When Christian Henry made his long-awaited debut ride for Monarchs it can hardly have turned worse. He missed the start but made ground rapidly and seemed set to cut through the field when he went into the third bend going rather too fast and collided with Scott Courtney and Brian Turner. Christian was excluded from the heat but took no further part in the meeting after suffering from concussion. Brian Turner and Scott Courtney were also ruled out of the meeting with wrist injuries.
Undaunted by this, Christian was back in action at Glasgow on Sunday. He made a better start this time. In heat 2 he came off gate 3 and powered around the outside to pass Aidan Collins on the exit from the second bend. He stayed ahead winning a race for the line with Collins who tried to cut under him of the last bend. Christian had to retire in his second outing in heat 4, costing him a certain point. He was given an extra ride in heat 12 and beat Freddie Stephenson for third place. Four points from five rides is not bad for a new three-point reserve in an away match.
Christian arrived in Scotland thanks to a recommendation by Martin Rogers, editor of the Queensland 'Gold Coast News'. Rogers was a former promoter at King's Lynn.
Christian became involved in speedway after a new track opened near to his Queensland home. He commented to to the Edinburgh Pink:
I bought my first bike from Jason Crump and just took it from there. I live round the corner from Ivan Mauger, who won the world title six times. He has helped me and given me some invaluble advice. But not just me, Ivan has a lot to do with all the youngsters at our local track."
"There is no team racing in Australia, it's all individual events. But there are lot of good riders back home. However it's quite difficult for them to come across to Britain to try and get a team place here."
Monarchs hoped that Christian could maintain a three-point average but there are suggestions from Australia that he could be rather better than that. He was deprived of a place in the final of the Australian Under-21 championship when he fell in his final heat. He was occupying the reqired second place at the time but tried a pass and came off.
"I have no illusions about riding in the Premier League. I know it will be tough. In Australia we are lucky if we race three times a month. The riders here race a lot more. But when I get out of the traps I feel I can do well."
It has been suggested that the small tracks in the Premier League will be difficult for one who has raced on the massive Australian tracks. None are smaller than Armadale!
"My local track is only 310 metres, which isn't that big. I had a practice session at Glasgow's Ashfield track two weeks ago and felt quite comfortable, it's a good circuit with a consistent surface."
Although Ashfield is quite a small track it has smooth sweeping bends and rides more like a big track. By contrast Armadale has much tighter bends, being constrained by the dog track. Christian actually has a 'day job' at Armadale working on the track with Alan Bridgett as part of his contract with Monarchs and lives in West Lothian near to the track.
"It's certainly one of the smallest tracks in the league. But it will be a home advantage place once I've mastered it. The pressure to deliver doesn't really bother me. It's hard to know until I've raced a few meetings and mixed it with other riders, exactly how I will perform."
Christian had the advantage of British patriality, which means he can ride without a work permit. To obtain a work permit, an Australian rider would have to perform well in the National Championship. That would inevitably mean a nine-point Premier League average. By avoiding certain events including the Queensland State championship, Christian was able to come in on a three-point average in the Premier League. Despite this he was surprised when John Campbell followed up the recommendation of Martin Rogers and offered him a place:
"I was a little taken aback when Monarchs approached me to race for them. However I jumped at the chance because this is what I want to do. It's the perfect way to get into British Speedway. If I make a little bit of a name for myself this season and raise my average a bit, then hopefully I can come back and race next season."
hristian flew into Heathrow airport with his bike in four different suitcases. He said:
"It's the only bike I've got. It's a stock engine and I'll keep it that way. It will save me a bit of money. Howver it should do the job. Horsepower round Armadale doesn't really matter. It's different to some of the big Australian tracks were very fast bikes are essential."
Christian has faced some of the top riders in Australia including Lee Richardson:
"He is a very good rider to learn from. I've also ridden against other youngsters who are keen to race in Britain. And I've also competed in a couple of Ivan's Golden Helmet series."
While riding in the Premier League may represent a step up in class, Christian remains confident:
"I don't think the Edinburgh fans will be disappointed when they see my style of riding. I always try my best and try to the end. And I usually come out with alright results."
Certainly those Edinburgh supporters who made their way through to Ashfield will not have been disappointed with the way he passed and held off the highly-rated Aidan Collins to win heat two. The programme for the Glasgow meeting had a diary entry asking who Christian Henry was and questioned if he existed. Well the Glasgow support didn't have to wait long to find out!
Christian has been tipped by several to have the highest end of season average of the ne w three-point riders. Many correctly backed Ross Brady for that particular award last year. Maybe Christian can do it this time although Aidan Collins may have something to say about that!