Surprise Packet Nilsson Takes Glory At Ashfield

NEWS Saturday 20th August 2022, 10:20pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The first 3 names in the 2023 Grand Prix line-up are now known as surprise packet Kim Nilsson took glory to be joined by ex Monarch Dan Bewley and Jack Holder after a night sadly marred by accidents at Ashfield

Nilsson who came into the night as 125/1 rank outsider with the bookies belittled this tag avoiding the pratfalls that felled some of his more illustrious opponents to race to 13 points thorough his qualifying heats. This meant he and Bewley finished joint top of the pile and with the Swede having headed British GP winner Bewley in heat 15 he had pick of the gates for the run off. The former Lakeside man made no mistake from the dominant outside gate to take top spot on the podium.

A further run off had already taken place to decide the more important 3rd spot with Jack Holder having headed home 2014 league winning Monarch Max Fricke. Fricke will now hope that Bewley can carry on his form and secure a top 6 spot in the GP standings this year to allow the Aussie a guaranteed place in the 2023 series.

A night that promised so much sadly turned into a bit of a war of attrition as Vaclav Milik, Chris Holder and Anders Thomsen's night all ended in trips to the hospital. Thomsen appearing to come off worst of the 3. Hopefully all will be on the mend soon enough.

Despite this there was some breathtaking action particularly in the latter heats as crucial points were won and lost.

So, it's 3 down 12 to go for 2023 Nilsson, Bewley, Holder the ones who can relax the rest of the way.