Former Edinburgh favourite Mike Faria is keen on a comeback to British Speedway. He took the step of contacting Speedway Star magazine to advertize his availability for the coming season in the British Elite League.
Mike rode one successful season at Belle Vue in the 1980s before returning home to Apple Valley California. For some reason he was ignored by British Speedway for the next decade before signing for Monarchs on the creation of the compined British Premier League in 1995. Mike proved a great success in Monarchs' last season at Powderhall easily topping the averages. He rode with a great style and gated really well although he probably lacked the equipment to challenge the top Grand Prix riders.
He did even better in 1996 riding for the Scottish Monarchs at Shawfield. He rode in a number of Overseas Finals but in 1996 he 'qualified' for the Inter-Continental final from the Overseas at Coventry. This was despite still riding an upright machine while virtually everyone else was on a laydown. e never made it to the Inter-Continental Final as along with most of the field of the Overseas Final he was disqualified for refusing to use the controversial 'solid block' tyres.
Mike was keen to stay with Monarchs but the split of the leagues in 1997 meant that this was not to be. Monarchs could not have afforded Mike in the new Premier League and in any event his average was far too high.
Despite passing the age of 40, Mike's form in demostic American competitions is as good as ever. Mike is still more than a match for the likes of Billy Hamill, Greg Hancock, and Sam Ermolenko in American conditions. He has added a couple of wins in the FIM US Final as well as an American Championship win over the last two or three years.
Mike can be contacted by e-mail on:
dgw.cam.rf.fmf@worldnet.att.net
or by telephone on 001-775-829-9499.