Scorpions swoop for Austrian star

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions have signed 30-year-old Austrian Fritz Wallner as a replacement for injured Australian Alex Davies, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Talented Wallner is due to make his debut for the Scorpions against Premier League leaders Somerset Rebels at the Eddie Wright Raceway this evening (Sunday, 6.30pm).

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey explains: “We knew that we needed, at least, a temporary replacement for Alex Davies for the month of August, with Alex fifth in our averages for this month, which means rider replacement for him becomes very restricted. So we’d already made moves towards bringing in Fritz Wallner.

“In the meantime, Alex has contacted me over the last couple of days confirming that he’s out for the season.

“Alex fractured a couple of vertebrae in a crash in the home meeting against Glasgow early in July. He wanted to be back by the end of August, but he’s realised that simply isn’t going to happen.

“We’re going to hold a collection for Alex against Somerset. He used to ride for the Rebels, and hopefully fans from both clubs will give generously. He’s a nice guy, and it’s a shame his season has come to an end in this fashion.”

Wallner may not been a name that many British fans will recognise, but he’s built up a good reputation on the continent, winning his first Austrian National Championship back in 2003, and, more recently, winning that title again in 2014.

Godfrey says: “Fritz Wallner was recommended to us by [leading speedway journalist] Peter Oakes.

“He’s not a kid – he was riding over a decade ago. From what I understand, he’s now got the backing to really give it a go.

“We had him practicing around the Eddie Wright Raceway on Saturday afternoon, with Ryan Douglas also out there. Fritz was absolutely flying.

“He’s got some brilliant backing behind him.

“Walter Grubmuller is a former speedway rider, who rode at Exeter in the 1970s. After that, he made his fortune and bought a Formula 3 racing team. It’s quite a story really.

“He’s absolutely behind Fritz, and that’s what helped persuade us to give Fritz a chance, because not every rider has a millionaire behind them. It’s clear he has the talent to go with it, and this could turn out to be a very significant signing for us.”

Fritz Wallner comes in on a 7.00 assessed average, and will line up for the Scorpions at No 4 this afternoon against Somerset.

New Scorpions’ line-up (in riding order):
1. Josh Auty (7.42)
2. Michael Palm Toft (5.55)
3. Lewis Kerr (5.72)
4. Fritz Wallner (7.00)
5. Ryan Douglas (6.98)
6. Carl Wilkinson (5.31)
7. Josh Bailey (3.00)