Ross Brady is hoping for an improvement on his performance in the 1999 Under-21 final. While Brady has home advantage for the 2000 Final it could be argued that he had home advantage 1999 yet he flopped then. When the 1999 final was staged at Peterborough, Brady had hardly arrived at Armadale and he saw Peterborough as his home track. Ross knew the Peterborough track well and liked it and had spent a year and a half there. Yet he described his performance there last year as 'crap'. He was involved in the race of the meeting when he led Lee Richardson and David Howe for the best part of three laps before being passed by the pair of them. He is hoping to better this having finally learned the ride the Armadale track to full effect.
Brady is a realist and knows that home advantage will not guarantee success either for himself of teammate Blair Scott. He believes that the competition will be tough and even a rostrum place will be an achievement. Ross spoke to the Edinburgh Pink:
"Guys like Oliver Allen, Lee Richardson, and David Howe will be competing and and they cannot be described as easy opponents. And just because the event is being held at Armadale doesn't guarantee success. I am still trying to master the place. However I am looking to finish in the top three."
Brady sees the decision to allocate the event to Armadale as a major boost to Scotland:
"It is something of an honour and it's great that Scotland has been recognized. I think supporters will turn out in force because young riders represent the future of speedway. And a big crowd certainly helps to spur you on."
Brady achieved a high average last year and this has enabled him to avoid the qualifying Semi-finals. He is very happy about this having failed to qualify last year due to engine trouble and a fall that caused him to miss his last ride. He came into the final via the 'back door' having been allocated a wild card place.
"You must be mad if you want to go through the semi-finals. A blown engine or a puncture can so easily cost you. I am pleased about my seeding."
The event has been dominated in the past by English riders. The riders south of the border tend to be better financed and highly sponsored.
"The money situation is certainly true but I don't think that is the only reason. I think determination and will to win are just as important factors. Over the last couple of years the standard of youngsters racing in Scotland has certainly risen, thanks in the main to the training school at Linlithgow. This should help bring rewards in the future."
Brady is reluctant to predict individual glory for himself:
"I've never been one for blowing my own trumpet. I'm not a big head, and never will be. To win the crown would be tremendous and it would mean a lot to my sponsors. Although the Under-21 event is high on my list of priorities, it wouldn't be the end of the world if I don't win it. There will be other opportunities for me if I don't achieve a triumph this time."
As the big day becomes nearer Ross, like David Howe, is becoming more focused on qualification for the Continental rounds.
"My main aim is to qualify. Any thoughts I may have beyond that, I'd rather keep to myself. I maybe haven't had my bike running quite as well as I'd like so far, but I hope it will be just right for Friday. I want to get my new carburettor working correctly."
"I think anyone in Friday's field could pull off a surprise so there isn't any point thinking about any rider in particular. If I thought about anyone too much, I might mess up when I come to race them. I'm aiming to get in the top eight and reach the world stages, because that's how to get your name known abroad."