Speedway: Scottish Open still a Premier event says Campbell after snubbing Elite

Published on Friday 31 July 2009 10:02

EDINBURGH Monarchs boss John Campbell has made tonight's Keyline sponsored Homecoming Scottish Open speedway championship at Armadale a Premier League-only affair in protest at the attitude of some Elite League stars.

Campbell's move has raised hopes that a home victory could be on the cards and that a Monarch will lift the MSSC Jack Young trophy for the first time since Rory Schlein raised it aloft in 2004 before winning again in Coventry Bees colours last season.

Campbell thinks the invited field will produce a fiercely- contested event and hopes to avoid anyone running away with the crown as Schlein did a year ago.

And he stands by his decision to exclude any top-division stars, despite the fact it could backfire at the turnstiles.

He said: "I was influenced by the fact that, apart from Rory, who is injured and cannot defend his title, a lot of Elite League riders are exceptionally difficult to deal with.

"They think that they can give up if it doesn't suit them and I was fed up, especially last year, talking to Elite League riders who were keen to accept our invite then couldn't be bothered to turn up.

"We have riders now who didn't need any persuasion to take part at all.

"I expect a highly-contested meeting."

Monarchs No.1 Ryan Fisher would be a fantastically popular victor and is bang in form, his skills honed by also racing for Swindon Robins in the Elite League.

"That has certainly sharpened me up," said Fisher, "and I'm looking forward to the meeting. I feel I'm in good shape and I'll be going for it."

Team-mates Matthew Wethers, Aaron Summers, Andrew Tully, and Michal Rajkowkski, also carry home hopes and all have chances if they can put some good starts together.

New boy Max Dilger will make his debut for the Capital club after rain thwarted his scheduled first appearance at Birmingham in midweek.

Glasgow Tigers fans will feel justified in championing the cause of their trio, Shane Parker, James Grieves and William Lawson, who joined The Ashfield side recently after being released by Berwick Bandits.

Lawson was Monarchs' top rider in 2008 but couldn't be fitted into this year's team. Nonetheless he knows the fastest way round Armadale and, if his bikes are on song, he could be a real spoiler.

A victory for Grieves would be as welcome as swine flu among some Monarchs fans, who have never forgiven the Paisley rider for turning his back on the club a few years ago – yet his chances cannot be dismissed lightly.

And Parker, who swept to glory in the last-ever championship to be staged at Powderhall in 1996, would love to win on Lothian Arena soil.

Others to be considered are Stan Burza, who was a surprise winner in 2006 and who has now rejoined Berwick and is showing some of the sparkle that captivated everybody three years ago.

And enigmatic Swede Thomas Jonasson takes his final bow for this season in Monarchs colours and would be considered a genuine candidate if the meeting wasn't being held at Armadale.

He is hot at the moment after winning both the Swedish Final and Under-21 crowns in the space of 24 hours last weekend.

But he has never got to grips with his home track and this could hamper his silverware aspirations.

Any one of ten riders are capable of winning the coveted title so it should be a cracking evening even without the sprinkling of Elite League stardust.

The meeting starts at 7.15pm and admission prices are 18 for adults, 11 for OAPs and 5 for children 5. Under 12s go free with a paying adult.

Field: Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers, Aaron Summers, Andrew Tully, Michal Rajkowski, Max Dilger, Thomas Jonasson (Edinburgh) Shane Parker, James Grieves, William Lawson (Glasgow) Kevin Doolan, Andre Compton (Workington) Stan Burza, Paul Clews (Berwick) Derek Sneddon (Newcastle) Kevin Woolbert.