Stewart McDonald has announced that he is to quit speedway and argued that the new tyre rules are behind his decision. This is the second time in three years that Stewart has quit. He announced early in 1998 that he was taking a year out to play junior semi-professional football but was back a few months later riding for Scotland and then for Stoke.
Stewart was reputedly only interested in riding for Edinburgh or Glasgow and his failure to land a place was a possible factor in his decision. However, Stewart cited in the Edinburgh Pink that it was the rules, in particular the new tyre regulations that disallusioned him with the sport.
Stewart added:
"I am fed up with the sport and the regulations, especially the tyre rules. Having to go to a place like Reading last season and be rained-off after just two races, and then be told to take my tyre off and buy a new one is pathetic. The BSPA is milking speedway and I'm not going to be here to be milked."
"I made no money last season, although I enjoyed my spell with Edinburgh. There have slso been a lot of injuries to top riders and they reckon the tyres are to blame. The sport is out of control."
"I know cheating goes on over the doctoring of tyres. But there are easier ways to police the situation than having to put on a new tyre for every meeting. It's becoming so expensive just to survive."
Stewart understood why Edinburgh went for Blair Scott ahead of him for the vacant second string position:
"I know why they chose Blair. They own him and this stops other clubs, like Glasgow, tapping him at the end of the year. After what happened with James Grieves I can understand Edinburgh's position."
"If Glasgow had come in for me, after I had agreed terms with Edinburgh, all they would have been doing was to try and humiliate Edinburgh. I've never gone back on my word with anyone."
Stewart was one of the early products of the Linlithgow training track, he started and finished with Edinburgh. He had two spells with Glasgow plus a year each at Middlesbrough and Wolverhamton and a part year with Stoke in between his periods at Edinburgh. He was part of the Glasgow second division double winning side in 1994 but his most memorable spell was with Wolverhampton in 1996 when he was reserve in a top division double winning team. He had a great season with Glasgow in 1997 holding down a heat leader position. He also had some bad times. In 1998 with Middlesbrough he was at number 8 in a struggling side and was never really given a chance to show what he could do. Also unsatisfactory was his time with Stoke in 1998 whre he came late into the season again in a struggling team and never really got going. Last year with Edinburgh, was at times very frustrating for Stewart. He suffered engine problems in mid-season and then was injured at a crucial stage for himself and the team. He did have some good moments especially an outstanding run in May. Stewart has few regrets about quitting to concentrate on his family business:
"I've had a good run and made something of a name for myself in 1996 and 1997. I've had a lot of fun and good times. I am employed by my father at his hotel which will be mine in a few months' time. And speedway doesn't pay £25,000 a year."
"I was never in speedway for the money - all I wanted to do was to become reasonably successful."
Although McDonald does not think he will ride again, he is keen for some involvement in management in the future.
"I have always seen myself as a motivator. I seem to be able to get the boys going with my humour and stupidness. When I was with Wolves, who are one of the most efficient clubs in the country, Ronnie Correy used to say I could get the team pumped up."
"This made me feel good. Management takes a lot of thought and you need to know the rulebook inside out, which I don't But I can learn."
"Even spannering for someone carries appeal. I can't see me racing again. In fact I sold my bike and all my gear last week to James Grieves, who wanted it for Glasgow's training school which he'll be in charge of."
Stewart is one of the most articulate and intelligent people in speedway. He could well succeed in management. In his early days at Linlithgow many doubted if he would ever make it as a speedway rider. He proved them wrong with championship and cup wins in both first and second division. He also made it as a Premier League heat leader.
I am sure that all, especially from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Wolverhampton, will wish him well.