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I’ve been meaning to post this for a while, but after reading the last few posts and completing a full home season at Scunthorpe last year, I felt it was time to share a bit of perspective from a "new" local. I moved to Lincolnshire last year, and on paper, King’s Lynn is significantly closer to me. However, I decided to make Scunthorpe my go-to track, and I’ve based that decision purely on the quality of racing. Having previously lived in a village just down the road from Leicester, I’d actually stopped going there because, frankly, the racing was so poor. As a lifelong Coventry fan, I’ve seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It’s clear to anyone with eyes that things at the Eddie Wright Raceway are done on a very tight budget. The team for 2026 might not look like world-beaters on paper, and we might not be lifting silverware come October, but after last year, I’ve realised that isn't the most important thing. The racing last year was superb—genuinely entertaining from Heat 1 to 15. I was told by the regulars that it’s "usually even better,". I now consider myself an honorary Scorpion fan. To those who look at the "no-frills" nature of the place and judge it: believe me, if a track like Scunthorpe disappears, you will miss it when it’s gone. This sport needs places like the EWR that prioritise genuine track action over everything else. Regardless of where we finish in the league, I’m massively looking forward to the new season. Lets get behind the lads and hopefully spring a surprise or two.

very similar to when you left the forum recently no?

Not me, he's is a Great Britain Speedway living legend. He's done nothing to deserve the hate at all. I'd argue with anyone, that without him, we may never have seen the likes of Lambert & Bewley competing near the top on the World stage. He singlehandedly demanded & lifted the standards of our international setup. We were an international laughing stock before this guy came along. He's a little hyper, swears a bit, has a little arrogance, grew up in Australia. Who gives a feck. Wearing that Union Jack, he's given everything, almost killing himself a few times doing so. Like you, I do not get the hate at all.

No it isn’t sensible, the control board should set out a pay structure and enforce it and riders either take it or leave it, if an amateur rider can’t make it pay that’s tough, it’s amatuer, until we get away from entitlement for riders we will never move forward, nobody wanted to listen when I tried to cut costs for riders, well fine you made your bed don’t complain when the springs stick in your back . I don’t care how any promotion make their money or how much money they haven’t got all I care is the future of the sport and at the moment it doesn’t have one

Strange isnt it that everyone says riders should have a job as speedway isnt a full time profession , then proceed to moan when a rider fits in racing around the job.😏

What I do not really understand from a financial aspect is that very few if any riders are a major draw for fans who know the sport let alone potential new supporters so why pander to the riders demands paying over the odds for nil return? Build teams that are viable and some riders will climb the professional ladder and perhaps make it to GP level but if the tracks that do exist put out teams who can provide exciting racing each week at whatever level and it is affordable and competitive then that is where UK speedway is. Let’s face this country cannot get decent crowds to turn out for a GP and the halcyon days of big names attracting 50k to 60k are never going to happen. If riders cannot make a living riding for one club then the cost of participating is too expensive and needs looking at. Expecting increasing numbers of supporters and sponsors to pay someone the equivalent of an annual salary for six months work is nonsense. The whole business model is barmy and has been for years. Fools and their money are soon parted and that applies across the entire speedway spectrum.

Whatever the outcome and most hope that Ipswich come to the tapes come March, April or May, generally the sport is unlikely to entice broadcasters to cover the sport live, it has been a disaster the way things have carried on thus far, sponsors probably unwilling to commit without a t v contract, riders dropping the UK, no idea of a fixture list and the sapping interest of the UK punters who are losing the will to get excited with any enthusiasm about the coming season. You have so few if any new ideas to rejuvenate a dying product and a total lack of general tangible investment in the sport at any level leaves most wondering just how much longer it can it continue in any form other than an amateur part time pursuit by a few enthusiast. Unless those in charge have kept under wraps something really special, then the sport is going nowhere and they are trying the patience of every punter who puts money into the pockets of the clubs. The riders don’t really give a toss as they will look to ride in Europe or walk away and earn a living elsewhere. It is not just an Ipswich issue it is a problem for speedway UK and the lack of updates in any shape or form from the body that allegedly runs the sport is not doing anyone any favours. Still I am sure the promoters think all is rosey in the UK speedway camp. Fools comes to mind.

