Home Heroes Aiming For Caledonian Glory

NEWS Tuesday 27th June 2017, 8:36pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

On Friday evening Parsons Peebles Monarchs regulars Max Clegg and Mitchell Davey will be aiming for individual glory in the Caledonian Riders's Championship in association with Linlithgow Tyres and Exhausts.

Both Monarchs have had moments of brilliance at Armadale this season but Davey is expecting a hard battle in the fight for top spot on the podium.

The Monarchs number seven has shown some consistent form in recent weeks around Armadale but ahead of Friday's showpiece Davey knows he'll have to be on top form to get the better of the likes of Clegg, Ben Hopwood and former Monarch Dan Bewley.

Davey said, "I think it's excellent that the club have used their initiative to fill the free date with a meeting to showcase what the National League and some of the local guys have to offer. I think Max, Dan and myself will be expected to battle it out for top spot but I think it will be a exciting meeting with lots of good racing.

"The National League is a very competitive league. I think sometimes it perhaps gets a bad rap but I think Edinburgh fans will be impressed with the standard of racing on Friday night. If speedway racing is close and competitive then fans will always enjoy it.

"From my own point of view I know it will be tough to get the win. Max is very good around Armadale and Dan is on fire at the minute for his clubs and individually in Europe. I'll go in with a positive attitude and I'm backing myself to go well."

Mitchell also has the added incentive of going into the meeting as the current Scottish No.1, a title that he is quick to shy away from. He said, "I've had people joke about this since I returned to racing. I now have a British passport and live in Scotland, but I don't think I'd go as far as to say I'm Scottish. I suppose it's all good banter. If I become Caledonian Riders's Champion I would have more cause to accept the title!"

Mitchell will be joined in the meeting by Scottish youngsters Kevin Whelan, Ryan MacDonald and Dale Lamb. As a Scottish based rider Davey is aware of just how tough it can be to secure a National League spot but said Friday's meeting is a chance for them to impress.

Mitchell said, "its good to see the younger guys being given a chance to show what they can do in a meeting like this. There is fair amount of National League experience in the meeting and it's up to them to show they can go out and score points.

"I know how hard it's been for all three to secure a club, purely down to where they live, but they have to show on Friday that they are good enough for a team to take a chance on them."

On top of the action on track there will be other attractions at Armadale in what is being billed as a family fun night. We will have a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids and of course our world famous mascot Ed The Lion will be in attendance and is always happy to get his picture taken.

After the meeting we would encourage fans to go into the bar for a special EM:TV Friday Focus where Scott Frame will be speaking to the top 3 from teh meeting.

Tickets for Friday's Caledonian Riders' Championship in association with Linlithgow Tyres and Exhausts can still be purchased at a discounted rate until 11.59pm Thursday evening here

Full Line-Up:

1. Ryan MacDonald - Ashfield Giants

2. Dale Lamb - Dale Devils

3. Kean Dicken - Unattached

4. Kevin Whelan - Berwick Border Raiders

5. Shelby Rutherford - Buxton Hitmen

6. Tom Woolley- Buxton Hitmen

7. Kyle Bickley - Belle Vue Colts

8. Rob Shuttleworth- Belle Vue Colts

9. Mitchell Davey - Stoke Potters

10. Max Clegg - Buxton Hitmen

11. Ben Hopwood - Kent Kings

12. Dan Bewley - Belle Vue Colts