Mark Joins The Monarchs

NEWS Monday 6th June 2016, 12:20pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs have brought Mark Riss, elder brother of Erik by precisely one year, into their team with immediate effect, replacing Jye Etheridge.

John Campbell said “When we first approached the Riss boys we were told that Mark was initially the better rider although that is not the case now as Erik has had 50 meetings in the UK.

“However, Mark will have the help of Erik who has learnt so much about racing in the UK over the last year. Both Erik and Kevin Wolbert were keen to have Mark with us.”

Mark is confident that it is the right time to be coming over. He said this morning “The season has started pretty well for me and I have had some quite good results. I’ve had maybe 6 or 7 meetings this year.

“I practised one time at Armadale and it is quite difficult for the first time. But I think I am now confident for it.

“Erik has made pretty good progress so far, he made a big step in the winter. I feel I have the same determined attitude and I want to get to the top in Speedway as he does.

“In Germany I ride for Landshut and also in the second division for Herxheim. Erik has told me everything about the team and the club. I look forward to coming over.”

Campbell added “The Riss family have also built a small, 150 metre track, in their back garden to allow the boys to practice on a circuit more akin to what they will find in the UK, and particularly Armadale. As happened with Erik last year I expect Mark to grow in confidence and points scoring as the season progresses although, initially, the challenge will be difficult.”

It is never pleasant to tell someone he is out of the team, and the victim of the first team change we have made since May 2013 (when Mitchell Davey took Marcel Helfer’s place) is our young Aussie Jye Etheridge.

Jye came here with limited speedway experience but with good backing from family and friends. He has had 5 home and 5 away meetings, several of them on wet tracks, and has shown flashes of promise but scored only 9 points in 40 rides. Perhaps the best thing would be to ride more frequently back home and show that he can improve and be worth a 5-point average. He can’t lower that average and he can’t ride in the National League.

John Campbell said “I’ll do all I can to get him to a track that may better suit his style but the new rules this season mean that he is still lumbered with an average of five.”

As with all overseas riders we have to find accomodation for Mark and if anyone is able to assist with this we would greatly appreciate it.

Full Result Details