I don't see the issue! more celebs doing this putting the sport in the spotlight and talking point is only good! They are trying something different, it could sink or swim but worth a try.

Northampton is happening so lets get behind it and stop being negative about it. good luck to them

Northampton Cobbledtogethers have announced their exciting new team to take on the 2026 Premiership. Spearheaded by the new Norwegian sensation, Redd Herring, the Cosmopolitan line-up will also include; Nevva Urdavim Legg Traylor Lass Tagane Myles B. Hind Novvi Swobbla Ove Andout

With all the doom and gloom on here over the Winter, am I the only one that can’t wait for the season to start? I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for the season to come round for many a season with the line ups in all leagues looking close and competitive. As some as the biggest fans of the sport, and therefore most likely to attract new supporters, can’t we all look at the positives rather than the negatives? Positives - Same number of tracks as last season. Yes ok so some some tracks have chosen not to run in as many leagues as last season (particularly national league) but in terms of actual tracks running, we are at exactly the same number as last year. We’ve lost Birmingham and Kent but gained the yet to be announced new prem team and Buxton - We still have a premiership Great news for Sheffield and Ipswich fans (sale almost completed) that are back at the tapes and with a high chance of a brand new team joining we are just 1 team down from last season and some top stars already back, Holder, Bewley, Douglas, Kurtz etc. - Bright young British stars I honestly think we have some of our most promising young riders coming through for years and if we don’t put too much pressure on them and they keep progressing as they have been then Cairns, Rushen and Scott could be the future Lambert, Bewley and Brennan - The fight goes on Despite all the negativity about the sport dying there are still passionate fans and businessmen out there fighting to bring back former tracks, Coventry, Peterborough, Rye House, Lakeside, Kent, Eastbourne, Swindon, Wolverhampton and no doubt more we don’t know about with rumours of 1 or 2 new locations too. I’m not wearing rose tinted glasses and pretending everything with the sport is perfect by any means but please put things into perspective and give some credit where it’s due, be grateful to the promoters and sponsors that put their hands into their pockets to keep the sport we love going and do everything we can to support it. If we give up then we’ll lose it forever. Enjoy the 2026 season everyone

Rumours.....talk to me! I can confirm that the rumours suggesting that Terry Tibbs has acquired the promotion rights at Ipswich Speedway to be just that rumours! Yes, Brother Louis Louis Louis and his assistant Richie Hawkeye did attend the offices of T Tibbs Motors (Chingford) Limited earlier this month to discuss a potential deal! I offered young Christopher a substantial sum of ready's, plus my 2017 Mazz-a-rati which was recently serviced and passed it's MOT with only one observation, the free use of Krystof Stojanowski's caravan which I purchased from The Isle of Wight in 2009 and free oil massage whenever he and Hawkeye wanted from my beautiful Swedish wife Greta! Brother Louis was obviously tempted as he asked to see my full business plan for the day to day running of the club, I advised him that Main Man Rogers would be installed as Head of Operations, where he would be assisted by the vastly experienced Jimmy Lynch as Director of Speedway and his protégé Big Blayne Scroggins would be Team Manager, I even offered Richie Hawkeye the opportunity to be Main Man Rogers' assistant so that he could learn all about how to run a club successfully! After much pondering and signs he was up for the deal, Brother Louis Louis Louis asked for a few days to think about things, during which time Stojanowski's caravan was moved from Busty C's holiday village in Norfolk to become the VIP lounge at Buxton! I think this news may have upset Brother Louis, as he sent Richie Hawkeye down to Chingford with a note declining my most generous proposal! I tickled Richie Hawkeye's chin, gave him a little wiggly woo, even offered him a free place on the next Main Man Rogers how to promote speedway seminar but he said Brother Louis mind was made up, it was no! So that's it from me, thank you goodnight, much love Terence!

