Australian Solo Championship

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

The Australian Solo Championship is a motorcycle speedway championship held each year to determine the Australian national champion. It is organised by Motorcycling Australia (MA) and is the oldest continuously running national speedway championship in the world having been run since 1926 with the exception of 1942-1945 when racing was suspended during World War II and 1955-1961 when the championship was not held.

The first Australian Solo Championship in 1926 was held at the Newcastle Showground in Newcastle. It was won by American rider Cecil Brown from Mick Brennan and Roy Hindle.

Legendary Danish rider Ole Olsen (1976) and Australia's own Jason Crump (2007) are the only riders who have won the championship while being the reigning Speedway World Champion. Olsen's controversial win at the Liverpool Speedway in Sydney in 1976 was the last win by a non-Australian rider. His win was controversial as many of the riders at the meeting protested his eligibility because of his nationality. However, with Olsen available to ride the promoters of the speedway insisted on his inclusion knowing that he would draw a larger crowd.

The current (2015) Australian Champion is Jason Doyle who won his first national championship.

The 2016 championship was held over four rounds in January. The rounds were held at the Loxford Park Speedway in Kurri Kurri on 2 January (with the qualifying round at Loxford Park on 1 January), Undera Park on 6 January, Adelaide's Gillman Speedway on 8 January with the final round held at the Olympic Park Speedway in Mildura on 10 January.[1]

The winner of the Australian Solo Championship receives the Billy Sanders Memorial Trophy.

