Post by admin on Mar 25, 2008 5:53:52 GMT 12
23rd March 2008 - 350cc Australian Championship, Gosford
The inaugural U16 350cc Australian Speedway Championship was an event that had all the excitement and drama of a senior race meeting. These young riders are skilful, fast and fearless demonstrating what the future has to offer when these boys graduate to senior ranks.
Once the first three rounds were complete it became clearer who would be in contention for the A Final. Darcy Ward (QLD) and Tyson Nelson (QLD) had won three heats each. Other winners were Clinton Dennis (QLD), Alex Davies (NSW), Todd Kurtz (NSW) with one each. Ward was on fire and went through the heats unbeaten to be the top qualifier for the final. A number of his wins were earned the hard way after being slow away from the tapes. He quickly passed the riders ahead including Davies, probably the fastest gater on the night.
A number of less experienced riders showed their potential that night. Ben Russell only rode a 350cc for the first time in this event. His confidence grew as the night progressed. Although he didn’t score many points he handled the bike well and will only get better with more experience. Daniel Begley and Mason Campton, two hot shots on their 125s, showed a lot of courage and skill at odds with their limited time on the 350s. Begley in particular did not give ground willingly to anyone and earned an exclusion after a collision with Alex Davies in their second heat.
Tyson Nelson fought his way to the final with three heat wins and two close seconds behind fellow Queenslander Ward. It looked like these two could be the favourites for the title.
Davies’ finals hopes looked in jeopardy when his bike failed to start for his third heat. Begley offered the use of his bike and Davies scored a point to stay in the hunt. A break during a track grade and support races enabled him to get his bike repaired. He won his final two heats to qualify for the final.
Todd Kurtz picked up the last spot for the final due to a couple of fine wins and some hard fought second places. One win followed a restart after Josh Munro flipped his bike on the start line. The bike landed heavily on Munro and he was taken away in the ambulance. He just wanted to get back on the bike but the ambos said no.
The A Final was where it all went wrong for the Queenslanders. Alex Davies again showed he is a very fast gater and he kept his lead out of the first turns. Tyson Nelson and Darcy Ward followed closely with Todd Kurtz at the rear. Perhaps Ward was anxious to remain unbeaten as he rushed too fast trying to go under Nelson on lap two. They collided and fell. Ward was excluded and a rerun was ordered.
This time Kurtz got the fast start followed by Nelson and Davies. The rerun also came to a stop on lap two when Nelson lost grip and slid into the fence. Now we were down to two runners.
When the tapes went up the two riders were side by side. As they closed on the first turn they bumped and Davies lost momentum. Kurtz jumped ahead and Davies chased hard all the way and at times had Kurtz a little ragged under pressure. But the reigning NSW 125cc champion held on to become the first U16 350cc Australian Speedway Champion.
Todd Kurtz is a multiple dirt track championship winner, a 125cc speedway championship winner and can now add the 350cc speedway championship to his impressive list of titles.
www.ccjuniormotorcycleclub.org.au/juniorspeedway/resultsnsw.html
The inaugural U16 350cc Australian Speedway Championship was an event that had all the excitement and drama of a senior race meeting. These young riders are skilful, fast and fearless demonstrating what the future has to offer when these boys graduate to senior ranks.
Once the first three rounds were complete it became clearer who would be in contention for the A Final. Darcy Ward (QLD) and Tyson Nelson (QLD) had won three heats each. Other winners were Clinton Dennis (QLD), Alex Davies (NSW), Todd Kurtz (NSW) with one each. Ward was on fire and went through the heats unbeaten to be the top qualifier for the final. A number of his wins were earned the hard way after being slow away from the tapes. He quickly passed the riders ahead including Davies, probably the fastest gater on the night.
A number of less experienced riders showed their potential that night. Ben Russell only rode a 350cc for the first time in this event. His confidence grew as the night progressed. Although he didn’t score many points he handled the bike well and will only get better with more experience. Daniel Begley and Mason Campton, two hot shots on their 125s, showed a lot of courage and skill at odds with their limited time on the 350s. Begley in particular did not give ground willingly to anyone and earned an exclusion after a collision with Alex Davies in their second heat.
Tyson Nelson fought his way to the final with three heat wins and two close seconds behind fellow Queenslander Ward. It looked like these two could be the favourites for the title.
Davies’ finals hopes looked in jeopardy when his bike failed to start for his third heat. Begley offered the use of his bike and Davies scored a point to stay in the hunt. A break during a track grade and support races enabled him to get his bike repaired. He won his final two heats to qualify for the final.
Todd Kurtz picked up the last spot for the final due to a couple of fine wins and some hard fought second places. One win followed a restart after Josh Munro flipped his bike on the start line. The bike landed heavily on Munro and he was taken away in the ambulance. He just wanted to get back on the bike but the ambos said no.
The A Final was where it all went wrong for the Queenslanders. Alex Davies again showed he is a very fast gater and he kept his lead out of the first turns. Tyson Nelson and Darcy Ward followed closely with Todd Kurtz at the rear. Perhaps Ward was anxious to remain unbeaten as he rushed too fast trying to go under Nelson on lap two. They collided and fell. Ward was excluded and a rerun was ordered.
This time Kurtz got the fast start followed by Nelson and Davies. The rerun also came to a stop on lap two when Nelson lost grip and slid into the fence. Now we were down to two runners.
When the tapes went up the two riders were side by side. As they closed on the first turn they bumped and Davies lost momentum. Kurtz jumped ahead and Davies chased hard all the way and at times had Kurtz a little ragged under pressure. But the reigning NSW 125cc champion held on to become the first U16 350cc Australian Speedway Champion.
Todd Kurtz is a multiple dirt track championship winner, a 125cc speedway championship winner and can now add the 350cc speedway championship to his impressive list of titles.
www.ccjuniormotorcycleclub.org.au/juniorspeedway/resultsnsw.html