Big match preview – Scunthorpe v Plymouth
“TIME TO PUT THE SMILES BACK ON PEOPLE’S FACES”
TREBLE World Champion Jason Crump is the star attraction, as Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions start their 2021 season with the Plymouth Gladiators in opposition at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway in a league encounter this Sunday (May 23, 3pm).
The meeting was originally supposed to take place on Friday, before the weather led to it being put back by two days.
It’s the first time that Scunthorpe Scorpions have ridden a Championship fixture at the EWR since September 8, 2019 – a gap of 623 days.
Unlike the fans at many tracks, Scunthorpe supporters were fortunate to see, at least, some action during the Covid-hit 2020 season, with the circuit holding the season-opener Ben Fund Bonanza, plus three meetings later in the year held under restrictions.
But many have been waiting for the return of full-blown league speedway, while the presence of Australian mega-star Crump in the Plymouth line-up – which also features former Grand Prix star Bjarne Pedersen – makes Sunday’s meeting even more anticipated.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “The last 12 months or so have been tough for everyone in all walks of life. Speedway, as a sport, has suffered as badly as any other. In my role as chairman of British Speedway, I can vouch for that first-hand.
“I’m under no illusions about the challenges we face this summer in getting the sport back onto its feet, but I remain very optimistic about what lies in front of us.
“Now is the time to look forward, and be positive about the future, not dwell on the events of the last year. I realise it’s going to be emotional on Sunday, I have no doubts about that, but now is the time to put the smiles back on people’s faces.
“This year is all about getting up-and-running again and that is the most important thing this season – it really is. I believe our fans have missed seeing the Scorpions in action as much as I have.
“We’re out there to surprise a few people this season. There won’t be any visiting teams coming to Scunny thinking they’re in for an easy ride, especially as most of our team are very experienced around the Eddie Wright Raceway.”
Scorpions bring back two riders from the 2019 squad – No 1 Josh Auty and new skipper Simon Lambert.
Thomas Jorgensen, Tero Aarnio and Theo Pijper are no strangers to the club or its supporters – having all rode for Scunthorpe in previous seasons.
17-year-old local rider Jordan Palin is one of the hottest young properties in British Speedway and has done countless laps of the Eddie Wright Raceway circuit. In Palin, Scorpions may well have the best Rising Star within the whole of the Championship.
Australian prospect Josh MacDonald is the only complete newcomer to Scunthorpe ranks, having very much impressed in an outing for Sheffield at the EWR in 2019.
As for the presence of Crump on Sunday, Godfrey adds: “Three-time World Champion Jason Crump will be the most decorated rider to compete in an official fixture at the Eddie Wright Raceway, plus Gladiators also include Bjarne Pedersen, another highly successful international rider, in their line-up.
“All our lads will want to become the first rider to defeat Crumpie around the track – that would be a real feather in their caps.
“Both teams will be trying their hardest to win, but I believe we have the overall strength required to beat Plymouth. In any case, it’s going to be a night of some top-class racing that supporters are not going to want to miss.
“This first meeting is 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.”
Tickets for the meeting are on sale on the club website and having been selling well.
Expected teams for Sunday:
Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Simon Lambert (captain), 3. Theo Pijper, 4. Tero Aarnio, 5. Thomas Jorgensen, 6. Josh MacDonald, 7. Jordan Palin.
Plymouth Gladiators: 1. Jason Crump, 2. Zach Cook, 3. Steven Goret, 4. Dillon Ruml, 5. Bjarne Pedersen, 6. Alfie Bowtell, 7. Henry Atkins or AN Other.
ADMISSION PRICES FOR SUNDAY:
Adult: £17.00 (including programme)
Student/OAP: £15.00 (including programme)
Child (10 – 17): £5.00 (not including programme)
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult – not including programme)
There is a 3% handling fee for online sales – please note this handing fee goes to the ticketing provider, not the club.
On the day, officials and riders will enter and leave via the pits entrance, while members of the public will enter via the turnstiles.
Members of the public are expected to respect the safe distancing advice given. If they do not, or show signs of Covid-19, they may be asked to leave. Any individual already showing signs of Covid-19 must not visit the venue. Scunthorpe Speedway have listed Covid-19 measures on the club website.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the maximum capacity at the Eddie Wright Raceway is 1000.
Tickets are available under the Ticket Office menu on the club website at:
http://scunthorpe-speedway.com/ticketoffice
When you click on the link you will be taken to the following URL:
https://scunthorpescorpionstickets.seatedly.com/
Click on the “buy tickets” tab which will take you a list of meetings and when you have finished, please click on “my basket” tab to complete the transaction. Do not be concerned if the meeting shows as Friday, May 21 – this was the original date before rain caused the meeting to be put back by two days.
NOTE REGARDING TICKETS: Please bring your ticket with you – either a physical copy or on your phone. The QR code (the matrix barcode) will be scanned to allow you entry to the stadium – please present to the staff at the entry point at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Please note there is a 3% handling fee for each ticket ordered – this goes to the ticketing provider, not the club. If you have any problems when ordering your tickets, please contact the club (email gail.godfrey@btconnect.com) and we will assist you. Please note that cash admission is also available – we will have one of the turnstile booths open for cash transactions. But those opting for cash payment will have to write down their address and details when they pay, so the quicker and preferred option is online payment.
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* We celebrated our 50th birthday earlier this month, and Scunthorpe Speedway is going strong in its 17th season at the Eddie Wright Raceway. There’s a special commemorative programme cover on Sunday.
