Speedway: Fisher lands big one

Published on Saturday 29 May 2010 11:21

ANYTHING team-mate Kalle Katajisto can do Ryan Fisher can do better...

Less than a week after Katajisto equalled the speedway track record of 54.6 seconds at Armadale, Fisher smashed it as he led Edinburgh Scotwaste Monarchs to a convincing 59-34 Premier League victory over Scunthorpe Scorpions.

Fisher was in outrageous form as he cantered to a 15-point maximum but he entered the history books in the very first race when he scorched to victory in an astonishing time of 53.9 secs to wipe out the old record set by former Monarchs skipper Theo Pijper in 2006.

Fisher described his feat as "nothing special" afterwards but he has now thrown down the gauntlet to Katajisto, who is also very much on form.

Fisher was untroubled by the Scunthorpe opposition and revealed how yet another change of engine propelled him to become the fastest man round Armadale.

He said: "I switched engines for the meeting, I had given my old engine so many chances because it wasn't working.

"So I switched bikes, put a new seat on, and pulled up my handlebars a little, and it paid off, I felt so comfortable.

"I didn't realise I had broken the record, I made a good start in the race and held the inside line, it was nothing special.

"But it was only really a matter of time before somebody did it because the Armadale track record wasn't really that fast to be honest. Kalle nearly breaks it every time he goes out, but I'm glad I've got it now and hopefully I can break it again."

Despite a torrential downpour two hours before the start, track conditions were extremely favourable.

"The track was awesome," said Fisher, "Alan Bridgett does such a great job which is why it is such a privilege to ride at Armadale. He is definitely the best track guy there is.

"I made some really good starts on an engine I used last season.

"My other motor just didn't have enough speed, which explained why I haven't been able to pass people when I have been behind. I've now got more power out of the starts so I can pull away. I gave up on my bad engine at Newcastle last Sunday and the decision seems to have paid off."

Katajisto wasn't totally overshadowed by Fisher, the Finn still notching up 17 points from seven rides and he also beat the old track record in heat two.

Katajisto had a fantastic battle with David Howe in heat four before prevailing over the Englishman.

Then an audacious overtaking move round the outside of Carl Wilkinson four races later induced near heart failure among some supporters.

Katajisto engineered four wins in total and is a priceless asset at reserve just now, bearing in mind that his partner Max Dilger continues to struggle with a shoulder complaint.

Katajisto was slightly dismayed at not scoring a full maximum, so high is the bar that he has set for himself.

"I feel a little disappointed," he said. "But I'm okay and my engines are going so good now Peter Carr is doing them. I feel really happy with them."

Scunthorpe, who were using rider replacement for the injured Joel Parsons, were only seven points down after nine races but capitulated thereafter and it was only Howe and Magnus Karlsson, who top scored with 10, who prevented a bigger drubbing.

Monarchs skipper Matthew Wethers, who weighed in with seven points was pleased with his side's display ahead of the return fixture at Scunthorpe on Monday.

Wethers said: "Despite the rain beforehand the track was in good shape and all the boys got the job done.

"The track has been good for the last two weeks and hopefully it will remain the same for the rest of the season."

Birthday boy Andrew Tully who has been striving for consistency at home of late, appeared to find it when he reeled off three wins in a row.

He followed Fisher home for a 5-1 in heat 13 to finish with an 11-point paid maximum which will surely do wonders for his confidence.

However, Hungarian Jozsef Tabaka could only manage a trio of third places and, given that he is on an assessed average of seven, he is fast becoming a liability.

Monarchs: Katajisto 17, Fisher 15, Tully 11, Wethers 7, Wolbert 6, Tabaka 3, Dilger 0.

Scunthorpe: Karlsson 10, Howe 9, Wilkinson 6, Hart 6, Aarnio 2, Lambert 1