Winners since 1926

Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
1926 Newcastle Showgrounds Newcastle, NSW Cecil Brown (United States) Mick Brennan (NSW) Roy Hindle (NSW)
1927
(2 laps)
Newcastle Showgrounds Newcastle, NSW Pat Hamilton (NSW) J. Anderson Paddy Dean (NSW)
1927
(4 laps)
Newcastle Showgrounds Newcastle, NSW Pat Hamilton (NSW) Tom Sharp Ted Rees (NSW)
1927
(500cc 3 laps)
Newcastle Showgrounds Newcastle, NSW Paddy Dean (NSW) Ted Rees (NSW) Harold Murdoch (NSW)
1927
(500cc 4 laps)
Newcastle Showgrounds Newcastle, NSW Ted Rees (NSW) Billy Lamont (NSW) Sprouts Elder (United States)
1928
(3 laps)
Claremont Speedway Perth, WA Sig Schlam (WA) Alby Taylor (SA)
1928
(6 laps)
Wayville Showground Adelaide, SA Alby Taylor (SA) Vic Huxley (Qld)
1929
(3 laps)
Wayville Showground Adelaide, SA Frank Duckett (SA) Paddy Dean (NSW) Tommy Benstead (NSW)
1929
(2¾ hp - 4 laps)
Davies Park Brisbane, Qld Frank Pearce (Qld) Frank Arthur (NSW)
1929
(3½ hp - 4 laps)
Davies Park Brisbane, Qld Max Grosskreutz (Qld) Alby Taylor (SA) Frank Pearce (Qld)
1929
(2 miles)
Claremont Speedway Perth, WA Sig Schlam (WA) Cec Walker (WA) Syd Parsons (SA)
Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
1930
(3 laps)
Wayville Showground Adelaide, SA Jack Chapman (SA) Jack Ormston (England) Frank Arthur (NSW)
1930
(6 laps)
Claremont Speedway Perth, WA Arthur Atkinson (England) Jack Chapman (SA) Bill Dunne (WA)
1930
(2 miles)
Exhibition Speedway Melbourne, Vic Reg West (Vic) Lionel Davey (Qld)
1931
(2 laps)
Melbourne Motordrome Melbourne, Vic Harold Hastings (Qld) Max Grosskreutz (Qld) Frank Duckett (SA)
1931
(4 laps)
Bathurst Showground Bathurst, NSW Harold Murdoch (NSW) Ken Kirkman (NSW) Bruce Webb (NSW)
1931
(6 laps)
Wayville Showground Adelaide, SA Ray Tauser (United States) Jack Hanson (SA) Laurie Packer (SA)
1932
(2 laps)
Cumberland Oval Sydney, NSW Wally Little (NSW) Ken Kirkman (NSW)
1932
(3 laps)
Wayville Showground Adelaide, SA Arnold Hansen (SA) Max Grosskreutz (Qld) Dick Wise (SA)
1932
(4 laps)
Exhibition Speedway Melbourne, Vic Bill Rogers (NSW) Lionel Davey (Qld)
1933 Exhibition Speedway Melbourne, Vic Larry Boulton (England) Bert Spencer (Qld) Jack Bibby (Vic)
1934 Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Vic Huxley (Qld) George Greenwood (England) Frank Arthur (NSW)
1935 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Bluey Wilkinson (NSW) Tiger Stevenson (England) Frank Varey (England)
1936 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Max Grosskreutz (Qld) Vic Huxley (Qld) Jack Milne (United States)
1937 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Jack Milne (United States) Wilbur Lamoreaux (United States) Vic Duggan (NSW)
1938
(3 laps)
Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Bluey Wilkinson (NSW) Jack Milne (United States) Joe Abbott (England)
1938
(4 laps)
Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Bluey Wilkinson (NSW) Wilbur Lamoreaux (United States) Clem Mitchell (SA)
1938
(5 laps)
Camden Motordrome Adelaide, SA Jack Parker (England) Cordy Milne (United States) Frank Woodroofe (SA)
1939 not held
Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
1940 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Cordy Milne (United States) Vic Duggan (NSW) Lionel Van Praag (NSW)
1941 Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Vic Duggan (NSW) Lionel Van Praag (NSW)
1942-1945 not held
1946 Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Frank Dolan Lionel Van Praag (NSW) Bill Rogers (NSW)
1947
(2 laps)
Tracey's Speedway Melbourne, Vic Bill Rogers (NSW) Lionel Van Praag (NSW) Aub Lawson (NSW)
1947
(3 laps)
Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Vic Duggan (NSW) Lionel Van Praag (NSW) Ray Duggan (NSW)
1947
(4 laps)
Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Andy Menzies (Vic) Charlie Spinks (Qld) Keith Cox (Qld)
1948
(2 laps)
Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Vic Duggan (NSW) Max Grosskreutz (Qld)
Bill Melluish
1948
(3 laps)
Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Vic Duggan (NSW) Norman Parker (England) Max Grosskreutz (Qld)
1948
(2 laps)
Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Vic Duggan (NSW) Aub Lawson (NSW) Ray Duggan (NSW)
Alec Statham (England)
1949
(2 laps)
Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Aub Lawson (NSW) Jack Briggs (Vic) Graham Warren (Qld)
Eric Chitty (Canada)
1949
(4 laps)
Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Aub Lawson (NSW) Bill Rogers (NSW) Ray Duggan (NSW)
Charlie Spinks (Qld)
Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
1950
(2 laps)
Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Aub Lawson (NSW) Graham Warren (Qld) Jack Briggs (Vic)
1950
(3 laps)
Tracey's Speedway Melbourne, Vic Bill Kitchen (England) Bill Longley (Vic) Aub Lawson (NSW)
Jack Briggs (Vic)
1950
(4 laps)
Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Jack Parker (England) Aub Lawson (NSW) Bill Longley (Vic)
1950
(Champion of Champions)
Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Aub Lawson (NSW) Jack Parker (England) Jack Briggs (Vic)
1951
(3 laps)
Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Jack Parker (England) Keith Ryan (NSW) Aub Lawson (NSW)
1951
(4 laps)
Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Jack Parker (England) Aub Lawson (NSW)
Tommy Miller (Scotland)
1951
(Champion of Champions)
Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Jack Parker (England) Aub Lawson (NSW) Tommy Miller (Scotland)
1952
(2 laps)
Maitland Showground Maitlnd, NSW Keith Ryan (NSW) Aub Lawson (NSW)
Lionel Levy (NSW)
1952
(3 laps)
Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Keith Ryan (NSW) Jack Parker (England)
Lionel Levy (NSW)
1952
(4 laps)
Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Lionel Levy (NSW) Aub Lawson (NSW) Jack Parker (England)
1952
(Champion of Champions)
Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Aub Lawson (NSW) Lionel Levy (NSW) Keith Ryan (NSW)
1953
(3 laps)
Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Aub Lawson (NSW) Lionel Levy (NSW) Allan Quinn (NSW)
1953
(4 laps)
Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Lionel Levy (NSW) Aub Lawson (NSW) Don Lawson (NSW)
1953
(Champion of Champions)
Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Aub Lawson (NSW) Lionel Levy (NSW) Keith Ryan (NSW)
1954
(3 laps)
Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Aub Lawson (NSW) Ken McKinlay (Scotland) Lionel Levy (NSW)
1954
(Champion of Champions)
Sydney Sports Ground Sydney, NSW Aub Lawson (NSW) Lionel Levy (NSW) Rune Sörmander (Sweden)
1955-1959 not held
Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
1960-1961 not held
1962 Rockhampton Speedway Rockhampton, Qld Bob Sharp (NSW) Ivan Mauger (New Zealand) Keith Gurtner (Qld)
1963 Rockhampton Speedway Rockhampton, Qld Mike Broadbank (England) Keith Gurtner (Qld) Ivan Mauger (New Zealand)
1964 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Ken McKinlay (Scotland) Jack Scott (SA) Ray Cresp (Vic)
1965 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Bob Sharp (NSW) Brian Collins (NSW) Bill Bryden (NSW)
1966 Rowley Park Speedway Adelaide, SA Chum Taylor (WA) Jim Gooch (England) Dennis Gavros (SA)
1967 Rowley Park Speedway Adelaide, SA Jack Scott (SA) Göte Nordin (Sweden) Ken McKinlay (Scotland)
1968 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Jim Airey (NSW) Nigel Boocock (England) Eric Boocock (England)
1969 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Jim Airey (NSW) Ken McKinlay (Scotland)
Jack White (Qld)
Greg Kentwell (NSW)
Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
1970 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Jim Airey (NSW) John Boulger (SA)
Kevin Torpie (Vic)
1971 Claremont Speedway Perth, WA John Boulger (SA) Bob O'Leary (WA) John Langfield (NSW)
1972 Rowley Park Speedway Adelaide, SA Jim Airey (NSW) Ole Olsen (Denmark) John Boulger (SA)
1973 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW John Boulger (SA) John Langfield (NSW) Billy Sanders (NSW)
1974 Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Steve Reinke (Qld) John Boulger (SA) John Titman (Qld)
1975 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Phil Crump (Vic) John Titman (Qld) Phil Herne (NSW)
1976 Liverpool International Speedway Sydney, NSW Ole Olsen (Denmark) Phil Crump (Vic) Billy Sanders (NSW)
1977 Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld John Titman (Qld) Phil Crump (Vic) Billy Sanders (NSW)
1978 Claremont Speedway Perth, WA Billy Sanders (NSW) Phil Herne (NSW) Lloyd Cross (WA)
1979 Olympic Park Speedway Mildura, Vic Phil Crump (Vic) Danny Kennedy (Vic) John Boulger (SA)
Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
1980 Sydney Showground Speedway Sydney, NSW Billy Sanders (NSW) Phil Crump (Vic) John Titman (Qld)
1981 Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Billy Sanders (NSW) Phil Crump (Vic) John Titman (Qld)
1982 Claremont Speedway Perth, WA Billy Sanders (NSW) Gary Guglielmi (NSW) Glyn Taylor (WA)
1983 Speedway Park Virginia, SA Billy Sanders (NSW) Glyn Taylor (WA) Phil Crump (Vic)
