Rohan Tungate is the 2018 Australian Senior Solo Speedway Champion after finishing in second position at the final round of the championship, Gillman Speedway South Australia on January 14.
Heading into the final round of the championship, Tungate and Brady Kurtz were tied at 45 points apiece, meaning it was basically winner takes all at Gillman.
The pair couldn’t be split after the heats, both finishing on 14 points, leaving the championship to be decided in the A-Final.
In the A-Final, all eyes were on the battle between Tungate and Kurtz, but it was Mildura winner, Jack Holder who went under the radar to claim the win.
Tungate managed second, but that was enough with Kurtz finishing fourth and that handed Tungate a two point overall championship lead.
The newest Australian Champion, Tungate was stoked and couldn’t quite believe it just yet.
“I feel awesome, I don’t think it has actually sunk in yet but we will have a party tonight to celebrate,” said the 2018 Australian Senior Solo Speedway Champion Tungate.
Runner-up, Brady Kurtz scored heavily in the heats throughout the championship but will rue three fourth place A-Final finishes.
Kurtz sharing after the A-Final; “We nearly took the championship, and Tungate just got the better of me in the final and was a deserving winner, making all A-Finals throughout the championship. For me after finishing 6th or 7th last season, almost being the champion was a great turn around.”
Race winner, Jack Holder finished the championship with a wet sail, claiming the last two A-Final wins to add to his third place at Undera in round two.
Holder saying; “Its a good feeling winning two on the bounce, but I was probably a bit unlucky after the first round where I probably let my nerves get the better of me. It probably cost me a placing, but it was good to win at both Mildura and Gillman.”
2017 Champion Sam Masters had a fall in practice and had to withdraw himself from racing at Gillman Speedway.
A-Final Results: Holder, Tungate, Fricke and Kurtz
B-Final Results: Holder, Stewart, Lidsey and Campton
The final standing for the 2018 Australian Senior Solo Speedway Championship:
| Place | Name | Points |
| 1 | Rohan Tungate | 62 |
| 2 | Brady Kurtz | 60 |
| 3 | Max Fricke | 53 |
| 4 | Jack Holder | 51 |
| 5 | Mason Campton | 39 |
| 6 | Sam Masters | 37 |
| 6 | Josh Pickering | 37 |
| 8 | Jordan Stewart | 35 |
| 9 | Jaimon Lidsey | 31 |
| 10 | Jye Etheridge | 28 |
| 11 | Matthew Gilmore | 21 |
| 12 | Cooper Riordan | 20 |
| 13 | Robert Medson | 16 |
| 14 | Joel Coyne | 10 |
| 15 | Declan Knowles | 9 |
| 16 | James Davies | 4 |
| 17 | Josh Coyne | 3 |
| 18 | Brandon McGuinness | 2 |
Photos courtesy of Judy Mckay