Andy died suddenly in his sleep on the 25 February at the age of 19 years. This was two days after the 2007-08 NZ Solo Championship meeting at Oreti Park Speedway in Invercargill.
It caused some major grief to his immediate family and friends, and shocked and stunned our own little speedway world. Many were left unbelievably dazed at the sudden turn of events. We take time today to remember Andrew (Andy) Tree Solo 22i.
On behalf of the Canterbury Speedway Motor Cycle Club here at Moore Park, we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Ronnie and Rochelle, Erwin and Mel and Samantha. To loose a member of the family so young is something none of us wish to even contemplate, let alone be forced to experience and deal with. We do not know how you all individually feel, but think of you often, and offer our support.
To Brodon and Alex, there is a gap in your lives that we can not, and do not wish to fill, because memories are sacred and yours will always be special.
To the Mackenzie family and the team at Newfield Autos, your empty space is also ours. A space of sadness, but if we turn the page over, we were all privileged to share in some of the good times in Andy’s life.
To the Oreti Park Speedway Club, I can tell you that your loss is also our loss because our two clubs share a unique bond. Let us at Moore Park join your Oreti members, in paying tribute to Andy and ensure that his memory becomes an inspiration for future riders. Andrew Tree was very much a part of our club too, and the memories of the 22i solo rider will not be forgotten. The tributes many shared at Andy’s farewell will remain with us forever.
Andy started in junior speedway at around 14 years of age. He competed regularly and worked his way up through the junior grades with many successes. He became a dedicated traveller to not only Moore Park, but also across the road to Powerbuilt Ruapuna and throughout New Zealand. Starting at a slightly older age than some, Andy listened, took on board some of the advice and at the age of 15 years he became a dispensated senior rider who was noted as a rider to watch. He attended many training days and weekends including some run by Ivan Mauger, Tony Briggs and Mark Thorpe. He continued to develop as a speedway rider, and was never to be taken lightly on the track until the chequered flag fell. He would never give up.
In South Island Speedway meetings, Andrew Tree often raced in the shadow of Andrew Aldridge, Grant Tregoning, Dale Finch, Sean Cox, James Miller and John Tuffley to name just a few. His exciting flamboyant around the outside riding style when there was no way through on the inside, would often split them up and occasional wins were obtained. With Alex Cunningham they became an inseparable pair. They were great mates but fiercely competitive on the track. Alex can tell you that “you could always hear him coming”. Wins did start to come and at Moore Park he won the first Best Pairs Trophy with Grant Tregoning in 2006. In recent months he upped the anti. He top scored with Andrew and Grant at the Oreti North vs South meeting. He won the Flying Farewell in a subsequent meeting. He won the NZ Speedway Solo Title at the Ascot Park Long Track meeting. At the Peter Blick Side Car Memorial meeting, Andy won the Senior Solo red sash.
Andy was set to go overseas and race for the Buxton Hitman team in the Conference League and was in the throes of finalising his departure at the time of his death. He had great support from all around the NZ Speedway community and more than sufficient financial backing from interested parties for his trip.
His last meeting was the 2007-08 NZ Solo Championship in which he finished 5th behind one of the most competitive and experienced fields of recent times. Jason Bunyan, evergreen Larry Ross, Andrew Bargh and his good mate Alex Cunningham were the four who finished in front of him. His last race was in heat 20, the last race of the Championship, where he finished 2nd to Alex and ahead of Andrew Aldridge and Jamie Moohan.
We will not forget the 22i solo rider from Oreti Park Southland. This pleasant quite natured unassuming rider was always very professional in his approach to the sport, and in his dealings with staff and race officials, (whether he received good news or bad). He was approachable to any one who wanted a chat on what he was up to or where he was at. He had potential and I am sure that the best was yet to come.
I feel very privileged to have called many a race for a very respected and favourite speedway competitor.
Yes it was “no brakes, no fear”, now ride in style Andy, sideways, around the outside and we know you won’t give up.
THE FLYING FAREWELL - ANDREW TREE
“Well Pete, we have had a wonderful days racing here at Oreti Park Speedway, and there is just one race to go, the Flying Farewell, and what a cracker it will be too. It’s an all local field”. 66 John Tuffley, 99 James Miller, 96 Alex Cunningham and 22 Andrew Tree.
