End of an era for Brummies speedway club

Oct 29 2009 by Nigel Pearson, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM brought the curtain down on the Tony Mole era with defeat in a thrilling M6 Trophy clash with Stoke last night.

Club owner Mole is retiring from the daily business of Birmingham and enjoyed an emotional night – and skipper Jason Lyons signalled his intention to be back in 2010.

Lyons won two races in his eight-point score against the Potters and slammed rumours that he is about to quit the sport.

He said: “I’ve got no intention of retiring from the sport and I don’t know where these reports come from.

“I can’t say whether I will be back here at Birmingham, but the club know my phone number and I would like to back for sure.”

The meeting provided plenty of top class racing which entertained the big crowd – and Birmingham blew a big lead.

With only five races remaining the Perry Barr side were 14-points up at 37-23 after a fine display of determined action.

But the Potters bounced back in fine style with a stunning 8-1 from Ben Barker, in for the absent Jason Bunyan, and Jesper Kristiansen who was too sharp for Richard Sweetman.

Klaus Jakobsen was a shock winner of the next ahead of Ludvig Lindgren and with Chris Kerr crashing out the visitors were back within five-points.

Stoke enjoyed a 5-1 maximum from the impressive and entertaining Sam Simota and Ben Barker which made the score 41-40.

And Barker and Simota won the meeting with a last race maximum over Kerr and Lindgren in Heat 15 – but with all the farewells the meeting seemed to be an after-thought.

BIRMINGHAM: Chris Kerr 12, Ludvig Lindgren 8+2, Jason Lyons 8, Paul Clews 7+1, Richard Sweetman 4+1, Lee Smart 3+2, Rusty Harrison 3+1.

STOKE: Ben Barker 17+1, Sam Simota 10+1, Lee Complin 7+1, Jesper Kristiansen 5+2, Klaus Jakobsen 5, Henning Loof 3, Tom P Madsen 1+1.