Improvements at the Eddie Wright Raceway

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS’ owner Rob Godfrey has revealed that the club has made several improvements to the track during lockdown.

The circuit at the Eddie Wright Raceway is renowned for being one of the best in the entire country, with a wide track allowing multiple racing lines.

But Godfrey reveals the club have refused to rest on its laurels.

He says: “As soon as it was clear we were heading into another period of lockdown in late December and early January, I decided there was an opportunity to work on our track.

“We don’t normally get a chance of a major overhaul, simply because the track is in use twelve months a year. Some activities such as amateur meetings, and training and practice sessions, continue all year long in a normal year.

“The gap gave us a chance to do some track work and allow it time to bed back in.

“We’ve done considerable work to the track. Turn one has now been levelled off, so there’s no longer a dip heading into it and that will help with drainage. We’ve also taken off the adverse camber coming out of the fourth turn. Other improvements include the red lights, which are now LED lights.”

Meanwhile, Godfrey reckons it will be an emotional time once the 2021 season gets underway.

Speedway is following government rules and guidelines, which currently allow for the return of spectators on May 17.

The first meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway is due to take place on Friday, May 21 (7.30pm) with a highly anticipated and mouth-watering match against Plymouth Gladiators, who include treble World Champion Jason Crump in their line-up.

Before that, other activities can return.

Godfrey says: “We will gradually build up to that date of May 21, as we’re allowed to stage practice sessions, then amateur meetings behind closed doors, until eventually we will get to the return of spectators.

“When that does happen, it’s going to be like Friends Reunited, because some people will be seeing each other for the first time for a long time. It will be both emotional and poignant and a time to remember those no longer with us.”