mmg.com.au

Dakota North’s Shepparton friends will get a front row glimpse of what the speedway rider is capable of this week.

North, 21, spends the majority of the year riding in Europe, but his friends and family will be able to watch him in action tomorrow night in the second round of the Australian Senior Solo Speedway Championships at Undera.

The Kialla rider finished sixth in the first round at Gillman, South Australia, on Saturday after failing to qualify for the final.

He finished equal third with New South Welshmen Rohan Tungate and Mickey Dyer and Mildura’s Cameron Woodward with nine points after five heats, but only Tungate advanced straight to the final on countback.

North was fourth on countback, but came third in the semi-final behind Dyer and Woodward.

South Australian Troy Batchelor went on to win the final.

‘‘I was doing all right, I just messed up the semi-final to get into the main final,’’ North said.

‘‘You have to finish first in the semi and I finished third, so it’s my own fault. I wasn’t good enough.

‘‘I was a little bit disappointed, I wanted top three, but there is still two more rounds left in the championships, so I’m looking forward to them.’’

North hoped to improve on his standing in the second and third round and said he preferred the final two tracks at Undera and Kurri Kurri, NSW.

He was also looking forward to having his family and friends there to support him tomorrow night.

‘‘I’m away all year in Europe, so they get to see me ride once or twice a year, so it will be good to have all my friends over to watch,’’ he said.

North will return to Europe in just more than a month and hoped to keep his riding sharp by competing in the championship before flying overseas again.

Gates open at 4pm tomorrow and practice will start at 5.30pm.

Entry prices are $25 adults, $15 concession, $50 for a family of two adults and children, and children 12-and-under are free.