Eventful start to year

Last weekend was a busy one for Mount Gambier. Not only was there the usual smattering of summer tourists but the city hosted two major junior sporting events – the South Australian Country Swimming Championships and the National Junior Sedan Titles.

Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre hosted four days of swimming, while the Borderline Speedway was the epicentre for three days of junior sedan racing.

Borderline Speedway president Cary Jennings said officials had received nothing but praise for not only the work of the local speedway volunteers but also how welcoming Mount Gambier as a community had been.

The national titles attracted 77 drivers and their families and many spent five nights accommodation and frequented the cafes, restaurants and pubs in Mount Gambier over that stay, showing the value these type of events have for local business and increasing the profile of Mount Gambier as a visitor destination.

“The accolades have come left, right and centre,” Jennings said. “And they’ve come from both interstate officials and the parents. We have proved again that the Borderline Speedway and Mount Gambier can really put on a good show here. Overall it was such a positive result.”

The competition was fierce too, with the lead changing four or five times during the 25 lap final on Saturday night before Queensland number one Aidan Rigby (pictured) took the title from Western Australia’s number one junior driver Beau Oldfield.

The Borderline is again set to bring some dollars into the city on the Australia Day weekend with the King’s Challenge, which has attracted 60 entries from across Australia, including around half a dozen US drivers.