Scunthorpe Scorpions retain six riders for 2013 speedway season as they look to retain title
Speedway Premier League champions the Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions will retain six of their seven riders for the 2013 season, as the club seeks to become the first to successfully defend the title since the formation of the current competition in 1997.
Josh Auty, David Howe, Thomas Jørgensen, Ashley Birks, Michael Palm Toft and Gary Irving all return from the 2012 league championship-winning team.
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Josh Auty will be riding for Scunthorpe Scorpions next season
They are joined by 19-year-old hot Australian prospect Ryan Douglas, who joins on a 5.00 assessed average.
Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Quite often, championship-winning teams end up decimated the following season.
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“That’s not the case this time. We can retain the core of the side which won the Premier League championship in 2012.
“The one rider departing is Nick Morris. We thank Nick for his efforts for the Scorpions in the latter half of 2012, and for helping to bring the league championship to the Eddie Wright Raceway.
“We also thank Nick for recommending Ryan Douglas to ride for the Scorpions. Ryan hails from Brisbane in Queensland, and has recently finished second to Mason Campton in the New South Wales Under-21 Championship.”
Godfrey is delighted to see the six returning names to Scunthorpe in 2013.
“It’s fantastic to see them all back. Josh Auty established himself as our No 1 last season, while David Howe will return, having missed the majority of the 2012 through injury. Josh and David will form a fine spearhead for the side.
“Thomas Jørgensen will fill the third heat leader role; a role we’re sure that he can pull off in some style.
“Thomas is improving year-on-year, as are Ashley Birks and Michael Palm Toft. Both Ash and Michael took huge strides forward in 2012, and both were a key part of our success.
“Gary Irving did a terrific job after joining us from Workington midway through last season. Gary will play an important role in 2013 as our more experienced reserve.”
Looking at the prospects of the team, Godfrey feels that another successful year is ahead for the Scorpions.
“We feel it is a very strong side, full of riders capable of improving their averages. I’m sure the fans will approve of so many of the Premier League championship-winning side returning for another season.
“Personally, I see no reason why we can’t win a second successive league title.
“Looking at the list of winners on the trophy, which dates back to Reading in 1997, it is noticeable that no-one has retained the title. We are looking to put a change to that in 2013.”
Comments
by fuertegaz
Tuesday, November 20 2012, 7:16PM
“This news is fantastic. To be able to retain 6 riders for the 2013 season bodes well for another superb season next year. Richard and Rob and the riders including the guests used due to injuries did a fantastic job this season and entertained everyone. Congratulations must also go to the track staff who week after week prepare a proper race track which produces brilliant racing. There is better racing at Scunny than at any so called elite league track.”