BIG DATE FOR LUKE HARRISON

ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions’ teenage star Luke Harrison will approach the European Under-19 Final in Herxheim, Germany on Thursday afternoon with an open mind.

It’s already a major accomplishment for the 17-year-old to reach the final – unlike some of his older competitors, he still has another two years after this year in the competition.

Harrison completed his first full season at Cab Direct Championship with scores of 11+2 against Edinburgh and 12 against Poole in the final two meetings of the season at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway.

Not surprisingly, after such a good opening season for Scunthorpe, he was voted as Rider Of The Year by both the management and by his fellow riders.

Harrison – and his father Andy – set off to Germany on Tuesday, since the meeting takes place early on Thursday afternoon.

Luke said: “Every time I go abroad and ride in these events, I feel that I come back as a better rider.

“Some of the other riders are also in the SGP2 (the World Under-21 Championship). It’s the best under 19 riders in the world and some are a couple of years older than me.

“It’s good that I’ve qualified for the final, and I’m going into the meeting open-minded and see how well I do.

“I’m not sure what the track will be like. I could away from it better than I expect, or it could be tough. But either way, it will be good experience and if I again come away as a better rider, I’ll be happy.”

Harrison will also compete in the British Under-19 Final at Oxford on Sunday (October 6) afternoon at 3pm.

PHOTO: Luke Harrison battling with Poole No 1 Richard Lawson in Heat 15 on Sunday (pic: Ian Rispin)