“They coming up to the Arrow Upholstery starting tapes, 66 John Tuffley on 1, 99 James Miller from 2. 96 Alex Cunnigham has drawn 3 and right wide on the outside on grid 4 is 22 Andrew Tree.” In the starter’s hands now, just waiting for Miller to settle down”.
“Racing this time and it’s all neat and tidy for the first 30 metres as the Flying Farewell gets under way. Who’s going to get to the turn first, I think it is Tuffley, yes John Tuffley turns 1st, Miller tucked just in behind while Cunningham and Tree are forced wide”. “ Down the back straight they go and it’s the veteran of Southland speedway racing John Tuffley leading the way. 99 James Miller still holding 2nd from 96 Alex Cunningham while 22 Andrew Tree tries for a run around the outside. No room there as Cunningham rides up and covers the line. Out of the Southland Bolts turn and it’s still Tuffley from Miller. Cunningham still holding 3rd while Tree has another go up high . Again Cunningham drifts out to cover the line.”
“So Tuffley leads, the NZ Long Track Champion holding a good line 1 to 1 ˝ bike widths out. No room for Miller underneath but a long way around. Into the Pirelli turn they go and it’s still Tuffley. Miller has 2nd but Cunningham’s all over him like a rash. 22 Andrew Tree now looks for a run underneath Cunnigham and he comes down tight on the pole line but I don’t think he will let you through there Andy. Round the top Newfield’s turn they go and Tuffley still leads. Miller just running a little wider and Cunningham spots it and tightens up the exit. Tree still sticking to Cunningham’s tail down low. Tuffley into turn 3, Oh Millers drifted high, Cunningham and Tree seize the opportunity and shoot on through.”
“Tuffley now leads from Cunnigham and Tree and Miller now trails the field. White flag this time, 1 to go as Tuffley controls it from the front. Cunningham now in 2nd but is coming under pressure from Tree. Down the back straight they head and into the Newfield’s turn for the last time. Tree, oh what a big heart he has he never gives up. He’s gone wide again around and up onto Cunningham’s shoulder. Tuffley’s drifted wider now and Cunnigham stays low. He can’t cover Tree from there. Tuffley into the turn - Oh Tuffley’s gone; he’s drifted up against the Rogers Yamaha hoarding. Cunningham in front down low, Tree squares off the turn out wide. Picks up some extra drives, draws up along side Cunningham. Who’s it going to be Cunnigham on the inside Tree up high. Drag race towards me now as the flag a waits. On the line it’s Andrew Tree by ˝ a wheel to win from his best mate Alex Cunningham. I think Tuffley may just have held on to 3rd as James Miller came close on the line”.
“Put your hands together Southland, a brilliant race to finish the day, Andrew Tree wins the Flying Farewell from Alex Cunningham. John Tuffley left there to pick up the crumbs in front of James Miller”.
“Tuffley got into the corner first, turned early; forced Miller to commit, Cunningham and Tree were caught wide. Tree had two goes at going around his mate Cunnigham but was blocked before he opted to come down low. Both got through under Miller when he drifted wide. There has been a lot of racing here today at Oreti and the tracks a little patchy. Tuffley hit the same spot as Miller did and Tree up high, square cut the turn, or had to really, otherwise he would have taken out Tuffley. He picked up some extra drive and won the race to the Flag”. “Outstanding ride by Andrew Tree to win the Flying Farewell here at Oreti today”.
“Well Andy, it’s time to say goodbye. You can race around the golden track now, and there is many a good speedway champion there to teach you the trade. And like you Andy, some have left us too soon. Until we meet again, when I am sure you will hear me call, “ Trees gone wide. Andrew Tree from Oreti Park Speedway Southland New Zealand went round the outside” ------ we bid you farewell, safe journey and son, ----------- thanks for the memories”.
WRITTEN BY SPEEDWAY COMMENTATOR WARRICK KORSTANJE AS A TRIBUTE TO ANDY.
INITIALLY USED AS PART OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE TRIBUTE AND THEN COMMENTATED LIVE AT MOORE PARK ON SUNDAY 23RD MARCH 2008 AS PART OF THE TRIBUTE TO A WONDERFUL RIDER AND FRIEND OF THE CANTERBURY MOTOR CYCLE SPEEDWAY CLUB.
