1966 Aust Sidecar Championship Harry Denton (52 years old) and passenger Bob Seirp, making 1st appearences at Royale coming 3rd. Jan 28 1966 National Speedway Sports

Harry Denton comes 2nd in SA Sidecar Title 1967

Ron Johnson wins SA sidecar title The South Australian sidecar championship was won by Queenslander Ron Johnson who rode consistently to defeat Harry Denton, Ken Norman and Bob Levy at Rowley Park SA

Johnson not only overcome a strong field in the final- he battled against a heavy bout of flu and showed the locals how he really can ride. The last time he was here two years ago he disappointed when handicapped with machine troubles. The championship was run over six heats after three locals had been chosen for the heats from two elimination heats.
In the first, Brian O'Shea beat home Doug Fleet and Kev McEnroe, while the second saw Max Cunningham beat Len Burman and John Fleming. The field then was Levy (NSW), Johnson (Qld.), Harry Denton, Ken Norman, Ross Childs, O'Shea, Cunningham and Fleet (fastest second of the elimination leats).

HEAT 1: Denton, Norman, Childs, Fleet: Won by Norman who kept low on the track to take the shortest route home. Denton, second, took the opposite road he continued his riding high style and while keeping the gap close could not muster enough oomph to cover the extra ground and overtake Norman. Childs was third, and the time was 56 2/10 seconds for three laps.

HEAT 2: Levy, Johnson, O'Shea, Cunningham.Levy made no mistake about this one. His passenger. Col Lewis, dumped himself over the side of the bike and wowed the locals, and the pair scooted to a good win. Johnson collected two points, while O'Shea finished third for one point. The time was 53 6/10 seconds.

HEAT 3: Levy, Childs, Denton, O'Shea: This was the clash the locals were waiting for. Levy was looking best so far and Denton was their favourite. The start raised their hopes, with Denton flashing from the outside, butting down on Chiids from the second alley. Levy also headed straight for the corner and zig-zagged behind Childs to fall into third place. The Sydneysider couldn't get past Childs, but Denton, with the road all to himself burned up the track - and the record, lowering it by 2/10 Champion Ron Johnson with other placegetters Ken Norman and a time of 53 2/10 seconds.

HEAT 4: Johnson got his full quota of qualifying points in this event when he met Norman, Cunningham and Fleet. He led all the way with Norman and Fleet also collecting.

HEAT 5: Denton, O'Shea, Cunningham, Fleet: Denton had bike trouble. He missed the start when the -carby blocked and the motor lost power. O'Shea went to the front with Fleet and Cunningham falling in behind, but despite valiant efforts to collect a point, Denton missed completely and filled fourth place. He looked in danger of missing a berth in the final, .but Levy, Johnson and Norman met in the last heat and Denton had to get in.

HEAT 6: Johnson, Levy, Norman, Childs:Johnson got away first and headed straight for home. The main interest centred on Denton, who again fell into last place when his machine played up again. It cleared, and Denton passed Levy. Levy picked him off again in the second Jap, but Denton rode wildly to get past once again. As they came into the last corner, with the big Queenslander well clear, Denton came under Norman and bumped him hard. He succeeded in getting Norman off line and shot underneath for second place.

National Speedweek Pg 6 Feb 4th 1967

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