Bank Holiday Monday double-header preview
HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions play host to a feast of Bank Holiday speedway action at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Monday afternoon (3pm).
A packed 38-heat programme sees the Scorpions entertain the Newcastle Diamonds in a Premier League encounter followed by the individual Midland Development League Riders’ Championship, contested by many of the brightest young prospects across the country.
Scorpions ended a frustrating run of defeats by demolishing Workington by 54-30 at Scunthorpe last Sunday, and promoter Rob Godfrey hopes that momentum will be taken forward into the clash with the Diamonds on Monday, as they seek to close the gap on the teams above team at the bottom of the Premier League.
Godfrey said: “It was a comfortable and much-needed win against Workington, which was achieved despite us only having five riders for much of the meeting, and we will look to build on that against Newcastle.
“The good news is that Lewis Kerr will be back from illness. In fact, he’s already had a run out with Lakeside and was fine.
“But Josh Bailey will be missing through his broken collarbone and we wish him a speedway recovery.
“On Monday, we’re using Jack Smith from National League Birmingham as our guest. He’s the son of former three-time British Champion Andy Smith, and he’s been making quite an impact in his first season in the sport. It’s the first opportunity he’s been given at Premier League level, so he’ll be keen to make an impression.”
Carl Wilkinson scored a fine 15+1 at reserve against Workington, and followed that up by defeating World Champion Tai Woffinden around King’s Lynn on Thursday night in an Elite League meeting.
“The key thing about our team is its strength in depth”, says Godfrey. “When Michael Palm Toft was at reserve, he was knocking up cricket scores, and now Wilko is starting to do the same. I was chuffed to see that Wilko had led Tai Woffinden around King’s Lynn for four laps and beaten him, because he deserves a result like that and it will give him so much confidence.
“Against Workington, we had five riders banging in good scores, and a similar performance against Newcastle should see us home again.”
Chris Hay and Sam Chapman will represent Scunthorpe in the Midland Development League Riders’ Championship. 16 riders compete in 20 races for 8 places in the semi-finals, with the top two from each semi-final contesting the final.
Bank Holiday Monday’s adult admission price for the double-header is £17. It’s just £2 more than a single Premier League meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway, for 23 extra heats of action. A full and exciting afternoon of racing is ahead. DON’T MISS IT!
Admission prices for Bank Holiday Monday:
Adult: £17.00
Student/OAP: £15.00
Child (10 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £39 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17)
Match Programme: £1.00
Expected teams for Bank Holiday Monday:
Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Michael Palm Toft, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Fritz Wallner, 5. Ryan Douglas, 6. Carl Wilkinson, 7. Jack Smith (guest).
Newcastle Diamonds: 1. Ricky Wells (guest), 2. Viktor Palovaara, 3. Matej Kus, 4. Ludvig Lindgren, 5. Rider replacement for Steve Worrall, 6. Arthur Sissis (guest), 7. Danny Phillips.
Line-up for Midland Development League Riders’ Championship: Henry Atkins (Coventry), Josh Embleton (Buxton), Layne Cupitt (Long Eaton), Lewis Whitmore (King’s Lynn), Sam Chapman (Scunthorpe), Andy Mellish (Belle Vue), Niall Strudwick (Milton Keynes), George Rothery (Belle Vue), Bradley Andrews (Long Eaton), Sam Bebee (Mildenhall), Lewis Austen (King’s Lynn), Kyle Roberts (Coventry), Taylor Hampshire (Mildenhall), Chris Hay (Scunthorpe), Sam Wright (Buxton), William O’Keefe (Milton Keynes). Reserves: Lloyd Ditchburn & James Chattin (both Scunthorpe).
