# 3:
Sam McGurk

Sam McGurk is the first name on the team sheet for the 2024 Stellar Monarchs Academy team.

Entering his fourth season in the National Development League, Sam McGurk is committed to continuing at this level of racing, "After finding out that there was going to be a National League in 2024 I definitely knew I wanted to be racing in it."

McGurk, age 17 from Bradford, will line up with Workington in the Cab Direct Championship and was looking for the perfect complement to this, "I thought it would help my progress to have a home track that was the opposite of Workington. Edinburgh fits that bill and the management and staff all seemed very professional and welcoming when I've been there before.

"I'm excited to meet the team, the fans and get some practice laps in ready for 2024. I hope that I progress well during the season and become a valuable team member by helping bring the silverware back to Armadale."

Stellar Monarchs Academy manager Scott Wilson is pleased with his first signing for 2024, "Sam is an excellent signing for us. He is one of the bright young talents in British speedway and I think it's an impressive capture for the club.

"He enjoyed a good season with Workington this year and he'll be stepping up with them to the Championship in 2024. That's important for Sam as he develops, hopefully racing in both leagues will complement each other and he will maintain the upward trajectory his career is on."

Wilson continued to highlight the basis to his team building approach, "A key aspect of next year's team building for me is to recruit riders who are hungry and have something to prove - Sam certainly ticks those boxes. I will look for him to take on a heat leader role and win races for us."