Scunthorpe Speedway | Speedway & Stockcars | Eddie Wright Raceway
- Normanby Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 8QZ
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Opening victory for Scorpions
SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 50 REDCAR BEARS 40
ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions commenced their 2026 season with a 50-40 home victory over reigning holders Redcar Bears in a BSN Series clash at the Eddie Wright Raceway yesterday afternoon (Sunday).
Scunthorpe flew out of the blocks and led 22-8 after five races, including two 5-1s for the Connor Mountain and Luke Harrison pairing.
Redcar came back into the meeting, which was decided in Heat 14. With Bears looking for a 5-1 that would take the meeting to a last-heat decider, Mountain overtook Jason Edwards with a lap remaining to move into second place. On the final bend, Edwards attempted a last-ditch attempt to move back inside Mountain. But there was contact and Mountain took an alarming fall into the fence. Fortunately, Mountain was soon back on his feet. It was a racing accident, but Edwards was rightly excluded and the race was awarded as a match-winning 3-3 for Scorpions.
There was good racing throughout the meeting, with new Scunthorpe No 1 Josh Pickering demonstrating his skill in coming from the back, no more so than in Heat 10, when he burst from last to first in exciting style. Pickering also repassed Edwards on the final lap of Heat 15 to finish the afternoon on 13+1, including four race wins.
Nathan Ablitt produced a highly pleasing performance. The 22-year-old was a Scorpion in both 2023 and 2024, but was restricted to National League racing in 2025 and missed the last half of the season through injury. He scored 7+1, including joining Pickering for a 5-1 in Heat 1, after Redcar guest Kyle Howarth fell on the opening lap while battling for the lead with Ablitt.
There were one or two issues during the afternoon, as the riders blew off the cobwebs after a long winter. But all seven Scorpions scored, with 16-year-old debutant Ryan Ingram scoring 2+1, despite suffering with a ‘flu bug.
Nathan Ablitt said: “I felt really good today. It was the first time I’ve ridden out of reserve at this level, so I was really happy to score paid eight.
“I enjoyed racing at No 2. I had Josh (Pickering) with me in three of my races and we had some good races against the opposition. Riding with him – following him and learning off him – is only going to help me out. And the crowd love Josh, because he is box office.
“It was a long year last year and I had an injury which ruled me out for much of last season. I broke my scaphoid last June and it just wouldn’t heal. I ended up having surgery on it in December. This afternoon was my first meeting in nine months and it makes the struggles worthwhile.
“I had a positive meeting today and I just want to keep building. I’m happy my points contributed to a victory for the team and it gives us something to work for on Friday at Redcar.”
The return clash takes place at Redcar’s ECCO Arena on Friday (March 27).
SCUNTHORPE 50: Josh Pickering 13+1, Luke Harrison 8+1, Connor Mountain 8+1, Nathan Ablitt 7+1, Simon Lambert 6+1, Michael Palm Toft 6, Ryan Ingram 2+1.
REDCAR 40: Ace Pijper 8, Jason Edwards 8, Kyle Howarth 7+1, Jake Allen 7+1, Jake Mulford 4, Jordan Jenkins 3+1, Jody Scott 3+1.
* ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions are next in action at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday, April 10 (at 7.30pm), when they entertain defending champions Poole Pirates in the MAXiCab Knockout Cup.
Photo Credits: Ian Rispin
Report by: Rob Peasley
