BRITISH SPEEDWAY NOVEMBER 5, 2026

(SPEEDWAY 1)

PICKERING TO RETURN

SCUNTHORPE captain and number one Josh Pickering will be back with the club next season after a hugely successful debut campaign at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
The Australian star averaged a remarkable 10.64 as the Scorpions went agonisingly close to the Cab Direct Championship title, whilst he also won the showpiece individual CLRC at Sheffield confirming him as the league’s top rider.

Pickering joins newcomer Tate Zischke in the Scorpions’ 2027 line-up, with all signings subject to approval.

Manager David Howe said: “Josh is like gold dust for the club on and off-track. He gets huge points, wins important races, but is equally helpful in the pits, and because of him we have riders like Tate wanting to ride for the club.

“I genuinely think he enjoyed his time with us, and maybe we balanced out the pressure of Poland a little bit.

“He wants to win, and so do I. We have spoken about building the team, and we both feel we have a group of riders who are capable of doing that.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

LEICESTER have announced a new Academy partnership as they step up their investment in the next generation of riders.

The East Midlands club have been at the forefront of National Development League racing in recent years, and they have now joined forces with HG Aerospace who will operate an Academy set-up at the Hydroscand Arena alongside their existing operation at Lydd.

Leicester promoter Jen Crossland said: “I think everyone knows my passion for getting a proper youth development in place with the Lion Cubs.

“British speedway needs more and more young British riders coming through. Neil Vatcher does a great job with the British Youth Championship, but we need more numbers.

“HG Aerospace already invest heavily in their own Academy and it was the perfect partnership for Leicester, and we are delighted to work with them.”

HG Aerospace MD Michael Gray added: “It felt like the natural progression for our Academy. We’ve worked hard to build it up with around 30 youngsters now on our programme.

“The partnership with Leicester means we now have a direct link to a club should any riders show the progress.”