EX-MONARCHS IN TITLE RACE

NEWS Sunday 7th January 2007, 9:00pm

by Dick Barrie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Popular former Monarchs Rory Schlein and Cameron Woodward are heavily involved in the Australian Championship at the moment.

Dick Barrie is following the quick-fire series on our behalf and sends us this review on how they are going so far.

"Of Edinburgh-linked performers, Cam was not great at Newcastle, much-improved (missed B final by a point) at Sydney. Roo-boy is quite excellent -- beat Crump and Adams out of sight in the heats ay Newcastle, and would have been second if he hadn't lost his primary chain on lap 3 of the final. At Sydney he made an amazing start in the final ahead of Crump, Adams and Johnno (this on a narrow track where passing was at a premium) only to have it hauled back as "unsatisfactory". Humph.

"Newcastle was a good place, big fast track (larger Sheffield?) but wide and with a LOT of dirt. Created very spectacular, flat-out racing and opportunities for the big-balled competitors to pass on all turns.

"Sydney Showground track is narrow, totally circular and 750 yards around. Quite unsuitable for speedway, but attracted 7/8,000 spectators at circa A$40 average per head.

"After two rounds, Jason's on 40 points, Johnno 34, Rory and Adams 33, Nicholls and Holder 29.... Cam's got 14."

(Matthew Wethers isn't competing in the Aussie titles this year, and Robert Ksiezak was a non-qualifier.)