Australian Solo Championship Explained

Australian Championship
Sport:Motorcycle speedway
Founded:1926
Most Champs:Leigh Adams (10)

The Australian Individual Speedway Championship historically known as 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.[1] [2]

History

The first Championship in 1926 was held at the Newcastle Showground in Newcastle, which was won by American rider Cecil Brown.[3] [4] 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.

Legendary Danish rider Ole Olsen and Australia's own Jason Crump 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.

From 1979 to 1994, the Championship served as a qualifying round for the Speedway World Championship.[5] [6]

Past winners

Multiple championship era

width=70px Yearwidth=80px Distancewidth=180px Venuewidth=190px Winnerwidth=190px Runner-upwidth=190px 3rd place
19266 lapsNewcastle ShowgroundCecil Brown ()Mick Brennan (NSW)Roy Hindle (NSW)
19274 lapsNewcastle ShowgroundPat Hamilton (NSW)Tom SharpTed Rees (NSW)
19273 lapsNewcastle ShowgroundPaddy Dean (NSW)Ted Rees (NSW)Harold Murdoch (NSW)
19274 lapsNewcastle ShowgroundTed Rees (NSW)Billy Lamont (NSW)Sprouts Elder ()
19283 lapsClaremont SpeedwaySig Schlam (WA)Alby Taylor (SA)Harry Mangham (SA)
19286 lapsWayville ShowgroundsAlby Taylor (SA)Vic Huxley (Qld)Sprouts Elder ()
19293 lapsWayville ShowgroundsFrank Duckett (SA)Paddy Dean (NSW)Tommy Benstead (NSW)
19292¾hp/4 lapsDavies ParkFrank Pearce (Qld)Frank Arthur (NSW)
19293½hp/4 lapsDavies ParkMax Grosskreutz (Qld)Alby Taylor (SA)Frank Pearce (Qld)
19292 milesClaremont SpeedwaySig Schlam (WA)Cec Walker (WA)Syd Parsons (SA)
19303 lapsWayville ShowgroundsJack Chapman (SA)Jack Ormston Frank Arthur (NSW)
19306 lapsClaremont SpeedwayArthur Atkinson Jack Chapman (SA)Bill Dunne (WA)
19302 milesExhibition SpeedwayReg West (Vic)Lionel Davey (Qld)Len Woods (Vic)
19312 lapsMelbourne MotordromeHarold Hastings (Qld)Max Grosskreutz (Qld)Frank Duckett (SA)
19314 lapsBathurst Sports GroundHarold Murdoch (NSW)Ken Kirkman (NSW)Bruce Webb (NSW)
19316 lapsWayville ShowgroundsRay Tauscher ()Jack Hanson (SA)Laurie Packer (SA)
19322 lapsCumberland OvalWally Little (NSW)Ken Kirkman (NSW)Jim McMahon (NSW)
19323 lapsWayville ShowgroundsArnie Hansen (SA)Max Grosskreutz (Qld)Dick Wise (SA)
19324 lapsExhibition SpeedwayBill Rogers (NSW)Lionel Davey (Qld)Frank Apted (Vic)
1933Exhibition SpeedwayLarry Boulton Bert Spencer (Qld)Jack Bibby (Vic)
1934Brisbane Exhibition GroundVic Huxley (Qld)George Greenwood Frank Arthur (NSW)
1935Sydney ShowgroundBluey Wilkinson (NSW)Tiger Stevenson Frank Varey
