Armadale will stage the first competitive speedway meeting in Scotland in 2020 when the fourth round of the British Youth Championship takes place on Saturday (4pm).

It will be an event without fans due to the current restrictions, but supporters can still view it thanks to the Monarchs’ EMTV Channel. Cost is ÂŁ5 through the Monarchs’ official website at www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.

Local interest in Saturday’s event will centre on Ace and Stene Pijper, sons of the Monarchs’ rider Theo Pijper and his wife Carrie who are now Scottish-based – both of the boys were born here.

Ace (14) competes in the 250cc class and Stene (11) is in the 125cc section. Both boys have made it to the final of their events during the three rounds held so far.

Leading lights in the 500cc class include the Thompson twins Dan and Joe who were due to line up for Premier League champions Leicester this summer until the virus put a stop to the league season. Other contenders include Archie Freeman from Newcastle and the Bradford-based McGurk brothers.

The Monarchs’ promotion have worked hard to comply with Government guidelines and put this event on and this will come to fruition on Saturday.

British Under-21 manager Neil Vatcher is the driving force behind this Youth Championship and in welcoming him and his riders, Monarchs’ promoter John Campbell said: “We will have 28 riders on Saturday.

“Although we have a couple who will have travelled less than an hour to get here, there will be others who have travelled from the south of England to be with us.

“It’s a tremendous effort from all competitors and with ages ranging from eight to 16 it is easy to be optimistic about a bright future for British speedway.””

In spite of the absence of fans there will be a programme for the event which will also be available through the website.

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