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Team Australia, Thornton (2026)

15/12/2023

1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ years ago tonight, speedway as we know it came into being in the Hunter Valley. Thanks to Johnnie Hoskins from Waitara for providing entertainment and employment to millions over the decades.

Pic taken 2018

01/10/2021

POPPED TRAVEL BUBBLE BENEFITS TEAM AUSTRALIA’S RIVALS

With New Zealand’s travel bubble pause for Australians extended for at least another two months, a number of high-profile sporting events planned for this summer have been put on the backburner in the last few days.

Unfortunately, trans-Tasman speedway competition is no different, meaning Speedway New Zealand have announced the difficult but seemingly inevitable decision to postpone the inaugural January 2022 international Stockcar Test Series.

Team Australia will continue to fundraise in preparation for borders opening later in the season, allowing for our individual competitor visits at our host tracks – such as the Wellington Family Speedway Stockcar Champs (March 5), Woodford Glen Speedway Association Inc. Battle of the Stocks (March 11/12), and Dunedins Own Beachlands Speedway Stockcar Bash for Cash (April 1/2). We’ll also liaise with these venues and Speedway NZ to ensure planning for the 2022/23 Test Series is well underway as soon as allocated title dates are finalised in the new year.

With 11 high quality team members already unveiled, there was no doubt that Team Australia was going to be far more competitive than most Kiwis gave us credit for. Unfortunately, this pause does give the New Zealanders more time to organise themselves, because it was abundantly clear that we did have the edge in terms of preparation time and a general game plan.

By way of quick recap, here are the named Team Australia drivers, in order of announcement:-

Felicity Roycroft, Victoria
Anthony Beare, South Australia
Stu Jefferies, Queensland
Nick Cockerill, Victoria
Corey Foyle, NSW
Jamie Oldfield, Western Australia
Mick Dann, Victoria
Brad Warren, Victoria
Chris Corbett, NSW
Gavin “Blu” Rawiri, Western Australia
Kenneth Mankey, Victoria

We do have a number of other team members to announce, and this process will continue – along with our intensive training programme being led by ace tactician Scott Tennant. It’s pretty clear that the border will reopen at some stage, and we’re all certainly learning to be patient when it comes to this project.

In the meantime, we all need to do our part by getting vaccinated!

15/09/2021

KENNETH JOINS THE GANG FOR SHOOTOUT WITH THE KIWI’S

The Victorian region of Wangaratta is well known in Australian folklore for Bushranger Ned Kelly’s attempt to derail and ambush a police train, resulting in his famous steel armoured last stand. Over 140 years on, and a Bushranger of a different kind stands to take his steel-armoured Tank for a siege on New Zealand’s best Stockcar drivers.

Speedway Wangaratta's Kenneth Mankey has not long ago taken the reigns as President of the North-eastern Victoria venue, and now finds himself as the newest driver to don the green and gold for Team Australia’s Stockcar program.

Famous for his pink #89 Commodore’s, Kenneth has starred as Wangaratta Club Champion, displaying remarkable adaptability across everything from Speedway Sedans Australia Production Sedans, to Standard Saloons, Sports Sedans and has been near enough to unbeatable in Wangaratta’s popular Demolition Derby Racing.

A dedicated volunteer official and scrutineer, Mankey lives and breathes Speedway racing and hopes the experience and knowledge gained overseas can help him bring a new lease on life to Wangaratta Speedway Club in the years ahead.

Welcome to the team Kenneth Mankey!

Speedway Wangaratta
Speedway Sedans Victoria
EB Graphics - Racewear • Signs • Design

12/09/2021

‘TRUE BLU’ RAWIRI DECLARES WAR ON HIS OLD MATES

Just like Phar Lap, Pavlova and Crowded House before him, one of the most talented drivers New Zealand Stockcar racing has ever produced has declared his allegiance to Team Australia and will emerge from retirement to tackle the Kiwis when international borders reopen.

