Reece Downes becomes a Stag

REECIE BECOMES A STAG

SEVEN YEARS after becoming the Scorpions mascot and five months after turning fifteen, Reece Downes, has signed for the Scunthorpe Stags.  The Barnsley-based rider, who was just pipped to the British Youth title by Dudley’s Nathan Greaves in September, will start the season at reserve for the newly-formed National League side, who are set to field six prospects in a side purely set up to develop riders for the Premier and Elite Leagues.

Stags’ Chairman Richard Hollingsworth confirmed he was delighted to sign Downes.

Hollingsworth said: “Reece has been in and around the club for so long now.  ‘Little Reecie’ was a big favourite of Kenny Smith and I’m sure he would be so incredibly proud, as we all are, of the way he has developed as a person and a rider.

“On a personal level I was mightily impressed with the way he used dirt line to ride around Nathan Greaves to win the Scunthorpe round of the youth championship last year and when he repeated the feat to gain revenge on Andy Mountain in Heat 15 of an inter-club meeting against the Southern Track Riders’ Club later in the year.

“It wasn’t a twist and hang on effort but a mature and controlled manoeuvre that belied his tender years. When you see riders perform you know they have a great future.”

When asked about signing for the club, Reece said: “I’ve had approaches from several clubs to ride this year and I really appreciate them all but when I got a call from Richard Hollingsworth my mind was made up. I’ve been at Scunthorpe for seven years now and, although my home city is Sheffield, my speedway home has always been Scunthorpe.

“If it wasn’t for people like Richard and Anne Hollingsworth, Rob Godfrey and, of course, Kenny Smith I wouldn’t be where I am now with my riding

“I’m really proud to be associated with the club and the town and I’ve also had great support from my sponsors, without whom I couldn’t race. In particular I should mention Phil Drury at Drury Engineering who has helped me with kit and also shared his knowledge of racing at all levels.

“The tie up with Poole Pirates and the prospect of riding in the Elite League is fantastic.  Hopefully I will do well enough to get there one day but I am under no illusions that it will be a tough challenge this year.  I know the Eddie Wright Raceway well but so do a lot of other riders.

“It would be great to follow in the footsteps of Tai Woffinden and achieve the success he has. Tai, and his Gran, have always encouraged me and I guess he is as good an example as anyone of what hard work and dedication can achieve.”

The Stags season looks set to start on Sunday March 30th, as the second part of a double-header also featuring the Premier League Scorpions’ side.

Another Stags rider is set to be announced next week.