Islanders Win PL Fours
(Posted 08/07/07)

Isle of Wight ran out winners of this afternoon's pairs event at Peterborough this afternoon, although Tigers failed to qualify for the finals with a rare engine problem for Shane Parker in the final ride removing any slim chance the Tigers had of progressing.

Lee Dicken had only one outing, in a very fast opening heat where he trailed in at the rear. he was replaced by Robert Ksiezak in his second ride but the result was the same with Robert unfortunately at the back.

David McAllan's first ride saw him make a good gate and although he was passed by Somerset's Kramer on the back straight he held on comfortably for second place. He was somewhat fortunate to get a point in his other ride however courtesy of an engine failure for Sheffield's Paul Cooper.

Craig Watson finished the afternoon Glasgow's top scorer and he certainly made the most starts, his first outing resulting in no fewer than four starts. In the initial start Craig collided awkwardly with the fence as a result of fist bend bunching and the small Tigers contingent there breathed a sigh of relief when he was quickly up and ready to take his place in the re-run. When the race finally got underway, King's Lynn's Chris Mills beat him out of the gate but Craig was quickly passed him and went on to claim a comfortable victory. His other outing saw Craig claim second behind Topinka but ahead of Zetterstrom after a very tough opening couple of bends.

Shane Parker started the afternoon well coming out on top of an excellent battle with Daniel Nermark in what was possibly the best race of the afternoon to claim the heat win. Unfortunately as tapes went up for his final ride he immediately felt the problems with his bike, confirmed at the end of the race as a cracked barrel, and Tigers very slim hopes of progressing were dashed.

Overall it was a good effort from the team, especially as few gave them any chance at all before the meeting started.

Of the other sides, Sheffield were probably the biggest disappointment of the meeting and looked very poor.

Isle of Wight were however deserved winners and all five riders played a major part in their victory, adding the Fours title to the Pairs title they won at Somerset the night before the British GP.