FIM OCEANIA AND AUSSIE U21 CHAMPIONSHIPS POSTPONED

The FIM Oceania Speedway Championship due to take place at Aussie track Gillman on January 30 has been postponed.

The Australian Under-21 and Under-16 250cc Finals which were also set to be staged at the Adelaide circuit on January 29 have also been delayed.

With some restrictions on travel between Australian states still currently in place, the FIM Oceania event, won by Jack Holder last year, is now pencilled in for November. The Aussie Under-21s and Under-16s will be restaged in the second half of 2021.

The latest postponements come on the back of Motorcycling Australia’s decision to delay this year’s Australian Championship until November or December due to domestic and international travel restrictions.

A statement released on the national championships’ official website confirmed: “FIM Oceania, Motorcycling Australia and Gillman Speedway are disappointed to announce the postponement of the 2021 FIM Oceania Speedway Championship, Australian Speedway Under-21 Championship and Australian Under-16 250cc Championship due to uncertainly around Covid-19 border restrictions.

“The championships were to be held on January 29 and 30 at South Australia’s Gillman Speedway, however because of current border restrictions and their impact on event personnel, the tough decision has been made to postpone the two-day extravaganza.

“As many of the competitors will be heading overseas for Northern Hemisphere speedway competition in February, FIM Oceania has postponed the FIM Oceania Championship until November with a date to be confirmed.

“Motorcycling Australia will continue to work with Gillman Speedway to find alternative dates to run the Under-21 and Under-16 250cc Championship in the second half of 2021.

“FIM Oceania and Motorcycling Australia wish to thank Gillman Speedway for their significant work in preparing for these championships and fans and riders for their understanding. Further event details will be announced in the coming months.”