Nate Smith has qualified for the SGP3 World Championships for the second time. Photo: Colin R Photography
Echuca speedway rider Nate Smith will be heading back to the world stage.
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Strong results in the 2025-26 season will have Smith return to the SGP3 World Championships in 2026 after making his debut there in May.
The big qualifier for the event was the Australian 250cc Speedway Championship, held in December at Albury-Wodonga Motorcycle Club.
Smith consistently racked up points throughout his heats, grabbing second place in his first two, before taking out heats three and four to finish in a three-way tie for most points in the heat stage.
Qualifying for the final, Smith placed third overall, the national level result enough for him to return to the world championships to be held in Poland in June.
Smith finished 14th in the world at the 2025 edition.
Nate Smith claimed third place at the Australian titles
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Having achieved to goal of earning qualification again the remainder of the local season was all about Smith honing his craft and hoping to pick up some state honours along the way.
He headed to South Australia just before the new year for the SA titles, finishing the heat stage second on the point score and replicating that performance in the final to finish runner-up.
Throughout January Smith competed in support rides surrounding the Australian Solo Championships, Australian Speedway Championships and Oceania Speedway Solo Championships, finishing in the top two at each event.
Nate Smith (red helmet) was runner-up at the South Australian titles,
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He finished the local season in Mildura last weekend, winning the night in the 250cc class at the Jason Lyons solo trophy event.
In the under-16 division, Smith has been in the sport for less than three years, rapidly rising to world championship level.
Once he turns 16, he will be able to step up to the more powerful 500cc class.
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