SPEEDWAY IS BACK!

NEWS Tuesday 20th March 2007, 10:30am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs return to Armadale this Friday with the traditional opener, a visit from Glasgow in the first leg of the Spring Trophy.

It will be the first outing as a Monarch for the new captain Ronnie Correy who is looking forward to leading his team over the weekend. Also in the home lineup, Bathgate based Andrew Tully, formerly club mascot, rides his first match as a fully-fledged Monarch. Glasgow welcome back George Stancl alongside top man Shane Parker in a formidable squad.

TEAMS FOR THE SPRING TROPHY MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 23rd March (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Ronnie Correy (capt.), Henrik Moller, William Lawson, Daniele Tessari, Matthew Wethers, Derek Sneddon, Andrew Tully.

GLASGOW FSM OUTDOOR ADVERTISING TIGERS: George Stancl, Lee Smethills, Shane Parker (capt.), Trent Leverington, Robert Ksiezak, Lee Dicken, David McAllan.

RONNIE SETTLING

American star Ronnie Correy had no problem settling in with either track, team mates or fans during last Friday's Press, Practise and Social day.

He said ?I enjoyed my first day with the Monarchs last week, which finished up sitting and relaxing and chatting with a few people.

?The weather conditions stopped us really racing last Friday but the track suits me fine, I don't have any problems with that.

?I was pleased to be with the team on Friday, they seem like a good bunch of lads who get along well. They all seem interested and are asking questions already so I was quite impressed with that. They are asking about the track and other things, it was good.

?I said don't be afraid to ask questions, that's what I'm here for. If I can't answer then I will find it out.?

MASCOT TO TEAM MAN

There will be a lot of interest on Friday in the performance of Andrew Tully from Bathgate, Monarchs' mascot in the late nineties, who has earned a place in the team this year with some sterling displays for Scunthorpe in last year's Conference League.

ADMISSION UNCHANGED

Unusually in this day and age, the Scotwaste Monarchs have made no increase in prices this year for admission or match programme.

Admissions are ?12 (adults), ?9 (OAPs), ?4 (under-16s), ?17 (Family of one adult and two children). 24 page programme is ?2.

SPONSOR ON FRIDAY

First-time sponsors on Friday are Martin Whitehead and Son (Painter and Decorator) of Broxburn. Martin has been a Speedway supporter since the Powderhall days of the early nineties.

TESTING LINEUPS

Glasgow have three matches this weekend and are fielding a different lineup in all three ? the same seven of course but in a different order to experiment with the new rules which insist that the top two average riders line up at nos. 1 and 3.

This throws some focus onto the no. 5 rider who races three times with a reserve partner. The two sides have Aussies playing that role on Friday ? Ksiezak for Glasgow (recently transferred from Edinburgh) and Wethers for Edinburgh.

Glasgow have made several changes over the winter but field only one completely new rider ? Lee Smethills, previously with Hull, Berwick and Workington amongst others. The other ?new' Tigers are returning club assets George Stancl and Trent Leverington, with Newcastle and Stoke last year respectively.

Trent's performance will be of great interest, given that his last appearance in the Scottish derby was as a guest for Edinburgh, riding brilliantly and inspiring a Monarchs' win at Ashfield!

THE OFFICIAL BUS

The Monarchs' bus bringing east of Scotland supporters has been operating throughout the previous ten seasons at Armadale, but this year will be running from further east. It starts from Seton Sands Holiday Centre at 5.58pm, then Ship Inn Port Seton 6.00pm, War Memorial Village Square Cockenzie 6.01pm, Cross Keys Tranent 6.05pm, Newcraighall Station Car Park 6.15pm and Waterloo Place 6.35pm. The route has been driven by bus driver Derek Wilkinson of Duddingston Private Hire, at the scheduled times, and he confirms the timings work. The fare is a much reduced ?5 for Adults and ?2 for children.

SEASON TICKETS

There is a final chance for supporters to buy Armadale Speedway season tickets on Friday night.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING

On Friday 30th March the Scotwaste Monarchs start their Premier Trophy campaign against the highly rated Redcar Bears, starring Gary Havelock and James Grieves.