DAN THOMPSON admitted it was the “perfect start” to the season by winning the Ben Fund Bonanza.
The new Edinburgh star outgunned Glasgow’s debutant Dane Kevin Juhl Pedersen and Berwick’s Peter Kildemand to take the title at Ashfield on Saturday night.
It was a highly entertaining start to the campaign with plenty of breathtaking racing.
Thompson has made the switch from Glasgow to Edinburgh during the close season and was outstanding, winning four out of his six races.
He admitted: “It’s the perfect start for me. I’m now at No.1 at Edinburgh so it was important for me to show I can beat other No.1s.
“I had a good race with Chris Harris and managed to beat him. But I know he wasn’t on his usual Glasgow engine so he’ll probably get me next time!
“But all-in-all, it’s nice to begin the season with a strong performance and win.”
Glasgow’s new Dane Juhl Pedersen delivered a really impressive first display in the UK.
He scored 10 points in the qualifying heats and Thompson needed to squeeze past him to win the final.
Juhl Pedersen said: “I’m obviously delighted to start with Glasgow with this result. It was a tough meeting but I made good starts and did some passing.
“I’m very happy to get off to a strong beginning for the Glasgow fans.”
SCORES: Justin Sedgmen 12, Peter Kildemand 12, Leon Flint 12, Dan Thompson 11, Kevin Juhl Pedersen 10, Danny King 9, Kyle Howarth 8, Ben Barker 8, Chris Harris 7, Kye Thomson 7, Tom Brennan 6, Jason Edwards 6, Victor Palovaara 5, Sam Hagon 4, Tate Zischke 2, Reid Battye 0, Ace Pijper (res) 0.
SEMI-FINAL: Thompson, Juhl Pedersen, King, Flint.
FINAL: Thompson, Juhl Pedersen, Kildemand, Sedgmen.