Lawrence Hare Racing

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Newport v Exeter 14/4/02 Premier Trophy

Exeter 42

Newport 47

Ref C. Gay

Heat 1 - 60.77
Watson, Simmo, Dicken, Lobb    2-4   2-4

Heat 2 - 67.01
Marsh, Wilkinson, Cambridge, Evans     4-2     6-6

Heat 3 - 62.37
Appleton, Hare, Dicken (r/r Smith), Eldridge     2-4     8-10

Heat 4 - awarded
Smart, Coles, Wilkinson (fex), Cambridge (ret.)     2-3     10-13

Heat 5 - 61.91
Appleton, Simmo, Lobb, Evans (r/r Smith)      3-3     13-16

Heat 6 - 61.88
Watson, Coles, Marsh, Dicken     3-3     16-19

Heat 7 - awarded
Smart, Eldridge, Hare, Evans (fex)    3-3     19-22

Heat 8 - 62.69
Marsh (r/r Cambridge), Lobby, Dicken, Wilkinson     5-1     24-23

Heat 9 - 65.13
Coles, Appleton, Cambridge (r/r Marsh), Evans (r/r Smith) fex - rerun    4-2     28-25

Heat 10 - 63.13
Watson, Dicken, Eldridge, Hare fex - rerun    1-5     29-30

Heat 11 - 63.51
Smart, Lobb, Simmo, Evans     3-3     32-33

Heat 12 - 65.47
Appleton, Marsh, Cambridge (r/r Hare), Wilkinson fex - rerun     3-3     35-36

Heat 13 - 65.04
Smart,  Coles, Watson, Simmonds    2-4     37-40

Heat 14 - 65.07
Appleton (r/r Smith), Eldridge, Marsh (r/r Cambridge), Evans fex  - rerun   3-3     40-43

Heat 15 - 63.56
Smart, Lobb, Watson, Coles     2-4   42-47

Exeter v Newport 8/4/02 Premier Trophy

Exeter 42

Newport 48

Ref R. Williams

Neil Street was presented with a silver plate before the meeting in recognition not only of his 50 years of service to speedway but also to mark his 50 years since his debut in the UK in Falcons colours.

Mr Williams at the end of the meeting thanked riders, management and fans from both teams for an entertaining meeting.

Heat 1 - 66.5
Lobb, Simmo, Watson, Dicken (ret.)    5-1   5-1

From the gate with Lee Dicken retiring on the third lap when last.  Roger clocked the fastest time of the season after a superb ride.

Heat 2 - 68.7
Wilkinson, Marsh, Cambridge, Evans     3-3     8-4

A brilliant County Ground debut for Carl Wilkinson.  Krister got close-ish on the last two laps but never close enough.  Well deserved win for Wilko.

Heat 3 - 67.3
Stephens, Hare, Evans (r/r Smith), Eldridge (ret.)     2-4     10-8

A win everybody excepted for Seemond who proved unstoppable on the night. Bobby's chain snapped on the finishing line of the third lap when lying third in close contention with Seemond and Lol.  Barrie Evans was tailed off.

Heat 4 - 67.6
Coles, Smart, Cambridge, Wilkinson (fex) - rerun     4-2     14-10

At the first attempt Michael took the lead out of the gate with Smarty in hot pursuit a couple of length behind until Carl Wilkinson went too wide on the first bend of the third lap and fell in front of Matt who promptly laid down his bike avoiding serious injury to both of them.  Wilkinson excluded
and Matt commended by the ref for his prompt action, however he bent the diamond on his bike in the process which left him without a bike for the rest of the meeting.

For the re-run - and the rest of the meeting - Mark generously lent Matt his second bike, but as is often the case on a borrowed bike, Matt made no further impression on the meeting.
At the second attempt Frank got out of the gate on a line with Michael and they were shoulder to shoulder going through the first bends ridden hard but superbly by both riders.  A breathtaking race followed where the win could have gone either way.  In the end Michael took the chequered flag to huge cheers for both riders from the crowd.  Fantastic race.