1936Sydney ShowgroundMax Grosskreutz (Qld)Vic Huxley (Qld)Jack Milne ()
1937Sydney ShowgroundJack Milne ()Wilbur Lamoreaux ()Vic Duggan (NSW)
19383 lapsSydney ShowgroundBluey Wilkinson (NSW)Jack Milne ()Joe Abbott
19384 lapsSydney ShowgroundBluey Wilkinson (NSW)Wilbur Lamoreaux ()Clem Mitchell (SA)
19385 lapsCamden MotordromeJack Parker Cordy Milne ()Frank Woodroofe (SA)
1939 not held
1940Sydney ShowgroundCordy Milne ()Vic Duggan (NSW)Lionel Van Praag (NSW)
1941Sydney Sports GroundVic Duggan (NSW)Lionel Van Praag (NSW)Max Grosskreutz (Qld)
1942-1945 not held
1946Sydney Sports GroundFrank DolanLionel Van Praag (NSW)Bill Rogers (NSW)
19472 lapsTracey's SpeedwayBill Rogers (NSW)Lionel Van Praag (NSW)Aub Lawson (NSW)
19473 lapsSydney Sports GroundVic Duggan (NSW)Lionel Van Praag (NSW)Ray Duggan (NSW)
19474 lapsBrisbane Exhibition GroundAndy Menzies (Vic)Charlie Spinks (Qld)Keith Cox (Qld)
19482 lapsSydney ShowgroundVic Duggan (NSW)Max Grosskreutz (Qld)
19483 lapsSydney Sports GroundVic Duggan (NSW)[7] Norman Parker Max Grosskreutz (Qld)
19482 lapsSydney ShowgroundVic Duggan (NSW)Aub Lawson (NSW)Ray Duggan (NSW)
Alec Statham
19492 lapsSydney ShowgroundAub Lawson (NSW)Jack Biggs (Vic)Graham Warren (Qld)
Eric Chitty ()
19494 lapsBrisbane Exhibition GroundAub Lawson (NSW)Bill Rogers (NSW)Charlie Spinks (Qld)
19502 lapsSydney Sports GroundAub Lawson (NSW)Graham Warren (Qld)Jack Biggs (Vic)
19503 lapsTracey's SpeedwayBill Kitchen Bill Longley (Vic)Aub Lawson (NSW)
Jack Biggs (Vic)
19504 lapsSydney ShowgroundJack Parker Aub Lawson (NSW)Bill Longley (Vic)
1950cofcSydney Sports GroundAub Lawson (NSW)Jack Parker Jack Biggs (Vic)
19513 lapsSydney ShowgroundJack Parker Keith Ryan (NSW)Aub Lawson (NSW)
19514 lapsSydney Sports GroundJack Parker Aub Lawson (NSW)
Tommy Miller
1951cofcBrisbane Exhibition GroundJack Parker Aub Lawson (NSW)Tommy Miller
19522 lapsMaitland ShowgroundKeith Ryan (NSW)Aub Lawson (NSW)
Lionel Levy (NSW)
19523 lapsSydney ShowgroundKeith Ryan (NSW)Jack Parker
Lionel Levy (NSW)
19524 lapsSydney Sports GroundLionel Levy (NSW)Aub Lawson (NSW)Jack Parker
1952cofcBrisbane Exhibition GroundAub Lawson (NSW)Lionel Levy (NSW)Keith Ryan (NSW)
19533 lapsSydney ShowgroundAub Lawson (NSW)Lionel Levy (NSW)Allan Quinn (NSW)
19534 lapsSydney Sports GroundLionel Levy (NSW)Aub Lawson (NSW)Don Lawson (NSW)
1953cofcBrisbane Exhibition GroundAub Lawson (NSW)Lionel Levy (NSW)Keith Ryan (NSW)
19543 lapsSydney Sports GroundAub Lawson (NSW)Ken McKinlay Lionel Levy (NSW)
1954cofcSydney Sports GroundAub Lawson (NSW)Lionel Levy (NSW)Rune Sörmander ()

