Exeter looked forward to the 1998 season with relish, following their success of 1997 when they had won the Young Shield, their first major trophy since 1983. The new points limit of 43 meant one of the top two, either Michael Coles or Leigh Lanham had to go, and as Leigh was on loan from Ipswich, it was imevitable that he left the Falcons.

Frank Smart enjoyed his best ever season and was top of the Falcons score chart. Mark Simmonds was fit again after his loan spell at the IOW and couldn't wait to get back into the Exeter camp. Gary Lobb had become something of a legend following his exploits the season before, and with Peter Jeffery signing on, it meant the last spot was between Chris Oughton and Roger Lobb, with Roger getting the nod after his season at Newport.

But as it transpired, Gary was to suffer a wrist fracture in May which opened the way for chris Oughton to fill the vacacnt spot. But despite some pitfalls both on and off the track, the Falcons still chalked up a 3rd place in the table, their best placing for 20 years, no mean achievment. They reached the Semi Finals of the Fours and were runners up in the PL Pairs.

The season ended on something of a low for exeter, fans and riders were upset by the fact there was no end of season meeting and Frank Smart announced he wouldn't be back in 1999, and that if he was it wouldn't be at Exeter, calling the way the season finsished "A slap in the face for fans and riders". Then Graeme Gordon called for a shake up at the County Ground hinting that a return to top flight speedway was needed. There were also rumours of Exeter losing speedway in 1999 circulating, and overall moral at the County ground was low.

Elsewhere in 1998

Charles Ochiltree, the legendary figure behind the Coventry Bees sadly passed away in November of this year in his early eighties.

Peterborough win the P.L Title but lost in the Young Shield Final to IOW 87-93 0n aggregate, and then lost in the P.L Cup Final to Reading by 77-103. They did however win the PL Four Team Tournament beating Edinburgh, Hull and Reading in the Final and also the Pairs when they beat Exeter in the Final.

Ipswich were crowned E.L Champions with Belle Vue runners up, and also won the Speedway Star Cup beating Coventry 95-85 on aggregate. St.Austell won the Conference League title and Berwick won the Youth Development League. Pictured Right, the triumphant Ipswich team.

Jason Crump won the E.L Riders Championship from T.Rickardson and L.Adams with Joe Screen in fourth. Tony Rickardson (111pts) was crowned World champion again with Jimmy Nilsen second (99pts) and Tomasz Gollob third on 97pts.

Kelvin tatum lifted the World Longtrack/Grasstrack final, Peter Carr won the P.L Riders Championship Final beating G.Cunningham into second and C.Stonehewer third.

The USA scored 28 points to win the World Team Cup Final beating Sweden (24pts) Denmark (23pts), Poland(17pts), Germany (14pts) Czech Republic (14pts) and Hungary(6pts)

Robertdados of Poland wins World U21 Final, whilst at home, it was S.Nicholls who carried off the British U21 Championship from L.Richardson, P.Lee, D.Howe .Chris Louis lifted the British Riders Championship from Joe Screen, Paul Hurry and Simon Wigg and Steve Bishop won C.L Riders Championship Final from Andrew Appleton, Seemond Stephens and A.Newman