Glasgow Tigers are delighted to have secured the return of their No 1., Richard Lawson, for his second season in the red and white.
The 29-year-old Cumbrian said it was an easy decision to sign up again at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium having joined the Tigers on a full transfer 12 months ago.
Lawson put nearly a point on his average last term and just missed out on debut season silverware after making it to two finals with the club.
He said: “I had a pretty successful year and really enjoyed it. I felt at home straight away and I’m looking to carry that on. I wasn’t really looking to go anywhere else, to be honest.
“At the moment there’s a really great atmosphere at Glasgow within the promotion, the guys in the pits, the track staff, and most importantly the fans. They are 100% behind me and the team. I’ve been at some clubs in the past where you have one bad race and they write you off – so it’s refreshing to be accepted so well.
“Looking back, we didn’t win anything but I think we can safely say it was a successful season. We were so close and just missed out – and that keeps the fire in all our bellies. We all know what to do and what to expect – I’m really confident and really looking forward to it.”
Lawson saw his average rise from 8.22 to 9.12 in 2015, and he feels there is still more to come on a personal level.
He said: “I struggled a little bit with inconsistency in parts last season, although I still did get over that nine-point average. I think any No 1 out there should be aiming to get over a nine-point average and I did that.
“I want to continue that and try to build on it. I’m investing in new engines and some better equipment for next year and I want to get myself fitter again.
“I’ve got all the bikes stripped down at the moment, a few new parts to try out and some testing to do. I’ve got a new engine on order at the moment and will completely change another engine that I already have.
“I’ve gone down a different route with my training, so I’m looking to be a bit stronger and fitter. I’m doing a bit of work in between as well to keep me going, so I should be fine come March.”
Tigers co-promoter Alan Dick enthused: “He’s a natural leader on the track. He’s an out-and-out No 1 in the Premier League and somebody who younger riders look up to and take notice of.
“He’s such an influential rider and is adaptable on all tracks. He rarely has a bad day. With an average of over nine, he was brought back specifically to spearhead the team and he’s very comfortable going at No 1 in the first heat.
“You always hope that others will be keen to emulate what he’s done in terms of getting to No 1. I know that Ben Barker is very keen to get there and Aaron is hopeful that he could get to No 1 as well.
“It’s good for the team to have several riders competing for the No 1 jacket. Richard starts the season with it and rightly so.”
Lawson joins Aaron Summers, Ben Barker and Danny Ayres in the Glasgow line-up.