Jonathan Swales, the Linlithgow Lightning Captain, was the fans choice when he retained Rider of The Year title at the Scottish Club's End of Season Dance held last Friday night in the West Port Hotel in Linlithgow. He also picked up the Mr Consistency award at the event. The popular North East rider, who has led the young Lightning team by example throughout the past season, adds these awards to his Conference League Riders' Championship and Berwick Stars of Tomorrow trophies and a Bronze Helmet victory, in what has been a very successful year for him. This latest award will hopefully offset some of the disappointment of having his van and equipment stolen towards the end of the season.
The other riders who won trophies in the fans poll were: Most Improved Rider & Most Promising Rider - Robert Grant; Best Turned Out Rider - Scott Courtney; Best Team Man - Gary Flint. Derek Sneddon picked up the Mr Entertainer award and was presented with the Scottish Junior Championship Shield by Glasgow Junior team manager, Colin Mackie. Every rider who appeared in the Lightning colours in 1999 received a rider award, some 16 in all, which underlines the ongoing success of the Linlithgow production line of riders.
The most popular presentation of the evening went to Lightning coach, Neil Hewitt, who was judged the Rider of the Decade. This was selected by Heathersfield boss, Alan Robertson, for the rider who has made the biggest contribution to Linlithgow Speedway, over the past ten years of the small Scottish track.
The evening was judged a big success with a large turn out of fans, officials and riders, with former Berwick Promoter, Mike Hopes, acting as Master of Ceremonies and DJ. All the Lightning regulars were present, along with Edinburgh and Lightning Promoter, John Campbell, Edinburgh's Ross Brady, Berwick's Scott Lamb, Workington's Barry Campbell and referee, Gus MacLeod. John Campbell and Alan Robertson spoke of their hopes for the future of the Linlithgow training track and Lightning team next year and the search for a suitable new track site is continuing.
Graham Fraser