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Here is a review of Season Two.
Season 2002 began with the news that
Coventry would replace the now closed Nottingham side. Coventry were in some
ways lucky to retain the all conquering side that had won division one so easily
the year before. The question was, could they do it again at the higher level?
Defending champions from Superleague Church Langley had relocated to Yeovil and
would begin the task of keeping the title they won the previous season with a
team that many felt would do just that. However it was very apparent from the
off that things would not be easy from day one as the results poured in. After
just a few weeks the Coventry side were proving hard to beat after the setback
of a loss on day one at Canterbury, this however was to prove one of just a
small handful all season. The team had come together well and reigning world
champion Jan Kirsten had made the Superleague his won. Division One was also
going well for Houston. They had picked up ex church Langley youngster Jamie
Jackson. Church Langley had shocked many by letting the promising youngster go.
He had had been trained with good results in the past and on a 4+ was good value
Houston thought. That proved to be the case with Jackson looking fantastic at
reserve with huge scores. The question would be could he maintain his 10+
average when moving into the team proper?
While all this was going on the World Championships had kicked off in full
force. Andrew Stark had taken the Aussi Final with ease after some good solid
racing While Deon Standish had won the NZ version. However, injury would
prevent the Houston star getting much further. Season 2001 Aussi champ Peter
O'brien got his revenge in the Australasian final by beating Stark for the title
in great style. Jan Kirsten was again the man to beat by retaining his Danish
title and looking very good in the process. He was also making good progress in
the Under 21 Championship, a title he would retain later in the season. In
the senior title Kirsten could sit back and watch knowing he would be
seeded into the final itself after winning the junior version. Rune Oscarssen
again proved his liking for the Nordic final by holding on to the title after
beating Lars Stendahl. London star Billy Hicks also held onto his American
title by beating Josh Oxley and would once again make the World Final. Not to be
out done the Brits were having a go themselves with shock winner Chris
Moran taking the title.
During this time it was announced that the WWLS had serious financial problems
and had to sell riders to keep themselves alive. This was to benefit teams all
around the country with riders like Magnus Karlsson and Jamie Simmons
returning to the fold. Coventry made moves into the market themselves after
Leigh Langley had had a terrible crash by buying Filipo Rossi. He would
help them keep their title and cup ambitions alive. Meanwhile first
division Broom made the signing of Lee Jarman. Little did they know he
would become the top rider in that league and help them gain promotion to the
Superleague, something that had looked unlikely at that point in time. One rider
who did not make the move was son of Lyndon Blair, Lincoln. He had stayed to help
his progress and showed it was the right decision by taking the Overseas Final
ahead of Broom star Lee Jarman. Other former WWLS stars were also in
the news as Rossi took the Continental Final.
In the League and cups however it was still Coventry and Houston who were
winning the divisions with ease. The two would meet in a hard fought KOC
competition that would pit what many thought were the two best teams in the
country together. Coventry just held on to have a slight advantage going into
the 2nd leg at Houston but made their class show with a win in Scotland to
progress and eventually win the competition. Meanwhile Division One was heating up
with no less than six teams looking at a promotion spot with Broom and Tipton
joining in the fun after the three relegated sides from 2001 had already joined
Houston at the top. The whole league took a break during the World Cup but many
riders would still have to work. Denmark were once again the favourites and so
they proved as both England and Scotland disappointed. Denmark would go on to
beat Italy in the final to retain the title which in truth could stay with
them for a while yet. Following the world cup we went into the 4TT
and Pairs. The pairs was dominated by season one winners Capirossi and
Kirsten to keep hold of the title but Coventry would be beaten in the 4TT as
Cumbernauld pushed them into 2nd place.
England riders hit back after a disappointing World Cup by taking a 1-2 in the
Inter Continental Final with Lee Jarman and Darren Edwards taking the
top 2 places. Both would now go into the World Final along with British champion
Chris Moran. However none of them could match Jan Kirsten as he once again
proved he was the best rider in the world by beating Markus Elts into 2nd
place. Season 2001 runner up Daniel Capirossi completed the trio with
another fine display of passing, 'If only he could gate' were the words on
everyone's lips again.
In the Superleague Coventry had tied up the championship with Boston taking a
deserved 2nd place. Division One had been won by Houston although a
horrific crash had robbed them of star man Jackson who would spend the last
few weeks of the season out. This could well have reprocutions next season.
Huntingdon Hawks were also up but the other 3 places were looking anyone's
right up until the very last league match of 2002. It was simple, Tipton had to
beat Bournemouth to go up and the same was said of the home side. In a
match where nerves were shown it was the home side that won a tense match to
join Swanage and the Jarman led Broom into the Superleague. Tipton
would however show grit in the end of season cups to make sure the season was on
the whole a very good one for them. The end of season brought the Divisional
Cups as well as riders championships and YDL finals.
The YDL Final was a success for Bournemouth who had done well all season when
they beat Huntingdon over two legs, both teams would seem to have good prospects
in that department. Coventry won through to the Superleague Cup Final where
they beat Cumbernauld to rap up a record breaking season in the first year.
Sadly it was to be the last as promoter Dave Hood replaced Mike Wright at
Superleague HQ after the former head of the game had found time more and more
difficult to come by. Wright had been a big player in setting up the admin side
of the game and had gone on for a few months with increasing pressure for which
many must be thankful. Dave made the transformation look easy which it most
certainly was not and the biggest compliment I can give him was the game
did not notice Mike had gone. I would also like to thank Mike for the efforts he
put into the game from day one. With Coventry to close it was decided that the
top 3 of Kirsten, Langley and Capirossi would be auctioned off in a great night
for the sport. All three went for big money with Kirsten joining Jackson at
Houston, Capirossi going back to Aisha's where he had a loan spell in
season one and Langley joining promoted Huntingdon as they prepared for life
back in the Superleague.
The Division One cup went the way of Broom after Jarman had once again
showed his worth, although Tipton pushed them all the way in the final. The
season finished with the Riders Championships and even though Kirsten was more
than a little tired he once again showed why he is the best rider in the world
right now. Darren Edwards completed his season by winning the Division One
version after winning the title in the Superleague last season. The biggest
shock was perhaps in the YDL Riders Final as Sam Schofield did not win. That
went to up and coming rider Nathan Proctor who will no doubt have a
big future in the sport.
Finally I would like to thank a few people in the game. Firstly all you managers
for the input you give and your continued support. Mike Wright for his efforts
in the 18 months he was head of HQ, Mike will be on the other side of the fence
next season and he will, I am sure, get some stick. And last but not least Dave
Hood. The job he took on saved the game in truth. I know he was disappointed to
have to give up his Coventry side to take the job and the enormous work load
that came with it. I know the other managers have thanked you for that and I
would also like to say thanks as it takes two to run the game and without
your help I would be doing something else now, mmmm. Only Joking I hoe you all
continue to have fun and to help make this the best speedway simulation on the
market. Thanks.
Martin.
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