lucifer sam

How did I forget? I added the information about Wilko as soon as I had it this morning. This isn’t someone hanging around 24 hours a day to add information, so if a rider has to pull out of a meeting late in the day, quite often it’s going to be the next morning before the news is announced. Dick, as you’re someone closely associated with a club, I thought you would have known better, but obviously not. All the best Rob

Both the website and twitter updated with Wilko’s absence by 9am this morning, which I think is plenty of time for a meeting which starts at 7.30pm this evening. Sorry, if I wasn’t awake at 2am this morning to update it, but some of us have to work and therefore need to sleep at night All the best Rob

DERBY TESTER FOR SCORPIONS HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions face a tough test to their SGB Championship play-off aspirations with the visit of local rivals Sheffield Tigers at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday (5.30pm). It’s a fortnight since Scorpions were last in action at home, when they picked up a 56-34 victory over Berwick, with new signing Stefan Nielsen netting an impressive 10+2 on his debut and skipper Michael Palm Toft leading the way with 13 points. Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “Sheffield always provide us with one of our toughest tests of the season, and I’m sure they will give us a real run for our money and it will be one hell of a speedway meeting. “It’ll be tough, make no mistake about it, but I feel we can come out on top. “Sheffield always bring plenty of fans up with them along the M18, so we need our fans to be in good voice on Sunday, and help cheer our lads onto the result we need.” Godfrey feels Scorpions now have a side that can challenge for honours for the rest of the season. “I’m looking to see us kick on and string a few wins together”, he says. “We’ve now got a very good team. Barring injuries, I feel we’ve got our 1-to-7 in place for the rest of the season. “Once Stefan Nielsen moves up into the team, it will push another strong rider to reserve. That might be Wilko (Carl Wilkinson) next. And then it could be one of the other lads. But whoever is there should be banging in the points. “All-in-all, I feel pretty positive about the rest of 2017. We’ll take it one match at a time and see where it takes us.” There are 21 heats of action in total on Sunday, including a six-heat second half Midland Development League match between Scunthorpe Stags and Belle Vue Colts. Admission prices for Sunday: Adult: £15.00 Student/OAP: £13.00 Child (10 – 17): £5.00 Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for Sunday: Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Michael Palm Toft (captain), 2. Carl Wilkinson, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Ryan Douglas, 5. Josh Auty, 6. Stefan Nielsen, 7. Josh Bailey. Sheffield Tigers: 1. Josh Grajczonek, 2. Todd Kurtz, 3. Lasse Bjerre, 4. Josh Bates, 5. Kyle Howarth, 6. Rob Branford, 7. Jack Parkinson-Blackburn. Midland Development League teams: Scunthorpe Stags: 1. Chris Bambury, 2. Sam Chapman, 3. Luke Whitehead, 4. Sheldon Davies. Belle Vue Colts: 1. Sam Woolley, 2. Lloyd Ditchburn, 3. Stephen Whitehouse, 4. Luke McKenna. * HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are also in action at Ipswich on Thursday evening (7.30pm).

Looks like it should be a nice day, Badger. I don't think even Chris Louis could manage to call this one off. All the best Rob

That would require something of a detour - I don't think I'd make it for 7.30pm!! All the best Rob

Coming straight from work so should make it just in time, and will then head for the back straight to sit with the Massif, as the Scotsman and myself cheer Scorpions onto victory. All the best Rob

Quick question: was DJ unlucky or was he poorly prepared? His engine failures potentially cost England two WTCs in '81 and '83. All the best Rob

7-1 in Heat 11: Pickering first, TR Masters second. All the best Rob

I can see the way you're thinking, but surely the team top of the Championship will end up with a average well in excess of the points limit. Last year, Somerset were around 48 points. You'd still heavily fancy the Premiership side, but Premiership team built up to 42 vs Championship side on around 48 is unlikely to be a complete walkover, given the two leagues are closely in standard than previous years. All the best Rob

From the Speedway Control Bureau website: Supplementary Regulation - SR1705 Classification of Speedway Regulation Art 18.7.3 Team Composition 18.7.3 For the SGB Premiership ONLY, it must not exceed 42.00 points in any declaration following the issue of established CMA for 2017, except where the MA of the introduced rider is equal to, or lower than the rider being replaced. Any re-declaration must include 2 riders who have competed or are eligible to enter the National Development League (Conference League). It would seem three words (those in bold) were missing from the original rulebook. When Scunny redeclared, it could only be back up to 40.00, not 42.00. All the best Rob

