THERE is a buzz about tonight's Keyline Scottish Open speedway Championship caused by the return to Armadale of former Monarch and Coventry Bees star Rory Schlein.
Schlein was crowned champion in 2004 in what proved to be his swansong in Monarchs colours, as he was transferred for £20,000 to Elite League outfit Coventry at the end of that year.
Monarchs nurtured the young Australian when he first touched dow
n in Scotland three years earlier. It was plain to see he had talent in abundance and he progressed into an expert heat leader for the Capital outfit and was an influential member of Monarchs' 2003 Premier League championship winning team.
The 23-year-old, who always exuded confidence, certainly isn't daunted by the prospect of opening up his throttle again round the Lothian Arena circuit.
He said: "It will definitely be interesting. It's been a while since I've ridden Armadale. I'm looking forward to it, it should be fun. It will bring back a lot of good memories. I don't think it will feel strange or weird. It should be a good homecoming, so to speak."
Schlein's triumph in 2004 provided one of the few bright spots that year for Monarchs, who were a shadow of the squad who captured the league crown the previous season.
"I know the Scottish Open may not be a world stage meeting, but for me to have my name engraved alongside previous champions like Ivan Mauger and Greg Hancock, is a great honour in my book," said Schlein. "Hopefully I can add my name again to the trophy. My victory meant a lot to me and my family.
"Edinburgh didn't have a good year in 2004 and I remember the chairman Alex Harkess coming up to me afterwards and saying 'you are an Edinburgh winner so at least we have won something this year'.
"It was a great feeling and it was probably one of the biggest individual titles I've won."
Many people will make Schlein one of the favourites to pull off a second success – which could have added extra pressure – but he insists: "The way my season has gone so far I've thrown pressure out of the window.
"I've had enough pressure to last a lifetime this year. I'm going to every meeting now, to enjoy riding, and to score points. Obviously my season has been dire. I treat every match as another day at the office."
Schlein's departure from Armadale into the top flight was as inevitable as it was disappointing, but the Monarchs management accepted his desire to move on and never stood in his way.
"I made the decision to leave Monarchs because I needed to race against world-class riders on a weekly basis," he continued.
"Guys like Kenneth Bjerre were already in the Elite League at that time and I felt I was getting left behind. I took the plunge and in my first year with Coventry I broke my back. That's speedway, you are never sure what is going to happen.
"I don't have any regrets about going into the Elite League. I've always remembered Edinburgh and have great respect for the club."
With two winners' medals garnered from Coventry's title triumphs of 2005 and last season, Schlein agrees he hasn't done too badly in the silverware stakes since moving south.
"I've done all right," he said. "I've also got two Knockout Cup medals and a Craven Shield medal as well." Yet Schlein confessed 2008 has been a difficult year for both himself and Coventry.
"We had to dismantle our league-winning side of last year. It really hurt Coventry. You have these people in speedway who think they've done the best for the sport but they haven't.
"We haven't been one of the best teams in the league this season. But we just have to get on with things and do our best over the remaining weeks of the campaign."
Asked if he still remembers the quickest way round Armadale, Schlein replied: "I've still to ring Doc (Alan Bridgett] to ask him to sort out turn two for me!"
Schlein's Coventry team-mate Billy Janniro could also be in contention for glory. Wolves star David Howe, who loves Armadale and lifted the famous Jack Young Memorial Trophy in 2005, must also be considered.
Six of the Monarchs squad are in the 16-man field and Ryan Fisher undoubtedly has the ability to bring about another home rider success.
The Californian fears no one, and if he can display restraint when it matters, he cannot be ruled out of a rostrum place.
Meanwhile, Monarchs visit Berwick Bandits tomorrow night in a crucial league clash.
The Bandits have reshuffled their line-up again, dropping Tony Atkin and bringing back Gugliemo Franchetti who was dropped earlier in the season. They will also use a guest in place of Adrian Rymel.
Monarchs have already won at Shielfield Park this season, but promoter John Campbell warned: "Berwick are a changed side now and difficult to beat at home. If we win I would consider it a bonus win."
Full line-up: A Summers, D Sneddon, A Tully, R Fisher, T Jonasson, M Wethers (Edinburgh), R Ksiezak, T Leverington (Glasgow), B Janniro, R Schlein (Coventry), M Makovsky (Berwick), J Grieves (Redcar), T McGowan (Swindon), J Screen (Belle Vue), D Howe (Wolves), G Stancl (Newcastle).
The full article contains 902 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
