CLUB NEWS: Double glory for Monarchs at Indoor Championships
Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway team took double glory in Coventry last weekend at the 2 day Indoor championships, racing to team and individual success with Ricki Johnson in near unstoppable form.
Saturday saw the Monarchs drawn in the Semi final of death as the strongest of the 3 Semis. There was no need to worry as the Birmingham men cruised to an unexpected comfortable victory signalling what may be in store for the other qualifiers.
With 4 strong teams reaching the end of day 1 final as expected there was going to be no easy race for any of the teams. In the 1st block of heats it was a Great Blakenham who led with the Monarchs in 2nd, again at the half way stage Birmingham played second fiddle to new leaders Wednesfield.
The Monarchs consistency seeing them start to look likely favourites as the 2nd half of the match unfolded with Johnson in superb form and not being headed in both the Semi and Final. Chris Timms recovered from a 2nd race exclusion to win his remaining heats that ensured that it was all Monarchs way in the last few heats. The closeness of the scores indicated that this could have gone one of 3 ways right towards the last race.
INDOOR CLUB TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP – BIRMINGHAM 43 – Ricki Johnson 16, Chris Timms 12, Ewan Hancox 8, Nathan Groves 7, Paul Timms DNR, Wednesfield 40, Great Blakenham 39, Ipswich 32.
The rest of the 2 day championships were made up of individual competitions. Johnson again was superb by taking the Open Senior title on 19 points, dropping just a single point all weekend. Chris Timms also qualified coming in 8th on 12 points. Nathan Groves, Ewan Hancox and Paul Timms all failed to make the final going out in the qualifiers.
Paul Timms also took part in the Over 40’s final finishing in 5th place, Ewan Hancox came 8th in the Junior final on 12 points whilst Connor Steel came 5th in the U14’s final.
Attention now turns to the 2019 season with Birmingham again taking part in the Midland League whilst also competing in the cross over league again that’s now named English league. 4 Midland teams take part along with Horspath and Poole.
Exciting transfer news sees former Monarch Paul Heard return to the side from Wednesfield. Heard has been one of the top British riders for several seasons and will give the Birmingham side an added boost in the heat leader department, exciting time for the club.
The early stages of this year sees work taking place on the track with new shale being laid. The club are also in advanced talks with Birmingham council on agreeing a valuation of the land for the lease which will give the club more say on what happens to the surroundings. Lighting will be next on the agenda as funding for semi permanent lighting is being sourced. Fixtures are already released for the season ahead. Birmingham travel to Wednesfield on Sunday March 10th for the first fixture of the season. The first fixture at Perry Hall Playing Fields will be on Sunday 24th March in Gold Cup action although Birmingham won’t be competing in that meeting.
The first team action at the track will be on Sunday 28th April with a Midland League visit from Coventry.
Birmingham also hold the 4th and final round of the YJL competition where all age range winners will be crowned.
Follow the Monarchs on Facebook @Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway Club or on Twitter
@brummonarchs.