Heat 5 - 66.6
Watson, Hare, Eldridge, Dicken     3-3     17-13

Lawrence lifted out of the gate giving Watto the advantage going into the first bend.  Lawrence in hot pursuit throughout the heat.  Bobby again was on the pace

Heat 6 - 67.3
Lobb, Smart, Simmo, Evans     4-2     21-15

Another superb win for Roger with Smarty looking a bit hairy from time to time.  Mark and Smarty raced the first lap side by side with Mark having a slight advantage until Frank edged ahead on the fourth bend having the shorter route on the inside.  Great racing.

Heat 7 - 68.7
Stephens, Coles, Marsh, Watson (t/s r/r S.Smith) (ret.)    3-3     24-18

At the first attempt Coles was squashed between the Newport pair and left nowhere to go but backwards into the first bend.  All four back. Second attempt The Newport duo again hit the front for a 1-5 until Watto's chain snapped on the second lap when leading.

Heat 8 - 68.0
Smart (t/s Dicken), Lobb, Wilkinson, Cambridge     2-4     26-22

From the gate with Roger chasing Frank.  Matt riding Mark's second bike.

Heat 9 - 69.1
Hare, Smart, Eldridge, Evans     4-2     30-24

Frank chasing Lawrence all the way, but rode well blocking any progress from Frank.

Heat 10 - 68.0
Stephens, Lobb, Simmonds, Dicken (r/r S.Smith)    3-3     33-27

Another win for Seemond with Roger having a brilliant but very frustrating ride hot on Seemond's heels.

Heat 11 - 68.8
Stephens (t/s Dicken), Watson, Coles, Marsh     1-5     34-32

The rot sets in for the Falcons in what proved to be a repeat of last week's defeat.  Michael not happy with his first bike pulls out the second one which is even worse.  Johnsey, please hurry up and sort out his No 1 engine as Mike is suffering big time!

Heat 12 - 68.9
Stephens, Hare, Marsh (r/r Cambridge), Wilkinson (r/r Evans)     3-3     37-35

Lawrence entered the first bends side by side with Seemond but had no reply to Seemond's power on the backstraight.  Wilkinson either feeling the effects of his earlier fall or running out of steam as Marsh had an easy ride for third.

Heat 13 - 68.7
Watson, Smart, Simmonds, Coles    1-5     38-40

Michael again out on his No 2 bike and soon gave up, cruising home in last - a sad sight.  Again no impression from Mark.

Heat 14 - 69.6
Stephens (r/r Smith), Eldridge, Marsh, Wilkinson (fell)     3-3     41-43

Seemond off for an easy 6th victory on the night with Bobby trying hard to keep up.  Carl Wilkinson again fell in the same spot on the first bend on lap 3 when last.

Heat 15 - 68.8
Watson, Smart, Hare, Lobb     1-5   42-48

The Newport pair again fastest out of the gate with Lawrence unable to find a way through.


Well, what can I say - another meeting which started well for the Falcons and saw some great racing in the first half turning into a repeat of last week's meeting with a fifth loss in five meetings!  Despite this it was an entertaining meeting with some very good and fair racing throughout.  As
Mark said when interviewed "Things can only get better" but it is hard to see how, when the heat leaders are still underperforming.

If Ben Howe and Scott Smith had not been sidelined due to injuries an Exeter win would surely have been on the cards, but that is "if only" and we have to face the facts in yet another defeat.

For Exeter Lobby was superb.  He rode his heart out and deserved every point he got, if not more for effort alone. Lawrence improved on last week and had some great encounters with Seemond but to Seemond's advantage.  Keep plugging, Lol ;o)

Mark and Michael both have a lot of work to do on their machinery with Michael taking one win, but Mark only managing one second place.  I know Michael is extremely frustrated over still not having had his No 1 engine returned from repair enabling him to send off another, but I don't know the reason for Mark's poor form.  As for taking the track record this year, he has a long way to go and if Lobby keeps going the way he is, he may well get there first.

