Historic event should be classic again.

The annual individual highlight of the Edinburgh Speedway season is the Scottish Open Championship, and the 2002 staging takes place on Friday at Armadale (7.30).

It is the 48th staging of an event which dates back to 1928 (the first year of Speedway in the UK) and it is the 19th successive year of the event since its modern revival in 1984.

Current champion Andr? Compton will defend against a field which includes two other former winners, home men Peter Carr (champion in 1997, 1999, 2000) and Frede Schott (1998).

Carr bids for record:

If Peter Carr wins on Friday he will become the first ever 4-time winner of the Edinburgh stagings of the Scottish Open.

The current top Monarch would surpass the performance of Jack Young who won the championship three years running, 1949-1951.

(Ivan Mauger did win 4 of the West of Scotland stagings of the event at Hampden and Coatbridge).

Ostergaard event:

This year's field includes Danish prospect Ulle Ostergaard (21) from Odense.

He is planning a career in UK Speedway, and his Danish League scores this season have caught the eye. He rode in some practise sessions in the UK early in the season and is highly rated by Fulfilment Factory Monarchs' captain Frede Schott.

Oddly enough he has a racing style and turnout very similar to Schott.

International event:

The 2002 Fulfilment Factory Scottish Open has attracted an international lineup with 7 countries represented.

Heading the list are Denmark and England with 4 contenders each. The Czech Republic, Sweden and Australia have 2 competitors each, with Holland and Scotland 1 each.

It would be nice to see a few more Scots but with only James Grieves riding, it is clear that the country is in considerable need of training facilities.

The format:

As in recent seasons, the meeting will be contested over 20 qualifying races, one semi-final (for the 3rd to 6th qualifiers) and a winner-takes-all final (for the 1st and 2nd qualifiers plus the first two in the semi).

Workington on Saturday:

League Speedway resumes for the Fulfilment Factory Monarchs with a visit to Workington on Saturday.

Line up for the Fulfilment Factory Scottish Open at Armadale on Friday 26th July (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

1. FREDE SCHOTT (Edinburgh and Denmark), 2. CLAUS KRISTENSEN (Berwick and Denmark), 3. SIMON STEAD (Sheffield and England), 4. PETER CARR (Edinburgh and England), 5. ADRIAN RYMEL (Berwick and Czech Republic), 6. AN OTHER, 7. THEO PIJPER (Edinburgh and Holland), 8. ULLE OSTERGAARD (Brovst and Denmark), 9. ANDR? COMPTON (Newcastle and England, holder), 10. GEORGE STANCL (Glasgow and Czech Republic), 11. JAMES GRIEVES (Glasgow and Scotland), 12. RUSTY HARRISON (Workington and Australia), 13. DAVID HOWE (Wolverhampton and England), 14. JESPER B JENSEN (Wolverhampton and Denmark), 15. DALLE ANDERSSON (Edinburgh and Sweden), 16. MICK POWELL (Glasgow and Australia). Reserve Rory Schlein (Edinburgh and Australia).

An Open event...

Not just in name, it is a wide open event because there is no clear favourite. Home star Peter Carr hasn't been so invincible this year at Armadale, though he will certainly be amongst the favourites.

Compton could be a contender once more, and obviously Elite League stars David Howe and Jesper B Jensen will be hard to beat, though it is Jensen's Armadale debut.

The Glasgow challenge is a strong one, and in a one-off final who could discount the likes of Rusty Harrison or Simon Stead? Frede Schott, too, showed his liking for the winner-takes-all heat when he won the most exciting final of all in 1998.

Talks are taking place regarding bringing an interesting new name into the field to fill the blank space.

Last week's meeting:

The Fulfilment Factory Monarchs fielded a weakened side in the absence of Frede Schott (eye injury) and Dalle Andersson, and in spite of leading for most of the match could only draw 45-45 with Rye House. This was their first dropped home point of the season.

Next week's meeting:

Swindon Robins, one of the leading sides, will provide the opposition in a Premier League match at Armadale on Friday 2nd August.