Motorsport: Open comes to Armadale

Jul 30 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ALL ROADS lead to West Lothian this week when the county hosts the Homecoming Scottish Open Championship at Armadale Stadium on Friday at 7.30pm.

This is the oldest individual championship in British Speedway, dating back to 1928, and the winner will be presented with the Jack Young Memorial Trophy named after the Australian rider who won the World Championship in Monarchs colours in 1951.

Riders from six countries contest the 2009 Open (sponsored by Keyline) and there seems to be a reasonable chance of a home winner with Ryan Fisher, Andrew Tully and Matthew Wethers all in great form. However, the Glasgow representatives of Shane Parker, James Grieves and William Lawson will also fancy their chances.

Parker is one of the two previous champions in the field, the other being Stan Burza of Berwick.

Monarchs’ new signing Max Dilger, the 20-year-old German rider, will be in the field as will the man he is replacing, Sweden’s Thomas H Jonasson.

Jonasson has withdrawn from the Monarchs’ team for the rest of the season due to excessive commitments as well as the tragic death of his father (who was his chief organiser) earlier this season.

Last Friday, the Monarchs did well to overcome the loss of Andrew Tully after a crash in his first ride, going on to beat Scunthorpe 52-43 and qualify for the final of the premier Trophy.

They will meet King’s Lynn on dates to be arranged. Monarchs of course are holders of this trophy.

All of the remaining riders did well with Aaron Summers top scoring on 14 points.

On Saturday, the Monarchs’ quartet of Ryan Fisher, Matthew Wethers, Michal Rajkowski and Aaron Summers took a creditable third place in the Premier League Fours at Workington. The local Comets were the winners with Somerset second.

Line-up for Friday: Derek Sneddon (Newcastle and Scotland), Stan Burza (Berwick & Poland), Thomas H Jonasson (Edinburgh and Sweden), Matthew Wethers (Edinburgh and Australia), Michal Rajkowski (Edinburgh and Poland), Andrew Tully (Edinburgh and Scotland), Kevin Doolan (Workington and Australia), Aaron Summers (Edinburgh and Australia), Andre Compton (Workington and England), James Grieves (Glasgow and Scotland), William Lawson (Glasgow and Australia), Shane Parker (Glasgow and Australia), Paul Clews (Berwick and England), Kevin Wolbert (Germany), Ryan Fisher (Edinburgh and USA), Max Dilger (Edinburgh and Germany).