Howe to skipper Scorpions
DAVID HOWE will resume his role of captain for the 2015 FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance.
Former British Under-21 Champion Howe, who has ridden in three Grand Prix rounds as a wildcard,
is spending his seventh successive season riding for the Scorpions, and is the club’s highest-ever leading points scorer.
The 33-year-old relinquished the role of captain during an injured troubled spell in 2012 and 2013, with Ashley Birks taking over as skipper. Last season saw David regain the No 1 position at the Eddie Wright Raceway and promoter Rob Godfrey feels he is the natural choice as captain.
Godfrey says: “Making David captain is the logical choice. He’s got the experience and the knowledge.
“He is very much an integral part of this club. It is hard to imagine Scunthorpe Speedway without David Howe being part of it.
“Even when he’s not been the captain, he’s often been helping out other riders. For instance, last season he took Matt Williamson under his wing.
“David is starting the season riding at No 1, which means he can go out in Heat 1, and then give the rest of the team advice on set-ups and so forth.”
However, while Howe is captain, Godfrey is also looking for the rest of his top five to help reserves Nike Lunna and Ellis Perks settle into Premier League speedway.
“Both myself and team manager Dave Peet will be giving Nike and Ellis plenty of encouragement. But we don’t ride the bikes.
“It’s down to every single other rider in the side to help Nike & Ellis, as the two of them go to tracks for the first time, making sure they’ve got the bikes properly set up and what have you. The sooner they settle and start scoring points, it will benefit the whole team.
“It’s going to take them time to settle. But I don’t think the adjustment period for them will be long. They are just going to get better & better”, Godfrey adds.
“I’ve heard positive reports about Nike regarding the meetings he’s done at Swindon and Edinburgh, two very different tracks. In particular, the Edinburgh track can provide a real test for riders, but he scored half a dozen points on his first-ever meeting there.
“And Ellis could have hardly started off any better than a paid maximum for his National League club, Cradley Heath, last week, on his 18th birthday. That’s exactly what the NL does – it gives the rider a boost in confidence. The Premier League is a step up, but I’m confident that he can handle it”, Godfrey concludes.
The Scorpions head into action for the first time this season at local rivals Sheffield Tigers tomorrow evening (Thursday, 7.30pm) in a League Cup encounter.
The first home meeting takes place on Easter Monday (April 6th, 3pm), with the Tigers heading to the Eddie Wright Raceway in the return fixture. The meeting will be a double-header, also featuring the Scorpions Stags taking on the Buxton Hitmen in a National League challenge.
