Peter Carr topped the Monarchs' averages in 1999 for the third year in sucession and picked up another 'Rider of the Year' award from the Monarchs Speedway Supporters Club. While Carr has not yet committed himself to ride next year, he certainly dropped enough hints to suggest that he would most likely be back for a fourth year at Armadale.
As Carr accepted the award at Monarchs' annual dance last Saturday, he confessed that he hoped that someone else would take take over for next season to take a bit of pressure off him. Peter suggested that he was 90% certain that he would ride for Monarchs next season. Carr commented in the Edinburgh Pink:
"It's great to win the award again. I've had a great season which I've enjoyed. But if I ride next year, and I'll make a definite decision round about Christmas. I'd hop one of the other riders will take over at the top."
He has made no secret that he finds it a bit of a strain at times. He was rather ambivalent about being top man in the team wishing to maintain his average but hoping that he will be overhauled by James Grieves or Ross Brady:
"I'd still like to top the averages and I'll be trying hard to achieve that again. I'd like to finish on the same mark as this year. However, if someone finished above me that would be even better."
"The pressure has told on me a bit especially in the last heat deciders. There is a lot of pressure heaped on you in heat 15. You've got to give it that bit extra because everyone is trying that bit harder. Not being that young it does get to you."
Despite the disappointments, Carr was happy with the way the team performed this year.
"We had quite a good season as a team. It was a long hard season because we did a lot of competitions but I felt things worked out quite well. Personally, I was pretty happy how things panned out. Sometimes you have a good year, sometimes you have a bad year."
"I certainly had a few bad meetings halfway through the season due to mechanical things and the like, but by and large I was satisfied with my overall performance."
Carr felt that Monarchs failure to finish higher than third place was down to mid-season injury problems.
"We were all going really well until we suffered our injury problems. We were level with Sheffield, but after we failed to overcome our injury setbacks, Sheffield simply pulled away to lift the crown."
Carr feels that Monarchs can improve on the third place achieved in 1999 in the Premier League. The composition of the team cannot be decided until the BSPA Conference confirms the expected 45 point limit for 2000. Along with James Grieves, who has signed already, Peter Carr, and Ross Brady are certain to be in the prefered team no matter what the limit is set at. Carr feels that the higher point limit will work to Monarchs' advantage.
"However, depending on who Edinburgh sign, I think we can do even better next season. If the points limit is raised, and a lot of people think it will be, then most of the Premier League teams will be stronger, which might work out in Edinburgh's favour."
Certainly a 45 point limit would enable Monarchs to retain the core of their 1999 team. By contrast, Sheffield and Newport would have to be substantially dismantled to fit into 45 points. Monarchs also have a substantial asset base of contracted riders. This will make team building much easier.
Apart from the award of Rider of the Year to Peter Carr, Ross brady won the George Hunter Trophy for the most improved rider.