1984 Olympic Park Speedway Mildura, Vic Phil Crump (Vic) Billy Sanders (NSW) Gary Guglielmi (NSW)
1985 Pioneer Park Speedway Ayr, Qld Billy Sanders (NSW) Phil Crump (Vic) Stan Bear (Qld)
1986 Pioneer Park Speedway Ayr, Qld Troy Butler (Qld) John Titman (Qld) Alan Rivett (NSW)
1987 Olympic Park Speedway Mildura, Vic Steve Regeling (Qld) Steve Baker (SA) Glyn Taylor (WA)
1988 Riverview Speedway Murray Bridge, SA Phil Crump (Vic) Steve Regeling (Qld)# Craig Hodgson (SA)#
1989 Newcastle Motordrome Newcastle, NSW Glenn Doyle (WA) Stephen Davies (NSW) Jamie Fagg (NT)
Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
1990 Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Glenn Doyle (WA)♦ Leigh Adams (Vic)♦ Stephen Davies (NSW)
1991 Arunga Park Speedway Alice Springs, NT Craig Boyce (NSW) Glenn Doyle (WA) Glyn Taylor (WA)
1992 North Arm Speedway Adelaide, SA Leigh Adams (Vic) Shane Parker (SA) Mark Carlson (Qld)
1993 Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Leigh Adams (Vic) Jason Lyons (Vic) Shane Bowes (SA)
1994 Olympic Park Speedway Mildura, Vic Leigh Adams (Vic) Jason Lyons (Vic) Jason Crump (Vic)
1995 Gosford Speedway Gosford, NSW Jason Crump (Vic) Craig Boyce (NSW)# Leigh Adams (Vic)#
1996 Newcastle Showgrounds Newcastle, NSW Craig Boyce (NSW) Jason Crump (Vic)# Tony Langdon (Qld)#
1997 Brisbane Exhibition Ground Brisbane, Qld Craig Boyce (NSW) Jason Crump (Vic)# Ryan Sullivan (SA)#
1998 Riverview Speedway Murray Bridge, SA Leigh Adams (Vic)♦ Jason Lyons (Vic)♦ Jason Crump (Vic)♦
1999 Olympic Park Speedway Mildura, Vic Todd Wiltshire (NSW) Jason Lyons (Vic) Nigel Sadler (SA)
Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
2000 Gosford Speedway Gosford, NSW Leigh Adams (Vic) Mark Lemon (Vic) Todd Wiltshire (NSW)
2001 Riverview Speedway Murray Bridge, SA Todd Wiltshire (NSW) Leigh Adams (Vic) Mick Poole (NSW)
2002 Wayville Showground Adelaide, SA Leigh Adams (Vic) Jason Crump (Vic) Ryan Sullivan (SA)
2003 Gosford Speedway Gosford, NSW Leigh Adams (Vic) Todd Wiltshire (NSW) Craig Watson (NSW)
2004 Gold Coast Speedway
Gosford Speedway
Olympic Park Speedway
Gold Coast, Qld
Gosford, NSW
Mildura, Vic
Ryan Sullivan (SA) Leigh Adams (Vic) Todd Wiltshire (NSW)
2005 Gosford Speedway
Newcastle Showgrounds
Gillman Speedway
Olympic Park Speedway
Gosford, NSW
Newcastle, NSW
Adelaide, SA
Mildura, Vic
Leigh Adams (Vic) Jason Lyons (Vic) Steve Johnston (WA)
2006 Gillman Speedway
Olympic Park Speedway
Newcastle Showgrounds
Adelaide, SA
Mildura, Vic
Newcastle, NSW
Leigh Adams (Vic) Todd Wiltshire (NSW) Rory Schlein (SA)
2007 Newcastle Showgrounds
Sydney Showground
Olympic Park Speedway
Gillman Speedway
Borderline Speedway
Newcastle, NSW
Sydney, NSW
Mildura, Vic
Adelaide, SA
Mount Gambier, SA
Jason Crump (Vic) Leigh Adams (Vic) Steve Johnston (WA)
2008 Olympic Park Speedway
Gillman Speedway
Borderline Speedway
Newcastle Showgrounds
Sydney Showground
Mildura, Vic
Adelaide, SA
Mount Gambier, SA
Newcastle, NSW
Sydney, NSW
Chris Holder (NSW) Troy Batchelor (Qld) Joe Screen (England)
2009 Newcastle Showgrounds
Olympic Park Speedway
Gillman Speedway
Newcastle, NSW
Mildura, Vic
Adelaide, SA
Leigh Adams (Vic) Chris Holder (NSW) Rory Schlein (SA)
Year Venue City/State Winner Runner-up 3rd place
2010 Gillman Speedway
Olympic Park Speedway
Newcastle Showgrounds
Adelaide, SA
Mildura, Vic
Newcastle, NSW
Chris Holder (NSW) Troy Batchelor (SA) Darcy Ward (Qld)
2011 Loxford Park Speedway
Gillman Speedway
Broken Hill Speedway
Olympic Park Speedway
Kurri Kurri, NSW
Adelaide, SA
Broken Hill, NSW
Mildura, Vic
Chris Holder (NSW) Darcy Ward (Qld)# Davey Watt (Qld)#
2012 North Brisbane Speedway
Loxford Park Speedway
Gillman Speedway
Brisbane, Qld
Kurri Kurri, NSW
Adelaide, SA
Chris Holder (NSW) Davey Watt (Qld) Cameron Woodward (Vic)
2013[2] Gillman Speedway
Undera Park Speedway
Loxford Park Speedway
Adelaide, SA
Undera, Vic
Kurri Kurri, NSW
Troy Batchelor (SA) Dakota North (Vic) Cameron Woodward (Vic)
2014 Loxford Park Speedway
Undera Park Speedway
Gillman Speedway
Kurri Kurri, NSW
Undera, Vic
Adelaide, SA
Chris Holder (NSW) Jason Doyle (NSW) Josh Grajczonek (Qld)
2015[3] Gillman Speedway
Olympic Park Speedway
Undera Park Speedway
Loxford Park Speedway
Adelaide, SA
Mildura, Vic
Undera, Vic
Kurri Kurri, NSW
Jason Doyle (NSW) Sam Masters (NSW) Justin Sedgmen (Vic)
2016[4] Loxford Park Speedway
Undera Park Speedway
Gillman Speedway
Olympic Park Speedway
Kurri Kurri, NSW
Undera, Vic
Adelaide, SA
Mildura, Vic
Brady Kurtz (NSW) Sam Masters (NSW) Max Fricke (Vic)

