Premier League Fours Northern Group Qualifier

Brough Park, Newcastle

Sunday, 24th May 1998.

Edinburgh consolidated their position at the top of the Northern Group with a good win at Newcastle with two of the opposing teams still depleted. The track was Ok although rather bumpy in places. The third/fourth bend was very tricky and required a very precise line. Several riders were in trouble here and two fell.

Edinburgh and Berwick (allegedly!) were at full strength while Newcastle and Glasgow had Jesper Olsen and Dalle Andersson missing through injury. Newcastle retained the line-up from last week apart from Jonathan Swales replacing Malcolm Hogg at reserve. Glasgow also switched reserve bringing in ex-Newcastle rider Brian Turner for Grant MacDonald. Berwick brought in Jorg Pingel for David Meldrum and René Madsen at reserve for David McAllan. Edinburgh had Paul Gould in for Robert Larsen who moved to reserve in place of Blair Scott.

Peter Carr made the start from gate 1 ahead of Scott Lamb. Surprisingly Stuart Swales swept past Lamb for a good second place.

(2-1-3-0)

Mick Powell outgated Kenny McKinna as James Birkinshaw took advantage of a slip by Pingel to take third place.

(3-1-5-3)

Peter Scully gated and appeared to be holding off Werner and Little when he got into trouble on the third lap and fell hitting the fourth bend fence. Scully was excluded and the race was awarded.

(6-1-7-4)

Nikki Pedersen and Craig Taylor were head of Paul Gould when Taylor had a bad smash into the fourth bend fence and sustained a broken ankle and was taken to hospital. In the re-run, Pedersen was away while Beveridge outgated Gould this time.

(9-1-8-6)

Pingel was first away and set the early pace but he was passed by first Kevin Little and then to a huge cheer by Stuart Swales.

(11-2-11-6)

Larsen came in as a reserve replacement following his win in the first reserves race. He made a good start but Sean Courtney had edged ahead by the back straight and held on.

(11-3-13-9)

Mick Powell gated and kept his maximum with a win over Peter Carr and Brent Werner. René Madsen in for the injured Craig Taylor was way adrift at the back.

(12-3-15-12)

Nicki Pedersen beat Kenny McKinna away for his second win.

(15-3-17-13)

Another great ride by Stuart Swales ended Mick Powell's unbeaten run and Peter Scully edged ahead of Paul Gould for third.

(18-4-17-15)

Dave Steen won from Kevin Little by the narrowest margin on the line. In the meantime, René Madsen looked to have all sorts of problems and was passed by Birkinshaw.

(19-4-19-18)

Kenny McKinna recorded his first win ahead of Scott Lamb and Brent Werner.

(20-6-22-18)

Peter Carr appeared somewhat twitchy at the tapes and it was no surprise when he was excluded for tape touching. Robert Larsen came in and made a good start but was beaten to the first bend by Pingel. Pedersen then produced a stunning win from the back. Larsen had a fight to keep Sean Courtney out and while Courtney appeared to edge ahead on the back straight Larsen came back to take third place.

(23-8-23-18)

Peter Carr made no mistake on this occasion making a blistering start off gate four to win by a huge margin. Peter Scully had a struggle to keep off Will Beveridge.

(23-10-26-19)

Kenny McKinna opened a match winning lead ahead of Sean Courtney and Stuart Swales. René Madsen in again for Taylor retired with engine problems.

(24-10-29-21

Robert Larsen came in for Paul Gould hear and produced another great start ahead of Steen. Jorg Pingel passed Steen and chased Larsen. The Dane got into trouble on the fourth bend of the last lap allowing Pingel to record Berwick's first win.

(24-13-31-22)

Pedersen duly completed his maximum ahead of Mick Powell and Kevin Little.

(27-13-32-24)

Edinburgh were solid, picking up only 5 wins but 7 second places, 3 thirds and only one non-scoring ride. Larsen looked far better suited to the Brough Park track than Gould. For Glasgow, Mick Powell was again top scorer backed up well by Sean Courtney. Dave Steen was slightly below par.

Most exciting rider: Stuart Swales

John Lowe
 
 

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