Josh Bailey quits

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are on the search for a new rider, after being informed that 19-year-old reserve Josh Bailey is ‘taking time out’ of the sport.

Bailey was riding in all three tiers of British Speedway. As well as competing for Scorpions in the SGB Championship (middle tier), he was also competing for King’s Lynn in the SGB Premiership (top tier) and National League (lower tier).

Bailey finished last season with an average of 2.05 for Scorpions. As of Bank Holiday Monday, his new Green Sheet figure was due to be 2.53.

He was coming back this season, after a nasty collarbone injury ended his 2016 season.

Promoter Rob Godfrey: “We’ve been notified that Josh Bailey has quit with immediate effect. He’s taken the decision to take some time out.

“Of course, we’re very disappointed, because we want a bit of stability in our team at the current time. We’ll miss Josh, because he was doing the job in Heat 2 of our home meetings. He was scoring some valuable points.

“It leaves us in a bit of a quandary. I’ve managed to secure the services of a guest for the Bank Holiday Monday clash against Newcastle at the Eddie Wright Raceway. David Wallinger has agreed to ride for us.

“I’ve spent most of the morning trying to find a guest for the Newcastle away match on Sunday, so far without any luck. If any riders read this and are interested, I suggest they contact me.

“And, of course, in the long-term, we will need to secure a permanent replacement for Josh.”

UPDATE: Jack-Parkinson Blackburn is the guest at Newcastle on Sunday.