West Cumbrian and former Comet, Richard Lawson, has been named as Poole’s first signing for the 2025 season.
It follows his successful Testimonial Meeting on Sunday at Wimborne Road.
Lawson led a Pirates Select side to a 56-34 win over an All-Stars team, scoring 11+2 from five rides, before Chris Harris – who scored a 12-point maximum in the main event – then won the individual Dash for Cash race.
Pirates promoter Dan Ford confirmed Lawson would be part of any team permutation the club puts together for their Cab Direct Championship challenge next year.
Ford said: “We don’t even know what the points limit is going to be for next year yet, but my Dad and I were discussing potential things and we just couldn’t see a team, no matter what the points is, be it high or low, without Richard in it.
“We just wanted to get his signature as early as possible. He is a man in demand, he is the best rider in the league as it stands at the minute and so to have him back in 2025 is the right thing.
“It is good to see just how much the Poole supporters have got behind him and I would just like to thank everyone for making him so welcome.”
Lawson added: “Since the first wheels turned here my career has just gone upwards, and that’s a lot to do with everyone involved in this club, and just being here every week the confidence just grows and I just don’t want to be anywhere else.”
