South Australian’s Mark Plaisted and Ben Pitt are your 2021 FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar Championship Champions having won last Saturday night’s meeting undefeated.
In front of nearly 1000 spectators at Gillman Speedway, South Australia, the duo dominated the night from the drop of the green flag.
Despite the tough competition, Plaisted and Pitt with their new Yamaha R1 engine, were too good on the night, defeating placegetters and fellow South Australian’s Damien Niesche/Mitchell Spear in 2nd, Mick Headland/Brenton Kerr 3rd, and in 4th Shane Rudloff/Scott Morris.
“We put a plan in place and stuck with it,” said Plaisted after the win.
“Going into it we were confident as we had just built a new bike and we just had to piece it all together and we knew we could win.
“It was a massive relief really as there was a lot rain come down in the final. The first lap was good but then it rained heavily, and the track got really skatey and it was a case of hold your head together as the track was getting really tricky.”
The win gives Plaisted and Pitt even more confidence heading into this weekend’s Australian Sidecar Speedway Championship, at Olympic Park Speedway, Mildura, Victoria.
“The boys (Warren Monson and Darrin Treloar) have dominated the last few years, and that’s why I stepped up and built a new bike,” said Plaisted.
“We were confident leading into the year with the new bike, and are getting it right at the right time of year is great.
“The new bike has a lot more grunt and consistent drive and power and we have gelled well with it. This weekend is the one I want.”
This weekend’s Australia Sidecar Speedway Championship fires into action at Olympic Park Speedway, Mildura with qualifying on Friday.
On Saturday gates open at 5pm with racing action on track from 7.30pm.
Photos provided courtesy of Judy Mackay