JACK Holder opened his 2022 campaign in style with victory in the Todd Kurtz Testimonial at Sheffield.
Fresh from his full-time Grand Prix call-up, the charasmatic Aussie picked up from where he left off last season around Owlerton Stadium to take the title ahead of Brady Kurtz and Sam Masters - in an Aussie one-two-three.
2017 World Champion Jason Doyle produced a classy display on his way to a 15-point maximum with another former World Champion, Chris Holder, sneaking into the Semi-Finals with two race wins.
Tru Plant Tigers duo Adam Ellis and Kyle Howarth endured mixed fortunes with Ellis securing a Semi-Final spot on eight with club captain Howarth just missing out on countback.
Meanwhile, new recruit Tobiasz Musielak showed early signs of getting to grips with his new home circuit scoring 11 points followed by a courageous effort in Semi-Final 2 to just miss out on a place in the Grand Final.
Chaos ensued in the Grand Final with Holder, Kurtz and Doyle fighting hammer and tongs for top spot - with the former taking a spectacular tumble on the exit of bend four after clipping the air fence.
A lighting getaway in the re-run saw Holder romp clear to take the chequered flag - waved home by testimonial man Todd Kurtz.
Victorious Holder said: “It was a great way to start the year but tonight was all about TK.
“It was great to see a good turnout for him, he really deserves it after waiting such a long time to stage this meeting.
“We’ve been really good friends for a while so it’s an honour to win his meeting before he heads back home to Australia.
“It’s a big year for me and it’s started well but I know I need to keep the ball rolling to make sure that continues.”
Man of the moment Kurtz added: “I’d like to thank all the fans and everyone here at Sheffield Speedway for making this happen.
“It was a shame Doyley crashed in the Final how he did, that wasn’t what anyone wanted to see but he was able to walk away and fingers crossed he’ll be alright.
“Overall, the weather’s been perfect, the track was great and the 16 legends back in the pits put on a real good show for everyone so I couldn’t ask for much more.”
Team action gets underway on Monday (March 28) with the Tigers visiting Belle Vue in Premiership League Cup action before returning to Owlerton next Thursday (March 31) for the Steel City Open Championship.
QUALIFYING SCORERS: Jason Doyle 15, Jack Holder 13, Tobiaz Musielak 11, Brady Kurtz 10, Sam Masters 10, Ryan Douglas 8, Adam Ellis 8, Chris Holder 7, Charles Wright 7, Kyle Howarth 7, Nick Morris 7, Luke Becker 6, Zaine Kennedy 5, Josh Auty 3, Jordan Palin 2, Danyon Hume 1. SEMI-FINAL 1: Kurtz, Doyle, Douglas, Ellis. SEMI-FINAL 2: J.Holder, Masters, Musielak, C.Holder. GRAND FINAL: J.Holder, Kurtz, Masters, Doyle (f.exc).
