Kurri Kurri’s Campton and Heddon Greta’s Pickering are part of the 16-rider Australian Title Qualifier meeting at Gillman Speedway in Adelaide.

The hugely talented field also includes 2017 Australian title runner-up Justin Sedgman, Australian and World junior title winner Matthew Gilmore and a host of other riders competing overseas.

The top eight riders from tonight’s qualifier will go on to meet the top-eight seeded riders in Thursday’s opening round at Gillman of the five leg Australian championship series. 

The field includes the Hunter’s reigning Australian champion Rohan Tungate and 2017 Aussie champion Sam Masters.

Tungate, from Pelaw Main, and Masters, from Newcastle, join 2016 Australian champion Brady Kurtz and five-time national and former world champion Chris Holder who is returning to the Australian series in his bid to re-qualify for the World Grand Prix series.

Holder is joined by his younger brother Jack, who won the 2018 NSW title,  2016 World Under-21 champion and four-time Australian under-21 champion Max Fricke, Victorian Jaimon Lidsey and Queenslander Zane Keleher.

Chris Holder went through undefeated to win Boxing Day’s Jason Crump Classic Cup at Kurri Kurri from Tungate and Masters and young brother Jack in the final.

Related news: Former world champion Chris Holder wins Jason Crump Cup

After the opening round at Gillman on Thursday, the Australian championship moves to Mildura on January 5, Undera on January 7 and Albury  on January 9.

Kurri Kurri Speedway Club hosts the final round of what should be one of the most competitive Australian title series in years on January 12.

Wednesday’s Australian Title Qualifying Final field: Jordan Stewart, Ben Cook, Zach Cook, Mason Campton, Joshua Pickering, Matthew Gilmore, Robert Medson, Brayden McGiunness, Jacob Hook, Cooper Riordan, Nick Morris, Ryan Douglas, Justin Sedgman, Todd Kurtz, Kye Thomson, Jack Morrison. 1st Reserve Fraser Shane Bowes; 2nd Reserve Seth Hickey