Nate Smith (top centre), won the South Australian under-16 title at Gillman Speedway in Adelaide. Photo: Supplied.
Echuca can lay claim to a rising star on the speedway circuit.
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Local Nate Smith has been rocketing past the competition in recent months, scoring impressive results in several motorbike speedway state titles.
Nate’s starring performance came in Adelaide on Saturday night at the South Australian under-16 250cc championships — the local rider winning out at the Gillman Speedway.
He took two of the four heats of competition, before prevailing in the final to claim the title.
Nate has been all over the competition circuit in recent times, finishing fourth at the Queensland titles in October and winning all four of his races at the Broadford club championships two weeks ago.
What makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable is the fact Smith only took up the sport around a year ago and the 14-year-old is competing against riders almost two years older than him in the under-16s.
Speedway racing focuses on speed and cornering. Photo: Supplied.
His potential was quickly identified by experienced riders.
“We bought a junior 125 (cc bike) and he had two rides on that at Mildura because we joined the club up there,” Nate’s father, Kade Smith, said.
“The blokes up there said that he’s got too much potential to be on that bike so we put him on a 250 because he was old enough.”
Higher-rated, more powerful bikes are restricted by age, with 14 the minimum age at which a rider can progress to the 250cc class.
Speedway racing is conducted on a smooth, rounded, dirt track with a focus on speed and cornering in contrast to other motorbike disciplines such as motocross, which features more variable terrain.
His impressive progress has put more lofty goals in reach for Nate, who could make a career from riding if he continues his trajectory.
“All the Australian guys here, they try and get picked up from a team over in Europe so that’s what he’s looking at,” Kade said.
Riders aren’t typically picked up for European teams until the age of 16, so Nate has two years of further development before that dream could become a reality.
The first step could be entry to the FIM Speedway Grand Prix Academy, which will be coming to Australia in January to provide high-level coaching to select athletes.
After taking out a state title, Nate will have a good case for inclusion.
Continuing a packed schedule of riding, Nate’s next race meet is this Saturday in Mildura where he will compete in the Victorian state titles.
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