WHEN the Borderline Speedway established the Matthew Neilson Memorial Race last year it was for one simple reason according to club president Cary Jennings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just want to honour what he\u2019s done for us,\u201d Jennings said.<\/p>\n
On Saturday night, the second running of the street stock race will be the highlight of a jam packed program as the speedway community again honours Neilson\u2019s contribution to the sport.<\/p>\n
Matthew had a medical episode on August 10, 2024, while doing one of the things he loved most \u2013 watching his kids play sport at East Gambier \u2013 and despite the best efforts of paramedics they were unable to revive him.<\/p>\n
Alicia and three children Keelie, Nash and Izzy were part of the Borderline\u2019s honouring of Matthew\u2019s legacy last year.<\/p>\n
His association with the Borderline can actually be traced back to his youth as a BMX rider and Borderline president Cary Jennings remembers every aspect of Matthew\u2019s career at the Glenburnie track and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a real crossover with those of us that were involved in BMX and the speedway and Matt became mates with those guys that were also out at the speedway and he just decided to get involved,\u201d Cary said.<\/p>\n
It was the humble beginnings of what became a highly respected street stock career with Matthew\u2019s consistency and consistency at a high level, that was the hallmark of his career.<\/p>\n
He started racing in the 1995\/96 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a huge learning curve for him but he got better pretty quickly,\u201d Cary said.<\/p>\n
So quickly, that in the 1997\/98 season, when the Borderline hosted the Street Stock Nationals, Matthew finished second behind another local legend Dave Gartner.<\/p>\n
Matthew, in fact, came through the system when there was a strong cohort of street stock drivers, and it was in 2001\/02 that that contingent headed to the nationals in Alice Springs, where Matthew drove his way to the top of the podium.<\/p>\n
And his consistency is shown in that the following season, when Borderline Speedway again played host to the Australia titles, Matthew was again on the podium \u2013 finishing third behind some of those quality locals \u2013 Steve Lines and Jamie Jennings.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe competed for many, many years, travelling throughout Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory and he won many features,\u201d Cary said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just thought putting a race together to remember Matthew was fitting for all his efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finding sponsorship for the event was arguably the easiest sell the Borderline officials have ever had.<\/p>\n
He has such an impact on the community, his work at Barry Maney where he had been since starting his apprenticeship, his involvement with football \u2013 he was just so well loved,\u201d Cary said.<\/p>\n
The March 21 program also features the SA Junior Sedans title and super sedans.<\/p>\n
Saturday night at the Borderline Speedway sees gates open at 4pm and racing from 5pm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WHEN the Borderline Speedway established the Matthew Neilson Memorial Race last year it was for one simple reason according to club president Cary Jennings. \u201cWe just want to honour what he\u2019s done for us,\u201d Jennings said. On Saturday night, the second running of the street stock race will be the highlight of a jam packed […]<\/p>\n