TO THE MAX

NEWS Wednesday 3rd April 2013, 10:00pm

by Toby Lerone

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Max Fricke has now had his first taste of competitive team action following his baptism of fire at Berwick on Saturday night.

For any young man, Max (who turned 17 last Friday), a team debut is always difficult and with the weather ruining the chances of a debut at home Berwick allowed Max to get involved in team action. His zero return didn’t reflect the effort he put in but he now knows how vital it is to, at least, gate on a par with the other riders in the race.

He did hold third place in his debut ride in heat 3 only to slide off on the first corner, He then had a titanic battle with experienced Swede, Robin Aspregren in heat 7 before the Scandinavian came charging through on the third bend of the third lap. Two more pointless rides left him with a duck.

Max was a little downhearted after the match with his score but he didn’t let that weigh on his mind for long. He’s been down in Cumbria earlier this week and spent a great deal of time practising his starts. Coming of the gate in the lead is difficult for Max as he is so light and he can’t get the bad wheel to dig into the track but he has set out on a stodge packed diet to sort that and has already grown a liking for a haggis supper.

It was back to the workshop for Max on Wednesday making sure everything is perfect for his home debut on Friday. He’s not going to let one poor score put him off his ambition to get to the very top in the world of speedway.

We had a birthday cake lined up for Max in the bar last Friday on his birthday. Obviously that was called off but we’ve still got the cake and everyone is invited to the bar after the meeting on Friday to join in a belated celebration. But please keep it a secret as we want it to be a surprise for Max.