Still going strong

STRONG START CONTINUES: Gisborne sidecar duo Rob Miller and his swinger “Red” George have raced nine times so far this speedway season for eight wins and a second. At the weekend they won the prestigious Ray Tarrant Memorial Trophy at the Palmerston North Speedway. Picture by Go Slideways Photography

THE strong start to the speeedway season by Gisborne sidecar duo Rob Miller and “Red” George continued on Saturday night when they took out one of the most prestigious sidecar events in the country.

The pair, who are contracted to Palmerston North Speedway this season, won the Ray Tarrant Memorial Trophy, heading a field of 20 bikes from around the North Island.

The late Ray Tarrant was a Palmerston North speedway track commentator who was particularly keen on sidecars.

“There was a three-race series for points to decide who made the final, and we managed to go straight through with two firsts and a second,” Miller said.

“The final was contested over just one race, winner take all, and we won it.”

Miller, on the bars, and George, his swinger, went from Grid 2 and were last away when the starting tapes shot up.

“We managed to push through into Turn 1 and pass the four bikes ahead of us,” Miller said.

“I just dive-bombed in and we were in front.”

They stayed in front and gradually pulled ahead to win by at least eight bike-lengths.

“It was a convincing win; Red and I were both really stoked,” Miller said.

Unlike last season, their bike has been behaving itself. Last season it broke down six times, and they put three replacement motors into it.

“The third motor’s in there now and, touch wood, it’s going really well.

“At this stage we are right where we want to be, on track for a good performance in the New Zealand championships in Gisborne in January.

“We are going well as a team. Red is swinging like a demon!”

From nine starts this season so far they have won eight times, and had a second.

They will race this weekend in Gisborne in the Law-Cartmell Memorial event in the Gisborne Speedway Club’s season-opening meeting, where they will defend their title.