As a bonus to the supporters, the match against Arena Essex, this Friday, will also feature a defence of the Silver Helmet. Leigh Lanham, holder of the Silver Helmet at the end of last season has successfully defended it twice at Purfleet. The first defence, two weeks ago was against James Grieves of Edinburgh and the second, last week, was against Paul Pickering of Stoke.
On Friday, Lanham will defend against the highest scoring Edinburgh rider including bonus points. Only points acheived in programmed and nominated rides will count.
Edinburgh riders have had limited involvement with the Silver Helmet. Peter Carr failed in an early season challenge to the initial holder Dave Mullett at Smallmead in 1997.
Last year, Kevin 'Silver Sid' Little unexpectedly won the helmet from Nicki Pedersen at Brough Park. Nicki had held the helmet for two months with five sucessful defences. Kevin was unable to defend in the match against Hull because of a rain-off. Any challenger winning the helmet away from home is entitled to defend it first at home. Hence Kevin was not required to defend on the trips to Peterborough and Reading. His first defence was against Newport at Armadale when Craig Watson was the challenger. Watson had beaten Little twice (not to mention beating Peter Carr and Kenny McKinna!) during the meeting but Kevin won from gate four.
Kevin lost the Silver Helmet to Leigh Lanham at Arena Essex one day later. Kevin held it for just over a month despite making only one successful defence.
An Edinburgh rider winning the Silver Helmet, will defend it in against the top scorer when Workington visit a week on Friday. This may involve the daunting prospect of a challenge from Carl Stonehewer. If that goes well the trip to Swindon could involve a head to head with Glenn Cunningham.