Key

Single championship

width=70px Yearwidth=180px Venuewidth=190px Winnerwidth=190px Runner-upwidth=190px 3rd place
1962Rockhampton ShowgroundsBob Sharp (NSW)Ivan Mauger ()Keith Gurtner (Qld)
1963Rockhampton ShowgroundsMike Broadbank Keith Gurtner (Qld)Ivan Mauger ()
1964Sydney ShowgroundKen McKinlay Jack Scott (SA)Ray Cresp (Vic)
1965Sydney ShowgroundBob Sharp (NSW)Brian Collins (NSW)Bill Bryden (NSW)
1966Rowley ParkChum Taylor (WA)Jimmy Gooch Dennis Gavros (SA)
1967Rowley ParkJack Scott (SA)Göte Nordin ()Ken McKinlay
1968Sydney ShowgroundJim Airey (NSW)Nigel Boocock Eric Boocock
1969Sydney ShowgroundJim Airey (NSW)Ken McKinlay
Jack White (Qld)
Greg Kentwell (NSW)
1970Sydney ShowgroundJim Airey (NSW)John Boulger (SA)Kevin Torpie (Vic)
1971Claremont SpeedwayJohn Boulger (SA)Bob O'Leary (WA)John Langfield (NSW)
1972Rowley ParkJim Airey (NSW)Ole Olsen John Boulger (SA)
1973Sydney ShowgroundJohn Boulger (SA)John Langfield (NSW)Billy Sanders (NSW)
1974Brisbane Exhibition GroundSteve Reinke (Qld)John Boulger (SA)John Titman (Qld)
1975Sydney ShowgroundPhil Crump (Vic)John Titman (Qld)Phil Herne (NSW)
1976Liverpool SpeedwayOle Olsen Phil Crump (Vic)Billy Sanders (NSW)
1977Brisbane Exhibition GroundJohn Titman (Qld)Phil Crump (Vic)Billy Sanders (NSW)
1978Claremont SpeedwayBilly Sanders (NSW)Phil Herne (NSW)Lloyd Cross (WA)
1979Olympic ParkPhil Crump (Vic)Danny Kennedy (Vic)John Boulger (SA)
1980Sydney ShowgroundBilly Sanders (NSW)[8] Phil Crump (Vic)John Titman (Qld)
1981Brisbane Exhibition GroundBilly Sanders (NSW)Phil Crump (Vic)John Titman (Qld)
1982Claremont SpeedwayBilly Sanders (NSW)Gary Guglielmi (NSW)Glyn Taylor (WA)
1983Speedway ParkBilly Sanders (NSW)Glyn Taylor (WA)Phil Crump (Vic)
1984Olympic ParkPhil Crump (Vic)Billy Sanders (NSW)Gary Guglielmi (NSW)
1985Pioneer Park SpeedwayBilly Sanders (NSW)Phil Crump (Vic)Stan Bear (Qld)
1986Pioneer Park SpeedwayTroy Butler (Qld)John Titman (Qld)Alan Rivett (NSW)
1987Olympic ParkSteve Regeling (Qld)Steve Baker (SA)Glyn Taylor (WA)
1988Riverview SpeedwayPhil Crump (Vic)Steve Regeling (Qld)Craig Hodgson (SA)
1989Newcastle MotordromeGlenn Doyle (WA)[9] Stephen Davies (NSW)Jamie Fagg (NT)
1990Brisbane Exhibition GroundGlenn Doyle (WA)Leigh Adams (Vic)Stephen Davies (NSW)
1991Arunga Park SpeedwayCraig Boyce (NSW)Glenn Doyle (WA)Glyn Taylor (WA)
1992North Arm SpeedwayLeigh Adams (Vic)Shane Parker (SA)Mark Carlson (Qld)
1993Brisbane Exhibition GroundLeigh Adams (Vic)Jason Lyons (Vic)Shane Bowes (SA)
1994Olympic ParkLeigh Adams (Vic)Jason Lyons (Vic)Jason Crump (Vic)
1995Gosford SpeedwayJason Crump (Vic)Craig Boyce (NSW)Leigh Adams (Vic)
1996Newcastle MotordromeCraig Boyce (NSW)Jason Crump (Vic)Tony Langdon (Qld)
1997Brisbane Exhibition GroundCraig Boyce (NSW)Jason Crump (Vic)Ryan Sullivan (SA)
1998Riverview SpeedwayLeigh Adams (Vic)Jason Lyons (Vic)Jason Crump (Vic)
1999Olympic ParkTodd Wiltshire (NSW)Jason Lyons (Vic)Nigel Sadler (SA)
2000Gosford SpeedwayLeigh Adams (Vic)Mark Lemon (Vic)Todd Wiltshire (NSW)
2001Riverview SpeedwayTodd Wiltshire (NSW)Leigh Adams (Vic)Mick Poole (NSW)
2002Wayville ShowgroundsLeigh Adams (Vic)Jason Crump (Vic)Ryan Sullivan (SA)
2003Gosford SpeedwayLeigh Adams (Vic)Todd Wiltshire (NSW)Craig Watson (NSW)
20043 roundsRyan Sullivan (SA)Leigh Adams (Vic)Todd Wiltshire (NSW)
20054 roundsLeigh Adams (Vic)Jason Lyons (Vic)Steve Johnston (WA)
20063 roundsLeigh Adams (Vic)Todd Wiltshire (NSW)Rory Schlein (SA)
20075 roundsJason Crump (Vic)Leigh Adams (Vic)Steve Johnston (WA)
20085 roundsChris Holder (NSW)Troy Batchelor (Qld)Joe Screen
20093 roundsLeigh Adams (Vic)Chris Holder (NSW)Rory Schlein (SA)
20103 roundsChris Holder (NSW)Troy Batchelor (SA)Darcy Ward (Qld)
20114 roundsChris Holder (NSW)Darcy Ward (Qld)Davey Watt (Qld)
20123 roundsChris Holder (NSW)Davey Watt (Qld)Cameron Woodward (Vic)
20133 rounds[10] Troy Batchelor (SA)Dakota North (Vic)Cameron Woodward (Vic)
20143 roundsChris Holder (NSW)Jason Doyle (NSW)Josh Grajczonek (Qld)
20154 rounds[11] Jason Doyle (NSW)Sam Masters (NSW)Justin Sedgmen (Vic)
20164 rounds[12] Brady Kurtz (NSW)Sam Masters (NSW)Max Fricke (Vic)
20174 rounds[13] Sam Masters (NSW)Justin Sedgmen (Vic)Davey Watt (Qld)
20184 rounds[14] Rohan Tungate (NSW)Brady Kurtz (NSW)Max Fricke (Vic)
20195 rounds[15] Max Fricke (Vic)Rohan Tungate (NSW)Chris Holder (NSW)
20204 rounds[16] [17] Max Fricke (Vic)Jack Holder (NSW)Rohan Tungate (NSW)
align=center colspan=6 align=center2021 cancelled due to COVID-19
2022Gillman Speedway[18] Max FrickeJustin SedgmenTate Zischke
20234 rounds[19] Jason DoyleMax Fricke
20245 rounds[20] [21] Rohan TungateMax FrickeJack Holder

