Sport
5 April, 2024
Gilgandra drivers dominate Michael Harland Memorial
It was an all-Gilgandra podium finish in the annual Michael Harland Memorial Race at Gilgandra’s Good Friday Speedway meeting on March 29.
It was an all-Gilgandra podium finish in the annual Michael Harland Memorial Race at Gilgandra’s Good Friday Speedway meeting on March 29. Michael’s son Nathan Harland won the Fenders Benders event in an emotional win. Richard Howard placed second while Braydon Holland was in third place for an all-Gilgandra podium finish. It was a fitting finale in the Michael Harland Memorial, a race which honours the late Gilgandra District Speedway Club stalwart.
The Fenders Benders was the category Michael raced in. A bar at Gilgandra Speedway is named Mick’s bar and drivers all pulled up near the bar and faced it to observe a minute’s silence pre-race. The rest of the program was smooth in a successful meeting. Action started at around 4pm and was all-over by a little after 8pm. Competitors came from Sydney, Newcastle, Lismore, Grafton, Dubbo and Cullen Bullen among other towns.
Gilgandra District Speedway Club secretary Louise Harland said the club makes its events strong to attract visitors, which in turn helps the local economy. “That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “If we can bring people to town, it helps the motels, the IGA, the fuel stations, the clubs and pubs.” Gilgandra District Speedway Club hosts around six to seven events annually on its 426 metre track just off the Newell Highway.