Gavin “Blu” Rawiri has been based in Australia for more than a decade, but in his former life was a proven winner who will add untold experience and backbone to the green and gold squadron. A two-time winner of the New Zealand Stockcar Teams Champs with the Auckland Alley Cats Stockcar Team (1998 and 2000), Blu was also the first ever 2NZ placegetter at the inaugural individual title held in 2001. Famous for his prowess in the legendary Chesnutt flat-chassis cars, he also had a spell in the mighty Clark Proctor PT Cruiser based out of BayPark Speedway, and last raced at the NZ Stockcar Teams Champs in 2006.

While famous as a handy blockman, he had the knack of winning crucial races when the need arose, and even competed in Superstock teams racing in his Stockcar on occasion.

Now based in Western Australia, Blu always knew he would return to speedway racing at some stage, and the call to arms from Team Australia was all he needed to dust off the helmet and return to the track. His undoubted leadership credentials and Stockcar teams racing experience should be a clear message that Team Australia mean business!

Wellington Family Speedway
Dunedins Own Beachlands Speedway
Woodford Glen Speedway Association Inc.
The Pits Media

07/09/2021

COFFS HARBOUR DIRT MODIFIED STAR LOVES HARD GRAFT

Part of the family-run promotion team at Hessions Auto Parts Grafton Speedway in northern NSW, former Speedway Australia Rising Star Chris Corbett is another multi-faceted competitor who’ll be an asset to Team Australia in 2022 and beyond, thanks to plenty of strings in his well-equipped bow.

His primary class of DMA V8 Dirt Modifieds is the feature attraction in Corbett’s part of the country, broadly similar to their New Zealand namesakes, albeit running without a wing. But Chris is no one-division wonder, having also cut his teeth in many other forms of the sport including Production Sedans, Street Stockers and even Derby teams racing – winning the Wellington Cup at the start of last season.

With a wealth of experience despite his relatively young age, Chris is keen to head across to New Zealand and learn about the promotional side of the sport over there, while also beating the Kiwis at Stockcar racing along the way! Chris will no doubt find himself in a variety of different vehicles in his time abroad, including representing Australia in Modifieds.

Any NZ Modified competitor who wants to lend him a car over the course of the season and have a reciprocal drive in an Aussie V8 Dirt Modified is free to get in touch!

Grafton Speedway
Hessions Auto Parts
Corbett Boys Racing
Gulf Western Oil Pty Ltd

03/09/2021

BIG, BAD BRAD AIMS TO GIVE NEW ZEALAND A BELTING

He’s one of Victoria’s most prolific and versatile competitors, featuring a top the podium in everything from Crash & Bash, Street Stocks, Modified Sedans and Sprintcars – and now, Pakenham’s Brad Warren Motorsport is a Team Australia Stockcar driver.

The former Speedway Australia Rising Star and Junior prodigy is well known and respected throughout the wider Speedway community thanks to his unwavering commitment and passion for the sport. With a record that boasts multiple Junior Sedan series and title wins, Victorian Wingless Sprint Series wins and National Title podium finishes, Street Stock and Modified Sedan victories, coupled with success in 360 and 410 Sprintcars, there are few drivers in the sport that can rival Brad for adaptability to a wide variety of machinery.

As the President of Victorian Crash & Bash Racing, Brad is looking forward to the unique challenge offered by Team Australia’s Stockcar programme and hopes his speed, versatility and experience can assist his team in lifting the Australia vs. New Zealand Series crown.

Ash Media
Australian Sprintcar All Stars
Speedway Sedans Victoria
Speedway Sedans Australia
Australian Wingless Sprint Racing
EB Graphics - Racewear • Signs • Design

31/08/2021

DANN THE MAN TO DISMANTLE KIWI’S

Current Speedway Sedans Australia Australian Street Stock title runner up Mick Dann has enjoyed a long and fruitful career, with six top 3 placings in the largest and hardest fought national title that the country has to offer. But the Victorian is also ready for the biggest challenge of his racing life, blowing off the rust to take on New Zealand as a representative of Team Australia over the course of the 2021/22 season.

