LATEST British Speedway news from around the tracks up and down the country...

LAWSON TARGETS STARS SUCCESS
RETURNING King’s Lynn favourite Richard Lawson believes all the ingredients are in place for a successful 2025 season.

Lawson, who rode for the Stars in 2021-22, is one of four incoming riders this winter along with Ben Cook, Chris Harris and Rising Star Ashton Boughen.

And with Jan Kvech and Niels-Kristian Iversen retained after the club finished the last ROWE Motor Oil Premiership season strongly, and skipper Nicolai Klindt back from injury, the Norfolk side are being tipped for their best campaign in years.

Lawson said: “I think the side that they’ve built is really solid – I don’t see any weak points.

“It’s exciting. They’ve kept in touch with me over the winter and I think everyone’s quietly confident.

“I think the fans are due some success. Over the past few years, they’ve built decent sides and just for one reason or another, it’s never worked out for them. I feel like they’re doing things right this year so we should be in for a good season.”


STEELERS READY FOR NDL
SCUNTHORPE and Sheffield are to rebrand their combined WSRA National Development League team as the Steelers.

The team operated with a joint identity last year according to where their home matches were staged, racing as the Stags and the Tiger Cubs.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Our joint team with Sheffield in the WSRA National League last season was a success. But we realised the need for a clearer identity.

“Last season, you might have got the impression there were two separate teams, when actually there was just the one. We realised the need for a single nickname.

“Steelers makes a lot of sense as a nickname. Both the town of Scunthorpe and the city of Sheffield have strong connections to the steel industry – for example, it is the major employer in Scunthorpe.

“There will be no confusion this season. We will be having a new set of Steelers race-jackets made, which will be used in every fixture. it will be clear that it is the same NDL team, wherever we ride.”


ACADEMY LOOK TO TOP TWO
EDINBURGH Monarchs Academy boss Scott Wilson expects a battle for top spot within their WSRA National Development League side this season.

The Academy have retained Connor Coles and Dayle Wood from 2024, and they will make up the spearhead for the Armadale outfit with Sam McGurk also back with the club as third heat-leader.

Wilson said: “Connor is a great guy, I have so much time for him. He had a solid season last year but probably feels he could have scored even better.

“The interesting thing about that is that he still increased his average in both leagues in 2024. I’m confident he can push his 8.00 starting figure upwards this season.

“Dayle (pictured) stepped up to a heat-leader role last season and he’ll be hungry to go one step further and take the No.1 jacket from Connor.

“He’s deservedly secured a Championship spot (with Berwick) and that should help to sharpen his skills further, which the Academy will benefit from.”