Now this is where I have a problem with this 8% rule, the rule has been made up by the crook which we all know by rob godfrey. The BSPA statement literally says, “It is hoped that this will provide some assistance to riders who have taken time out of the sport, and who are now once again seeking team places.” Abilitt, hasn’t been away from the sport, he refused more than one team place last year at championship level cause he couldn’t be bothered travelling that far north, plus rode NDT with Kent last year. Yet qualifies for this silly rule. That’s not a rider that’s been lost or taken time out. No wonder everyone gets fed up with Speedway guys like Godfrey killing the sport for a selfish gain.

Speedway deserves better than this, it’s a shambles and nobody can defend anyone involved

Those that are managing/controlling this Ipswich campaign are running the risk of losing the good will of not just the Ipswich fan base but that of the entire Premiership where those declared clubs are seemingly being held to ransom over the indecisiveness or one or more parties when it comes to the fixture list etc. The dwindling fan base who like to plan ahead to support their team at away matches are ignored to the point where that particular contribution that fans make in terms of travelling support falls on deaf ears of those in charge. Promoters are happy to take the punters money but pay scant regard to realising the importance of keeping supporters on side and the mushroom syndrome is the mantra that suits the promoters business model. Many more will find other things to do on race nights and pick and choose those meetings they want to attend yet those running the sport seemingly have their respective heads buried in the sand so much so that you feel they could not find themselves a way out of a paper bag let alone solve the issues of. the self inflected mire the sport finds itself in and actually go out of there way to ignore the contribution the die hard supporters offer this great sporting spectacular. Speedway could be so good if promoted as something special and run by those who had a vision to expose it to broader audience, but the insular way in which it is runs means this will not happen in the short to medium term. Get rid of the old guard and things might change, but leave it as is and it will pass into history.

I do get frustrated by the rhetoric continually posted on here. There’s a fallacy that things were different in speedways heyday and the problems blighting our sport are of the modern era. The other week I posted about the excessive use of guests on one Saturday night in ‘74 and the fact that most teams did NOT ride at the weekend, yet people will still point the finger as these being the failings of modern speedway Taking the now famous ‘73 KO Cup final as an example. Belle Vue used a guest and Reading ran R/R. The 2nd leg wasn’t run until the last week of the season, some 3 weeks after the 1st leg as due to the late running it was hit by the bad weather. Sounds familiar? Jim Mcmillian had been knocked out in an earlier round but enjoyed his “winners” medal as a guest for the Aces. We had been running a guest since June. The rules stated in the event of a draw it had to be re run but this was jettisoned in favour of a run off. All this was carried out on a cold Wednesday late October night. All those people who attended that night and in ‘74, ‘75, ‘76, 77 etc did not suddenly experience amnesia, they DECIDE not to attend. During its heyday we had ALL the ills currently affecting the sport, the big difference is that of the customers - they have changed massively and we need to find the holy grail to attract them back. The league is as meaningful as ever. The guests & R/R as prevalent as ever. The UK FIM golds are pretty much as regular as in our heyday. Our “gaters paradise” tracks are still here as they were back then, etc, etc. If we keep kidding ourselves that the sports ills are new then we will waste an awful lot of time and energy trying to fix the bits that are not the reason for our downfall. Speedway is primarily populated by old blokes who think the old days were better, but the reality is that’s not the case and it is to our peril that we get bogged down by this dogma instead of looking to the future and how we engage with modern customers in the modern era.

Have we got a forum full of kids in here or something? Embarrassing reading all this. Wouldn't think you are all grown adults

But if they didn't run a Premiership then every Speedway rider in the world would retire... Or something like that....

I use the ignore facility

Just got back from the Arenacross at the NEC Birmingham and thought it worth mentioning a couple of things. Firstly Dan Bewley is a respectable motocross rider, it was only in the whoops which are Supercross specific really that he was losing time in a decent Pro-AM class. Secondly the presentation compared to even the Cardiff GP was so much better. 3 good presenters who ramped up the crowd and kept the interest going between races, probably all a bit shouty for an old bloke like me but the youngsters lapped it up and sport needs the likes of them more than the likes of me for the future. Lots of flashing lights, loud music and freestyle MX/ girls dancing with fire and a guy chucking free kids T shirts randomly into the crowd all accompanied with encouragement for the crowd to make a lot of noise and be involved between races and while the track was graded. (Graded incidentally by the son of Ace of Aces Promoter Ian Barclay) All in all despite decent rather than great racing we came away having had a great time and Speedway could take some lessons from the Promoters of this series. Might not be practical for every meeting but a lot of what they did could be applied to the bigger events and most certainly the GPs.

