Title Partner
NEWS Tuesday 18th March 2025, 8:30pm
Edinburgh Monarchs
Returning reserve Max James moves into his second year with Stellar Monarchs looking to build on a debut season that showed a lot of promise.
Still only 17-years-old, James is ready to build on the foundations put in place in 2024, "I think I got a lot of really good stuff out of last year and I was really happy Edinburgh gave me that opportunity to learn and I think that has definitely brought me on.
"Judging from the practices I have had so far this year I can see big things coming for this year.
"The learning never stops and that is always something I will have in my mind but this year hopefully I can come out with a few more points, raise the average, get some meaningful points for the team, and aim for a lot of wins for the Monarchs."
As can be expected for anyone making their first steps at Cab Direct Championship level there were peaks and troughs with early season heat wins at Berwick and Poole coupled with a spell on the sidelines with a rib injury but all of this was learning that James will benefit from, "Last year was a big year and it was a lot to take in and at times it maybe was a bit overwhelming.
"Now I have had time to reflect, looking ahead to this year I am going in with a calmer approach as I know what is coming.
"Even just knowing a lot of people makes it easier, having a relationship with Paco, Kye, and all the boys makes it all easier, and as I said I can see big things coming this year.
"Last year was learning with set-ups and tracks I hadn't been to maybe going off what we thought was best to do and asking around but by the end of the season I think we had gotten all the information we needed so I feel like we should have perfected our set-ups so we will be ready to go come the start of the season."
Adding to James' excitement for 2025 is the prospect of his busiest year yet with the introduction of the National Development Trophy meaning three team spots and a full calendar ahead, "I also have the other National League competition this year with Birmingham so between Edinburgh, Leicester, and Birmingham I think I have something like 55 meetings this year which is really good, loads of track time and that is best to bring me on.
"I've been busy, I had a good weekend practicing at Workington which was really nice, good practice and a nice weekend. I also went to Birmingham for their press and practice, and I've been out at Leicester a few times.
"I've also been in the gym a lot as physical fitness is really important as well so with all of that I feel ready for the season."
Looking at his Monarchs teammates for 2025 James is happy with the balance of the team and the prospect of some new faces when asked about the excitement fans feel about the season ahead the Sheffield-born racer is quick to agree, "I would put it the exact same way, I can say 'Hi how are you' in Polish but that is about it. So, I might need to work on that with Oskar.
"I think it is really good to bring the new guys in, we will bring those guys into the team and bring them on, and I can't wait to get on the track with them and in the pits with them and it will bring us all together.
"It makes things more exciting when you don't quite know what to expect and if they turn out to be amazing which I am sure they will then the fans will love it.
"In a way it can be a positive, last year we could rely on Josh as he was so amazing and no one could have asked for anymore but now we know that everyone has to step up and we all have to score individually and strive for the wins. Of course, it would have been nice to have Josh back but it is all our responsibility now to step up and replace that scoring as a team. I am sure we will and I will repeat again, I think it will be a big year ahead."
The countdown keeps ticking with Max and the rest of the 2025 Stellar Monarchs being introduced to the fans on Friday 28th March at the Season Launch Show with track action starting seven days later with the Scottish Cup tussle against Glasgow at Armadale Stadium - tickets for both available now.
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