The 1998 season had ended on a sour note for Exeter when they tumbled out of the Premier Trophy on a rain sodden I.O.W track and riders and fans alike complained that the season ended abruptly with no chance of a farewell meeting at the County Ground.

Graeme Gordon had called for a major revamp at the County Ground whilst Frank Smart indicated that he might not return to British League racing, and that if he did it would not be in the colours of Exeter. As it was, he did return but opted for Newport.

The 41 points limitations saw Roger Lobb depart for Arena Essex, whilst Graeme Gordon was again in the side having had some of his suggestions implemented. Michael Coles, Mark Simmonds and Peter Jeffery were all back in the team to give the Falcon's a familiar look. Gary Lobb had returned following a complex wrist injury, and Chris Courage was drafted into the side from Junior status. The other reserve berth was filled by Chris Harris from Conference side St.Austell to replacing Paul Houghton who had opted to miss 1999 following some bad smashes. Many had expected Seemond Stephens to be brought back into the side, but

Exeter got the season under way with a 48.5-41.5 home win over Newport, but lost heavily in the return a few days later going down 32-58. They bounced back on Easter Monday with a resounding 57-33 win over Reading, losing the return the same night 41-49, but more hard hitting was the fact that Peter Jeffery took a bad spill and sustained injuries that were to keep him out for the remainder of the season.

In an attempt to find an immediate replacement, Exeter tried to gain the services of Bjorn Gustafsson who had captained the Swedish U21 team, but he did not feel ready for such a venture. More changes toward the end of July when Chris Courage, who had failed to live up to expectations, was replaced by Wayne Barrett who had left St Austell and duly scored a paid 11 in his first meeting at Berwick.

Whilst tumbling out of the Premier National Trophy, Exeter overcame both Workington and then Berwick to progress to the Semi Final of the K.O Cup, but more problems when Mark Simmonds, competing the Exeter Round of the 4's competition, had an horrific crash that saw him tossed clear over the safety fence and into a ditch beyond the spectator area. Amazingly, Mark was out for only six weeks and returned on July 19th when Exeter suffered their only home defeat of the season, losing by 42-48.

With the averages falling, Exeter brought in Lee Dicken who had been struggling at Elite League Hull, but despite doing fairly well at some away tracks, he found the big County Ground circuit not to his liking. He had come into the side with around a 9 point average, but never looked anywhere near able to live up to that tally, especially around the County Ground.

Exeter finished the season in sixth place, by no means a bad result considering the injuries that had befallen the team throughout the season and they had picked up wins away at Berwick and on the I.O.W. They tumbled out of the KO Cup semi Final to Arena Essex, and in the the Young Shield, it was again the Semi Final stage where Exeter lost out to Newport.

Elsewhere in 1999

Peterborough were the team at the top in 1999. They beat poole 92-88 to win the S.Star KO Cup having pipped them at the post to win the Elite league Title. Added to that, they won the Craven Shield by beating Covemtry 92-90 in a close thriller.

Jason Crump lifted the E.L Riders championship beating T.Wiltshire, J.Lyons and M.Loram in the event final.

In the P.L, Edingburgh overpowered Arena Essex to take the P.L K.O Cup on a 95-85 aggregate score. Newport took the National trophy by beating Edinburgh 93-87 on aggregate, whilst Sean Wilson took the P.L Riders Championship, winning the final from Jesper Olsen, Craig Watson and Carl Stonehewer. Sheffield were the Leauge Champions ahead of Newport and Edinburgh and also took the P.L Fours title beating newport, IOW and A.Essex in the final.

In the Conference, J.Swales wins the C.L Riders Championship from S.Camden, S.Courtney and A. Appleton and the Newport Mavericks were the C.L title winners beating runners up St.Austell.

Tony Rickardsson chalked up his third World Championship, topping the G.P standings on 111pts ahead of Tomasz Gollob (98pts) and Hans Nielsen (76pts). Britains Lee Richardson won the World U-21 Championship beating Ales dryml, Nigel Sadler and Hans.N.Andersen. (See Picture Right)

Mark Loram (14pts) wins the British Championship from Joe Screen (13pts), Chris Louis (12pts) and Scott Nicholls (12pts). Scott had won the British U21 Final beating Lee Richardson, David Howe and Simon Stead