Bobby is steadily gaining confidence and showed a lot of promise with some good rides on the pace but not many points to show for his effort. Good contribution from Krister with paid 7 points, however Matt suffered on borrowed equipment.  It is hard when you only have one bike and especially losing it through no fault of your own and did well to avoid injury to both Carl and himself.  Knowing Matt, he will be far from happy with tonight's effort, but will bounce back.

I doubt Newport could have won without their superb guest.  Seemond was outstanding and a joy to watch, just wished he could have come out in heat 15 for what would almost certainly have been a very memorable 21 point maximum.  Brilliant performance, Seemond!

He was very well supported by both Frank Smart and Craig Watson with paid 15 and 13 from 6 respectively. Carl Wilkinson had a great County Ground debut and promises to become a top rider. Barrie Evans had his only point gifted, and Lee Dicken just doesn't like the CG!

Swindon v Exeter 4/4/02 Premier Trophy

Exeter 40

Swindon 50

Heat 1  Charlie Gjedde, Mark Simmonds, Roger Lobb, Chris Neath, 67.7   3-3   3-3

Heat 2  Ritchie Hawkins, Krister Marsh, Matt Cambridge, Jason KingF, 69.6   3-3   6-6

Heat 3  Paul Fry, Paul Lee, Lawrence Hare, Bobby EldridgeR, 69.3   5-1   11-7

Heat 4  Oliver Allen, Michael Coles, Matt Cambridge, Ritchie Hawkins, 68.3   3-3   14-10

Heat 5  Paul Fry, Mark Simmonds, Paul Lee, Roger Lobb, 68.9   4-2   18-12

Heat 6  Charlie Gjedde, Michael Coles, Krister Marsh, Chris Neath, 68.9   3-3   21-15

Heat 7  Oliver Allen, Lawrence Hare, Bobby Eldridge, Jason King, 69.6   3-3   24-18

Heat 8  Roger Lobb, Chris Neath, Ritchie Hawkins, Matt Cambridge, 69.9   3-3   27-21

Heat 9  Paul Fry, Michael Coles, Krister Marsh, Paul Lee, 68.5   3-3   30-24

Heat 10  Charlie Gjedde, Chris Neath, Lawrence Hare, Bobby Eldridge, 69.3   5-1   35-25

Heat 11  Oliver Allen, Roger Lobb, Mark Simmonds, Jason King, 68.7   3-3   38-28

Heat 12  Paul Fry, Lawrence Hare, Krister Marsh, Ritchie Hawkins, 69.1   3-3   41-31

Heat 13  Oliver Allen, Charlie Gjedde, Michael Coles, Mark Simmonds, 69.3   5-1   46-32

Heat 14  Michael Coles, Roger Lobb, Jason King, Paul Lee, 69.8   1-5   47-37

Heat 15  Paul Fry, Michael Coles, Roger Lobb, Charlie Gjedde, 68.5   3-3   50-40

Exeter v Swindon 1/4/02 Premier Trophy

Exeter 42

Swindon 48

Ref J. McGregor

Heat 1 - 68.2
Simmo, Gjedde, Lobb, Lee     4-2   4-2

Mark and Charlie Gjedde were level going into the first bend but a nudge from Gjedde's backwheel sent Mark wide and left the way to the front open for the Swindon rider.  Mark however was on his backwheel until Gjedde under pressure locked up slightly on the second bend of the 4th lap and Mark went on to cross the line first.

Heat 2 - 70.9
Marsh, Cambridge, Hawkins, King     5-1     9-3

A very good gate from both Krister and Matt saw the Exeter duo home for a 5-1 streets ahead of Ritchie Hawkins.  Great to see Matt looking much more confident.

Heat 3 - 68.8
Fry, Eldridge, Neath, Hare     2-4     11-7

Not to be outdone by the reserves in the previous heat, Bobby flew out the gate and took the lead into the first bend.  A clever ride from Bobby saw him holding back Fry for 3 laps, when Fry finally got past him on the first two bends.

