By Kate Buchanan
Bradley Wilson-Dean can tick yet another goal off his list after dominating the Total Conveyor Limited New Zealand Solo Championship at Oreti Park Speedway on Saturday.
Forced to settle for second last year, Wilson-Dean, 22, was on a determined quest when he returned recently from the UK where he has been racing professionally in the premier league.
“This is an awesome feeling. I’m the first of three generations of speedway riders to win it. My dad rode and my uncle and my grandad. So it’s pretty special and I’m looking forward to heading back to the UK as the 1NZ – finally,” he said.
Even crashing heavily during the heats failed to deter Wilson-Dean, who hails from Hastings.
“I was going really well before that. The bike just lifted mid corner and I knew I was out of control and it was going to hit the fence so I just dropped it and got it to the ground,” he said.
“I thought ‘get back up’ and I managed to carry on and still win the race which was pretty hard case.”
In a showcase of New Zealand’s best speedway talent, the crowd was treated to some thrilling contests as riders fought for a coveted spot in the five-bike final.
Ultimately, Oreti’s Grant Tregoning, Christchurch’s Dale Finch and Andy Aldridge and recently-crowned NZU21 champion Jake Turner, of Auckland, earned the chance to battle Wilson-Dean for the glory.
With the pick of the gates, Wilson-Dean opted for the outside of the track – a decision which reaped dividends.
“I scrapped all of the dirt off the fence like we do in the UK, got all of the wet stuff out and packed it in hard. I must have spent about 20 minutes out there doing some gardening but it paid off,” he said.
“What a final. I knew I had to get out of that start but there wasn’t as much dirt on the outside as I’d anticipated. I heard Grant buzzing up on the inside of me at every corner on the opening lap. At the fourth corner I went really tight to block his run and make sure he knew that I knew he was there.”
The strategy worked, with the tenacious Tregoning unable to muster the advantage. Dale Finch placed third overall followed by Aldridge, while Turner crashed out of contention.
In the sidecar contest, Erwin Tree and Bret Pubben continued their impressive form to remain unbeaten in their past two outings at the Sandy Point track. The 29i duo of Luke Thwaites and Neville Chalmers and 19i combination of Scott Ayto and Dylan Carnie placed second and third respectively.
“The goal is to make finals but to win it is even better,” Tree said.
He credited their recent success to changes in the sidecar’s set up, with bike builder Mike Zachan lending his expertise.
“Two hours on the phone to Mike the other night was definitely time well spent. What a difference it makes when you get the set up right. We’re really getting to know the bike and what works for us,” Tree said.
In the support classes, Gore’s Paul Highsted claimed top honours in the solo class, while Joe Hughes, of Invercargill, won the classic division.
Racing in the junior ranks was tightly contested with Oreti’s Hayden Brookland holding off a strong challenge from Greymouth’s Clark Fountain to secure the 200cc honours. Lucas Colvin was third.
A stylish pass on the inside line saw Oreti clubmate Cormac Buchanan snatch victory in the 125cc class over Ryan Colvin, also of Invercargill, and Auckland’s Daniel Brett.
Braxton Casey won the pee wee division one event, followed by Kadin Cracknell and Eli Bartley, while Bella Early took home a well-deserved first in the division two final over Rylan Casey and Temuka’s Oscar Drake, who was also named Pee Wee Rider of the Day.
