Australian Davey Watt will be given a fitting finale to his career, as he will race in the 2017 QBE Insurance Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix (28 October). Watt will be replacing Danish champion, Niels-Kristian Iversen who will be unable to ride due to a broken shoulder. Watt will now incredibly become the fifth Aussie in the field to make this the most anticipated GP in years!
39-year-old Watt will be joining World Championship leader Jason Doyle, last year’s winner Chris Holder, national champion Sam Masters and Justin Sedgmen at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Watt announced his retirement this year and moved back to Queensland, Watt was never going to turn down the opportunity to race in front of adoring home fans at Etihad Stadium. This will mark Watt’s first SGP race since 2010.
Watt shared his thoughts on the announcement; “I am so excited for this week’s Speedway Grand Prix in Melbourne. For me, it’s been pretty much a year in the making after the Australian qualification process was over back in January for the Aussie titles and I knew I had a place at the meeting, but as a reserve rider. Now, to be called up into the main meeting, although unfortunately through Niels Kristen Iversen injury, is an amazing experience, and one that I will never forget!
“It’s a massive boost for me, and it will most likely be my last. What better way to bow out of racing than at the highest level on home soil? – especially when Australia is likely to take the win! It’s been an amazing run for me over the past 17 years of professional speedway riding and is a big step for me. I couldn’t think of a better way to end it than here.
“Stand out memories for me include racing abroad – 8 World Cups in the Australian squad where we always did really well. Chris Holder, Darcy Ward and myself were rated as best pairs for a while. I have been fortunate enough to have fantastic teammates around me over the years and I have enjoyed every minute.
“I’ve ridden a few GP’s in my time in 2010. It’s hard to get your head into GP headspace because all the riders are so good and extremely competitive. GP’s are massive meetings and the finale of 2017 at Melbourne will be the toughest yet.
“I have never been one to shy away from a challenge and I am confident I can get out there and put on a decent show for the fans! Hopefully we will get to see an Aussie crowned 2017 Champion on home soil this weekend and wish the best to Jason Doyle for it. It’ll be amazing to be in attendance for that reason alone!
“I’ll be on my old bike that I have had for a while now when I was aboard, and its one that I’ll keep forever. I will be putting the old girl through its paces this weekend for sure!” Watt finished.
The countdown is on for the QBE Insurance Australian SGP which will showcase Australian riders, Doyle, Holder, Masters and Sedgmen on Saturday 28 October 2017!
Make sure to secure your ticket for the largest indoor motor racing spectacle in the Southern Hemisphere returns when Etihad Stadium hosts the 2017 QBE Insurance Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix. Tickets available to purchase here.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
Jason Doyle 142
Patryk Dudek 128
Tai Woffinden 115
Maciej Janowski 113
Emil Sayfutdinov 109
Bartosz Zmarzlik 108
Fredrik Lindgren 107
Matej Zagar 97
Martin Vaculik 90
Chris Holder 82
Piotr Pawlicki 79
Antonio Lindback 73
Peter Kildemand 54
Greg Hancock 45
Niels-Kristian Iversen 44
Vaclav Milik 31
Martin Smolinski 19
Max Fricke 11
Pawel Przedpelski 10
Nicki Pedersen 8
Maksims Bogdanovs 8
Michael Jepsen 8
Kenneth Bjerre 7
Krzysztof Kasprzak 6
Kai Huckenbeck 4
Jacob Thorssell 4
Przemyslaw Pawlicki 3
Kim Nilsson 2
Craig Cook 2
Linus Sundstrom 2
Josh Bates 2
Nick Škorja 1
Pictured: Davey Watt Australian Titles at Gilman Speedway 2017
Photo courtesy of Judy Mackay