Following our recent announcement regarding the club’s ownership, and the many exciting plans which lay ahead for supporters of Glasgow Speedway (more details to follow in the weeks and months ahead!), attention will now increasingly turn to the launch of our 2015 season and the prospect of getting behind the new owners and, of course, the new look Tigers team.
With just one rider yet to be announced and, to date, only two of last year’s team having been retained, it will therefore again be a much refreshed Glasgow line-up which will carry the club’s hopes and desires onto the speedway tracks of the UK this season.
Perhaps, of all the new recruits to the red & white army, one name featured in the majority of fans’ wish lists more than any other. With strong family links to the club, it is supporters’ choice RICHARD LAWSON who will pull on the Tigers No.1 race bib and in doing so open a new chapter in his own speedway career – but, as the man himself reveals, we’ve almost been here before:
“I’ve spoken with Glasgow a number of times about joining the club, we’ve come very close to agreeing terms, however for different reasons I’ve ended up elsewhere. I have made no secret of enjoying racing at Glasgow, the track suits me and it is a good place to race, I really look forward to having it as my home base this season.”
Having committed to becoming a Glasgow rider in 2015, in addition to again doubling-up with Elite League Lakeside, Richard is set to spend a lot of travel time on the motorways of the UK from his Chesterfield base, all in a day’s work according to Richard:
“Travelling comes with the job in speedway, I’ve been doing it all my life really first with motocross and now with speedway. I love riding speedway and it’s how I earn my living. The club (Glasgow) have put together a really good side and, so long as we can ride to our capabilities and can avoid injuries at key times, then we should be capable of having a strong season and challenging for some trophies. I don’t know the rest of the guys too well yet but have raced with most at some point had some good battles against Nick over the years but now really excited to have him as a team mate.
Being part of a successful club is important to me, I want to win races and I want my team to win speedway meetings, it makes life much better and travelling much easier too.
Whilst the rider is clearly buoyant and very much looking forward to speedway life as a Tiger, his move to Glasgow has come at some cost:
“In speedway there are various considerations when moving clubs, even when it’s for career and success reasons as now, unfortunately I’ve lost a couple of sponsors this winter and that brings its own problems for me. Obviously I want to be able to just focus fully on my preparation and my racing and in doing a proper No.1s job for Glasgow. It would be really welcome, as well as genuinely helpful, if I could pick up some sponsorship in Glasgow. I’ve been highly impressed by the promotion there, and the ambition and backing the club has to really bring success, and I want to be part of that. If anyone would like their logos, or names, displayed on my bike covers and racesuit as sponsors, I’d be delighted to hear from them.”
[Initial pledges of sponsorship should be directed to the club via email to info@glasgowtigers.co and we will connect you to Richard as appropriate]
Clearly, having had a very strong 2014 season with Redcar and Lakeside respectively, continued progression and big points returns will again be the target in Richard’s 2015 planning, something which is reflected in his preparation for the new season:
“I’ve ordered a new engine off Peter Johns which is long overdue as I haven’t had the opportunity to buy a brand new engine for a while now, my best engine being a few years old. Also I’ll have new chassis/wheels and new carburettors, so all in all one of the biggest investments I’ve made since I started riding speedway.”
So, some would say at long last, Richard has arrived as a full-time Tiger, will 2015 prove this union as a points scoring marriage made in heaven?
“I want it to be successful in every way possible. I’ve heard some of the plans for changes around the stadium, it sounds really exciting and will be great to be able to have that as a home base. Glasgow is a big City club and deserves to have a level of success to go with that. I’m aware of some of the club’s history and league titles it has picked up, I’m very happy to be a part of its immediate future and want to play my part in scoring lots of points, and by helping the other lads, and bringing some success back again.”
Look out for the publication of our 2015 fixture list – coming soon!