The 21st season of racing starts at Armadale on Friday (tapes-up 7.15pm) with the Harrisons Scottish Open Championship with many believing this is the most competitive field in the competition in years, writes Mike Hunter.
Monarchs’ Chairman Alex Harkess said: “It’s as good a line-up as we have had for quite a long time.
“There’s half a dozen people in there capable of winning and even then there’s a few more capable of coming close. I think it’s an excellent line-up with a lot of riders of equal level which should give us a good event.
“I was down at Harrison’s last Saturday afternoon and they were talking about it. They are excited to be involved again. They’ve enjoyed every time they’ve come. If we can get similar weather to last weekend we will all be delighted.”
The Open was first run all in 1928 and can count five world champions including current champion Greg Hancock among its former winners.
While he is not among the competitors this time around, a strong field has been assembled with many being capable of lifting the famous Jack Young Memorial Trophy that is presented to the winner.
Leading the field is reigning champion and Monarchs No 1 Sam Masters. Sam took victory the last time the competition was run in 2014 and is looking forward to defending his title
He knows he won’t have it all his own way this Friday though with all six of his Parsons Peebles Monarchs teammates doing battle as well.
Many will be expecting a big challenge to come from Monarchs new recruit American Ricky Wells who, before joining, had the label of the best visitor to Armadale.
Two former Monarchs league winning heroes will also be among the favourites in the form of three time winner Rory Schlein and 2014 and 15 star Justin Sedgmen.
A host of top stars from the re-branded Speedway GB Championship will also be in attendance with Glasgow top men Aaron Summers and Richard Lawson sure to be in the mix.
Berwick’s popular Kevin Doolan is joined by track experts Ludvig Lindgren, Ulrich Ostergaard, Josh Grazcjonek and Matthew Wethers to complete what is a fierce line-up.
We are pleased to welcome back Harrisons of Peebles as title sponsor for the event and a party from Harrisons will be in attendance in our hospitality area alongside the heat sponsors of the meeting.
Line-up (in riding order) for the Harrisons Scottish Open Championship at Armadale on Friday 31st March (start time 7:15pm, gates open 6:30pm), are:
1. Josh Grajczonek (Sheffield & Somerset)
2. Josh Pickering (Edinburgh)
3. Richard Lawson (Glasgow)
4. Aaron Summers (Glasgow)
5. Ludvig Lindgren (Newcastle)
6. Erik Riss (Edinburgh & Leicester)
7. Kevin Doolan (Berwick)
8. Matthew Wethers (Unattached)
9. Sam Masters (Edinburgh & Wolverhampton)
10. Justin Sedgmen (Belle Vue)
11. Max Clegg (Edinburgh & Wolverhampton)
12. Ricky Wells (Edinburgh)
13. Mark Riss (Edinburgh)
14. Rory Schlein (Ipswich)
15. Mitchell Davey (Edinburgh)
16. Ulrich Ostergaard (Peterborough)
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