Medical advice has ordered Sunraysia rider Mark Lemon out of the final and third round of the Australian Solo Motor Bike championships to be held in Newcastle Saturday night.
Lemon was hospitalized after a crash into the outside fence last Saturday at Gillman Speedway in Adelaide and then had a further spill at Mildura on the Sunday night.
This led to the oldest rider in the field being told to rest after admitting back pain while riding on his home track.
On Monday officials from the Royal Adelaide Hospital advised Lemon that further examination of X-Rays showed that he had damaged his L1 vertebrae.
His place in Newcastle has been taken by young Englishman Jo Haines, who had been told he was most likely riding at Mildura last Sunday, only to find Lemon arrived at practice and then after going around the track said he would participate in the meeting, some 20 hours after being hospitalized in Adelaide.
Director of Graeme Boyd Promotions, Graeme Boyd, said that the final round looks set to be spectacular with the finishing touches now underway at the track.
“After eight straight days of rain, we’ve finally finished work on the track,” Boyd said.
“The track is probably one of the fastest in Australia; it’s really hard and slick and should make for some fantastic racing”
In addition to getting the track perfect for racing, additional seating in the form of a new grandstand will ensure spectators don’t miss out on any of the action.
“A new 2000-seat grandstand has been put up, taking our seating up to 4500, so we’re expecting a massive crowd this weekend,” Boyd said.
“A lot of people don’t realise that the World Championship sport of Speedway originated from the Hunter Valley back in 1923.”
“With Aussies like three times World Speedway Champion, Jason Crump, and World Under 21 Champion, Darcy Ward, dominating the World scene, there’s such a great depth of talent in Aussie Speedway right now.
For speedway fans at Newcastle the new temporary grandstand seating is in place around turns 1 and 2 giving fans far more viewing options.
Gates at the Newcastle Showground will open at 3pm with the Rider Presentation at 6pm before racing from 7pm.