Edinburgh have reacted to suggestions that Peter Carr is to seek a track nearer to his Preston home. Carr has yet to sign a contract for 2000 but has tended to deal with Monarchs on the basis of verbal agreements.
Apart from anything else, Carr has always stated that he is only interested in the Premier League and none of the Northern Premier League tracks, apart perhaps from Stoke, could accommodate his nine-point plus average.
Alex Harkess added in the Edinburgh Evening News:
"There is absolutely no hint that Peter wants to go anywhere else. I spoke him a week ago and he was very jovial and upbeat about next season. He and his girlfriend have just bought a new house and Peter insists he will need to ride speedway to pay for it! I'm not unduly worried about Peter's return."
Peter has gone on record saying he is only interested in riding with Edinburgh. Alex Harkess summed this up:
"Peter also appreciates that the people in this part of the world were very good to him in his testimonial meeting last season, and he has no wish or inclination to turn his back on them."
Carr does remain hopeful that other riders will progress and take the pressure off him somewhat. The loss of James Grieves will not help with this. Robert Eriksson and possibly even Ross Brady might manage this if things go well. Carr commented:
"I was hoping to take things a bit easier because all those last-heat deciders were taking their toll on me. I don't know what shape our team will take, but it would be nice if the other heat leaders managed to challenge me for the number one position."
It seems that Monarchs wish to retain the nucleus of last season's squad. The team equalled Edinburgh's best ever league position of third place. The team also kept up Monarchs' record of winning a Trophy every year since the formation of the Premier League in its current format. In 1997, Monarchs took the Premier League Cup and, through Peter Carr, the Premier League Riders Championship. In 1998, the Premiership was won while in 1999, the Premier league Cup was regained.
Alex Harkess will not be satisfied with third place in the League in 2000.
"Third spot is no good to us. Edinburgh is not a club who want to finish in mid-table. Our aim is to win the League."
"We thought we had formulated a side which would have achieved this last season. However we suffered terrible injury problems over the latter part of the year."
"I believe we are building a team capable of lifting the League crown this year."