EXCITING SEASON TO LOOK FORWARD TO

NEWS Thursday 24th February 2011, 8:27am

by John Campbell

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It's little more than four weeks until the tapes go up on another season of speedway racing at Armadale and it is with the continuing support of Scotwaste Recycling of Bathgate that the Scotwaste Monarchs set out to defend their Premier League title.

The announcement of the Premier League fixture list throws up some intriguing confrontations and the new look Premier League with the final phase of matches being decided by League positions at a specific summer date is a unique situation in British Speedway.

The season gets underway at Armadale with a Premier Shield clash against Newcastle on 25th March. The Monarchs and the Diamonds were, by far, the dominant teams of the 2010 season have an early chance to impose authority in the new season.

The following week the revitalised Glasgow Tigers are the visitors in the traditional season opening Spring Trophy. The Tigers squad looks considerably stronger than previous seasons and there are plenty of positive vibes coming from the west. In addition to the Tigers visit on 1st April we are also presenting an additional second half tournament, the Thor Trophy, featuring the touring Team Viking riders, in a nine heat contest.

Our match on Good Friday against the league newcomers, Leicester Lions, will see our Easter Bunny distributing Easter Eggs and our attempt to make a good start in the Knock Out Cup will commence against Sheffield on 13th May. We don't have to look back very far into the 2010 season to realise just how difficult that tie will be.

There is some mystery surrounding the home and away Super Cup clashes with Glasgow in Mid June but all supporters will be very pleased when a full announcement is made concerning these matches, in due course. The Scottish Open Championship, once again sponsored by Keyline, slots in at the end of July, just before the end of the first phase of the Premier League before the exciting chase to title commences with the second phase of the League meetings getting underway in early August.

Much work has already been undertaken at the Armadale track to ensure top class racing in the forthcoming season with only some tidying up work to done in early March to have everything ready for the opener.

An exciting team of youthful racers has again been put together with Craig Cook being the only newcomer announced so far.

All in all, everything is geared for everyone to renew the Armadale Experience on 25th March at 7.30pm.