Will Third Time Be The Charm

NEWS Wednesday 30th August 2017, 5:42pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After the second attempt at staging the Caledonian Riders Championship once again fell foul to the weather last Friday we try again this week in the hope that it will be third time lucky

REVISED LINE-UP

An exciting looking line-up has been assembled with the best efforts being made to maintain as much of the original field as possible but due to other commitments a few changes have been made that it could be argued makes for a stronger field from top to bottom. Max Clegg, Dany Gappmaier and Luke Ruddick join the line-up in place of Mason Campton, Tom Perry and Ryan MacDonald respectively

INTEREST THROUGHOUT THE FIELD

Although predominantly being a chance for the Parsons Peebles Monarchs faithful to see some riders they may not experience on a regular basis there are still plenty of familiar faces in the line-up.

Home heroes Clegg and Mitchell Davey are expected to be among the front runners with many expecting his stiffest challenge to come from the likes of Gappmaier or Coty Garcia and with relatively unknown Jacob Bukhave on the grid will this meeting unearth a star?

WILL WE SEE A SCOTTISH WINNER?

With a lack of training facilities having led to a downturn in the amount of riders being produced in and around Scotland recently this is seen by many as a great chance for the current crop of Scottish youngsters to get their names out there and secure a place in the National League. 4 of the country’s top prospects are in the field in the form of Ruddick, Kev Whelan, Dale Lamb and Kieran Douglas and this is something that meeting promoter Scott Frame was keen to make sure happened “We have to make sure we are giving the young Scottish guys a chance to show what they can do. The guys don’t get the track time they need these days and we need to try and rectify that. To lose out to the weather for the second time was very disappointing but we have one last opportunity for this season on Friday. The enthusiasm for the meeting has been eye opening for the club. I think the fans have appreciated the time and effort that's went in to trying to put on a show that's different to what they are used to.”

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

With ticket prices slashed across the board the hope is a large turnout will be in attendance to support the event. Home man Mitchell Davey will be in attendance at the entrance to the stadium for pictures and autographs before the meeting and there will be face painting and bouncy castle for the younger (or younger at heart) also. A talk in is also planned in the bar after the meeting with some of the night’s competitors.

MEETING SPONSOR

Linlithgow Tyres and Exhausts are meeting sponsors this week. A long term supporter of Scottish junior speedway owner Alan Robertson was heavily involved with the Linlithgow Lightning back in the day and is always looking for ways to help young Scots make their way. Thanks also go out to the numerous heat and rider

sponsors who have stepped forward to support the event and who stayed on board after the original meeting was postponed.

Line-up for the Caledonian Riders Championship in association with Linlithgow Tyres and Exhausts this at Armadale on Friday 1st September (start time 7:30pm, gates open 6:30pm), is:

1.Luke Ruddick, 2.Dale Lamb, 3.Kieran Douglas, 4.Kevin Whelan, 5.Shelby Rutherford, 6.Tom Wooley, 7.James Sarjeant, 8. Mitchell Davey, 9.Max Clegg, 10.Jacob Bukhave, 11. Dany Gappmaier, 12.Coty Garcia

WILL A STAR BE UNEARTHED: While on paper the line-up looks like it may be split into two halves a little with the less experienced riders looking to make a name for themselves and the better known stars going for the title an interesting evening is in store. A specially devised heat format will mean all races are competitive and with noted Championship performers such as Clegg, Garcia, Sarjeant and Davey all gunning for victory then some surprises may be in store and whoever tops the podium at the end of the night will know they have had to battle hard for the title.

LAST MEETING: Last week’s initial attempt at restaging the Caledonian Riders Championship was washed out once again after a heavy early afternoon shower.

NEXT MEETING: A big night as the Parsons Peebles Monarchs return to the track in a double header with Workington Comets and Ipswich Witches the opposition. Note the meetings will start earlier at 7pm sharp to allow for both meetings to be run back to back.