GB boss Simon Stead hailed his side’s ability to adapt to unfamiliar conditions as they overcame Australia in Perth on Friday.
Pinjar Park played host to the first of two International Friendlies between the countries with GB hero Tai Woffinden leading his side to a 50-39 victory.
Stead said: "That's a great result for the lads who all adapted themselves very well to a track which is pretty alien to what they are used to.
"They were led impeccably by Tai Woffinden who was brilliant and the team spirit in the pits was fantastic to see with everyone going about their business with a smile on their face.
"I'm proud of what the boys did and they were all proud to represent the GB Speedway Team - now we have to do it all again on the bigger track tomorrow."
Stead was also full of praise for his friend and Australian legend Jason Crump, who retired at the end of 2012 but made a return for the tests.
"He's still got it," said Stead.
"He's class. He looked like he had never been off a bike and he's such a class act."
Three-time World Champion Woffinden starred for GB cruising to a paid-maximum - partnering his teammates to three 5-1s along the way.
Woffinden was ably backed up by Belle Vue star Dan Bewley and British Under-19 Champion Drew Kemp - scoring 10+1 and 9+2 respectively.
Heat 1 saw Woffinden get the better of the resurgent Cameron Heeps with Kemp seeing off young Aussie Dakota Ballantyne for an opening heat advantage.
Aussie skipper Crump then partnered Kale Ballantyne to a first maximum of the night with Bewley unable to find a way through in third.
Woffinden and Kemp then teamed up for another heat advantage - a resounding 5-1 maximum over Crump to retake the early lead.
Arguably the race of the night followed with Jason Edwards and Daniel Winchester exchanging places twice on the final lap for a share of the spoils.
Team GB then threatened to pull away from their Aussie counterparts with two 5-1s and a 4-2 in the following series of races - including another Woffinden and Kemp maximum.
However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for Stead’s side with Crump rolling back the years alongside (Kale) Ballantyne to reduce the deficit to just two-points.
The Aussie comeback was brief as Woffinden produced a stunning ride to join Edwards for yet another 5-1 in the following heat.
Victory was all-but secured in Heat 13 when both Aussies hit the deck leaving Edwards and Flint to coast to a 5-0.
Woffinden then completed his paid-maximum in the final race of the night - with Kemp taking third ahead of Crump.
The two teams meet again on Saturday (January 18) night, competing on the larger of the two Pinjar Park circuits.
AUSTRALIA 39: Cameron Heeps 10, Kale Ballantyne 9+2, Jason Crump 9, Daniel Winchester 8+1, Fraser Bowes 2+2, Dakota Ballantyne 1.
GREAT BRITAIN 50: Tai Woffinden 14+1, Dan Bewley 10+1, Drew Kemp 9+2, Leon Flint 9, Jason Edwards 8+1, Jack Smith 0.
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY STATEMENT
THE board members of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd are continuing to monitor the situation regarding the Coronavirus crisis on a regular basis.
With the latest information from the government stating high risk groups of people should stay at home for 12 weeks, it is unlikely that that there will be any British Speedway events taking place before June 15, at least.
The Board have to consider the public, their members, riders and officials, some of which will be included in the high risk group.
It is the wish of the Board that every effort is made to start the new season at the first available opportunity and we have members of the association continuing to provide alternative fixture dates as the situation evolves.
The British Speedway Promoters Ltd sends their best wishes to everyone at this incredibly difficult time.
POSTED: Wednesday 25 March, 2020
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JOINT BSPA/SCB STATEMENT: CORONAVIRUS
BRITISH Speedway’s new season has been suspended with immediate effect.
The decision has been taken in line with other sports following the latest update from the government on the Coronavirus crisis.
This suspension will be reviewed on April 15 and the situation will be monitored by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and Speedway Control Bureau on a daily basis between now and then.
POSTED: Tuesday 17 March, 2020
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50TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING, Peterborough - OFF
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BEN FUND BONANZA, Scunthorpe 1 Danny King (Ipswich/Poole) 2 Steve Worrall (Belle Vue/Poole) 3 Josh Auty (Scunthorpe) 4 Lewis Kerr (King’s Lynn/Eastbourne
