Hunter rider Sam Masters is the new Australian Speedway Solo champion after overtaking Victorian Justin Sedgmen in a thrilling final round at Kurri Kurri Speedway on Saturday night.
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Masters, from Newcastle, had trailed Sedgmen by three point going into the deciding night, but clawed back them back with a near faultless display winning his first four heats and finished second in the fifth to establish a two-point lead over Sedgmen.
Sedgmen needed to win his final heat race to gain back a point, but was beaten by last year’s Australian title winner Brady Kurtz, who defeated Masters for last year’s title.
It left him with needing to win the B-final and qualifying for the A-final as his final chance to bridge the gap.
Masters watched anxiously with his pit crew as Sedgmen came up against Queenslanders Nick Morris and Dave Watt as well as the local favourite Rohan Tungate.
Sedgmen made a slow start and despite working his way in to second place, he couldn’t catch Nick Morris who moved in to the A-final.
The title belonged to Masters and he was swamped by well-wishers and the big crowd erupted in cheers for their hometown hero.
“I’m just stoked. It’s incredible. I have worked so hard for this after the disappointment of finishing runner-up the last two years,” an elated Masters said back in the pits.
The celebrations continued back into the pit area, and Masters admitted he was in no state of mind for the A-final which followed, which was taken out by Kurtz, with Morris second and Troy Batchelor third.
“My mind was all over the place. I blew the first turn and nearly lost it in the A-final. But the title is mine and that’s all that counts,” he said after being presented with with the Motorcycling Australia Duke of Edinburgh trophy by four times Australian Champion Phil Crump.
“I didn’t feel the pressure tonight. I just focused on winning races. I didn’t let the past two second places worry me.”
Sedgemen gave credit to Masters saying he was a very worthy champion.
“I didn’t race well tonight, that’s my fault. Sam deserves the title, he delivered on the night,” he said.
Masters repeated fellow Newcastle rider Jason Doyle’s effort of clinching the 2015 title at Kurri.
Doyle, who is recovering after a heavy crash in Poland when he was leading the Speedway World Grand Prix series, was among a host of former Aussie title winners and podium finishers at the meeting.
But it was former star rider Queensland Darcy Ward who suffered spinal injuries in a fall in Poland two years ago who earned the biggest applause when he was given a lap of honour
Masters now earns the opportunity to compete in this year’s qualifying rounds in Europe for a place in the 2018 Speedway World Grand Prix as well as earning a wild card for the 2017 Speedway World Grand Prix scheduled for October at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
Masters finished the Championship with a tally of 58 points. Justin Sedgmen was second with 55, Dave Watt was third with 50 and Troy Batchelor was fourth with 49.
Final Standings: 1 Sam Masters 58; 2 Justin Sedgmen 55; 3 Dave Watt 50; 4 Troy Batchelor 49; 5 Max Fricke 47; 6 Nick Morris 43; 7 Brady Kurtz 42; 8 Rohan Tungate 30; 9 Jack Holder 26; 10 Ty Proctor 21; 11 Jaimon Lidsey 20; 11 Mason Campton 20; 13 Todd Kurtz 17; 13 Josh Pickering 17; 15 Jordan Stewart 15; 16 Cooper Riordan 9