FOURTH FOR NORTH IN FIRST AUSSIE FINAL

Chris Holder began his title defence with a 6th place finish in the opening round of the Australian Championships, staged at Gillman Speedway, South Australia on Saturday, his 2015 fellow Pirate Dakota North faring better with fourth place.

Riding an engine borrowed from his fellow competitor and brother Jack, Holder struggled throughout the meeting but won his final heat to salvage a last gasp chance of making the A final, where the three top scorers from the heats - Jason Doyle , Rohan Tungate (both 14 points) and Dakota North (13) awaited the ultimate winner of the B final which was contested between Justin Sedgmen (11), Josh Grajczonek (11), Max Fricke (10) and Holder (8). It was countback that gave Holder the nod over Sam Masters and Tyson Nelson - the defending champion's 1 win and 2 second places just edging out Nelson's 1 win and one second place.

But Holder failed to move out of the last chance saloon, Sedgmen gaining the right to contest the A final with Fricke second and Holder third. Grajczonek, who was involved in some of the best races of a generally lack-lustre meeting finished fourth in the B.

North began his meeting with a win over GP 2015 rider Jason Doyle but finished second behind Tungate who was unbeaten until Doyle headed him home in heat 19. A second place for the new Pirate in heat 10 behind Sedgmen left North on 7  points after three rides and with wins in his final two heats assured himself of the direct route to the A final.

A faller at the first attempt of the final, North was allowed back into the re-run was beaten into fourth place as Doyle took the opening round glory ahead of Sedgmen and Tungate.

The second round is on Monday 5th January at the Mildura venue.

1st round scorers

J.Doyle 14+3; J.Sedgmen 11+3+2; R.Tungate 14+1; D.North 13+0; M.Fricke 10+2; C.Holder 8+1; J.Crajczonek 11+0; T.Nelson 8; S.Masters 8; J.Allen 5; J.Holder 5; K.Sproule 3; B.Waters 3; J.Fallon 2; J.Ringwood 2l; J.Coyne 1.