Prior to the start of the season, most assumed that Robert Eriksson would line up at number one, Blair Scott at number two with Kevin Little, Ross Brady and Peter Carr remaining at numbers three, four, and five. Number one had been a problem position for Monarchs in 1998 with neither Peter Carr nor Kenny McKinna happy in that position. Robert Eriksson rode at number one for Monarchs in 1997 and also for Newcastle in 1999 so it was assumed he would replace James Grieves.
It was a surprise when Kevin Little was promoted to the number one position. This was perceived as a weakness for Monarchs in heat 1 and heat 13. Alex Harkess defended the race order:
"I am not saying that Kevin will remain at the number one position all season. He did well defeating Sean Wilson in heat one. Wilson is always a tough visitor to Armadale."
The reason for the change appears to have been to try and take pressure off Peter Carr. Peter had a great season at Armdale reeling off a succession of maximums but suffered somewhat on the road. The move to the somewhat easier number three position was intended to improve his away scoring. So far it appears to have worked. Peter won his first nine races away from home. He reeled off an immaculate paid maximum at Ashfield, never one of his favourite tracks. He follwed this with four straight wins at Owlerton on his own bike. He failed to win in his last two rides when riding a machine borrowed from Joe Screen that seemed rather too slow. While Peter is acknowledged as an Owlerton specialist he has made little impression against the Sheffield heat leaders on recent visits. The way he passed Robbie Kessler to win his first heat showed a welcome return to form.
It appears that Kevin himself volunteered to take the number one slot. He felt that he needed a challenge to recover his form. Clearly number one is not that much difference to ridinging number five and may be marginally easier if anything. Harkess added:
"It's early days yet. I know some people thought that our Swede, Robert Eriksson should have been at number one. It's swings and roudabouts. If Kevin has an off day, it leaves you with a weak pairing until our reserves become established. It's better for Robert to go out with one of our reserves and win the race."
"However with Blair riding so well right now he has lifted some of the pressure from Kevin. We arnen't tempted to change anything and there is certainly no panic in our camp."
Certainly while Kevin and Blair may look weak for an opening partnership they have generally held their own. This is all that is expected with the powerful middle pairing of Peter Carr and Ross Brady capable of doing damage to the opposition. Carr and Brady have piled up an impressive number of 5-1s so far including two at Sheffield!. Robert Eriksson has certainly been doing his bit but has been hampered by the problems at reserve. The form of reserves is obviously key to Monarchs start to the season with the injury to Brian Turner coming at a time when Christian Henry is still feeling his way around the tracks. The expected return of Brian will make all the difference.
"The points that your reserves pick up can make all the difference in collecting bonus points or losing them and Brian has the aility to get you an advantage in heat two, rather than losing out."
"So far in the matches we have raced our reserves have been less experienced than their opponents and we have suffered a little. This will change and we expect to gain something out of the important heat two in the weeks ahead."
Christian Henry is still striving to recover his confidence following the pile-up he caused in the opening match. Not only was he shaken but his bike was badly damaged. This ment that he has been riding on a bike borrowed from Ross Brady.
"This has definately left us exposed. Christian's crash was a backward step but he is already getting back on top of things. Against Sheffield this was purely a case of getting laps under his belt and not to do anything stupid."
"All we wanted was four laps and not three and a fall."
Christian did display his inexperience of team riding at Sheffield in heat two. He was running third ahead of teammate Jon Swales when first Swales and them himself suffered engine failures. He failed to push around to collect the point on offer.
Earlier Christian put up a good show at Ashfield with a heat two win over Aidan Collins and Freddie Stephenson. Christian added:
"I was far more settled and very happy to win the race, but I still think I can do better. Once I get a few more laps round Armadale I will improve. It wasn't exactly the best way to make your debut. But because I hadn't ridden at Armadale that much I had too much speed going into the corner. I touched Brian's wheel and it all went wrong from there. Things can only get better."
Alex Harkess is confident that the problems will solve themselves and that Monarchs' potential be realized:
"Otherwise I'm happy with the team, no question about it. They have all proved their capability and potential. We just need a bit more consistency."
[This news item was added on April 12th 2000]