No, it's been clarified that it's 40.00 for the whole season in the Championship. All the best Rob

Josh Bailey is due to be back. I will double-check with Rob G tonight, but I believe everyone is back tomorrow and it's a full team for Scorpions. All the best Rob

No, that's for the Premiership only. In the Championship, it's 40.00 all season long. All the best Rob

MPT MOVES TO NUMBER 1 HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions’ Danish star Michael Palm Toft will move to the No 1 spot for Sunday’s SGB Championship clash with Berwick Bandits (3pm). Palm Toft, skipper of the 2017 Scorpions, has been in fine form in the early weeks of the season, and has earned praise from promoter Rob Godfrey. Godfrey says: “Michael has been absolutely superb for us so far this season. He really has risen to the cause, and led by example. “He was totally instrumental in the point we picked up at Workington, and was also to the fore in our victory at Berwick. But he hasn’t had a poor meeting all season. “He’s got the speed and is enjoying his racing. It’s no surprise that he’s currently topping our averages and therefore will move to the No 1 position.” Palm Toft will swap positions with Ryan Douglas, who moves to No 4. Meanwhile, new signing Stefan Nielsen will slot in at reserve at No 6, where he is certain to be a trump card. Scorpions’ new riding order (with average in parentheses): 1. Michael Palm Toft (7.55) 2. Carl Wilkinson (5.80) 3. Lewis Kerr (5.98) 4. Ryan Douglas (5.89) 5. Josh Auty (7.01) 6. Stefan Nielsen (5.53) 7. Josh Bailey (2.00) Scorpions’ combined team average for their new line-up is 39.76, which is 0.24 below the 40-point-limit, which will remain in operation all season in the SGB Championship.

Cheers - corrected. Fozzie, those averages are spot on. All the best Rob

40-HEAT FEAST AT EDDIE WRIGHT RACEWAY ON ‘SUPER SPORT SUNDAY’ IN SCUNTHORPE SPORTS fans in the Scunthorpe area will have a real treat in store on Sunday, as Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions have co-ordinated their home clash with the Berwick Bandits (3pm) to fit in with the last regular match of the season for Scunthorpe United FC. At 12 noon, play-off bound Scunthorpe United entertain Coventry City at Glanford Park, which is less four miles away from the Eddie Wright Raceway. With Scorpions starting at 3pm, it allows plenty of time for fans of both sports to travel from one venue to the other. And there’s an extra bonus for supporters, since the meeting at the Eddie Wright is a 40-heat double header, with the 150/125cc class of the British Youth Championship following on from the clash with the Bandits. Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We wanted to stick to the same day (Sunday) as much as possible this season. “When we learnt of the football fixture, it made a lot of sense to tie in with that. Scunthorpe United have qualified for the play-offs and this is their final match of the season, so they should have a bumper crowd. But it’s an early start-time for the football, so people will be looking for someone else to do with the rest of their day. So I hope they’ll see our fixture and decide to make the short hop across. “Who knows we might also tempt along a few people from the Coventry area as well, who are fans of both sports. “For those who enjoy both sports, it’s a bumper day out. If you only like the speedway, then we’ve still got an action-packed afternoon of action with no fewer than 40 races around the best racetrack in the country.” Scorpions are looking for three vital SGB Championship points from the clash with the Bandits. Stefan Nielsen is making his debut for Scorpions, in place of injured Austrian Fritz Wallner, while both Josh Auty and Lewis Kerr are expected to return from injury. Meanwhile, Berwick have completely reshaped their team this week and introduce ex-Scorpion Nick Morris at No 1. “The signing of Stefan Nielsen adds considerable strength to our team”, states Godfrey. “I don’t really see him as a reserve, although that’s where he will start off racing for us, and while he is down there, I would argue that he is the strongest reserve in the league. “I’m very much hoping that the fixture with Berwick will mark the turning point of the season for us. “Like us, Berwick have not enjoyed the best of starts to the season. But we won’t be under-estimating them; we may have won at their place last week (48-42), but they’ve now got three new riders, including an old friend of ours, Nick Morris. It gives the Bandits a very potent spearhead, with Nick alongside Lewis Bridger, and there’s almost a guarantee of some thrilling action. “We won’t under-estimate them - but if we perform to our capabilities, I know that we can defeat the Bandits.” Sunday’s adult admission price for the double-header is £17. It’s just £2 more than a single SGB Championship meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway, for 25 extra heats of action. A full and exciting afternoon of racing is ahead. DON’T MISS IT! Admission prices for Sunday: 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 16-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for Sunday: Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Michael Palm Toft (captain), 2. Carl Wilkinson, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Ryan Douglas, 5. Josh Auty, 6. Stefan Nielsen, 7. Josh Bailey. Berwick Bandits: 1. Nick Morris, 2. Jye Etheridge, 3. Kevin Doolan, 4. Liam Carr, 5. Lewis Bridger, 6. Dany Gappmaier, 7. Lee Payne. British Youth Championship (150cc/125 class) line-up: Mickie Simpson, Archie Wareham, Aidan Arthur, Alex Goldsborough, Harry McGurk, Sam Peters, Gregor Miller, Max Perry, Mikey Robbins, Sam McGurk, Beau Stonehewer, Jack Bell, Taya Thirtle, Sonny Springer, Archie Freeman, Jacob Fellows, Corban Pavitt, Elliot Kelly, Jack Wright, Bailey Fellows, Charlie Jenson, Callum Gill, Freddie Fox Baron, Luke Harrison.