No third place is listed with two or more riders tied for second place. Additionally, with only one rider listed in second, third place was unknown
♦ 1990 ride-ff after top 2 tied on 14pts. 1998 ride-off after top 3 placings tied on 13pts
# Riders tied on points required ride-off for second and third place
All titles from 1962-1967 were determined by a single race. Titles from 1968-2003 decided on the traditional single meeting. From 1999-2003 a final for the top 4 point scorers was instituted
Since 2004 all titles have been over a 3, 4 or 5 round series

Notes

  • Eleven non-Australian riders have won the championship. Cecil Brown (USA) in 1926, Arthur Atkinson (England) in 1930 (2 miles), Ray Tauser (USA) in 1931 (6 laps), Larry Boulton (England) in 1933, Jack Milne (USA) in 1937, Jack Parker (England) in 1938, 1950, 1951 [x2], Cordy Milne (USA) in 1938, Bill Kitchen (England) in 1950, Mike Broadbank (England) in 1963, Ken McKinlay (Scotland) in 1964, and Ole Olsen (Denmark) in 1976.
  • In the early years of the championship, multiple Australian titles were often held in the same year with some riders winning more than one title per year. Championships were run over anywhere from 2 to 6 laps and/or over 2 miles, often depending on the length of the track used.
  • Both Ole Olsen (1976) and Jason Crump (2007) were the reigning Speedway World Champions when they won their Australian titles. Jack Milne of the USA won the 1937 Australian Championship and later that year won the 1937 World Championship. Bluey Wilkinson won the 3 & 4 Lap Australian Championships in 1938 before also going on to win the World Championship later that year.
  • Speedway World Champions to have won the Australian championship include Bluey Wilkinson (1935, 1938 [3 & 4 Laps]), Jack Milne (1937), Ole Olsen (1976), Jason Crump (1995, 2007) and Chris Holder (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2014).
  • Leigh Adams was the reigning Under-21 World Champion when he won his second straight Australian title in 1993. Jason Crump would win his first Australian title in 1995 and later that year won the 1995 U/21 World Championship.
  • Adams also became the first reigning Australian Under-21 Champion to win the senior title when he won his first championship in 1992. Chris Holder became just the second rider to hold both titles at the same time in 2008
  • Phil and Jason Crump are the only father/son combination to win the Australian Solo Championship.
  • Billy Sanders holds the record for most title wins in a row, winning four in a row from 1980-1983. Sanders also won in 1978 and 1985 giving him 6 titles in 8 years, but lost his title in both 1979 and 1984 to Phil Crump. Vic Duggan (1941, 1947, 1948 [x3]) and Chris Holder (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014) have both won 5 Australian Championships.
  • Leigh Adams holds the record for most title wins overall with 10. Aub Lawson holds the record for most podiums with 19 between 1947 and 1954. Lawson's total includes his record of 4 wins in the Champion of Champions (1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954) and his second place in the 1951 Champion of Champions.
  • Mildura rider Jason Lyons holds the dubious record of having finished second the most number of times (5 - 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999 & 2005) without ever having won the Australian Championship.
  • The winner receives the Billy Sanders Memorial Trophy in honour of the Sydney rider who tragically took his own life in April 1985 just three months after winning his then record 6th championship.

Medals classification

Pos Rider Total Gold Silver Bronze
1. Leigh Adams 15 10 4 1
2. Aub Lawson 19 9 7 3
3. Billy Sanders 10 6 1 3
4. Jack Parker (England) 8 5 2 1
5. Vic Duggan 7 5 1 1
6. Chris Holder 6 5 1
7. Phil Crump 9 4 4 1
8. Jim Airey 4 4
9. Craig Boyce 4 3 1
10. Bluey Wilkinson 3 3
11. Lionel Levy 9 2 6 1
12. Jason Crump 7 2 3 2
13. Todd Wiltshire 6 2 2 2
John Boulger 6 2 2 2
15. Max Grosskreutz 4 2 2
16. Keith Ryan 5 2 1 2
17. Glenn Doyle 3 2 1
18. Bob Sharp 2 2
Sig Schlam 2 2
Pat Hamilton 2 2

References

  1. 2016 Australian Speedway Championship dates
  2. "Aussie Title for Batchelor", speedway365.com, 12 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013
  3. Hartshorn, Michael (2015) "Jason Doyle claims Aussie title as Hunter riders dominate final round at Kurri Kurri Speedway", Maitland Mercury, 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015
  4. "Confusing end to Aussie title - Brady Kurtz declared Australian solo speedway champion", Mildura Independent, 10 January 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016

External links

See also