Scunthorpe Scorpions

The Scunthorpe Scorpions are a motorcycle speedway team in the British SGB Championship. They have raced at various times since 1972, at three different venues.[1]

Scunthorpe Scorpions
Club information
Track addressEddie Wright Raceway
Normanby Road
Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire
DN15 8QZ
CountryEngland
Founded1972
Team managerRob Godfrey (promoter)
Dave Peet (manager)
LeagueSGB Championship
Websitescunthorpe-speedway.com
Club facts
ColoursWhite and Red
Track size285 metres (312 yd)
Track record time55.18 seconds
Track record date5 September 2014
Track record holderNicolai Klindt
Current team
Rider CMA
Australia Ryan Douglas
Denmark Michael Palm Toft
Australia Jake Allen
England Connor Mountain
England Simon Lambert
England Drew Kemp
England Nathan Ablitt
Major team honours
Premier League Champions2012
Championship KO Cup2023
Conference League Champions2006, 2007
Conference League KO Cup Winners2006, 2007
Conference Trophy Winners2006, 2007
Conference Shield Winners2006
Conference Fours Winners2007
Conference League Pairs Winners2006

History

1972–1978

The original Scunthorpe side were known as Scunthorpe Saints from 1972 to 1978, when they rode at Quibell Park Stadium on Brumby Wood Lane, the seven years in division 2 were unspectacular finishing in a best position of 13th place.[2][3]

1979–1985

In 1979, a change of venue and name took place, they were renamed the Scunthorpe Stags and rode at Ashby Ville. The team continued to compete in the second division and continued to produce moderate results. The best placing was a 5th place finish during the 1983 National League season. During the 1985 season the team were disbanded in May.[4][5]

2005–2007

Woffinden riding for Scunthorpe in 2007

In 2005, speedway returned to Scunthorpe, with the Scunthorpe Scorpions taking their place in division 3 (the 2005 Speedway Conference League). The following season the Scorpions won their first silverware, winning the playoffs after finishing second in the regular season table. The team also won the Knockout Cup to win the double. The 2007 Speedway Conference League resulted in a second successive league and cup double. The team was inspired by Tai Woffinden who would later become a three times world champion.

2008–2012

After three successful years in the Conference League the side were accepted into the Premier League (division 2) for 2008. At the same time the club introduced a junior side called the Saints (after the original name of the club) who would continue riding in the Conference League and later the National League with the main aim to develop riders for the Premier League side. In 2012, the Scorpions won their highest honour to date, winning the Premier League after defeating the Somerset Rebels 92-91 on aggregate in the play off final.

2013–present

The Scorpions continued to race in tier/division 2 (currently the SGB Championship) entering their 15th season in the division in 2023. In 2023, they won the SGB Championship Knockout Cup, defeating Poole Pirates 92-88 on aggregate in the final.[6]

Season summary (1st team)

Extended content
Year and league Position Notes
1972 British League Division Two season17thSaints
1973 British League Division Two season16thSaints
1974 British League Division Two season17thSaints
1975 New National League season13thSaints
1976 National League season17thSaints
1977 National League season14thSaints
1978 National League season19thSaints
1979 National League season19thStags
1980 National League season13thStags
1981 National League season17thStags
1982 National League season17thStags
1983 National League season5thStags
1984 National League season10thStags
2005 Speedway Conference League8thScorpions
2006 Speedway Conference League2ndScorpions, Champions (PO winners) & Knockout Cup winners
2007 Speedway Conference League1stScorpions, Champions & Knockout Cup winners
2008 Premier League speedway season10thScorpions
2009 Premier League speedway season10thScorpions
2010 Premier League speedway season9thScorpions
2011 Premier League speedway season7thScorpions
2012 Premier League speedway season2ndScorpions, Champions (PO winners)
2013 Premier League speedway season8thScorpions
2014 Premier League speedway season5thScorpions
2015 Premier League speedway season11thScorpions
2016 Premier League speedway season11thScorpions
SGB Championship 20179thScorpions
SGB Championship 20189thScorpions
SGB Championship 20197thScorpions
SGB Championship 20216thScorpions
SGB Championship 20227thScorpions
SGB Championship 20234thScorpions, Play offs & Knockout Cup winners

Season summary (junior team)

Riders previous seasons

Extended content

2007 team

2008 team

2008 team (juniors)

  • South Africa Byron Bekker
  • England Scott Richardson
  • England Scott Anderson
  • England Jonathan Bethell
  • England Gary Irving
  • England Adam Wrathall
  • England Michael Pickering
  • England Ricky Scarboro
  • England Stuart Parnaby
  • England Ben Hopwood

2009 team

Also rode:

2009 team (juniors)

2010 team

Number eight rider:

  • England Gary Irving

2015 team

2016 team

Also rode:

2017 team

Also rode:

Replaced the injured Fritz Wallner

2019 team

2021 team

Also Rode:

2022 team

Also Rode:

2023 team

Also Rode:

Other honours

  • Lincolnshire Cup Winners: 2005, 2006 & 2007
  • Easter Cup Winners: 2006
  • Humber Bridge Trophy Winners: 2005

References

  1. Bamford, Robert (1 March 2007). Tempus Speedway Yearbook 2007. NPI Media Group. ISBN 978-0-7524-4250-1.
  2. Rogers, Martin (1978). The Illustrated History of Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 129. ISBN 0-904584-45-3.
  3. "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  4. "British League Tables - British League Era (1965-1990)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  5. "1985 fixtures and results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  6. "Cup joy for Scorpions". British Speedway. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  7. "Scorpions sign Bergström". BSPA. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2007.
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