Press Releases
MORRIS APPLAUDS CRUMP'S THIRD WORLD CROWN
Place to Race campaigner Terry Morris has applauded Jason Crump after the Gold Coaster claimed his third World Speedway Championship in Poland overnight.
Crump, who calls the Gold Coast home and is a proud supporter of junior motorcycling in Australia, overcome a painful arm injury that required a skin graft last month to secure his third crown in six years at the final FIM Grand Prix of 2009 at Bydgoszcz.
He secured the title when he won Heat 13 ahead of outgoing champion Nicki Pedersen, Russian wonderkid Emil Sayfutdinov and Fredrik Lindgren.
The 34-year-old Aussie star went into the meeting requiring eight points on the night to take the crown, and that was trimmed to six when main challenger and local hero Tomasz Gollob finished third in Heat 12.
Crump had already gained five points from his first three rides, so only needed a point in Heat 13. He completed the job in style by winning the race after a jet-propelled start from the outside gate left Pedersen trailing in his wake.
"Five weeks ago I thought my season was over after my crash at Belle Vue, but a fantastic team of people have got me back on track and I have to thank them all,” said Crump, who won three of this year’s 11 events.
"The first half of the season went like clockwork, but I messed up a little in the second half when I became a speedway rider rather than a speedway racer.
"The injury never helped but things came good at the end and it was pretty special to win Heat 13 when I only needed a point. It’s an awesome feeling to be World Champion again."
In claiming the World Championship Crump becomes the first Australian rider to win three World crowns, he is also one of only four Aussies to have secured the top prize on the world stage. Australia’s other World Speedway Champions are Lionel Van Praag (1936), Bluey Wilkinson (1938) and Jack Young (1951/1952).
While congratulating Crump on his victory Morris also reminded everyone that should a place to race not be found for Gold Coast motorcyclists the region may not have another world star for a very long time.
"Jason has done an amazing job representing not only himself but also his country and the Gold Coast region on the world stage, my hat goes off to him for his dedication and commitment and he has now achieved the ultimate goal on three occasions," said Morris.
"He, like the winner of today's Australian Grand Prix Casey Stoner, spent many days honing his skills on the Mike Hatcher Raceway and without this facility the next generation of stars may not get the opportunity to follow in their footsteps."
