Hunter riders Sam Masters and Rohan Tungate and Victoria's Justin Sedgmen are set to resume their titanic Aussie speedway rivalry in Boxing Day's Jason Crump Invitational at Kurri Kurri Speedway’s Loxford Park.
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Loxford Park has been at the epicentre of their track heroics with Tungate and Sedgmen past winners of the Crump Invitational and Masters famously claiming the Australian title last year from Sedgmen who led the series into the final round at Kurri.
Novocastrian Masters has taken a well-earned break after an exhausting 2017 European season and will be mentally refreshed by his decision to concentrate on the Premier League for Wolverhampton, dropping his 2018 commitment with Championship League team Edinburgh.
“I was way too busy and needed to drop a league to progress further with my career, and unfortunately it has to be the championship,” Masters said ahead of his Australian season.
He was captain for Edinburgh for the past two years and his number of fixtures per year had soared into three figures.
In re-signing with Wolverhampton, Masters’ words were echoed by team manager Peter Adams, “Sam was under pressure due to his demanding schedule. He didn’t do himself justice for Australia in the World Cup and he suffered a collarbone injury towards the end of the season. We are pleased to welcome him back.”
Tungate has an incredible record at Kurri Kurri proving almost unbeatable at his home track in recent seasons. His record includes winning the 2014 and 2015 Jason Crump Invitationals, the 2016 and 2017 NSW speedway title and the 2016 Australian title opening round.
His 2017 Australian title campaign was derailed after being concussed in a heavy fall in the opening round at Gillman.
Tungate is in scintillating form claiming two wins from two rides as a reserve rider at the Melbourne Grand Prix in October and dropping only one race in three meetings since his return to Australia defending his NSW title in the process.
“I will be saving my best bike and engine for the Australian title. There are a few things I want to try with the set-up in the Crump Invitational, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
The leading trio will need to be at their best, however, as there is plenty of quality riders in the field including reigning Australian under-21 champion Jack Holder and Heddon Greta’s Josh Pickering who traded the lead with Tungate several times in the final of the recent NSW speedway championship.
Of course there is also a three-time world champion in the field in the form of Australia’s greatest rider Jason Crump. While he may not ride the international circuit any longer he remains super competitive and made last year’s B-final.
The full field for the 2017 Jason Crump Speedway Solo Invitational is:
Justin Sedgman (VIC); Jack Holder (NSW); Rohan Tungate (Pelaw Main NSW); Taylor Poole (NSW); Sam Masters (Newcastle NSW); Zaine Kennedy (QLD); Ricky Wells (US); Josh Pickering (Heddon Greta NSW); Jason Crump (QLD); Mason Campton – (Kurri Kurri NSW); Josh Macdonald – (Cessnock NSW); Alan Macdonald – (Cessnock NSW); Kane Lawrence – (Newcastle NSW); Matt Pickering – (Kurri Kurri NSW); Jye Etheridge – (Buttai NSW); Mitch Cluff – (Lake Macquarie NSW)
The 2017 Jason Crump Speedway Solo Invitational will be supported by events for Junior 125cc solos. Gates open at 3pm and racing starts at 6.30pm.
Tickets: family $70; adult 16-plus $30; concession $20; children 10-15 $5; children under-10 free.