After almost eight meetings and 163 races of this years GP series Jindra Kubes (11) led the World Championship by two points. The Czech and Cradley rider though could only sit and watch as his rival for the title Ruda Pala (10) took to the track for the penultimate race of the final round in Poland, anything but a victory for the Brighton man would keep Kubes top of the pile. Hungarian and German GP winner Pala had something of an ally in the title decider however, Sharks team mate Hobart Buus (12) lining-up alongside him and luckily he only required a second place finish to take the meeting win. And so when Pala led Buus around the first bend it suited both parties, the race turned into a procession and a victory parade, for Pala every lap saw him come closer to that first World title, while Buus was happy to settle for the Polish GP crown. Standing top of the podium with the biggest individual trophy in his hands, Pala couldn’t believe the season he has had, still not the Brighton number one but now world number one, in a year he also won the Continental Final and two GP’s having started it without a major individual title to his name. Kubes finished as world number two, a clear nine points head of bronze medallist and top Brit, Craig Parrish (6).

There’ll be two new names in the list of division one sides next season with Bolsover and Bicester earning promotion to the top flight for the first time. Kevin Lilley’s Bolsover end the year second in division two to Putney, having drawn their final meeting at the campaign at Long Ley, the threat of Peak Dean snatching their spot though had ended in the penultimate round of racing when the Bears beat Wirral 46-44 at home, that thanks to three 5-1’s in the final six races. Bicester—champions of division three in SL32—secured back-to-back promotions after extending their unbeaten run to ten, after spending much of the early part of the season in the bottom half of the table, Christopher Seaward’s side confirmed a top three finish with a meeting to spare thanks to a comprehensive 16 point victory at Tresco.

The league champions and SL34 European places had been decided prior to the final meetings in division one, however with Stoke’s imminent closure there was still a relegation battle to be had. Unusually eighth spot would be enough for top flight survival and Warrington could grab that from Milton Keynes at the death. And it looked as though they might when the Magic lost their home meeting with Kent, 44-46. It was not to be for the Vikings however, it mattered not what they did at Stoke on the final day as the Magic themselves would bounce back to win at Dover by a single point, the unbeaten Bojan Sivok’s (13+2) last heat win earning his side their fourth away victory of the campaign, and survival.

Cradley and Newcastle are confirmed as top three finishers in division three behind champions in their debut campaign, Wordsley. A point at home against Benfleet in the penultimate round good enough for the Comets—who are back in division two after three years away—while Newcastle earned their immediate return with a meeting to spare thanks to a six point home win over Falmer.