Curly Carmes Sidecar Spectacular

KEITH “CURLY” CARMES TROPHY AT OLYMPIC PARK

The forty- fourth running of the Mildura Sidecar Spectacular will be on in earnest at Mildura’s Olympic Park Speedway this coming Saturday night, so Sunraysia Sidecar fans will be in for an absolute treat on the track. 

The “KPR Panel Refinishes”, Sidecar Spectacular, is one of the “prestige” meetings on the Mildura Speedway calendarand, for the winner, will incorporate the awarding of the Keith “Curly” Carmes Memorial Trophy by members of the late Life Member’s family, who keep the honour of their father and grandfather at the forefront of people’s Sidecar memories.

In this Australian Sidecar Championship year, the Carmes Trophy takes on extra significance, as it becomes one of the “form” meetings of the approach to the Championships, which will be held at Olympic Park over the Anzac weekend in late April this year.

Visiting riders understand the status of the Carmes Trophy, as it is the longest running “non- title” event in Australian Speedway, such is the reputation that the meeting holds amongst the class riders of the country and every one of them wants to have their name on the prestigious Trophy, as well as collect the great confidence that winning the Spectacular will bring in such august company.

Once again, Mildura will be “revving” to the tune of the best Sidecar riders going around, as last meeting’s explosive winners, Warren Monson / Andrew Summerhayes, will be keen to score another 15 point heat “maximum”, as they did two weeks ago and the new South Australian Champion, Mick Headland / Brenton Kerr, will be keen to take the next step up on the podium after their excellent second place in the 2021 Victorian Championship.

Fast Queenslander, Brodie Cohen / Jesse Headland, will also want to move up on the podium from their fourth place in the State Title a fortnight ago, but the ever smooth and now very quick, former Victorian Champion, Byren Gates / Mick O’Loughlin, who had their best meeting for some time at the State Title, already know that they can mix it with the best and would love to add their name again to the “Curly” Carmes Trophy. The slick Mildurians are riding at peak form and will want to show their fans and sponsors that they are always “in with a chance” as they know and ride Olympic Park so well.

But then, throw in the GOAT, the best ever, Sidecar exponent in the World has been a latish nomination into the field. The “great” Darrin Treloar and Blake Cox will be at Olympic Park to try to wrest the Carmes Trophy back to their Sydney base. 

Every sport has their GOAT and Treloar will be tested byMonson, Gates, Headland, Niesche, Pearce, Hancock, Cohrsand either Howse combination from Broken Hill, which is already more than half of the field, so Sunraysia Sidecar fans are expected to see some wonderful racing.

Nathan Cock / Jack McMahon, Brenten Dwyer / Jamie Flood, Klae Hobbs / Colby Higgins, Luke Anderson / Adam Caruso are all teams who will take points from good riders with any chance or luck going their way.

Once again, the Mildura Sidecar Spectacular is being held for the 44^th time and will see some exciting racing right from heat one until the finish of the KPR Panel Refinishers Final to decide the Curly Carmes Trophy.

Gates will open at 5:00pm with a Junior program being held prior to the Rider Introduction, National Anthem, parade and the now, expected Dash for Cash, which is held amongst the top field over one “hot” lap, starting at 7:15pm sharp.

The club reminds patrons that Covid 19 requirements are still necessary and are asked to comply with the regular “signing on” or to follow the instructions of the Club “Covid” Marshal.

Seating is easily available either by using Free Grandstand accommodation or patrons can avail themselves of the spacious grassy banks with either a chair or a rug for the comfort of their families.