Howarth joins Scunthorpe as new No 1

KYLE HOWARTH and Nathan Ablitt are the latest riders to be confirmed as Scunthorpe Scorpions for the 2024 season.

29-year-old Yorkshireman Howarth will join the Scorpions as their new No 1 – and rejoin the club after starting his speedway career at the Eddie Wright Raceway 15 years ago.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Ablitt will return from last season’s side, and he will form a youthful reserve partnership for Scorpions, alongside fellow teenager Luke Harrison.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s great to have Kyle Howarth back at Scunthorpe after his started his career with our National League side in 2009.

“He was a prolific scorer at Plymouth last season and he led that team in difficult circumstances. Of course, he’s also a firm favourite at Sheffield, and I’m expecting a few Tigers fans to make the short journey across each week to see Kyle in action for Scorpions.

“I know Kyle can do the job for Scorpions. He’s often been the rider we’ve brought in when we need a guest rider for us at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

“You’ve got to look at the fact that it’s a 38-point limit next season and a lot of the big hitters will not be in it, and I’m expecting Kyle to hitting good scores across the season. He’s already been a No 1 in the league and now is his chance to really stake a claim as one of the leading riders at Cab Direct Championship level.

“Kyle and the rest of the team get on so well and honestly it was the team spirit last year that got us to where we got to, and I wanted to carry that on.

“He’s been a thorn in our side on many occasions over the years and it’s great that he is finally back at Scunthorpe.

“He lives in Swindon now but his dad lives in Manchester, so he can do Sheffield in the Premiership on a Thursday, stay over and do Scunny in the Championship on a Friday, which will work out well for him. It’s a no brainer for us to sign him and I’m really excited.”

Meanwhile, Godfrey is looking to see teenager Ablitt make further progress with Scunthorpe in 2024.

He said: “I don’t think it was any surprise that I made the call to Nathan in the first month of last season when we had to make a change and he became a fans’ favourite because he never knows when he is beaten.

“He put points on his average actually because he was a two-pointer and he became a three pointer and certainly in the National League with Kent he progressed, so he is there or thereabouts at Championship level now.

“He will benefit from a lower points limit and other reserves being at his level and once he gets those wins, he will keep winning. He was already scoring good points at the EWR by the end of the season.

“On the equipment side, we have made recommendations of what he should be doing, like having an engine for Scunny, so I’m sure he will take that on board.

“We’re also added both Nathan and his fellow reserve Luke Harrison to lead the charge for the Scunthorpe/Sheffield side in the National League. Both will really benefit from racing for us in both leagues.”

Scunthorpe Scorpions 2024 confirmed starters:
Kyle Howarth 7.76
Jake Allen 7.16
Simon Lambert 5.87
Nathan Ablitt 2.92
Luke Harrison 2.00