Dirt-track this weekend

Scunthorpe on a December afternoon might not be the warmest place to be in the UK – unless you want to see some hot American-style dirttrack racing!

The Christmas Cracker at Scunthorpe Speedway this Saturday, December 30 promises a star-studded line-up with 2003 WSB Champion Neil Hodgson, new Rizla Suzuki signing Chris Walker, TT lap record-holder and 11-times TT winner John McGuinness, and this year NW200 and Macau GP winner Steve Plater all taking to the dirt oval.

Hodgson has just returned from the States racing in the AMA Superbike Championship but has been bitten by the bug to ride dirt track and will be taking up the challenge by riding one of the works CCM’s.

But he’ll have to be at his best against the like of Walker (who races motocross in his spare time), McGuinness (who has recently bought himself a speedway bike but has also taken to dirttrack racing) and Plater, a winter shorttrack regular (and ex-speedway rider).

Also on the bill is CCM rider and 2006 Shorttrack UK champion Lee Complin,  shorttrack UK promoter Peter Boast (who raced a Harley XR750 at the Du Quoin Mile this year),  supermoto ace and works Husaberg rider Andy Mitchel, motocrosser Johnno White and Grasstrack star Jamie Rodgers will be making it a real clash of motorcycle sport aces.

The Scunthorpe Scorpions speedway team’s very own Benji Compton will also be in the line-up alongside his road racing brother  Dijon. Benji, who has scored close to 600 points for the Scorpions during their first two seasons, will want to show the established Shorttrack UK stars that he knows the quickest way around his home track whilst his brother will be hoping to improve on his impressive third place from last year.

With a Support Class of top notch Quad racers it should be real winter warmer of racing.

Racing starts at 1.30 pm, admission £8.50 Adult, £6.00 OAP’S, Kids 5 to 16 £3.00 and under 5 Free, £20.00 Family ticket.