Smooth-riding Albury flyer Cooper Antone has claimed victories in both the solo and teams classes at the 2024 Australian U16 Speedway Championship in Kingaroy (Qld) on September 28-29, turning the tables on fellow 12-year-old Ky Mitchell who performed the same feat in 2023.

On a superb track prepared by the Kingaroy Junior Speedway Club, Antone was a runaway winner in Saturday’s solo A final, while Mitchell took a while to shake off fellow Queenslander Corey van Elswyk in a tight battle for second. Kai Moran was fourth, with the presentations made by Aussie speedway internationals Tate Zischke and Jacob Hook.

A new track record in the decider was an extra sweetener for Antone, who finished second at the 2024 Speedway Youth World Cup (SGP4) in June. Antone’s new benchmark of 44.64secs eclipsed the previous record of 45.11secs, which was set way back in 2017.

For van Elswyk, it marked a six-spot improvement on his result from 2023, while Moran celebrated his 13th birthday by making the final in his championship debut – one of seven rookies on the roster.

The top eight in the solo championship was completed by Jai Bainbridge, Ryleigh McGregor, Sonny Spurgin and Jaxon Harley.

2024 Australian 125cc speedway individual final | 2024 Australian 125cc individual speedway A final | By Cooper Antone Racing | Facebook

After the excitement of Saturday, the U16 riders then reloaded for the teams’ championship on Sunday, with Cooper joined by fellow SGP4 rider Spurgin to get the job done for New South Wales ahead of defending champion Queensland 1 (Mitchell/van Elswyk) and the SA/Vic union of McGregor and Blake Schlein.

Queensland 3 (Moran/Harley) and Queensland 2 (Bainbridge/Deklyn Bridge) were fourth and fifth.

Next up on the speedway calendar is the 2024 Australian U21 and U16 Championships, which will be held in Bowen (Qld) on November 23-24.

The four-lap final saw Antone lead from start to finish

Results: 2024 Australian U16 Speedway Championships
Solo
1. Cooper Antone
2. Ky Mitchell
3. Corey Van Elswyk
4. Kai Moran
5. Jai Bainbridge
6. Ryleigh McGregor
7. Sonny Spurgin
8. Jacob Harley
9. Blake Schlein
10. Deklyn Bridge

Teams
1. Cooper Antone and Sonny Spurgin (NSW)
2. Ky Mitchell and Corey van Elswyk (Qld 1)
3. Blake Schlein and Ryleigh McGregor (Vic/SA)
4. Kai Moran and Jacob Harley (Qld 3)
5. Jai Bainbridge and Deklyn Bridge (Qld 2)

Images: Colin Stratford