Flying Dutchman comes in for Scorpions

SCUNTHORPE Scorpions will bring in former skipper Theo Pijper as the replacement for the tragic Danny Ayres.

The 40-year-old Dutchman, who finished second in the 2010 World Longtrack Championship and is twice European Grasstrack Champion, previously raced for Scunthorpe in 2015.

He joined Scorpions as a temporary replacement for Ryan Douglas at the start of 2015 – but he stayed the whole season and was handed the captaincy mid-season. He was a heat-leader for Scorpions and his efforts went a long way to help the club avoid the wooden spoon during an injury-hit campaign.

This season, expectations are much higher for Scorpions, although Theo’s return is in sombre circumstances, following the sudden death of Danny Ayres.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey admits: “There is no good time to bring in a rider in such circumstances – we are still coming to terms with the tragic loss of Danny.

“But it’s right and proper that we make the announcement now and I would like to thank Theo for stepping in at what is a very difficult time.

“For team spirit, I think we’ve gone the right way in bringing Theo in. We have to create a team spirit and we have to involve Theo in things, because he was very good in generating that last time he rode for us. That’s why we made him captain in 2015.

“Nobody wants to be faced with a situation like this but all we can do is start the process of moving on and looking forward to getting the new season underway.

“Our focus now is on what all the riders have been saying. We want to win the league for Danny.”

The season at the Eddie Wright Raceway starts with season with two major individual meetings – the Ben Fund Bonanza on Saturday, March 14th (at 2pm) and the Josh Auty Testimonial on Sunday, March 22nd (3pm).

Scorpions are first in action as a team at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday, April 3rd (7.30pm), when they entertain the Newcastle Diamonds.

PHOTO: Ian Rispin.