Donald Bradman Drive until you reach the end of the airport grounds and turn right onto Tapleys Hill Road. Keep going on Tapleys Hill Road until you can’t go any further. That’s Port Road. Turn left onto Port Road (you can only turn left). Continue down Port Road for about 1 km to the first intersection which is Grand Junction road and turn right. Go 700 metres along Grand Junction Road, over a bridge over a railway line. Stay in the left lane because at the bottom of the bridge you turn left into Gray Terrace. Go to the end of Gray Terrace and turn right onto Bedford Street. Keep going on that road until you get to the speedway. About 2km.

Accommodation: There is plenty of accommodation in Adelaide and suburbs, within 20-30 minutes of the Speedway, ranging from five star hotels to caravan parks and backpacker hostels.

Contact for this meeting: Ivan Golding 0417 138 378.