THEO'S NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS: ARMADALE 20th MARCH

NEWS Saturday 7th February 2015, 1:33pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It’s been a long time coming, but the popular Dutch speedway star Theo Pijper, a league winner with both Edinburgh Monarchs and Glasgow Tigers, will have his Testimonial meeting at Armadale Stadium on Friday 20th March (7:30pm).

It will thus be the opening night of the Scottish Speedway season, and as Theo is the only rider who has won a league winners’ medal with both Edinburgh and Glasgow (as well as having ridden for Berwick), it is hoped that he will have support throughout the Scottish Speedway fraternity. Of course he has also been a big name for many years in Longtrack and Grasstrack events all over Europe.

We’ve been discussing the date for a little while as Theo was reluctant to run on the same day as the Lee Richardson Memorial Meeting is being staged at Lakeside. However Lakeside boss Jon Cook has given his approval, feeling that the two events need not conflict.

Theo’s meeting is a fortnight prior to the first home match for the Edinburgh team on 3rd April. He is now getting to work contacting riders for the Night of Champions and there will be regular announcements over the next six weeks. At the moment Theo has not signed to race in the UK in 2015.

There will be plenty of opportunities for supporters to sponsor and be involved in the Night of Champions.

Biographical details: Theo Pijper born 11th February 1980 Dokkum, Holland.

Family: Wife Carrie, sons Ace and Stene.

British Speedway clubs: Edinburgh (2002-2007, 2012-3); Glasgow (2011, 2014); Wolverhampton (2007); Berwick (2007); Swindon (2008); Mildenhall (2008).

Premier League winner 2003, 2011. Premier Fours winner 2013.

World Longtrack: Individual runner-up 2010.

World Team Longtrack: Champion 2013.

European Grasstrack: Champion 2004, 2007; runner-up 2006, 2010