The Darren and Sharon Boocock Speedway Scholarship Tour to Australia 2011/2012
Over a period of time I have noticed the decline in both the quality and quantity of young English speedway riders, having been an ex-speedway rider myself, I and some colleagues decided to do something about this decline. Hopefully we have taken the first big steps to help restore English speedway to where it should be . . . . . ON TOP.

The Darren and Sharon Boocock Speedway Scholarship was started in memory of Darren and Sharon who were tragically taken from their family, friends and our speedway family. The Scholarship has just started it's third season and it's fair to say the scholarship has been a great success and is growing in popularity each season.

Each year promising young English speedway riders are invited to visit Australia to gain valuable experience on our well prepared Australian tracks. The first year we had The pleasure of welcoming Kyle Newman (young Weymouth rider at the time), who became an instant success and a big hit at all the tracks he visited. Kyle gained valuable experience which was all achieved on borrowed equipment, which speaks highly of his ability. The publicity and good press reports together with his race results showed our first year was a success.

The second year was a wonderful success, the Scholarship invited four young riders to Australia to further there trade. Josh Auty, Adam Wrathall, Brendan Johnson and a young

American Gino Manzares. Gino came in as a very late replacement for the injured Kyle Newman. Gino was a great success and it was a great honour that we could make Bruce Penhalls wishes come true finding a place for the very young (16 years old) Gino Manzares.

The experience gained by all four young men was tremendous, the results speak for themselves. Josh Auty made Australian Speedway history when he became the first ever rider in Queensland to hold both the under 21 Queensland Championship and the Senior Queensland Solo Championship at the same time. What made his and the Scholarships achievement even more outstanding is the fact Josh had to beat the World under 21 Champion Darcy Ward in the final. Josh also came third in the Australian under 21 championships, finished tenth in the Australian solo championship and won many other individual solo meetings like the famous Jack Young cup at Gillman speedway (South Australia) and the Woodstock Speedway Classic at Townsville (Queensland).

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