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More on "Sakamoto"

Andrew started riding Street Luge after watching the first 'ESPN X-Games' Rhode Island; his first boards were fairly basic wood/composite laminates. In 1997 & 1998 he decided to go and race in the U.S.A. at the 'ESPN X-Games', in Oceanside and San Diego respectively. Each time he returned to Australia, he set about growing gravity sports by utilising the vast amount of experience and knowledge he had gained from these trips.

1997 was a hectic year for Andrew. He created 'I.S.L.A.N.D'. (International Street Luge Australia National District), an information website, with others. Also with Andre Webber he set up a 'Street Luge' school on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

Then in late 1997 he worked beside Ch10’s producers to organise a spin off event from the 'ESPN X-Games', called the

'Sony Playstation X-Games'. This series staged events in Victoria & Queensland, covering Street Luge and other disciplines. He and Biker Sherlock, a U.S. based rider, brought riders from the states to race with the Australians, causing the sport’s popularity to boom.

In 2000, Andrew, with the support of the IGSA, International Gravity Sport Assoc, owned by Marcus Rietema, began organising a proposed "World Championship" race at Mt Panorama, Bathurst, however, the then Bathurst Council, jacked the track fees by 400% at the last minute, stopping the proposed event in its tracks. This caused Andrew to lose not only a ton of his own money, but faith in the sport he loved, he decided it was time to have a break from the sport.

In 2008, he returned and met Damien “Sturge” Sturgess, Craig Mears and some of the Brisbane riders, including one of the original Australian riders Richard Powers.

Andrew also caught up with the main driving force of the streetluge scene in New South Wales, Pat Brennan, along with a couple of prominent underground riders that were supporting Pat at the time. Utilising their combined knowledge with others, they wanted promote the sport and show the rest of the world that the Australian Streetluge scene had started to come of age.

“Sakamoto” raced at the 2009 World Championships at Mt Panorama, Bathurst. Here he cemented his friendship with Townsville riders Adrian "Ado" Alderson, Clay Giblett, and Graham "Grits" Brittain. Since thier meeting he has supported the Townsville crew and the 'Beat the Bastard' charity ride committee of, Ado Alderson, Elena Revolon, Michaela and Graham Brittain, the people that have made 'Beat the Bastard' the best free ride in Australia.

He enjoys the fact that the 'Beat the Bastard' charity ride brings 90+ of Australia's best gravity riders, along with an increasing number of international riders, to this epic 2.8 kilometre, technical hill, known as Townsville's Mt Stuart. He loves how people from all gravity disciplines come together to have fun and enjoy riding with friends, while raising thousands of dollars each year for various cancer charities.

Andrew was involved in creating The Universal Code. A forward thinking racing/riding etiquette manual/rulebook for staging free rides and legitimate gravity racing events. It allows a safe platform for "experimental" gravity vehicles to be raced against standard/approved vehicle designs, to test the value of these designs, and to promote the advancement of gravity sports on a global scale.

He was also involved in creating an insurance policy, specifically designed to support legitimate gravity events, under the accepted gravity disciplines: Gravity Bike, Street Luge, Downhill Skateboarding, Classic Luge, Skeleton, Inline, Drift Trike and Gravity Car disciplines, the same disciplines also covered by The Universal Code.

At this time, Andrew is a very proud member of the GOFR's, Grumpy Old Farts Racing.

A group of old and young , male and female ridrs which work to support those whom are trying to raise the awreness of gravity sports in Australia, regradless of discipline.

No longer able to race/ride Street Luge, Classic Luge and G-bike, due to illness.

He is working with Gravity car drivers from the U.S.A., which is where the sport originated.

By doing this he hopes to promote and advance the discipline of Gravity Cars down under.

So keep your eye out for Andrew “Sakamoto” Smith when you are at any of the Gravity events in Australia.

As I said, he is a true gentleman of the sport and a great bloke to get to know, if you can catch him that is.

CHERRY BOMB 2014

Well the first event of the year has been run and won.

Wow I can't believe it is over already.

First off I must say a big thank you and well done, to all those that work hard behind the scenes to get this event organised and those that helped to run it over the weekend.

Tim and Tammy Gregory along with their friends, family and the volunteers, that included competitors, all contributed to making this event a great success.

I have spoken to a few riders lucky enough to have been there and all are saying how great it was.

They all agreed that it was the best way to kick off the Australian Streetluge Season.

Streetluge, Classic Luge, Junior Classic Luge, G-Bikes, along with the new Speed Trike Discipline, a first for Australia and for this new group of Gravity Junkies, were all catered for over the weekend in a professional enjoyable way.

The results from the event were interesting and show that we have a Championship on our hands, with riders already training up for the next Race of the Australian Championship, Launch.

Along with all the fun, racing and a few crashes thrown in, there was an emotional side to this event as well, the presentation of the Sue Wickendon Trophey to Jennifer Triebe.

This was a truly fitting moment that our friend Sue would have been proud of.

(R.I.P. Sue, you will always be in our thoughts and memories)

Again I can only go on what I have heard from those lucky people who got to be at this event, well done BTS-2014.

Speed Trikes Results:

1st Place: Raymond McGrath, Qld.

2nd Place: John Butcher, NSW.

3rd Place: John Graham, NSW.

Streetluge Results:

1st Place: Steven Collins, Qld.

2nd Place: Steven Knudsen, Qld.

3rd Place: Julian Slaney, Vic.

Classic Luge Results:

1st Place: Michael O'Keeffe, ACT.

2nd Place: Dave Cameron, NSW.

3rd Place: Nic McKirdy, NSW.

Sue Wickendon Trophey:

Recipient: Jennifer Triebe, Qld.

Junior Classic Results:

1st Place: Declan Gregory, NSW.

2nd Place: David King, NSW.

3rd Place: Malik Smith, Qld.

G-Bike Results:

1st Place: Brett Phillips. Vic.

2nd Place: Luke Cristiano, Vic.

3rd Place: John Butcher, NSW.

Event Organisers:

Tammy and Tim

Featured Stories:

Here we get a more personal and indepth look into some of the people, gear and events that make up the Streetluge Downunder Scene.

What a result for our 2014 National Series, we have crowned our new Junior Champion, seven year old Malik Smith.

Just like in the Open Class we have a National Champion that has dominated both Classic and Street Luge disciplines in great style.

As most of us know Malik is the son of Herman and Kay Smith, both proud parents that have been involved in the sport one or another for quite a few years now.

From doing school projects and lectures on his favourite sport for his class mates, to doing various television and paper interviews explaining why he loves the sport so much, Malik is a great young ambassador for our sport.

He and his family support all events and do it with great humility and enthusiasm, and with the continued support of his family I have no doubt we will be seeing Malik on the winners podiums for many years to come.

Awesome result for our sport and for Malik "The Fast" Smith, keep up the great work mate, I look forward to having a ride with you soon.