FASTEST RACE: Slick Nik to stay in the fast lane

Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen is being tipped to be a big hit in the remainder of the 2016 season.
Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen on his way to the fastest race time of the season for Panthers. Photo: David Lowndes.Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen on his way to the fastest race time of the season for Panthers. Photo: David Lowndes.
Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen on his way to the fastest race time of the season for Panthers. Photo: David Lowndes.

The Danish ace endured a tough start to his career with Panthers, struggling for form after a month on the sidelines with concussion.

But Busk Jakobsen showed he is back on song when recording the fastest time of the season at the Showground last Friday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He won heat three in a speedy 59.0 seconds as Panthers beat Berwick 50-40 to leapfrog the losers in the race for a Premier League play-off place.

Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen.Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen.
Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen.

And promoter Ged Rathbone insists that effort underlined the quality the Dane possesses.

He said: “Nikolaj used a new engine for the first time against Berwick and it certainly worked very well in three of his four rides.

“He looked very quick when out in front and hopefully we will now start to see him there on a regular basis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“When I signed Nikolaj during the winter, I felt he was a rider who would progress to challenge for the number one spot in the team.

Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen.Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen.
Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen.

“That hasn’t happened as yet, but I’m certain he has the ability to be a top rider in the Premier League.”

Busk Jakobsen’s scorching time was only 0.3 seconds outside the Premier League track record at Alwalton. That belongs to current Glasgow rider Richie Worrall after being set in August, 2014.

The quickest man ever around the Showground is Coventry rider Krzysztof Kasprzak, who clocked 58.4 in an Elite League play-off fixture back in 2010.

FASTEST TIMES OF 2016

59.0 secs - Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen (Panthers).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

59.2 – Dimitri Berge (Sheffield), Josh Grajczonek (Somerset)

59.4 – Dimitri Berge (Sheffield).

59.5 – Danny King (Ipswich).

59.6 – Craig Cook (Panthers), Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen (Panthers).

59.8 – Craig Cook (Panthers), Kyle Howarth (guesting for Glasgow).

59.9 – Brady Kurtz (Plymouth).

Jakobsen takes his place in Panthers’ side for a Premier League clash at improving Ipswich tonight (July 21).