Captain fantastic is back!

SIMON LAMBERT will be back racing for Scunthorpe in 2022 – and he will again be installed as team captain.

Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions reached the play-offs this year for the first time since 2014 – and much of that was down to the team spirit installed by 32-year-old Lambert, who was appointed as captain prior to the season.

Scorpions are aiming even higher in 2022 – and the inspirational influence of Lambert will again be a key to that.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Bringing back Simon Lambert was always in our plans because he’s such a good captain.

“He’s not just motivated and determined for himself, but he makes sure that the rest of the side is up for it as well.

“There was such a positive atmosphere down in the pits and a lot of that was down to Simon. He’s probably the best captain we’ve had, in terms of someone who can motivate the rest of the side, pass on his experience to the younger members of the side and keep spirits up.

“It’s not just at meetings either. We’ve got a group chat on WhatsApp and Simon keeps everyone chatting together on that as well. He introduced other ideas, such as the riders themselves voting on their own rider of the night after every meeting. He just kept everybody going.

“He’s a pretty consistent scorer, as well as being a rider who brings so much more to the team that simply what he’s scoring for us. The fans love him too, because they know he’s putting everything in.”

Lambert joins Jordan Palin, Zaine Kennedy and Ryan Kinsley as riders named by Scorpions for next season.

Scorpions will announce their three heat-leaders in the forthcoming weeks, starting with their third-heat leader next Thursday.

Once the whole team has been announced, it will become clear that Scorpions are not planning to simply make up the numbers in the Championship next season.

(Photo by Ian Rispin – graphic by Dan Palmer)