Former Workington Comets rider Harry McGurk will be back in the WSRA National Development League next season after agreeing a deal to return to Belle Vue.
McGurk stepped away from racing in early September having joined Workington this year and experienced a tough campaign, but he says his enthusiasm has returned and is keen to make his mark again with the Colts.
He said: “Looking back, I think I tried to step up to the Championship a bit too soon because it wasn’t long after that when things started to go downhill and I lost my confidence.
“I felt it was in my best interest, as well as my teammates, to step away from speedway while I got myself together, and it was when I went to the NDLRC with my brother that I felt that passion again.
“To be honest, I’ve had a few clubs contact me about racing next year but I knew there was only one place for me to be to get my career back on track, and that’s Belle Vue.
“I’d like to thank Steve [Williams], Graham [Goodwin] and Mark [Lemon] for giving me this opportunity and I am determined to do my best not only for myself but for the club as well.”
Meanwhile his former Workington team-mate Luke Harrison will line up for Scunthorpe’s combined team in the WSRA National Development League next season.
Harrison has signed for the Scorpions in the Championship and he and fellow reserve Nathan Ablitt will double up for the Development side.
Joining forces with Sheffield to share home matches between the two venues, the signings of brothers Ace and Stene Pijper have also been confirmed with the latter, who turns 15 next April, making his debut in the NDL.
Ace Pijper was also a member of the Workington side which returned to speedway action last season at the Northside arena.
Scunthorpe Scorpions captain Simon Lambert, another former Workington rider, will take on his first management role in speedway alongside his riding duties for the senior side.
Lambert said: “I’ve never hidden the fact that I want to stay involved in speedway when my riding days finally do come to an end.
“Rob Godfrey (Scunthorpe promoter) was well aware of that, so when the National League team came about, he volunteered me and put my name forward.
“Before I knew where I was, my name had been announced by Rob and then I found all these young riders wanting to speak to me!
“But seriously, the timing was really good, because that day I went up to a fans’ forum at Glasgow and within no time at all, I’d arranged for both Ace and Stene Pijper to ride for the Stags/Prowlers side.”