If they were really interested in showing the way they’d put a NDL team together instead of using this to cherry pick riders out of it for themselves.

The BSPL are clinging on to two tiers due to the excessive number of riders reliant on doubling up for their earnings. The riders are calling the shots. I don’t see how this sport can move on until the doubling up monster is tackled.

You've got to laugh at Reid Battye's quote about Berwick...... “I’ve heard it’s a really big speedway town and it’s on the coast. I live near the beach in Australia so it’s probably the same – just a bit colder!” Me thinks he's in for a bit of a shock

I don’t hate him, I don’t like him but I respect what he has achieved and as much as I dislike him he would be the first name on the list if I was putting on a big individual meeting because he is a headline generator and gets people talking and is vastly underused by British speedway as a marketing tool, the less said about his music the better though

Absolutely correct. Those in charge are deluded and while one league could work using a broader scale of riders (excluding GP riders and those plying the trade in Poland etc..) the sport in the UK is beyond redemption. If UK speedway continues to believe that it has a role to play on the world stage it is kidding no one but itself. Individual riders may make it to the top but the run of the mill league speedway rider in the UK may produce the odd one or two who can crack the mould and reach the top but most are average but still very capable of entertaining the punters who will then feel that they are getting value for money from an entertainment perspective. 2027 needs planning now but whether those in charge acknowledge this is another issue. Statements to date from the BSPL leave the door open but who can trust them as custodians of the sport?

Next weekend the 7-8th Feb is the classic off road show at the Telford international center, it’s a huge show with 1000s of bikers and family’s attending over the 2 days, the usual speedway suspects have stalls there, me, Jan staechmann,,Aiden and Les Collins (ride &Skid) Cov comp,Hagon shocks,Sid’s wheels, I think Buxton, belle vue supporters club and Workington are all represented there and you always get a good sprinkle of former riders, but where are the bspl or speedway futures again ???? It costs peanuts for a stand and as I’m sure the usual folk will say why bother? Well it’s not preaching to the converted for a start,,we need to set up a team that does all the shows no matter how big or small,,we have to get out there and go to the people, anyway hope to see you there

Even at today’s standards and equipment/prices you could could go buy 2 decent bikes, all the riding gear and the equipment to set up your workshop to service your own engines all for under £5000,no fancy covers or shiny new wheels and it would be good enough to ride in the national league which would pay you £20 per point, where else are you going to get any other motorcycle sport to achieve that level with such an investment and pay back? The trouble is we have grown a breed of entitlement within riders for what is an amatuer level and it’s backed up by promoters and parents, just because you want to be a speedway rider doesn’t mean someone else should be paying for your privilege

Robert’s attained an average of 7.81 at the end of the 2019 season. He signed for Belle Vue on an assessed average in 2022 due to the gap in league racing. He was given the 2.5% British reduction, bring him down to 7.61. In 2023 he signed for Kings Lynn on an assessed average but he didn’t get his 2.5% reduction this time. As an assessed rider without a current average he didn’t ride 4H & 4A so his average remains as assessed using the old 2019 figure of 7.81. However….. His average could be anything as come the play offs in 2023 he was suddenly deemed to not be an assessed rider and his 2019 figure was “current”. If they follow through with this thinking then they will need to role his average using the 2H & 4A from his Kings Lynn meetings. I don’t see this happening as the only reason he suddenly became not assessed was when Damian Bates of Sheffield speedway contacted Damian Bates of the BSPL board to ask for permission to use Robert Lambert. Damian gave Damian permission to do so, winning Sheffield the league title. Coincidentally, the year before Damian had asked Damian if the rules could be applied differently to help Sheffield win the league. Earlier in the season Peterborough had signed a replacement outside of the transfer window. It was allowed due to injury. When Belle Vue attempted to apply the same rule in the same way, Damian spoke to Damian and overturned the rulebook. Fortunately for the good of the sport a judgement was made from outside the sport and the correct use of the rulebook was forced through, much to the delight of all fair minded speedway fans and BSF members.

