Kurtz' Aussie speedway title

Brady Kurtz has risen to the top of the local speedway scene at just 19 years of age after winning the 2016 Bikesales-backed Australian championship, joining the likes of Leigh Adams, Jason Crump, Chris Holder, Troy Batchelor and Jason Doyle on the exalted honour board.

And what's more, Kurtz is now in the box seat to claim the wildcard spot in the final round of the 2016 Speedway World Championship, which will be held at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday, October 22. That spot is traditionally filled by the winner of the host nation's national speedway title.

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The Cowra product said he was elated to join the illustrious list of Australian speedway champions.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling, and it’s been a massive thing for me ever since I was a kid, and to actually do it is pretty cool,” Kurtz said. “It’s an awesome title to have behind my name. Being so young, I wasn’t really expecting to win it this year, but I’m over the moon about it.”

Kurtz, racing in his first senior championship, only just fell across the line though, with the final round in Mildura (Vic) on January 10 full of drama.

Kurtz reached the A Final the hard way after winning the B Final under huge pressure from Nick Morris. However, nerves got the better of him in the A Final when he rolled into the tapes and was excluded — a carbon copy of his mistake in Undera's round two — meaning victory for Sam Masters would have given him the championship.

But Masters could only manage third place behind Justin Sedgmen and Max Fricke, handing Kurtz a famous title by 1pt (55 to 54).

Fricke wasn't far behind on 52pts, from round one winner Rohan Tungate (51) and Morris 48.

MILDURA HEAT SCORES: 1 Justin Sedgmen 14, 2 Max Fricke 12, 3 Sam Masters 12, 4 Rohan Tungate 11, 5 Brady Kurtz 11, 6 Jack Holder 11, 7 Nick Morris 11, 8 Ty Proctor 9, 9 Mason Campton 6, 10 Jordan Stewart 6, 11 Josh Pickering 5, 12 Brodie Waters 5, 13 Alan McDonald 3, 14 Kieran Sproule 3, 15 Josh McDonald 1, 16 Dakota Ballantyne 0, 17 Jack Fallon 0.
B Final: Kurtz, Morris, Holder, Tungate (fell exc).
A Final: Sedgmen, Fricke, Masters, Kurtz (exc tapes).

AUSSIE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1 Brady Kurtz 55, 2 Sam Masters 54, 3 Max Fricke 52, 4 Rohan Tungate 51, 5 Nick Morris 48, 6 Justin Sedgmen 46, 7 Jack Holder 42, 8 Mason Campton 36, 9 Ty Proctor 28, 10= Brodie Waters 23, Jordan Stewart 23, 12 Josh Pickering 16, 13 Alan McDonald 13, 14 Kieran Sproule 9, 15= Josh Grajczonek 7, Cooper Riordan 7, 17 Josh McDonald 5.