Heat 4 - 69.2
Allen, Coles, King, Cambridge (fex) - rerun     2-4     13-9

Heat 5 - 69.9
Hare, Gjedde, Eldridge, Lee     4-2     17-13

Charlie Gjedde tried very hard all the way to find enough power to get past Lawrence, but in vain.

Heat 6 - 68.7
Simmo, Lobb, Allen, Hawkins     5-1     22-14

From the gate.  Interesting too see the tyre marks out of gates 1 & 2.  Oliver Allen on the inside had a snaking run to the first bend whereas Lobby's was as straight as a rod.

Heat 7 - 68.5
Fry, Neath, Coles, Marsh     1-5     23-19

Slow gates from the Exeter pairing.  Michael again very underpowered.

Heat 8 - 68.5
Lobb, Cambridge, Lee, King     5-1     28-20

The Falcons home for a 5-1 without coming under any pressure at all.

Heat 9 - 68.9
Allen, Hare, Gjedde (t/s R.Hawkins), Eldridge     2-4     30-24

All four back after an unsatisfactory start due to movement on the line.  After a couple of warnings for both teams for moving on the start line the first two of four £25 fine were handed out to Lawrence and Hawkins, however as Hawkins had been substituted by Gjedde in this heat was this fine meant for Gjedde?

Heat 10 - 68.0
Neath, Fry, Simmonds, Lobb    1-5     31-29

The Exeter pair got a good start but again all four were called back for another restart after Chris Neath moved on the line.  In the re-run Chris was again impatient, but Mr McGregor let them go this time with the Swindon pair ahead.

Heat 11 - 70.3
Gjedde, Marsh, Lee, Coles (ret.)     2-4     33-33

After trying to squeeze the impossible out of his first bike, Michael came out on his No 2, which promptly gave up on leaving the gate with a broken rocker arm.  Definitely not Mike's day.

Heat 12 - 69.0
Fry, Hare, Hawkins, Cambridge     2-4     35-37

Matt had a slow gate and eventually cruised home last on a sick sounding bike.  All four riders well strung out in this one.

Heat 13 - 68.9
Gjedde, Coles, Simmonds, Allen    3-3     38-40

Mike had by now had enough of his own bikes and came out on Bobby's which went much better than his own, but not enough to beat Gjedde.  Another £25 fine handed out, this time to Oliver Allen.

Heat 14 - 69.5
Neath, Marsh, Eldridge, Hawkins (r/r King)     3-3     41-43

Yet another restart!  This time the ref finally ran out of patience with Chris Neath and he received his £25 fine.  As things were going he was lucky not to have received two already.  Ritchie Hawkins came out for a reserve ride for Jason King but made no impression.

Heat 15 - 68.7
Neath, Fry, Simmonds, Hare 1-5   42-48

After a lot of confusion over gates the heat was run with Swindon taking gates 2 & 4.  Mark left the gate in first but by the end of the lap he was back in 3rd!!

Trelawny v Exeter 26/3/02 Premier Trophy

Exeter 39

Trelawny 51

Ref Graham Reeve

Heat 1 56.04
Simmonds, Ondrasik, Stephens, Lobb 3-3
I didn't see the first two heats as I spent the time queuing for a cup of coffee :o(

Heat 2 56.01
Wolff, Marsh, Phillips, Cambridge 4-2 7-5
By the end of this heat I had paid for our coffees and just managed to see the last half lap when Simon Phillips overtook Matt to take 3rd.  Good start for Matt after a dismal Exeter meeting.

Heat 3 Didn't get the time (Not very professional, I know!)
Sanchez, Hare, Masters, Eldridge 4-2 11-7

Heat 4 55.08
Harris, Coles, Phillips, Cambridge 4-2 15-9
Michael took the lead out of the gate but Chris had more power on the backstraight and went into the lead.  Another positive race from Matt although he never got near enough to seriously challenge Simon Philips.

Heat 5 56.57
Simmonds, Masters, Sanchez, Lobb 3-3 18-12
Another good win from Mark with Roger in third until Sanchez got past him on the third lap.

