Dan Bewley continues to enjoy the finest season in his short career by landing another prestigious title.
The 23-year-old Maryport racer followed up two Grand Prix wins and the British Final victory by landing the prestigious Czech Golden Helmet.
Outside the Grand Priz circuit this is one of the most prized titles in the world of speedway and Bewley was making his debut in the competition.
It is the oldest motorcycle speedway race in the world and is considered prestigious. The race had been established by three motorsport enthusiasts František Hladěna, Adolf Trnka and Ladislav Polák in 1929.
The first 15 events of the Golden Helmet race was held on the 2400 metres long turf racetrack of Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase in Pardubice from 1929 to 1963.
It was not rare that the race was visited by more than 100,000 fans at the time, but also five riders suffered fatal injuries competing on a dangerous grassy track.
Since 1964 the race has been moved to the standard flat oval cinder track of the speedway stadium in Pardubice – Svítkov. The wide track of Pardubice – Svítkov stadium enables up to six riders to compete in Golden Helmet heats.
Twenty four riders are divided into four exclusionary groups of six riders. Three runs are held in each exclusionary group. Riders change in individual runs according to a predetermined key starting position.
Six riders together compete on the track in each single run. Three best riders advance from each exclusionary group to the quarterfinal stage of the race.
The two best results obtained from three runs are counted into the classification results of each individual group. The rider can skip any ride.
Quarter-final groups consist of twelve riders advancing from the exclusion round and twelve seeded riders. They are divided again into four groups of six riders.
Three quarter-final rides take place in each group. Three best riders advance from each quarterfinal group in the semi-finals.
Three runs in each semi-final group are held. Riders change in individual races according to a predetermined key starting position.
Bewley did not have to compete in the qualifiers but went straight into the quarter finals where he topped his group with 10 points ahead of another former Workington rider Rasmus Jensen (9).
In the semi-finals his nine points put him second behind Kevin Wolbert (10) but in the final he raced to glory and the Golden Helmet with Wolbert back in fifth place. Ex-Comet Jensen finished third.
