Speedway: New contract for Mitchell Davey

Dec 24 2009 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

WHILE Buddies are ‘basking’ in temperatures of up to minus seven, Mitchell Davey is celebrating a new contract offer by swimming in the Great Barrier Reef.

The 19-year-old Tigers ace left his adopted home town of Paisley last month chilled and unsure of what his future held.

He had finished the season on something of a low note and the Tigers management allowed him to leave without a 2010 deal signed, sealed and delivered.

On the other hand, team mate and fellow Aussie Josh Grajczonek’s contract was safely packed away in his suitcase, alongside his unused shorts and t-shirts.

But what a difference a month makes, and after slamming in a string of stunning displays down under, the smile has returned to Davey’s face and he’s already looking forward to coming back to Paisley next March.

From Oz, he said: “Last season was tough.

“It started off okay but then the team started getting injuries and that meant six or seven rides each meeting for me.

“It started to take its toll on my bikes and I was soon struggling for form.

“When it came to the end of the season I was running on empty and was just looking forward to getting back home.”

But once back on the other side of the world, the talented young biker sat down with his dad and discussed where things had gone wrong.

And he emerged with the type of steely determination that impressed Tigers co-boss Alan Dick.

It was then back on the bike for the Australian season – raced, often, in 90 degree heat – but Davey was determined to prove he was still hot stuff on a bike.

Alan said: “Mitchell has been an absolute revelation so far back home.

“Before my co-promoter Stewart Dickson and I decided to offer him a new contract, we wanted some verbal reassurances that 2010 was going to be his year.

“Mitchell and I had a long telephone conversation.

“What we got wasn’t a verbal reassurance, but something worth ten times that.

“He went out there on the Aussie tracks and made his point.

“He hasn’t failed to notch double figures in any of his meetings so far – and he has raced against some very good riders.

“That was the cue for us to e-mail a contract to Mitchell.

“And, after some minor points were ironed out, he had no hesitation in getting it straight back to us.

“Now, we want him to carry that form over into the UK season when it starts in March.

“Easier said than done, I know, but Mitchell has the quality and drive to succeed.

“2010 is a big year for him.

“It wouldn’t be over dramatic to say he’s racing in the last chance saloon. But he knows what he has to do and we have every faith in him.

“It will be a different Mitchell Davey that comes to the tapes for the first match of the season on Sunday, March 21. That, we can guarantee.”