Completely committed to the cause, Mick left a huge impression on the Team Australia selectors with his determination and preparation, taking in his stride the news that his favoured racing number “0” is not permitted across the ditch, opting to run the EB Graphics - Racewear • Signs • Design rust-effect 92AUS instead.

Many Aussie's know Mick from his burgeoning social media channel Rusty Cars Down Under, which will no doubt see that Team Australia will not be lacking the appropriate OE parts that are required for a fleet of Kiwi-beating Stockcars.

Welcome aboard Mick Dann, we know you’re going to do us proud!

Speedway Sedans Victoria
Rusty Cars Down Under
Redline Raceway
Ash Media

28/08/2021

SUPPORT TEAM AUSTRALIA IN SUPPORTING OUR JUNIOR RACERS!

As part of our mission to establish long-lasting connections between the Australian and New Zealand speedway communities, Team Australia is in the process of building a NZ-spec Mazda 2 that will be shipped across the ditch to compete in both Junior and Adult competition.

Production Saloons NZ rules are identical for under and over 16 years of age, with the only caveat being a 1600cc engine limit for the Youth Saloon class. With its sophisticated DOHC engine, it’s expected that this Japanese pocket-rocket should be highly competitive, no matter what age the driver happens to be.

The first of what we hope will be a fleet of modern and attractive Production Saloons, this vehicle will be piloted throughout the 2022 Test Tour by some of Australia’s most talented junior competitors, together with some adults that are young at heart! At present the Youth Saloon class features in the lower portion of the South Island - one of the reasons why Dunedins Own Beachlands Speedway is a great fit for a Stockcar test match against the Kiwis. Meanwhile, the adult form of the class is a staple at all three host venues, with Wellington Family Speedway bringing the class back in 2021/22 and Woodford Glen Speedway Association Inc. being founded on the Production Saloon class in the mid 1970’s.

Anyone who wants to jump on board with funding this exciting initiative (from AUS or NZ) is welcome to get in touch with Team Australia directly. We look forward to having this car running as often as possible, while also expanding the fleet of modern NZ Productions Saloons in due course!

Ash Media
Black Flagged
Speedway Sedans Australia
Speedway Sedans Victoria
Speedway Sedans Queensland - QSCA Inc
Speedway Sedans Western Australia
Racing Sedans Australia
JUNIOR QUARTER MIDGETS VICTORIA

26/08/2021

AUSTRALIA’S TOP DRIVER SET TO TACKLE KIWI’S

Speedway Australia's reigning Sportsperson of the Year, Jamie Oldfield, is primed for battle in New Zealand Stockcar racing when his busy schedule allows.

The Sprintcar, Late Model and Speedway Sedans Australia Street Stock driver is a championship contender wherever he appears and is also a track and divisional body administrator who gives every spare minute of his time to the sport.

His two national titles in the Street Stock class both came in surreal circumstances, the first in 2005 when he led home his two brothers as they completed a “never before or since” all-Oldfield clean sweep of the podium. And in 2010 he progressed from the rear of the C-Main, through to the B and then won the national title from the back of the A-Main.

Since then, he’s become a bonafide superstar and this last season won the WA Street Stock title and placed second in the WA Late Model Champs (behind his brother). Jamie’s home track of Allwest Plant Hire - Ellenbrook Speedway won the “Most Improved Track of the Year” award in June, and he is also President of Speedway Sedans Western Australia, the largest state divisional body in the country.

Adaptable and capable, a date clash with Late Model feature events will preclude him from racing in the January Stockcar tests against NZ, but Jamie is in this for the long haul and will debut his EB Graphics - Racewear • Signs • Design Team Australia colours at many of New Zealand’s premier Stockcar events throughout the 2022 season and beyond.

