2022 is a Go

NEWS Saturday 2nd April 2022, 10:00am

by Graham Muncie

The 2022 season is a go for the both the What the Fork Monarchs and Stellar Devils after highly successful and enjoyable Press and Practice and Season Launch events on Friday.

First up was the Press and Practice event in which all the intrigue was around the unveiling of the Monarchs race suits for the season ahead and how the newcomers to the Monarchs line-up Jacob Hook and Lasse Fredriksen would perform on their first laps round the Armadale shale.

The immediate reaction to the race suits were nothing but positive with Kye describing them as 'probably the best race suit I've had for fit and comfort' and the fans in attendance commenting on how striking they were with their Blue, Gold, and Tartan colour scheme.

On track Sam Masters was the first to head for a spin but all eyes were on how new boys Hook and Frediriksen would get round. Hook would be the first of the 2 out and looked more than tidy as he showed his ability to turn the bike holding a tight inside line. The young Aussie did have a couple of innocuous spills but one of these he put down to trying a different set-up and the other he admitted he lost concentration, all in the pits quick to perk him up reminding him even the best taste the shale every now and again.

Lasse was next out and while he took a little longer to get dialled in the improvement from start of session to finish was noticeable and our new Norwegian was happy with how things went and feels more than ready for the Monarchs opener in a couple of weeks.

The riders from both the Monarchs and Devils would spend around 2 hours in total on track between them with all seeming happy to blow off the cobwebs and test out a few things.

After that it was on to Deer Park Country Club for a near sell out season launch event, in fact extra seats were required to accommodate everyone in attendance and an enjoyable night ensued.

John and Liam MCed the event suited and booted in dapper style and with 6 of the Monarchs (Paco awaiting final visa sign off which is expected imminently) and 5 of the Devils (Danny Phillips having headed home from the track due to a 3am start for work on Saturday morning and just announced Willie Lawson with other commitments also) in attendance there was plenty for the fans to get excited about.

Main news from the night being that Tom Woolley will lead the Devils as club captain for 2022.

All the riders had their shot on stage with the hosts all stating a determination for a big season, Sam in particular saying how it has been to long since the Monarchs had tasted glory and that had to change……. albeit as much as it takes some doing our captain was perhaps upstaged by the star of the show on the night his little boy Leni who decided he wanted some of the limelight making an appearance on stage to wave to the crowd.

This being a great capper to a night that was full of insight and humour also.

It is now on to the real business though with the Stellar Devils first up opening their season next Friday night when the strong looking Berwick Bullets head to Armadale. The What the Fork Monarchs will have to wait another 7 days before opening their season on April 15th against Berwick's senior outfit the Bandits. Tickets for both available now.