Speedway racing clinic

SPEEDWAY Australia will host a clinic in Lismore next month to give junior drivers the skills needed to excel on the track.

The Speed Clinic is a junior development program being run for the first time in NSW at the Lismore Speedway on Sunday, December 1.

Speedway Australia’s national training manager, Mitch Berliner, said the clinics started in June to help develop junior drivers on and off the track.

“They’re the future of speedway and deserve our support,” Berliner said.

“It’s a way to future-proof and strengthen our sport for many years to come.”

The sessions are fully funded by Speedway Australia and are free to all licensed SSA junior sedan drivers, junior Formula 500 drivers, and SKAA karters.

Drivers will learn the skills to help make them better athletes off-track, learning about codes of conduct, inclusivity, social media, promotion, and how to set goals.

On the track, they will learn how to be a better driver – different racing lines, driving styles, and emergency skills.

The team from Speedway Australia will also work with parents to help them support their young drivers. So far, 20 drivers have shown an interest in attending the session, which was more than the team expected.

“Kim and Mick Sauer (Lismore Speedway promoters) have been calling for it to come to Lismore,” Berliner said.

“Lismore is very committed to developing juniors.”

He said drivers in other states who had already been through the program had provided positive feedback.

“One said it was the best thing Speedway Australia had ever done, giving back to the kids,” Berliner said.

Speedway drivers will next hit the track in Lismore on November 16, the event featuring 410 sprintcars (Lismore City Big sMACdown), 360 LS sprintcars, wingless sprints, production sedans and compact speedcars.

Go to lismorespeedway.com.au to express an interest in attending the clinic.