This Friday, at 7.30pm, and for one night only, league speedway racing can be sampled for free at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
The meeting sees the Scunthorpe Saints face the Sittingbourne Crusaders and victory could take the Saints back to the top of the Conference League. The meeting, sponsored by the Scunthorpe Telegraph, will showcase speedway and hopefully attract fans back to watch the Premier League Scorpions side in action.
Since the track was built in a grass field back in 2004 the facilities on Normanby Road have steadily developed whilst, at the same time, the track has created a reputation for producing some of the very best racing in the country. The ‘Scorpions’ side became a force to be reckoned with in only their second season and for two years they dominated the Conference League. Such was the success of the club Promoter Rob Godfrey made the bold decision to move up to the Premier League this year whilst retaining a Conference League side, now called the Saints.
The Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions have made a successful transition to the higher league and seem set for a place in the top half of the sixteen team league. Their multi-national side sees two Swedes flying in on a weekly basis to ride for the side whilst along with two British riders the side also boasts an Australian, an Argentinian and a South African. Four of the Scorpions’ side have come through the Conference League and the Saints side, with four teenagers in Friday’s septet, is very much run with an eye on developing riders for the Premier League side.
One of the sport’s biggest challenges is to attract new fans and whilst Sky sports coverage is undoubtedly a help it is hoped that Friday’s meeting will see plenty of new faces on the terraces. Promoter Rob Godfrey feels that many of those who turn up will come back to see a Scorpions’ Premier League meeting “Word of mouth is working well for us. The crowds are increasing but we want to continue to grow and what better way of attracting new people through the turnstiles. One of the biggest obstacles we have to overcome is this theory that there is little passing in speedway and ‘first out of the gate’ always wins. We can only do this by getting people to see it for themselves and Anyone who comes on Friday will see that definitely isn’t the case at the Eddie Wright Raceway. We have incredible racing week in, week out. Riders just can’t ride defensively and be successful on our track. If they aren’t going flat out then someone will pass them and if they are going flat out then they’re likely to make a mistake and someone will take advantage. There are so many racing lines. Friday will be great but the Premier League meetings are even better so anyone who enjoys Friday will be blown away by a Scorpions’ meeting. Everyone should come and give it a try.”
Vouchers, admitting free entry, for two adults and two children (10-16 years olds - as under-10’s are always free), to Friday’s meeting have been printed in this week’s Scunthorpe Telegraph with further ones in Friday night’s edition. For anyone who is unable to purchase a copy beforehand there will be copies available at the turnstiles on Friday night.
