2009 Under 16 Aust speedway sidecar Chmapionship

[John Daley]

Held at Underra Vic. on 17 Jan 2009, Shane Hudson and Sam Gilbert won.

HUDSO N / GILBERT WIN AUSSIE JUNIOR SIDECAR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The inaugural under 16 2009 Australian Speedway Sidecar Championships took place under perfect conditions at Underra Raceway on Saturday 17 January. The promoters were to be congratulated in advertising the event and preparing the circuit to pristine condition.

The race format was 4 heats and a 3 team Final. The top two teams after the heats go straight into the A Final. The next 3 placings then race off in the B Final, with the winner getting the final spot in the A Final.

With the talent that was on display from the 12 best Australian junior sidecar teams, there was some torrid heat racing that was not for the feint hearted. Dylan Blain / Robert Gottardi were looking the goods early in the night but were unfortunate in their first heat to cross the inside white line excluding them from early points. From here on they won the next three heats which gained them entry into the B Final.

Hayden Bond / Brady Cox secured their spot in the B Final with two wins and two seconds while the third B Final contestant was South Australian Jake Mitchell / Dakota Ballantyne.

The B Final was dominated from the gate by Blain / Gottardi, with Bond / Cox in second place closely followed by Mitchell / Holmes.

So the stage was set for a thrilling A Final. Local brothers Ash and Mitchell Duncan snuck under the radar all night with smooth riding and a maximum of 12 points, Shane Hudson and Sam Gilbert were strong in their heats on 11 and Dylan Blain / Robert Gottadi were in scintillating form after winning their way through from the B Final.

When the tapes went up in the A Final Blain / Gottadi got the jump followed closely by the Duncan Brothers and Hudson / Gilbert back in third place. Blain / Gottardi stretched their lead to 5 bike lengths at the end of lap 1. Hudson / Gilbert rounded Duncan / Duncan on coming onto the straight to commence lap 2 and set off in pursuit after Blain / Gottardi.

Coming onto the straight to commence the third lap Blain / Gottardi drifted wide in turn 4 and Hudson / Gilbert grabbed the invitation to muscle their way into first place. From here on in it was all Hudson / Gilbert and they went on to collect the chequered flag. Blain / Gottardi tried a little too hard and spun out on the final lap and went infield giving the Duncan brothers a well deserved second place.

Final placings in the Under 16 2009 Australian Speedway Sidecar.

1st   Shane Hudson / Sam Gilbert
2nd   Ashley Duncan / Mitchell Duncan
3rd   Dylan Blain / Robert Gottardi
4th   Hayden Bond / Brady Cox