Medals classification (2 or more titles)

width=30pxPos width=130pxRiderwidth=30px width=30px width=30px
1. Leigh Adams1041
2. Aub Lawson973
3. Billy Sanders613
4. Jack Parker521
5. 511
Chris Holder511
7. Phil Crump441
8. 4
9. 31
10. 33
11. Bluey Wilkinson3
12. 261
13. Jason Crump232
14. 222
222
16. Max Grosskreutz22
17. 212
18. Glenn Doyle21
19. Pat Hamilton2
2
2

See also

Statistics

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Individual Australian Championship. Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. 4 August 2021.
  2. Web site: Australian Speedway Championship Results. Australian Speedway Championship. 4 August 2021.
  3. Web site: The Australian Solo Championship . Vintage Speedway . 18 February 2024.
  4. Web site: Indywidualne Mistrzostwa Australii. Speedway Fansite. 4 August 2021.
  5. Web site: 1965 World Championship . Metal Speedway . 20 February 2024.
  6. Web site: 1965 World Championship . Speedway.org . 20 February 2024.
  7. News: Norman Parker back in form in Championship . South Western Star . 30 January 1948 . British Newspaper Archive. 10 November 2023 . subscription .
  8. Book: Oakes, Peter. 1981 Speedway Yearbook. 1981. 91. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. 0-86215-017-5.
  9. Book: Oakes, Peter . Speedway Yearbook 1990 . 1990 . 10 . Front Page Books . 0-948882-15-8.
  10. "Aussie Title for Batchelor ", speedway365.com, 12 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013
  11. 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
  12. " Confusing end to Aussie title - Brady Kurtz declared Australian solo speedway champion", Mildura Independent, 10 January 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016
  13. "Sam Masters Storms to Aussie Gold", Speedway Grand Prix, 14 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017
  14. "Tungate Lands First Aussie Title", Speedway Grand Prix, 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018
  15. "Fricke indywidualnym mistrzem Australii! W nagrodę pojedzie w Grand Prix", Gazeta Wrocławska, 12 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019
  16. "https://www.speedwaygp.com/news/article/8039/fricke-celebrates-aussie-title-double"/Fricke Celebrates Aussie Title Double, 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020
  17. Web site: 2020 Australian Solo Speedway Championship Series. Australian Speedway Championship. 4 August 2021.
  18. Web site: Max Fricke retains the Australian Solo Championship . Gillman Speedway . 20 January 2023.
  19. Web site: Holder is Aussie Champ . British Speedway . 17 January 2023.
  20. Web site: Jack Holder set for Aussie title defence in January . FIM Speedway . 23 December 2023.
  21. Web site: 2024 AUSTRALIAN SENIOR SOLO CHAMPIONSHIP . australianspeedwaychampionships . 11 January 2024.