The first leg of the British Championship Semi-Final takes place at Wolverhampton today. The second leg is to be held at Sheffield on Thursday. This also acts as as a qualification route to the World Championships.
The top six, on aggregate over the two legs, from the field of sixteen will qualify for the British Final at Coventry.
Grieves had an ideal confidence boost when he scored his first maximum in senior league speedway at Armadale on Friday against Sheffield. His only previous maximum, also at Armadale, came for Scotland against the England Under-21 side when he was still with Wolverhampton.
"This will do my confidence the world of good. However it was an all-round team display and I think we restored our credibility following our hammering at Sheffield."
Having dropped down a division in the middle of last season, and intending to move back up to the Elite League, Grieves sees the British Championship as a measure of his ability to survive at the top level.
"I will see if I can mix it again."
The fact that the first leg is at his former track Wolverhampton gives him the opportunity to lay down strong a foundation.
"Obviously, I known the circuit well and would like to top-score there. Sheffield is not one of my favourite circuits and it would be useful to have something of a points cushion in case I struggle."
James went even further:
"Sheffield is probably one of my least favourite tracks. I always struggle there. As was proved last week when I only managed five points when we got thrashed in our opening Premier League match of the season."
Many have suggested that the British Championships have lost its prestige since the advent of the Grand Prix. Cerainly those British riders who are already in the Grand Prix will not take the British Final so seriously.
"It still leads to the world championship. If you have ambitions, it's a title you want to win. And if you want to be a world class rider, that's what the British Final is there for."
.