Kenny McKinna

Kenny McKinna is the No 1 Scottish rider. He started at Glasgow and after a spell in the top league at Belle Vue returned to Shawfield. He suffered an acrimonious split with Glasgow and amazed everyone by signing for the Monarchs. Glasgow have been made to suffer again and again for their decision to let Kenny go.

Kenny arrived at Monarchs in the Second Division and filled a heat leader rôle. He ended as Monarchs’ Number 1 in the last year of the Second Division and started the inaugural combined Premier League at a heat leader. Kenny found it harder in the combined league. Kenny became captain on the departure of Les Collins.

The new Premier League gave Kenny a new lease of life and he was near the top of the Premier League averages for most of the season. He qualified for the Premier League Riders’ Championship as Edinburgh’s Number 1 and was to be joined by Peter Carr as wild card. In the event, McKinna suffered an injury in scoring a paid maximum against Reading the night before and Robert Eriksson came in to replace him. Carr and Eriksson finished first and third in the final.

Kenny did manage to win an individual event when he came out on top in the Scottish Riders’ Championship ahead of James Grieves, Scott Lamb and Stewart McDonald.

Date of birth: 21/10/62, Glasgow

Averages for 1997