New Zealand Solo Final 2015
By Tracy Holmes

January 3rd 2015, Moore Park, Christchurch

Sadly, the 20 heat system had to be abandoned because a 16 rider field could not be found. Biggest fish out of the pond was Sean Mason, injured and unable to ride. I'm sure he would not have missed this unless he had to and indeed, he had to.

Perfect sunny conditions and an excellent track provided a great spectacle. But that easterly wind was COLD! Upsets and shocks were in store and the tradition of Poms taking out the National Title was kept in tact as young James Sarjeant upset all the locals to become NZ Champion.

Hayden Sims was unbeaten in the heats and that was truly impressive! Despite that, defending Champion Jason Bunyan looked the best bet until his bike stopped leading his Semi-Final. That left Sarjeant in charge with Dale Finch taking the final place. Former Champion Grant Tregoning not bothering to finish, well out of it.

Andrew Aldridge won his Semi, making himself hot favourite on experience and on his home track. Hayden Sims was 2nd while Ryan Terry-Daley was a disappointing last behind Ryan Moss. Terry-Daley had started the meeting well but sadly faded. However, he needs to be commended for making the trip and effort, Top Marks Son, Well Done!!!

The Grand Final saw Aldridge crumble under the pressure, as he is in the habit of doing. Amazing to find that in his 10th appearance, he still has not set foot on the podium!

It was Sims who upset the apple-cart and shot into the lead from Aldridge, Sarjeant and Finch. The young Pom soon got by Aldridge who then just gave up. Sims held on to the delight of the crowd but Sarjeant never gave up and his experience soon became the deciding factor, taking Sims and the NZ Crown.

Heats

1 Finch, Tregoning, McRae, Sole.
2 Sims, Bunyan, Tocher. - .
3 Sarjeant, Aldridge, Stockton, Drake.
4 Moss, Terry-Daley, Cox, McKuskey-Young fall.
5 Terry-Daley, Tocher, McRae, Drake.
6 Sarjeant, Tregoning, McCluskey-Young. - .
7 Sims, Finch, Stockton, Cox.
8 Aldridge, Bunyan, Moss, Sole.
9 Bunyan, Sarjeant, McRae, Cox.
10 Sims, Tregoning, Moss, Drake.
11 Finch, Aldridge, Terry-Daley. - .
12 Tocher, McCluskey-Young, Stockton, Sole.

Hayden Simms 3 3 3 9
Dale Finch 3 2 3 8
James Sarjeant 3 3 2 8
Andrew Aldridge 2 3 2 7
Jason Bunyan 2 2 3 7
Ryan Terry-Daley 2 3 1 6
Kody Tocher 1 2 3 6
Grant Tregoning 2 2 2 6
Ryan Moss 3 1 1 5
Bradley Stockton 1 1 1 3
Jack McRae 1 1 1 3
Konner McKluskey-Young F 1 2 3
Sean Cox 1 0 0 1
Glen Sole 0 0 0 0
Wayne Drake 0 0 0 0
Sean Mason inj. ns.

Repercharge: Moss, Tocher, McRae, Drake. Sole ns.
Repercharge: Tregoning, McClusky-Young, Stockton, Cox.
Semi Final 1: Aldridge, Sims, Moss, Terry-Daley.
Semi Final 2: Sarjeant, Finch, Tregoning nf. Bunyan ef.
Final: Sarjeant, Sims, Finch, Aldridge.

This article was first published on 4th January 2015

Kevin Foster:

"It's a shame for speedway these days to have so many sub-standard riders, back in the late seventies we had a GB team go to Oz / NZ to do the winter tour. As the Oz scene has died no one cares anymore, If the sport had bog standard motor from the factory untouched for the season unless it blows up then we would see a down turn in costs, no body cares about super fast times just a good old close race for 1st to 3rd, not enough passing like it was in the 1970s, "

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