Scunthorpe Scorpions vs Redcar Bears preview
SCORPIONS’ FATE IN THEIR OWN HANDS IN KEY ENCOUNTER
FLUIDAIR POWER Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance, can avoid bottom spot in the 2015 Premier League, with a victory by seven points or more over rivals Redcar Bears in the huge crunch encounter at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening (7.30pm).
In yet another bumper night at the best racetrack in the country, there are 24 heats of action in total for just £15 for adults, with the following on offer:
• The VITAL match in the battle to avoid last place in the Premier League between the Scorpions and the Bears.
• A six-heat Midland Development League match between Scunthorpe Stags and Milton Keynes Knights.
• The return of the classic 1950s / 1960s JAP machines, in three ‘Blast From The Past’ races.
• Free admission to all accompanied children under the age of 16.
Both Scunthorpe and Redcar currently have 18 match points, and have the remaining fixtures:
SCUNTHORPE
Sept 4 Redcar (Home)
Sept 10 Plymouth (Away)
Sept 11 Plymouth (Home)
Sept 13 Peterborough (Away)
REDCAR
Sept 3 Workington (Home)
Sept 4 Scunthorpe (Away)
If the teams finish level on match points, then race points difference will be the deciding factor. Scunthorpe currently have a race points difference of minus 161, while Redcar’s is significantly worse on minus 271.
If Redcar beat Workington on Thursday, they would move onto 21 match points.
Scunthorpe could then match that figure by defeating the Bears on Friday. If they also stop the Bears from taking the bonus point for losing by six points or less, then the Bears would remain on 21.
And barring a mathematical miracle in the Scunthorpe’s remaining three meetings, the Scorpions would be assured of finishing ahead of Redcar.
Scunthorpe team manager Dave Peet says: “We did a great job against Sheffield on Bank Holiday Monday, with every rider chipping in well. It was nice to be tracking a team of our own seven riders again, and new signing Leigh Lanham (pictured) did just the job we were hoping that he would.
“We need to keep our concentration and focus for the Redcar match on Friday.
“I’m sure we have both the team spirit and determination to win the meeting, but we certainly won’t be complacent about it.”
Promoter Rob Godfrey adds: “Friday has all the hallmarks of being a total cracker.
“We certainly don’t want to finish bottom, and I’m sure Redcar don’t want to end up bottom either, so there is bound to be some hard-fought and terrific racing around the best racetrack in the country.”
Admission prices for Friday:
Adult: £15.00
Student/OAP: £13.00
Child (16 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 15) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 16-17)
Match Programme: £1.00
Expected teams for Friday:
FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance: 1. Zdenek Holub, 2. Theo Pijper, 3. Andreas Lyager, 4. Carl Wilkinson, 5. Leigh Lanham, 6. Alex Davies, 7. Nike Lunna.
Redcar Bears: 1. Aaron Summers (guest for Lasse Bjerre), 2. Rider replacement for Stuart Robson, 3. Matej Kus, 4. Rafal Konopka (guest for Adam Roynon), 5. Jonas Andersen, 6. Jan Graversen, 7. Dimitri Berge.
Midland Development League teams:
Scunthorpe Stags: 1. Sam Darroch, 2. Stephen Whitehouse, 3. Luke Whitehead, 4. Sam Chapman.
Milton Keynes Knights: 1. Alex Wilson, 2. Jack Thomas, 3. Chris Bambury, 4. Kurtis Scarboro.
Blast From The Past Riders:
Graham Tattersall (JAP in a Jawa frame), Alec Gooch (Mattingley JAP), Bill Haynes (JAP in a Jawa fame), Steve Cook (JAP in a Jawa frame).
Redcar Bears at EWR
Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Best Performance
Jonas Andersen DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR
Dimitri Berge PL 1 5 3 1 2.40 3.20 3 + 1 from 5 rides (2015)
Jan Graversen PL 24 109 123 30 4.51 5.61 9 + 4 from 7 rides (2012)
Matej Kus PL 6 30 53 1 7.07 7.20 17 from 5 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2012))
GUESTS
Rafal Konopka PL 6 25 17 3 2.72 3.20 5 + 1 from 6 rides (2015)
Aaron Summers PL 18 84 120 9 5.71 6.14 15 from 6 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2014))
Other Notes
Jonas Andersen
Made his Premier League debut for Redcar in June 2015.
Dimitri Berge
2012 World Longtrack Champion (250cc)
Has ridden in 1 World Cup meeting for his country.
Made his Premier League debut for Glasgow in 2014.
Recently signed after starting this season with Glasgow.
Jan Graversen
Former Scunthorpe Scorpion.
Member of King’s Lynn’s Premier League Championship, Premier Trophy and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2009.
Matej Kus
Has ridden in 4 Speedway Grand Prix and 6 World Cup Events.
2010 Czech Republic Champion.
Twice Czech Republic Under-21 Champion (2008 and 2009).
2008 Czech Republic Under-19 Champion.
GUESTS
Rafal Konopka
Made his Premier League debut for Redcar in April 2014.
Signed for Peterborough after starting this season at Redcar.
Aaron Summers
Australian Under-16 Champion in 2004.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2008.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Play-Off Winning Teams in 2008 and 2009.
Member of Coventry’s Elite League Winning Team in 2010.
Member of Birmingham’s Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2010.
Redcar Bears’ Results at EWR
30 March 2008 PT D Scunthorpe 45 Redcar 45
06 June 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Redcar 41
19 June 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 49 Redcar 44
31 July 2009 KOC L Scunthorpe 50 Redcar 39
02 October 2009 YS L Scunthorpe 56 Redcar 34
05 April 2010 PT L Scunthorpe 50 Redcar 42
02 May 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 57 Redcar 34
09 September 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Redcar 41
07 October 2011 PL Ph 2 L Scunthorpe 65 Redcar 25
27 April 2012 LC L Scunthorpe 54 Redcar 36
14 September 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 55 Redcar 38
14 June 2013 KOC W Scunthorpe 41 Redcar 49
12 July 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 45 Redcar 44
06 April 2014 LC W Scunthorpe 37 Redcar 50
25 July 2014 PL L Scunthorpe 54 Redcar 39
27 August 2014 PL L Scunthorpe 46 Redcar 43
24 April 2015 LC W Scunthorpe 44 Redcar 45
