MILDURA locals Brodie Waters and Jordan Stewart had successful rides at Olympic Park on Saturday night, December 5, after qualifying for the A Final of the Victorian Speedway Solo Championship and earning a coveted UK working visa to be able to compete in the British Premier League or other popular European speedway leagues next season.
Jordy, 17, finished third overall in just his second-ever Victorian Speedway Solo Championship. He finished 8th overall in last year’s competition at Undera.
“I was a bit nervous in my first heat. The whole night I was just aiming to gain as many points as I can and finish in the top four. I finished second a few times and before I knew it I was the third highest point scorer,” Jordy said. “I had heaps of competition but I just kept plugging away. I had heaps of fun and the results were really good in the end,” he added.
Jordy picked his second-last heat race as the favourite of the night. “I had to win that race to make the A Final and I managed to beat Jack Fallon. It was sort of all or nothing in that race so it was a great result,” he added.
He was also thrilled to be able to beat the likes of Brodie, Ty Proctor and title favourite Justin Sedgmen to the chequered flag in the A Final. “Unfortunately for Justin, he dropped his chain just before the A Final and that was the end of him but that’s speedway for you,” he said.
Jordy was also rapt to qualify for a UK working visa for the next two years. “I would definitely like to compete overseas, 100 per cent,” Jordy added. “I’d do anything to go over there. I don’t think I’ll be heading over there this year due to the fact that everyone’s got their squads sorted but next year I’ll definitely be looking for a spot for a ride. I’ve just got to keep training and work hard and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
He will be competing in next month’s Australian Speedway Solo Championships starting in Kurri Kurri, NSW on New Year’s Day and the Victorian Under-21 Speedway Solo Championship at Albury-Wodonga on December 19. “I’ll try and qualify to make the main field at the Australian titles and I’d like to go really well in the Victorian U-21s too,” Jordy continued.
“The racing seems to be never-ending, but that’s why I love it,” he said.
Jordy would like to thank his parents, the whole Sedgmen family for being a massive part of the season, his mechanic Toady Jones, and his sponsors for making everything possible. You can follow Jordy’s progress throughout the season via his official Twitter account: @jordystewart12.
BRODIE WATERS SECURES UK WORKING VISA AFTER FINISHING SECOND
Brodie Waters was extremely happy after qualifying for his first-ever final at the 2015 Victorian Speedway Solo Championship. “I’m extremely happy in making the A Final. At the start of the night in my first heat I ended up third, and I started thinking that I was going to struggle,” Brodie said.
“It was extremely difficult because only the top four point scorers could make the A Final. You didn’t even get a second chance so every heat you had to be on it. I was a little bit disappointed after my first heat but I kept plugging away all night, pulled back the points and was lucky enough to be second-pick straight into the A Final so I couldn’t really be upset about that,” he added.
“It was unlucky for Justin (Sedgmen) to break his chain in the A Final but that’s all part of racing,” Brodie continued. “He rode well all night. My aim was to always make the A Final but once you’re in it, if you don’t win, you’re always a little disappointed but I’m happy enough now with second.
“Now, we’ll just keep our heads down and compete in the South Australian Speedway Solo Championship next weekend (December 12-13) and try and make the A Final again and go from there,” Brodie added.
On potentially racing overseas, Brodie is optimistic about his chances: “I’ve always thought that once I started speedway, I’d let Leigh Adams, my major sponsor, mentor and coach, decide whether I’m ready or not to compete overseas.
“He’s the man and he’ll know whether I’m good enough to make a successful career out of it or if you’re just going there to waste time. I’ll see what he says over the summer and I’ll keep chipping away in the hope that I can impress him enough that he thinks I’m a good enough quality rider to go to England and go from there,” Brodie said.
“It’s great that Motorcycling Victoria has given preference to Victorian riders to be able to compete in the Victorian Speedway Solo Championship. It’s our Victorian Championship so it gives guys like myself the chance to finish in the top four. It’s a great decision,” Brodie added.
Brodie would like to thank Leigh Adams and all his sponsors for making everything possible this weekend. You can follow Brodie’s progress throughout the season via his official Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/BrodieWatersFanPage/.