SEMI SUCCESS

NEWS Wednesday 17th April 2013, 11:00pm

by Toby Lerone and Nigel Duncan Media

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Interest continues to mount in the Friday night staging of the British Championship Semi Final at Armadale. Advance ticket sales for this time of the week are at a record level and it looks like the record set for the first meeting of the season will easily be exceeded.

Commented Scotwaste Monarchs Chairman, Alex Harkess, “This meeting seems to have really caught the attention of speedway fans in the north and it may well be that we’ll have our biggest attendance at the stadium for a number of years.”

Interest could very well be so high because there is a believe that home number one Craig Cook could pull off a big surprise and win the meeting ahead of his more illustrious Elite League rivals. But laid-back Craig said, “There is no pressure on me. I will just go out and enjoy myself and see what happens. There are a lot of good guys out there. Hopefully, I’ll make the top seven and qualify for the Final and, if I don’t, I’ll be disappointed.”

Craig has invested heavily in his equipment over the close season and the reigning Premier League Riders’ Champion added, “I’m going well so far. I’m fitter than I’ve been before and I’ve spent a lot of money. I’ve bought a new engine but I still change things, looking for the best set up. I have to be at the top of my game every time with Belle Vue. The pressure to succeed is intense at Elite league level and that obviously helps me riding with the Scotwaste Monarchs in the Premier League.”

Scotwaste Monarchs captain, Derek Sneddon is also in the line up and he fancies his chances of getting into the top seven. Said Derek, “I’ve got the big advantage over most of the other guys, I’m riding this track every week. I fancy my chances against anyone if I can outgate them and that’s what I’m looking to do on Friday.”

A larger format 32 page match programme has been produced for the event priced at £3 and supporters are reminded that advance discounted tickets are available online until 11.59pm on Thursday night.