Stars gather for Jan.

This week's entertainment at Armadale is provided by a fine lineup of Elite and Premier League stars, turning out to race for big prizes and also to pay tribute to former Monarchs' rider Jan Andersen, who has been forced into retirement by injury.

The meeting is the Farewell Hoedown, and the first prize is a new Jawa engine. The favourite to win the meeting will be Mark Loram, the World Champion of 2000 who currently races for Eastbourne.

The field also includes former British Champion and Grand Prix star Chris Louis, ex-British Under-21 Champion David Howe and some of the leading Armadale experts, notably Monarchs' Peter Carr and Frede Schott and Glasgow's James Grieves and George Stancl.

Jan bows out:

Jan Andersen joined Edinburgh Monarchs late in 1992 and would have been entitled to a Testimonial meeting, had he not been awarded a benefit meeting by the Edinburgh promotion.

Sadly he was advised to hang up his leathers by specialists after he admitted that a number of head knocks had affected his health. He was warned that further injury could be very serious and has therefore resolved never to ride a Speedway machine again.

He has been an Edinburgh asset throughout his UK career but only actually rode in Monarchs colours in 1992, 1994-5 and 2001. His other UK clubs have been Coventry (1996), Peterborough (1998-9) and Ipswich (2000).

He captained Peterborough to the Premier League title ('98) and the Elite League ('99) as well as other honours, and has also enjoyed success in Denmark.

First sight of Loram:

Mark Loram has been the top UK rider for a few years, and British supporters were thrilled when he pulled off the 2000 World Championship, defeating the great Swede Tony Rickardsson.

He is a former track record holder at Monarchs' previous home at Powderhall, but this will be the spectacular star's first appearance at the Armadale track.

Henry returns:

After a successful practise last weekend, Monarchs' Aussie Christian Henry makes his track return in Jan Andersen's Farewell Hoedown.

He will be back in the Edinburgh team to race their final Premier Trophy match on Sunday at Glasgow.

Lineup for the Jan Andersen farewell hoedown at Armadale on Friday 19th April (start time 7.15, doors open 6.15) is:

- David Howe (Wolverhampton & England),
- Mick Powell (Glasgow & Australia),
- Frede Schott (Edinburgh & Denmark),
- Kevin Little (Newcastle & Scotland),
- Peter Carr (Edinburgh & England),
- Andre Compton (Newcastle & England)*,
- Chris Louis (Ipswich & England),
- Paul Bentley (Berwick & England)*,
- George Stancl (Glasgow & Czech Republic),
- Mark Loram (Eastbourne & England),
- Christian Henry (Edinburgh & Australia),
- Bjarne Pedersen (Poole & Denmark),
- Ray Morton (Isle of Wight & England),
- James Grieves (Glasgow & Scotland),
- Martin Dixon (Glasgow & England),
- Rusty Harrison (Workington & Australia).

(Riders marked * may be forced to withdraw but will be replaced)

Who will win?

The answer to that question will depend on whether the Elite League men can adapt to the track quickly enough to get the better of the Premier League stars who know the circuit well.

Normally Fulfilment Factory Monarchs' star Peter Carr would start favourite for any Armadale meeting, but Carr has been struggling to get his new equipment to perform as it should.

Mark Loram should be expected to come out on top, though Louis, Howe and Pedersen are also riding at the top level every week. George Stancl proved his quality last week in inspiring Glasgow's win at the track, and his team mate James Grieves is very much an Armadale expert.

As a dark horse, how about Edinburgh's Frede Schott who has probably ridden Armadale more convincingly than anyone this season.

The meeting is an individual event run on the Scottish Open format, 20 qualifying heats, top two scorers go directly to the final with scorers 3-6 in a semi-final with two qualifiers from that heat.

Sponsors:

Sponsors have rallied round in a big way to assist the success of the Farewell Hoedown.

The main meeting sponsors are Jean Jusjong (Jan's Danish sponsor) who has provided the Jawa engine which is the first prize, the Fulfilment Factory, SF Racewear and "Ian", a generous Monarchs' supporter. There are also many heat and rider sponsors.

Last week's match:

The Fulfilment Factory Monarchs went down 44-46 to Glasgow in a thrilling Premier Trophy match. Frede Schott (11) was the home top scorer while George Stancl scored 13 for the Tigers.

Next week's meeting:

The Premier League campaign begins with a visit on Friday 26th April from the Isle of Wight Islanders, last year's Young Shield winners, starring Danny Bird, Ray Morton and Adam Shields.