Full season of speedway

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 34

Full season of speedway

The new speedway season will begin at the Lucas Batteries International Speedway on Saturday, and prospects are good for an interesting season of racing under the guidance of the new promoters, BG Speedway Promotions. A partnership has been formed by two former sprint car competitors, Brent Beadle and Roger Gleeson, to promote the speedway on a professional basis. Mr Gleeson who is the New Zealand sprint car champion, says that a full seasons racing has been mapped out and that several top-line national and international competitors will be appealing at the track. In the solo class, the high standard of recent years should be maintained with the British first division rider, Kenny McKenna, returning, along with the former New Zealand champion, Larry Ross. Another well performed Christchurch rider, Alan Mason will also be competing. Ross will be keen to strike top form at the track, as the national championship will be held in Christchurch on January 2. A young American rider, Jay Skiles, will be resident in Christchurch throughout the season, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses. '

Skiles has chosen Christchurch because he has heard that it is the best place to gain racing experience, and he is looking forward to racing on the longer Christchurch track, which is faster and more open than those used in the United States. The highlight of the season in the midget class is likely to be the City of Christchurch meeting, which with prize money of $lO,OOO, is thought to be the richest of its type ever run in the South Island. Top competitors from America and the North Island are expected to take part. It is hoped that the first world invitation sidecar match between New Zealand, England and Australia can be run in February, and also the same month will be the New Zealand TQ midget, grand prix. In the sprint car class which proved so popular last summer, international meetings will be run toward the end of the season, featuring drivers form Australia and the U.S.A., and the New Zealand sprint car grand prix is also on the schedule. Mr Beadle says that a lot of work has been put into raising the standard of the track surface and that at practice sessions, the solo competitors were finding the surface vastly improved. By JOHN HAWKINS