As well as running fortnightly Speedway meetings, the people behind Gillman Speedway are committed to giving more riders, both senior and junior, the opportunity to compete, and as such run a number of "Come And Try" and Practice days during the year.

Juniors

The Junior Come And Try days are for children under 16 and give the chance for youngsters to try out a junior speedway Solo or Sidecar (or even a mini-bike for the real youngsters). The children are taught all the basics by licensed trainers, who are all current or former riders, and then given individual practice time on the Gillman Junior Track.

The children are supervised at all times, and the track has no fence, so there is very little chance of them being injured, but just in case St. John's medical staff are also on hand.

There is no cost involved, and children do not need their own bike or gear. The Come And Try Days are basically just for the children to have a go, and maybe decide if they would like to take up the sport.

Other Gillman Speedway Officials are also on hand to answer any questions about the sport at junior level.

If any children do decide they would like to continue with the sport, they can then progress to further training with the Sidewinders Juniors Speedway Club, which has its own track at Eighth Street, Wingfield and has been running since 1978.

At the Sidewinders track, children will continue to be taught by licensed trainers, and have individual track time until they progress to the next stage which is novice riders on the track together but starting on opposite sides of the track. When they reach the next stage of proficiency they can then compete in actual races against other novice riders until they finally reach the age and proficiency to be allowed to compete in the open events against all other riders.

When the children are at the stage of competing in races, they have the opportunity to race every weekend in the summer months, with the Sidewinders Club and Gillman operating on alternate weekends. So one weekend they can compete at the Sidewinders track, the following weekend on the infield junior track at Gillman, where races are held during breaks in the senior programme.

The Sidewinders Club has its own website (www.sidewinders.com.au) but their 2009/10 meeting dates are also shown below. Anyone wanting further information can contact the club president, Tony McGuinness on 8337 2394, or Secretary, Jennifer Grech, on 0412 529 290.

2009/10 Sidewinder Junior Speedway dates

Saturday, October 17........... Junior Speedway 125cc Solos, Sidecars, Pee Wees, 90-110cc Quads

Friday, October 30................ Junior Speedway 125cc Solos, Sidecars, Pee Wees, 90-110cc Quads

Saturday, November 21........ SA Under 16 125cc Solo Championship

Saturday, December 5.......... Junior Speedway 125cc Solos, Sidecars, Pee Wees, 90-110cc Quads

Saturday, December 19........ Junior Speedway 125cc Solos, Sidecars, Pee Wees, 90-110cc Quads

Saturday, January 9.............. Junior Speedway 125cc Solos, Sidecars, Pee Wees, 90-110cc Quads

Saturday, January 23............ Junior Speedway 125cc Solos, Sidecars, Pee Wees, 90-110cc Quads

Saturday, February 6............ Sidewinders Best Pairs Meeting

Saturday, February 20.......... Sidewinders Birthday Meeting

Saturday, March 6................. Laurie Hodgson Junior Solo Trophy

Saturday, March 20............... Junior Speedway 125cc Solos, Sidecars, Pee Wees, 90-110cc Quads

Saturday, April 17................. Roy Bitmead Junior Solo Cup

Saturday, May 1.................... Graham Baker Junior Solo Shield

Sunday, May 23..................... Club Trophy Presentation Night

Senior (Over 16) Practice Sessions

Come And Try days are also occasionally held for adults, and this opportunity is usually taken up by riders from other disciplines like Motocross, Road Racing or Quads, who want to try their hand on a Speedway Solo or Sidecar, but they are also open to anyone, even if they have never ridden a motorcycle before.

Practice meetings are held on Sunday mornings on the first Sunday of the month during the winter months (May to October inclusive), and when there is enough demand, mid-week twilight practice sessions are held during the summer months. These mid-week practice sessions are usually attended by Novice riders looking for extra track time and tuition, and riders wanting to test repairs or alterations they have made to bikes, but beginners are also welcome. For further information contact the Training Administrator Seane Chapman on 0424 874 440.