Monarchs' reserve Christian Henry made a triumphant return to Australian speedway by taing third place in the Queensland Championship at Labrador on the Gold Coast.
Last year Christian was unable to compete in this event as it constitutes a round in the Australian Chamionship and could have lumbered him with a nine-point Premier League average. He demonstrated the great progress he has made riding for Monarchs and for Lightning over the 2000 season.
The event was contested by a 16-rider field headed by Jason Crump. As well as the local riders there were two guest riders from England: Simon Stead and Oliver Allen. As expected Crump, the World number 4, dominated the event. He won all his five heats and the final and was unchallenged throughout.
Christian Henry was second in his first ride in heat 4 behind Simon stead and was beaten by Jason Crump in his third ride in heat 12. He won heats 5, 14, and 19. The left him in second place behind Crump on 13 points. The other quaifiers were Simon Stead and Dave Watt, both on 12 points. Oliver Allen was denied a chance of a final place in heat 19 after Henry produced a breathtaking last lap lunge to leave the Swindon rider one point short on 11 points. One time Monarchs target Scott Smith finished on 10 points.
In the Final, Crump proved far too fast for the opposition. Dave Watt missed the start and never got back in touch. Christian took a creditable third place behind Crump and Simon Stead.
This unfortunately will not be enough to earn Christian a place in the Australian Final, even though Stead is not eligible. Only one goes through from the Queensland Solo Championship; Jason Crump. If Christian had got through it would have given him some valuable experience of riding against top class opposition.
Christian will however have a fair chance of a rostrum place in the Australian Under-21 Championship after taking fifth place last year. He will have to contend with opposition from a number of quality UK based riders.
Details of Christian's exploits in Australia this winter will be given on these pages.
[This news item was amended on December 3rd]