PACE Apparel Co.
Speedway Sedans Australia
Speedway Sedans Western Australia
Late Model Racing Western Australia - LMRWA
SAWA: Sprintcar Association Of Western Australia
Allwest Plant Hire - Ellenbrook Speedway

24/08/2021

NSW CHAMP COREY FOYLE GUNNING FOR KIWIS

Current Racing Sedans Australia NSW Street Stocker champion Corey Foyle has an impressive pedigree in the sport, and boasts exactly the kind of skills and talents that Team Australia needs to successfully tame the New Zealanders on home soil this season.

It’s 13 years today since he won a junior national speedway karting title, and also the anniversary of his father’s passing at that same event. Racing in the memory of his father Bryan is more than enough motivation for Corey, who is set on establishing a national reputation by also racing in the Speedway Sedans Australia Street Stock class that seems to be becoming a breeding ground for Team Australia applicants.

With superb fabrication and driving abilities, the Muswellbrook-based Foyle should be a perfect foil for cocky New Zealanders who think they merely have to show up on race day to beat Team Australia in ‘22.

Think again Kiwi’s, cos Corey’s coming for ya!

EB Graphics - Racewear • Signs • Design
Speedway Sedans Australia
Speedway Sedans NSW
Racing Sedans Australia
Gilgandra Speedway

20/08/2021

COCKERILL COMMITS TO TEAM AUSTRALIA CAUSE

He’s the driver of one of the most sensational looking Modified Sedans in the country, and now Victoria’s Nick Cockerill has put his hand up to be a part of the burgeoning Team Australia squad to take on New Zealand in the 2021/22 season, wearing his signature #11 on this stunning EB Graphics - Racewear • Signs • Design designed Rees Tank.

A regular place getter in his ACDelco Australia backed Holden Commodore, Cockerill is a proven winner and one of a number of current or former Australian champions to apply for the Team Australia roster. He was the 2011/12 National Junior Sedan champion, also placing third at one of the most memorable national Modified Sedan titles in recent years – the 2017 championship at Murray Bridge.

Like many of the 140+ Team Australia applicants, Nick is looking forward to the unique challenge of Stockcar teams racing, while also being quietly confident in the ability of Australian drivers to adapt to the circumstances they’ll face across the ditch.

Speedway Sedans Australia
Speedway Sedans Victoria
Victorian Modified Promotions Association

18/08/2021

STU JEFFERIES READY TO RUMBLE

Experienced Queensland speedway racer Stu Jefferies is the first Team Australia driver to be announced that has a direct connection to the New Zealand Stockcar class, and an acute appreciation of the range of skills required to take down the Kiwis.

With years of racing in a variety of classes including AMCA Nationals and the Queensland Stockcar Club, Stu has recently purchased a Wingless Sprint to continue to extend himself, but began his career racing a Stockcar in New Zealand before he saw the light and emigrated to the lucky country.

Dominant in QLD Stockcars this season in his LS2 powered #74, he’ll be a vital cog in the mentoring and training programme that all Team Australia drivers will be undertaking both on and off the track. The unique nature of New Zealand Stockcar racing does require specific techniques to be acquired by Team Australia members, while the art of teams racing is a further step up again. We’ve no doubt that Australian competitors are more than capable of carrying the day in January, and Stu is raring to go when borders open. One look at the 74AUS Tank in his EB Graphics - Racewear • Signs • Design Team Australia colours and you can see why!

AMCA Nationals
Queensland Stockcar Club
River 94.9 Lockyer Valley Speedway
Cush Clothing Co.
Ash Media

Team Australia

15/12/2023

01/10/2021

15/09/2021

12/09/2021

07/09/2021

03/09/2021

31/08/2021

28/08/2021

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24/08/2021

20/08/2021

18/08/2021

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