Gunnedah will send a strong contingent of speedway drivers to Sydney this month as part of an invitational race at a new city track.
Seasoned speedway driver Dave Partridge is among the group bound for the new Eastern Creek circuit, Sydney Speedway.
He described the trip as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the country competitors.
“I’ve been racing for 30 years but have never been down there for a race,” he said.
Dave will travel with several family members including 14-year-old daughter, Sophie.
The rookie driver has been racing just one season but is already making her mark on the local competition circuit.
Just weeks ago, Sophie achieved her first major podium standing when she placed third in the Junior New Stars division at Tamworth Speedway.
Dave said he also won the Tamworth Championship for the Four-Cylinder race class at the same event.
“It’s for the highest points of the season,” Dave said.
Also travelling from Gunnedah will be Mark Hall and son, Clinton.
Clinton, 15, who is also competing in his first year of speedway, is another achieving good success in quick time.
“The last six race meetings he has been on the podium,” Mark said.
Clinton has taken on dad’s former race number (16) and recently won the feature event at Gilgandra where his father had won three decades earlier.
“Same track, same number, 30 years apart,” Mark said.
Another from Gunnedah set to race in Sydney is Justin Partridge.
He will compete in the modified four-cylinder class – a race-first for the new Sydney venue.
Justin said the track has been open for about 12 months but is yet to host the four-cylinder class. He also now races a two-seater car – with brave passenger, Ben Hall, riding shotgun.
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