GREAT LINEUP, EXCITING START

NEWS Tuesday 20th March 2012, 11:38am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Armadale 2012 speedway season starts on Friday with the individual classic the David Harrison Ford Scottish Open Championship, with a lineup which has caught the imagination.

Scotwaste Monarchs’ chairman Alex Harkess said “I can’t see how anyone could confidently pick a winner from that field.” There are no former winners in the lineup, and the home fans will be hoping for the first Monarch to lift the title since Rory Schlein in 2004. Andrew Tully, Craig Cook and Theo Pijper have all been top three finishers in the past. Remember the 7:15 start.

THE RACING ORDER FOR THE DAVID HARRISON FORD SCOTTISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 23rd MARCH (start time 7.15, doors open 6.30) are:

1. Richard Lawson (Workington), 2. Rene Bach (Workington), 3. James Grieves (Glasgow), 4. Olly Allen (Peterborough), 5. Richard Hall (Sheffield), 6. Ty Proctor (Wolverhampton), 7. Kevin Doolan (Ipswich), 8. Mark Lemon (Newcastle), 9. Theo Pjiper (Edinburgh), 10. Kevin Wölbert (King’s Lynn), 11. Derek Sneddon (Edinburgh),12. Ulrich Ostergaard (Redcar), 13. Andrew Tully (Edinburgh), 14. Craig Cook (Edinburgh), 15. Matthew Wethers (Edinburgh), 16. Josh Grajczonek (Glasgow)

WELCOME HARRISONS: David Harrison Ford of Peebles are sponsors at Armadale for the first time on Friday – and they are starting at the top with the Scottish Open!

As a well known and long standing business, Harrisons are already friends of several members of the Monarchs’ organisation and it is a pleasure to welcome them to Armadale.

Bob Harrison, owner of the company and grandson of the founder, made the riding order draw for the Open last Friday at the Monarchs’ season launch.

HOLDER RORY: Monarchs are often in contact with their former star Rory Schlein, the current Elite League Riders Champion and also Scottish Open Champion from 2011.

He understood the reasons why he wasn’t asked back to defend the title this year – last year’s meeting was something of a one-horse race.

He said “I’m having a very busy start to the season anyway and I’ll definitely be at Armadale later in the season.”

In fact Rory since then has sprained an ankle and missed one or two meetings.

LEAGUE CUP UNDER WAY: On Thursday the Scotwaste Monarchs head for Redcar for their opening match in the northern section of the League Cup.

The Bears have started well, defeating Newcastle in an aggregate challenge, though they have lost their Czech Matej Kus with a broken wrist. It will still be a tough match against the likes of Ulrich Ostergaard, Aaron Summers and Gary Havelock – plus ex-Monarch Max Dilger!

Monarchs will line up: Andrew Tully, Derek Sneddon, Matthew Wethers, Theo Pijper, Craig Cook, Micky Dyer, Charles Wright.

EARLY START: With 22 heats plus 3 reserve races on Friday parade time will be 7:15 and the heats will come thick and fast.

MANY POTENTIAL WINNERS: It is possible to make a case for most of the 16 riders on Friday as potential winners.

Strictly on Armadale records there are one or two who might not be fancied, but for example Richard Lawson and Josh Grajczonek are up-and-coming riders who some time soon are going to give everyone a run for their money.

Riders who have already displayed regular winning form at Armadale include Rene Bach, Kevin Doolan, Mark Lemon and Ulrich Ostergaard, and perhaps the most highly rated of all might be Monarchs’ asset Kevin Wolbert who topped the Monarchs’ averages last year, and who is now in the Elite League with King’s Lynn.

The other Elite Leaguers in the field are Ty Proctor and Oliver Allen, injured in heat 1 of last year’s event.

Of the riders announced over the last few weeks, Aaron Summers has had to withdraw to race for Coventry and is replaced by Richard Hall.

NEXT MEETING: Next Friday, 30th March, the Scotwaste Monarchs race the second leg of the Spring Trophy against the reigning Premier League Champions Glasgow.