from school and there was a little 125cc speed-
way bike waiting for him. “It had hardly enough
power to get sideways,” he said with a laugh.
“But I loved it, and that was the start of it all.”
He was clearly talented in the art of power and
pace on speedway ovals and that talent is continu-
ing to grow. He has plans to contest the Australian
Speedway Championship next year, and has already
secured a manager in Poland to help seek out a team
for him to race for in that speedway-loving land.
And yes, he’s going to do everything he
can to get a place in the World Champion-
ships, with his New Zealand title allowing him
a strong initial foot in the starting door.
He has the confidence, “I can beat anyone on
any given day, but it’s all about being a bit more
consistent. To do that you need to be riding as
much as you can... you don’t go all the way to
England to sit on a couch... you want to race.”
Which is where the Kiwi solo aspirants miss
out as they don’t have the tracks, and ac-
cordingly, the meetings any more.”
“He could be world champion,” Darrin said. “Oh
yeah, he’s got a plan.” As Darrin pointed out, overseas
Brad was almost like a rock star. “He gets stopped
Brad Wilson-Dean is a
Kiwi star on the rise
for autographs in the street... he’s that well known.”
Brad said he could only wish and hope Speedway
New Zealand embraced solo speedway more strong-
ly in years to come, “There are a lot of guys with
the bikes and the skills but they just don’t bother
any more because they don’t get enough rides.”
He is set to return to the UK in March to begin his
next stint with Somerset, and has been enjoying
catching up with family and mates while back in
Hawke’s Bay. He’s been keeping fit; a spot of moun-
tain-biking, motocross and even a bit of jet-ski fun
down at one of the local rivers has seen to that.
“I’m ready for it,” he said.
Motorcycles
for sale
Workshop
& Parts
Gear &
Accessories
Botany Honda MOTORCYCLES
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TM
9 Trugood Dr, East Tamaki, Auckland
(09) 274 2727 // botanyhonda.co.nz
KIWI RIDER 67