Heat 6 55.98
Coles, Ondrasik, Stephens, Marsh 3-3 21-15
Michael powered home for a fine win with all placings from the gate.

Heat 7 55.14
Harris, Hare, Wolff, Eldridge 4-2 25-17
Chris was untouchable, but Bobby had a good gate in second, however he was soon passed by Lol and could do nothing against a hungry Wolff who overtook him on the second lap.

Heat 8 55.79
Ondrasik, Simmonds T/S (Cambridge), Lobb, Phillips 3-3 28-20
The Exeter duo made the start and led the first lap, however instead of team riding Mark went into the front and left the way open for Ondrasik to pass both of them on the backstraight so what could have been the first 5-1 to Exeter became another draw.

Heat 9 55.64
Coles, Masters, Marsh, Sanchez 2-4 30-24
From the gate with the first heat advantage to the Falcons

Heat 10 55.90
Hare, Coles T/S (Eldridge), Stephens, Ondrasik 1-5 31-29
Michael was a bit slow out of the gate and was soon blocked by the Tigers duo with Lol leading.  However Michael didn't give up and went past Ondrasik on the second lap and on the following lap Seemond was relegated to second. Brilliant ride from Michael putting us within 2 points of the hosts.  This was however shortlived.

Heat 11 55.17
Harris, Simmonds, Wolff, Lobb 4-2 35-31
Richard Wolff gated in second and stayed there until he almost lost it on the 3rd/4th bend letting the Exeter pairing through.  However Mark again decided he would rather ride for himself than his team and left Roger, thereby allowing the faster Wolff through for third place.

Heat 12 55.57
Wolff Res (Phillips), Masters, Hare, Marsh 5-1 40-32
From the gate

Heat 13 55.75
Harris, Coles, Simmonds, Stephens 3-3 43-35
Again from the gate

Heat 14 55.96
Wolff, Eldridge, Cambridge, Sanchez Ef 3-3 46-38
On the third lap Sanchez blew his second engine on the night allowing both the Exeter lads into the points.  Bobby did however have a very good gate, but was overtaken on the first bend

Heat 15 55.85
Harris, Wolff, Hare, Coles 5-1 51-39
Deserved victory for Chris who rode superbly throughout the meeting.

Despite the score line being identical bar 1 point to the previous night at Exeter, this was a much better meeting with plenty of racing and passing.

The Cornish team scored solidly, with the exception of Seemond, who changed from the roaring Tiger at Exeter to the tame Kitten of Trelawny, and Simon Phillips, whereas it was left to the Exeter heat leaders to do all the donkeywork.

 Roger Lobb put up a good fight in every race he was in, with Krister having the odd sparkle.  Both Matt and Bobby showed improvement on the previous night and if they keep that up it shouldn't be too long before they get back into the groove after their long lay-off.

Exeter v Trelawny 25/3/02 Premier Trophy

Exeter 38

Trelawny 51

Ref G.Reeve

Heat 1 69.4
Stephens, Simmonds, Lobb, Ondrasik 3-3
Pavel Ondrasik pushed Roger hard during the last two laps, but never got close enough

Heat 2 70.8
Wolff, Marsh, Phillips, Cambridge 2-4 5-7
Matt had a decent gate and went into the first bend in second looking like Matt before his accident last year, but then drifted back to last before the first lap was finished

Heat 3 72.2
Hare, Masters, Sanchez, Eldridge 3-3 8-10
Bobby off the pace, Lol made nice first couple of bends but was pressured to the flag.

Heat 4 Awarded
Coles, Phillips, Harris Fx, Cambridge (fell) 3-2 11-12
Harris was absolutely flying with Michael having given up chasing him by the third lap, when Chris hit some loose dirt and fell on the fourth bend and Matt a few seconds later slid off on the third bend.  The race was only called off shortly before Michael came round to the spot where Matt had
fallen.  Matt had cleared the track by then, but Chris' bike was parked in the middle of the fourth bend.  Very slow call from the ref. It would have been very interesting to have seen Chris' time.  The track was riding slow all night but I don't think I have seen Chris that fast before.

