New South Welshman Rohan Tungate has burst out of the blocks in the 2024 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Championship, top-scoring at the first two rounds in Brisbane (January 4) and Kurri Kurri (January 7).

Tungate, the 2018 Australian senior champion, finished second to Max Fricke in the Brisbane final, but his excellent body of work in the heats – three wins and two second places – saw him complete the round on 16pts, ahead of Fricke (15), Jaimon Lidsey (15) and Josh Pickering (14).

Lidsey and Pickering – coming off a brilliant win in the Johnnie Hoskins Founder’s Cup at Kurri Kurri on December 17 – were third and fourth in the Brisbane final, while defending Aussie champion Jack Holder, Chris Holder, Brady Kurtz and Ryan Douglas were all eliminated in the semi-finals.

Tungate (red helmet), Lidsey (yellow) and Fricke (blue) in close combat

Three nights later, the championship moved to Kurri Kurri (NSW) – Tungate’s hometown – but only the heats were conducted before the meeting was declared by the referee because of variable track conditions making racing difficult for the 16 riders.

After 20 heats, Tungate had produced close to a blemish-free scorecard – 14pts from a possible 15 – as he claimed the round two honours from Fricke (12), Jack Holder (12) and Zach Cook (9).

“These were phenomenal races for me,” said Tungate. “Despite the challenging track conditions, I felt surprisingly light on it today. Three more rounds to go – let’s keep pushing!”

Related:
Battle of the heavyweights in 2024 Australian Senior Solo Championship

The Kurri Kurri podium: Jack Holder, Tungate and Fricke

With three rounds remaining, Tungate is on 30pts ahead of Fricke (27), Lidsey (23), Jack Holder (22) and Pickering (19), with 2012 world champion Chris Holder (18) still searching for his best form as he bids for a sixth Australian title. Former Australian champions Sam Masters and Kurtz are also lurking in a logjammed mid-pack.

Round three of the championship will be held in Wodonga (Vic) tonight (January 9), with gates opening at 4:00pm ahead of practice (6:30pm) and racing at 7:30pm.

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Images: Judy Mackay