Sam Masters named as Aussie SGP wildcard

Sam Masters will compete in his third straight QBE Insurance Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix when he returns to Melbourne's Etihad Stadium as this year’s wildcard on October 28.

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The Newcastle-born star dons the No.16 race jacket for the series-closing showdown, which will see the 2017 FIM Speedway World Championship winner crowned, with Australian ace Jason Doyle currently leading the race on 78 points.

Masters won his first ever Australian championship in January 2017, sealing the title at Victorian track Mildura to make it third time lucky after two consecutive second-place finishes.

The Aussie international has raced for his country in the last two Speedway World Cups, helping the Roos reach the 2016 Final in Manchester.
Masters made his individual world championship debut in the inaugural Australian SGP at Etihad Stadium in 2015, scoring 5pts. He was then being drafted in as a late replacement for injured compatriot Doyle last year, tallying 2pts.

The 26-year-old rides for Wolverhampton and Edinburgh in the UK, as well as Lejonen in the Swedish Elitserien and Ostrow in Poland.

Masters joins Doyle and last year’s QBE Insurance Australian SGP winner, 2012 world champion Chris Holder, in the main field.

The line-up is completed by track reserves Justin Sedgmen and Dave Watt, who finished second and third respectively in this year’s Aussie championship.

Mildura-born Sedgmen dons the No.17 race jacket, while Watt, who lines up at No.18, will be hoping to get a get a ride in what he has confirmed will be his final meeting as a professional speedway rider.

The Townsville-born star announced his retirement earlier this year, but couldn’t resist the chance to appear in Australia’s biggest speedway event. Watt made four SGP appearances in 2010, scoring 19pts.