By John Walsh

Last updated 12:56, Wednesday, 17 September 2008

Workington Comets rookie Richard Lawson has had a dramatic call-up to the Conference League Riders Championship at the end of the month.

Impact Housins Open Day to Launch the Re-furbished Youthtastic Space at Nook Street Workington. Speedway Stars, Kauko Neiminen and Richard Lawson, cut the ribbon in the colourfull Bar Area. There is also a fully fitted kitchen, IT Suites, Arts and Craft Areas and much more designed, decorated and furnished by the Youthtastic youngsters themselves.

Lawson, 20, has only ridden SIX League matches for Redcar Cubs and has been propelled into the prestigious individual championship.

“I’m stunned,” admitted Lawson, below, who only signed for Workington two months ago and has been picking up experience with Redcar.

“I knew Benji Compton and Scott James were going to be Redcar’s two representatives at Rye House, so it was a complete surprise to be asked if I would go in,” said Lawson.

James has opted not to ride at Hoddesdon so the Redcar management have invited Lawson to take his place.

In six meetings for the Cubs, Lawson has quickly showed his potential and already boasts an average of over 9.0.

On Saturday he took part in a double header for Redcar in which they beat both Weymouth and Sittingbourne in back-to-back meetings. He scored ten paid 11 in the first and 11 in the second.

“I have my last Moto-X meeting this Sunday in Shrewsbury and although I can’t win the championship I want to go out with a big performance.

“Then I will be really concentrating on the speedway. Redcar have reached the Conference League play-offs and the first meeting is a week tomorrow, which is just a few days before the Conference League championship at Rye House.

“I’ve never even seen the track but my dad has told me all about it and he’s been helping me with my starts,” he said.

His father Steve Lawson, the former Workington and Glasgow star, will be travelling to Rye House for the championship, along with another ex-Workington hero Mitch Graham.

Several clubs have been making a mental note of Lawson’s rapid progress but he is expected to be lining-up as a Comet next season.