Born on May 10th,1971 in Truro, Cornwall, it seems he was to win his first competitive event on the Grasstrack aged only twelve. Mark manged to get into the side on June 12th, 1989, when injuries had left many holes in the Exeter line up, and he was to win his first League race that secured him a regular place in the team.

In that year of 1989, Mark appeared in eight matches for the Falcons and had averaged 2.67. His average improved staedily thereafter until he had reluctantly left the sport at the end of 1993 because of work commitments but was to return to Exeter part way through 1994 following a change of employment.

His average dipped a little in 1995 after a good start to the season, and in 1996 he recieved a shoulder injury that saw his average drop even further. despite the injury, he had struggled on but was clearly causing him problems.

It was beacause of doubts over that injury that he was not included in the 1997 team although he did continue racing in the latter part of the season at the I.O.W. He was back at the County Ground once again for the 1998 season and carried on where he had left off by ending the season on an average of 7.71 from 33 meetings.

Then in 1999, Mark was involved in what many say was the most horrific looking accident seen at the County Ground when a crash sent him flying over the safety fence and down into the ditch behind the track perimeter. Despite breaking his Pelvis, Mark was back on the track within six weeks and still bettered his average when he finished on 8.03 from 35 matches.

In 2000, he was handed the role of Team Captain and crowned the season by lifting the Premier League Title for Exeter, the first time they had won a League since 1974 and the days of Ivan Mauger.

During the 2004 season he avraged 7.47 from 47 appearances, and it came as something of a suprise when in Exeter's final 2005 season at the County Ground, it was announced that the services of both Mark and Michael Coles were no longer required after both had topped the record charts for the most appearances and total points scored during the County Ground years.

Return
©2004 Exeter Speedway - The County Ground Years. All rights reserved.