If you love your speedway with a bit of grit, noise and energy, Mildura's Olympic Park is hard to beat.
The Gates Sidecar Cup was scheduled to return to Olympic Park Speedway on Sunday 25 January 2026, kicking off a big run of sidecar racing at the venue.
Fresh off a huge Jason Lyons Solo Trophy meeting, which saw local Red Cliffs rider Jaimon Lidsey take the win, the club's attention was turning towards sidecars.
And with a large field of nominated teams, the event was shaping up to be a terrific night of racing.
Some of Australia's leading sidecar combinations were among the entries, promising plenty of action around Olympic Park's tight bends.
What Makes Sidecar Racing So Spectacular?
The Gates Sidecar Cup brings together sidecar teams competing on one of Australia's best-known speedway tracks.
Unlike solo speedway, sidecar racing involves two people working together — a rider controlling the motorcycle and a passenger constantly shifting their weight to help the outfit negotiate the corners.
It's fast, physical and a completely different experience from watching the solos.
The passenger certainly isn't just along for the ride. They're moving all over the sidecar, leaning out through the turns to keep the outfit planted and help the rider maintain speed.
It takes teamwork, timing and plenty of courage.
And if you've never watched sidecars at Olympic Park, it's well worth experiencing the noise and action up close.
Event Details
Event: Gates Sidecar Cup
Date: Sunday 25 January 2026
Gates opened: 5pm
Venue: Olympic Park Speedway, Mildura
Host: Mildura Motorcycle Club
Who Was Lining Up?
A strong field was nominated for the 2026 Gates Sidecar Cup, including former Australian champions Justin Plaisted and Trent Headland.
The following 20 combinations were listed among the nominations ahead of the event.
- Zac Campbell / Jason Williams
- Mick Farrell / Brett Towns
- Shane Rudloff / Jake Doyle
- Byren Gates / Damian Egan
- Mark Radford / Chris Basham
- Tyler Moon / Adam Lovell
- Bart Stephens / Nick O'Brien
- Shane Hudson / Jack Spear
- Kym Menadue / Shane Dolan
- Max Howse / Riley Commons
- Brian Silvy / Glen Zaworski
- Nate Headland / Harry Hearne
- Josh Pascoe / Dale Knights
- Matt Binns / Jake Armstrong
- Justin Plaisted / Brian Anthony
- Trent Headland / Jaxon Raynor
- Taylor Green / Callum Innes
- Scott Morris / Tubs Johnson
- Mark Mitchell / Tony Carter
- Malcolm German / Cameron White
These were the pre-event nominations and not a confirmed list of race starters or final results.
Another Big Speedway Meeting for Mildura
Olympic Park has long been an important part of Mildura's motorsport scene, attracting riders and supporters from across the country.
And with some of Australia's leading sidecar teams on the nominations list, the Gates Sidecar Cup promised another entertaining night for local speedway fans.
Whether you're a regular at the track or someone who hasn't experienced sidecar racing before, there's something special about seeing these two-person outfits sliding around Olympic Park.
