Edinburgh today named the mystery overseas rider that will line up at reserve as Christian Henry.
Described in Australia as a rider with potential with a capital P he was recommneded to the Monarchs by former King's Lynn and Peterborough promoter Martin Rogers who is now based permanently on Queensland's Gold Coast. Christian has also been receiving advice and assistance from the recently voted greatest speedway rider of all time, Ivan Mauger and he has raced regularly in Ivan's International Speedway and Long Track series in Australia. He has also been advised by Elite League number one Jason Crump.
Christian is eighteen years of age and based in up-country Queensland. He has agreed to return to the land of his roots to join the Monarchs. Christian has strong family links in Edinburgh and as such does not need a work permit to race in this country.
He is comparatively inexperienced in speedway but had a background in 80cc and 125cc dirt track racing. He purchased an ex-Jason Crump Jawa/Antig speedway machine at the age of sixteen. He impressed immediately and recorded an eighth place in the Queensland Under-21 championship after just one years' experience.
The prognosis from Australia is simple. Christian has so much potential but is hampered by too few race meetings. He'll have no more than twenty meetings in Australia this winter. More time on the bike and the better Christian will get. With more than fifty meetings available to him in the UK in 2000 he will certainly get time on the bike and will hope to climb out of his initial reserve berth as quickly as possible.
Full details of Christian's career to date in Australia can be found on Peter Henderson's website at the following location:
Monarchs' team is now nearing completion. Robert Eriksson and Kevin Little seem likely to be joined at heat leader by Peter Carr. Blair Scott and Ross Brady will line up at second string. There is still a vacancy at reserve, to partner Christian, that appeared at one stage to be earmarked for David McAllan with just under four points to play with.