PREVIEW: Monarchs race into home action

Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway team will race into action this Sunday afternoon (12th April), when they stage their first home match of the season at Perry Hall Playing Fields, 2pm start.

The Monarchs, the oldest Cycle Speedway team in the world, will entertain East Park Wolves of Wolverhampton in the Midland League keen to recover from a crushing defeat at Wednesfield Aces three weeks ago.

The Perry Hall based side, the reigning Midland League champions, are set to name their strongest side and welcome back ace gating Marcus Wadhams and close season signing Scott Millward, who both missed the defeat at Wednesfield.

Ricki Johnson, the current British U19s champion, will make his home debut in Birmingham colours, as will Matt Smith, another close season signing, who joined from Sunday’s opponents, East Park Wolves.

Birmingham team (from): Marcus Wadhams, Scott Millward, Ricki Johnson, Matt Smith, Andy James, Carl Winwood, Steve Hodgkinson, Mark Winwood, Chris Timms, Bob Prince and Ewan Hancock.

Supporting Midland League Division 2 and Midland Junior League (for under 14s) against East Park Wolves will follow the main encounter between the sides.

Birmingham juniors will be facing a full weekend of racing this weekend, with their junior squad also racing at Leicester this Saturday (11th April) in the first round of the British Junior and Youth League at the East Midlands venue.

Meanwhile, the Birmingham club received a boost this week with the news that current Eurovets GP champion Paul Timms, out of action following a knee operation, is now back in training at Perry Hall Playing Fields.

Timms, father of star man Chris, and of club secretary Natalie, is hoping to be fit enough to take his place in the first round of the Eurovets GP series, set for Wiltshire venue Swindon on Saturday 9th May.

The Birmingham club also welcomed their latest new signing to the club this week. Welsh starlet Ieaun Payne made the trip from his Newport home to sample his new home track and impressed onlookers with his speed and tactical prowess.

The Birmingham Cycle Speedway track is situated in the far corner of Perry Hall Playing Fields, Perry Avenue, Perry Barr, Birmingham. B42 2NF. For more information, please ring: 07825 585828.

For more information on Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway, including how to get involved, you can visit: www.birminghammonarchs.wordpress.com or by ringing: 07825 585828