“Hello” from Harley
Dear Tigers fan
Happy Valentines Day to all our supporters, we hope you can feel the love! We certainly did given the terrific turn out over the weekend at the STARs event and then at the stadium, despite atrocious weather, to help us ready the bar for demolition. We sincerely wish to thank everyone who braved the elements, we could not have managed without you.
Meet Harley
He is currently on the other side of the planet counting the number of sleeps until he can board a plane headed for Glasgow.
In the first of a series of rider features ahead of the new season, Harley provides some more information about his speedway development and what it means to be a Glasgow rider.
(words by Bryan Copland)
JOSH Grajczonek, Mason Campton, Sam Masters, Rohan Tungate, Alex Davies, Micky Dyer, Todd Kurtz: all familiar names to the British speedway fan. And all names to have eaten the dust of new Tigers recruit Harley Horwood in his native Australia.
Now, the 21-year-old will be desperate to replay those moments as he makes his debut on British soil this season in the famous Glasgow colours.
Horwood arrives on the back of some impressive performances Down Under, racing against a new batch of Aussie talent which has been subject of much attention this winter.
And he cannot wait to release the clutch of his bike on the shale of Ashfield – though it will not be his first spin in Glasgow.
Horwood told Red Alert: “I have to say I’m excited about the whole experience.
“I’ve been going to work five days a week for however many years, and on the weekend, if there was racing on, I’d travel to that. Now, to be travelling to the other side of the world to race as a job is a great feeling, because not a lot of people get to experience something like this in their lives, so I appreciate every little thing about it.
“I’ve heard the Glasgow supporters are great fans and help their riders a lot. Since my signing was announced, my Facebook has been flooded with friend requests and people writing on my wall, welcoming me, and it’s great to see how nice they are. I always try and reply to everyone because the fans are important to me.
“I came to the UK around August 3 [last year] and stayed for two weeks. I tried to get as much riding in as I could, and rode Workington, Leicester, Redcar, Sheffield, Somerset, Glasgow and Rye House.
“I liked most of the tracks but, I must admit, they’re a lot different and trickier than back home. But they make you a better rider and I think I can adapt to them.”
Such enthusiasm off the track is sure to win over the Glasgow faithful in double-quick time. But what of Horwood’s ability on it?
“I first started riding solos when I was young, about nine years old, in juniors, but back then, not many people had junior solos,” he explained.
“When North Brisbane built their junior track, they had a time trial day there and I posted a faster lap time than Troy Bachelor, and got the fastest lap time of the day, but then I sold my junior bike and continued doing motocross.
“I ended up doing that for nine years, and when I turned 15, I decided to try and have a go of a 500cc, and from that day on I got the speedway bug and just kept going from there.”
These days, the Gold Coast resident is no stranger to fast times, and has finished third in both the Queensland and New South Wales under-21 state titles.
Just before Christmas, Horwood was also member of the Brisbane Stars side which won a four-team tournament in Australia, the Glasgow man scoring 10 points and claiming team victory over sides which included the likes of Masters, Grajczonek, Dyer and Kozza Smith, and young Brits Kyle Newman and Kyle Howarth.
Horwood admits his knowledge of his new teammates, except Joe Screen, is limited – though he can name Susan Boyle and Sean Connery as famous Scots!
In his spare time, his interests include motocross, going to the gym and beach, and cars.
But even if the Scottish beaches prove a little too cold for him, Horwood should go some way to maintaining his five-point starting average this year if his racing form transfers to the Northern Hemisphere from March.
So what can Glasgow fans look forward to?
“I’ve always had good reflexes, but I’d say I’m an all-round rider,” said Horwood.
“When I do something I love, I try and be the best and perfect on everything – from style to gating – and also professionalism.”
He added: “I’m a very strong person and would love to take my career to the very top.”
Josh Grajczonek, Mason Campton, Sam Masters, Rohan Tungate, Alex Davies, Micky Dyer, Todd Kurtz: perhaps Harley Horwood will be the next name on that list come this time next winter.
Harley on TV
Meet Mr Horwood right now on our TV4Tigers channel .. and hear what he has to say about coming to race for Glasgow
Back the Boys
Whether as an individual, or as a group of friends / family, visit the club website <u>now</u> to grab your chance to directly support the rider of your choice in the forthcoming season – first come, first served, so be quick. Have a look right now by clicking here
Fond farewell Robert
Another former Tiger heads for a new life after speedway.
We would like to extend our very best wishes to Robert Ksiezak, and partner Leeann, who are about to head off to a new life together in Adelaide next week.
Robert has been a familiar part of the Ashfield scene for many years now, and leaves us with many memories from his time wearing the Stripes. Very best wishes to Robert and Leeann for their future together.
Lanning, Pearson ..now you?
A job opportunity for one lucky person. Brian Logan is seeking a commentator for his First Bend Action Video productions at Ashfield this season.
For more information, and to contact Brian, please click here
Have a great week Tiger folk.
Mon the Tigers
Alun, Gordon, Colin, Craig, Derek & Ian