The Edinburgh Pink published an interview with Monarchs' heat leader Kevin Little this week.
Having just rejoined Edinburgh from crisis club Berwick, Kevin Little is currently in America on speedway business. He was delighted that things had been settled before flying out. He feared being frozen out for 1999 due to uncertainty and turmoil at Berwick.
Little, who is due to ride in a series of one-off individual meetings in the United States, said:
"Ever since the troubles began at Berwick, my return to the Monarchs was in limbo. I was begining to think that I would be without a club this season through no particular fault of my own. I'm relieved all the uncertainty has now been lifted."
Although he accepted that inconsistency and mechanical problems was a problem for the whole Monarchs' squad last year he was fairly upbeat:
"I was basically happpy with my machinery last season. However on some occasions, I didn't score as many points as I should have done. I need to score the points I know I'm capable of getting. I'm anxious to enjoy an improved year because I like riding at Armadale, the track is superb."
The Monarchs' promotion and team management have been concerned about the poor form of many of their foreign imports in the past. Last season Robert Larsen, Marcus Andersson and Stefano Alfonso all failed to live up to expectations and before that Jarno Kosenen, Robban Johansson and Vesa Ylinen have also underperformed. This year Monarchs are tracking six Scots and one 'foreigner', Peter Carr. Little suggested that Carr be 'adopted' agrees with this policy saying:
"I don't want to sound over-critical but certain Scandinavian riders we've had didn't quite live up to expectations. I now believe that we have a really solid side who can make a genuine challenge for the Championship."
Regular trip to ride on the beach have been kept Little fit over the winter:
"I've never really been off a bike since last October and the competition events in America will maintain my fitness."
Monarchs boss Alex Harkess who brokered Little's transfer stated:
"Kevin has no desire to ride anywhere else and we are delighted to have him back on board. He has been in our team plans right from the start."