Heat 5 70.4
Stephens, Hare, Ondrasik, Eldridge 2-4 13-16
Seemond won by a mile with Bobby again off the pace.

Heat 6 70.0
Harris, Simmonds, Lobb, Wolff 3-3 16-19
Mark gated first but was overtaken on the back straight of the second lap by Chris.  Lobby gated in second (I think) but was overtaken by Chris on the 1st/2nd bend and with Wolff getting level on the outside of Lobby he had nowhere to go but back to fourth.  He did however get past Wolff later on that lap.

Heat 7 70.7 re-run
Wolff (res Sanchez), Masters, Marsh, Coles Ef 1-5 17-24
At the first attempt Sanchez set off prematurely and went through the tapes. Wolff came in for a reserve ride and went on to win it.  Michael got over the start line but then lost power and retired.

Heat 8 70.5
Ondrasik, Lobb, Hare T/S (Cambridge), Phillips 3-3 20-27
Lobby led the heat until he was overtaken by Ondrasik on the back straight of the third lap.

Heat 9 70.9
Wolff, Harris, Marsh Res (Hare), Eldridge, Hare Xm 1-5 21-32
Lawrence came to within metres of the starting line before stopping and eventually running out of time.  Marsh in for a reserve ride.

Heat 10 70.5
Simmonds, Lobb, Masters, Sanchez 5-1 26-33
The Exeter duo streaked ahead over the first two laps, but Lobby then slowed and was caught up by Masters but no serious threat from the Tiger

Heat 11 70.0
Stephens, Simmonds T/S (Marsh), Ondrasik, Coles 2-4 28-37
Mark taking a tactical ride came out of the first bend in third but overtook Ondrasik on the third bend of the first lap.  Michael out on his second bike.

Heat 12 71.1
Masters, Hare, Wolff, Cambridge 2-4 30-41
Matt off the pace

Heat 13 70.1
Coles, Stephens, Harris, Simmonds 3-3 33-44
Seemond gated in first as expected, but Michael was faster out of the second bend.

Heat 14 69.9
Sanchez, Coles T/S (Marsh), Lobb T/S (Eldridge), Phillips  3-3  36-47
Good win for Emiliano Sanchez.  Michael's second bike by now more in tune.

Heat 15 69.8
Stephens, Coles, Harris, Lobb 2-4 38-51
The Exeter pairing was faster out the gate but were overtaken during first two bends.  Seemond got the better of Michael and Harris overpowered Lobby.

A very disappointing start to the season.  Exeter looking like they had just come out of hibernation was totally outclassed by a sprightly looking Trelawny side, who deserved every point they got.

Best of Exeter was Lobby who was very sharp out of the gate but lacked pace in the later stages of the races.  When fit should score well.

Mark was the most consistent of the heat leaders with both Michael and Lawrence suffering engine problems.  Hopefully Michael's best engine is not as badly damaged as first feared.

Krister had an OK meeting with both Bobby and Matt showing signs of the long spell off the track they both suffered last year.

For Trelawny Seemond was superb and Chris was flying at the beginning, slowing a bit as the meeting progressed.  In all fairness he has had a busy weekend and by tomorrow night (Tuesday) will have ridden 5 meetings in 5 days, three of them in the Elite League, where he has made a strong impact already for Peterborough.

Both Steve Masters and Emiliano Sanchez looked much more at home at the CG than they have before, especially Sanchez, obviously benefiting from the smoother, slicker track.

Richard Wolff proved a very handy rider in reserve and impressed all night. Pavel Ondrasik and Simon Phillips put in their usual County Ground performance.

The Cornish side all looked fit and took full benefit of the work done to the track over the winter.  It is now very smooth but also quite slick playing into the hands of them, with the Exeter riders complaining that their home track advantage has been taken away from them with the levelling
out of the bumps and removal of a large amount of dirt.