No rolling averages this year. Averages taken only from 2017 meetings and meetings don't drop out as the season progresses (i.e. by end of season, averages will be taken from all 36 Championship meetings, not just the last 20). All the best Rob

New signing here: http://scunthorpescorpions.co/?p=6961 All the best Rob

SCORPIONS LOOK TO DEFY ODDS AGAINST LEAGUE LEADERS HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions will be seeking to upset the odds, when they entertain unbeaten SGB Championship leaders Edinburgh Monarchs at the Eddie Wright Raceway later today (Sunday, 5.30pm). Scorpions took a superb 48-42 triumph at Berwick last night which moved then up to sixth in the SGB Championship table. But victory was achieved at a cost, when Lewis Kerr sustained mild concussion, after being bustled out of the way by Lewis Bridger in Heat 13. Kerr is ruled out of action for seven days (starting yesterday), joining Fritz Wallner (broken hand) and Josh Auty (whiplash) on the sidelines. Scorpions bring in Dmitri Berge and Richard Hall as guests against the Monarchs, and will use rider replacement for Kerr. Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “Our riders showed great spirit to win at Berwick last night, and we’ll be doing our upmost to upset the applecart against Edinburgh this evening. “The quality of racing for the first three meetings at the Eddie Wright Raceway has been excellent, with hard-fought meetings. We may have won only one of those meetings, but no-one has taken the points from here without a battle. “We’re still the only team to have defeated Glasgow in the league. Edinburgh will fancy their chances, but we’d love to become the first team to beat them in 2017. I think it’s going to be another great meeting at the EWR.” Admission prices for today: Adult: £15.00 Student/OAP: £13.00 Child (10 – 17): £5.00 Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for today: Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Carl Wilkinson, 3. Rider replacement for Lewis Kerr, 4. Michael Palm Toft, 5. Dmitri Berge (guest), 6. Richard Hall (guest), 7. Josh Bailey. Edinburgh Monarchs: 1. Sam Masters, 2. Josh Pickering, 3. Erik Riss, 4. Max Clegg, 5. Ricky Wells, 6. Mark Riss, 7. Mitchell Davey.

