Kiwis in the Overseas Final - 1998
By Tracy Holmes

Englishman Paul Atkins rode for Milton Keynes from 1987 to 1990. He then emigrated to New Zealand and settled in Napier, one of the hotbeds of Kiwi Solo racing. [ Home of Fabulous Freddie Timmo, Dave Whittaker, Colin Farquharson, Mike and Darryn Wilson. ]

Paul had quit racing but was lured back into action and was 3rd in the 1992 NZ Champs, held in Napier, behind Gary Allan and Mark Thorpe. That was followed by another few years away. Now riding for the Hawkes Bay Pirates and with the Final again in his home town, Paul qualified and won it, unbeaten!

So it was back to Blighty for the Overseas Final at Poole on June 14. The top 8 off to the Intercontinental Final at Vojens on August 28. Not having been on a bike for two months, 'Nobby' was out to prove he could still put it sideways.

Heat 1. Havelock, ATKINS. Lemon ef. Johnston f/ex

8. Tatum, Wigg, Nicholls, ATKINS.

12. Lyons, Hurry, S Ermolenko. ATKINS f/ex

16. Cunningham, Clouting, ATKINS, Oughton.

20. Screen, Werner, Lechky, ATKINS.

Jason Lyons 15. Joe Screen 12. Glenn Cunningham 11. Kelvin Tatum 10. Sam Ermolenko 10. Gary Havelock 10. Mark Lemon 9.Paul Hurry 9. All qualify.

Simon Wigg 7. Brent Werner 5. Steve Johnston 5. Savalas Clouting 5. Scott Nicholls 3. PAUL ATKINS 3. Chris Manchester 1. Karoly Lechky 1. Paul Oughton res 0.

Mike Faria Q ns. Charlie Venegas Q ns.

Reserve Carl Stonehewer dnr

Last word from the Kiwi rep, "It was a shame in my last race because I got a puncture, that was a blow, but have enjoyed myself."

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This article was first published on 22nd April 2018

Mike Wilson:

"I was the reason Paul ''Nobby'' Atkins emigrated to NZ and actually helped him win the 1997/98 NZ final by quoting the rule book to the Referee who had no idea about the rules for bikes as he was mainly a Car racing Ref { this sort of thing still happens now!!! }. When Paul went back to the UK for the Overseas Final he had been riding brilliantly but suffered from a lack of racing and no UK practice before the final. He was genuinely better than the 3 points gained and don't forget it was also a terribly wet meeting. "  

 

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