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions’ star Josh Auty may miss this weekend’s matches at Berwick tonight (Saturday) and at home to the Edinburgh Monarchs at the Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow (5.30pm). The Yorkshireman was caught up in a nasty accident during the Scunthorpe v Redcar clash at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Easter Monday, which has left him with whiplash injuries. He withdrew from last night’s Belle Vue v Leicester clash. Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “Josh’s movement in his neck is a bit restricted at the moment. “Anyone who saw the incident will now why. He was flung through the air and came down with a thud. He’ll make a late call, but we’ve prepared ourselves to have to take rider replacement in Josh’s place this weekend.” Fritz Wallner is due to be out for another six weeks with a broken hand. Tom Perry replaces him at Berwick, while ex-Scorpion Richard Hall comes into the line-up for the home meeting to Edinburgh. It’s a key weekend for Scorpions, as both matches could go either way. Godfrey adds: “We’ve seen some very close meetings this season, and I wouldn’t be surprised for both meetings this weekend to be very tight as well. “We need to make sure that those tight finishes start going our way. “One thing I’m sure of is that the home meeting with Edinburgh will be an absolute cracker. There’s been some great meetings between the two teams at the Eddie Wright Raceway over the years and I can’t see this one being any different. “Our main priority, though, is to win. If it’s another 46-44, we need to ensure we get the 46.” Admission prices for Sunday: Adult: £15.00 Student/OAP: £13.00 Child (10 – 17): £5.00 Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for Sunday: Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Carl Wilkinson, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Michael Palm Toft, 5. Josh Auty or R/R, 6. Richard Hall (guest), 7. Josh Bailey. Edinburgh Monarchs: 1. Sam Masters, 2. Josh Pickering, 3. Erik Riss, 4. Max Clegg, 5. Ricky Wells, 6. Mark Riss, 7. Mitchell Davey.

Rule was amended a few years ago. Now only refers to guest performances i.e. rider can ride for his own team, then guest 7 days later. BUT he can't guest at the same track two weeks running. Unless it's for the Home No 1. All the best Rob

Confirmation that Scunny's guest tonight is Tom Perry. All the best Rob

I wonder if it's the main sorting office. I've had the very odd occasion - normally around Christmas - where suddenly any magazine subscriptions or any parcels have taken over a week to arrive. And yet any 'regular letters' are arriving on time. If you speak to the postman, they will explain that certain items are being prioritized. And sadly, while the Speedway Star can contact them, we all know in reality that the Royal Mail are unlikely to fix their ways. All the best Rob

Tyretrax, I think everyone can share your frustration, since we've all had something important lost/delayed in the post at some point. But surely it's obvious that this is the fault of the Royal Mail and/or your local postman, and not the Speedway Star. The standard of service from the Royal Mail has been sadly declining in recent years, despite sharp increases to the price of a first class stamp. Meanwhile, it's pretty clear that the Speedway Star do post out on time. Of course, it's your choice whether you renew a subscription or not. But don't cut off your noise to spite your face if you enjoy reading the magazine. All the best Rob

SCORPIONS LOOKING TO MOVE UP INTO TOP HALF HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are looking for a victory which would take them into the top half of the SGB Championship table, when they host Redcar Bears at the Eddie Wright Raceway later today (Easter Monday, 5.30pm). The meeting was originally due to take place yesterday (Easter Sunday), but was called off in the morning and put back by 24 hours due to a dreadful forecast which proved correct. Today’s forecast is far more positive. It’s no longer a double-header; the meeting is now a single-header containing the SGB Championship clash between Scorpions and Bears. Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “We hope our supporters appreciated the swift action once we realised it was a hopeless cause yesterday (Easter Sunday). “There was no point dragging everyone up to the stadium, standing in the rain, while we tried to get a meeting on. That’s not what we’re about. “It was clearly much more sensible to re-stage the meeting for today, and I thank the Redcar promotion for their co-operation.” Scorpions have picked up points from their last two Championship fixtures – a 47-43 home victory over Glasgow, and a narrow 45-48 loss at Workington – and Godfrey believes this sequence can continue. He says: “The key to success is to win your home meetings, and pick up points from the away meetings. “It was a massive relief for us to defeat Glasgow at the Eddie Wright Raceway last Sunday and get our first win of the season under our belts. And then we followed it up with a great performance at Workington inspired by our skipper Michael Palm Toft, where we weren’t far off winning, and thoroughly deserved the point. “I always had faith in this set of riders – which is why I brought back the same seven riders this season. “We need to keep going and get the points with a win over Redcar. It’s a bound to be another great evening of racing; you only have to look at the riders on display to realise that.” Admission prices for today: Adult: £15.00 Student/OAP: £13.00 Child (10 – 17): £5.00 Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for today: Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Carl Wilkinson, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Michael Palm Toft (captain), 5. Josh Auty, 6. Jan Graversen (guest), 7. Josh Bailey. Redcar Bears: 1. Jason Garrity, 2. Coty Garcia, 3. Charles Wright, 4. Jonas B Andersen, 5. Ben Barker, 6. Richard Hall, 7. Ellis Perks.