I used to watch the Colts for a tenner, with my then teenage lad, getting in for free... On a Friday night... With crowds of around 800... The racing was more than on a par with what was getting served up at top league level, and, for the two of us, was around £12 cheaper... Hence, we watched the Colts far more than the Aces... And, given most people in Manchester wouldn't have known their Matej Zagar from their Kyle Bickley, anyone new to the sport would have seen the racing for what it was... ie "the racing".. Personally instead of promoters clubbing together to put out a sixth team, they would be far better clubbing together and marketing a 14 team league with teams across the nation... At what level? "Reasonable"... As the audience they would be trying to attract probably won't know any of the competitors, so "big names" would mean absolutely nothing to them.. Time to "Rip it up and start again"...

I’m sure your pint will be half full 😉

The harm is in how speedway presents itself In a time where we have seen all of the work that has gone on to make the sport look more professional and modern in its presentation on tv etc how do you sell that to potential sponsors and media partners if they then go on the associations official social media and see this. What large company would put their name to something as amateurish If we accept stuff like this as ok then we are accepting that speedway is now an amateur colloquial sport that will never be taken seriously.

So everyone knocking linda lusardi doing the draw really!! What harm is it,I guess you would all rather have Godfrey and vatcher doing it,that is why speedway struggles to move forward soon as anything different is tried all the old farts start moaning, get a grip ffs!

Just listened to Rob Godfrey in full... Fair play to the host who asked all the right questions (eventually 😉) and also to Godfrey for responding to them. That's all I'm going to say about it really as there was a lot of "there's a lot going on behind the scenes" which I've heard too many times before in this sport only for nothing to materialise. Not filled with confidence when Godfrey couldn't even remember the name of the former MP that has joined SFL and he kept referring to SFL as "them" when he's on the board! Like I've said before Godfrey does a fine job at Scunny but should be nowhere near the top table of Speedway in the UK.

Can’t praise BSN enough; they’re almost single-handedly keeping the sport in the UK visible and accessible. I hadn’t attended Ashfield for many years until I heard about BSN and tuned in. Two years later, I’m a track regular again; all because of BSN. As such, I cannot get on-board with any criticism of them. I’ve been a season pass holder for two years now and I think they’re adapting to each venue and improving the product every year. I don’t think you can ask for any more. They’re good people too. They’re authentic. I think Ian and Greg (Brennan and Blair, if I recall) are great.

Should not be allowed Guests or R/R for riders missing due to other riding commitments for starters.That might changes Promoters mindset on who they sign.

But that is the point.... he didn't miss a year, he rode in the NDL. As I've stated before this "non-professional" League is a load of nonsense - if he got paid he was a professional in a professional league.

Top5 I reckon.

I just don’t know where they expect the fans to come from, a few from Peterborough and maybe a few from Coventry and there will be some novelty fans at the first meeting so unless they are bankrolling it somehow this has Skegness written all over it and the sport was a lot healthier then

Maybe your team should run an NDL team

I think we can all agree .. This is the best, most comprehensive, and detailed update so far....

So you're happy to believe that Stewart Dickson is a liar while at the same time believe in your own mind that Mayfield Sport are going to be huge for British Speedway, with absolutely zero experience and no track record... how very strange

It’s no cop out at all. Had we not of brought Simon in to this team it was highly likely there would not have been a young stars team in 2026. Simon will be a fantastic rider coach. Even Jake Mulford will learn more from Simon. I like to have a rider coach in my teams whenever it’s been possible. In 2007 at Redcar I had Mark ‘buzz’ Burrows and in 2015 at Buxton I had Tony Atkin. 2 great captains and rider coaches. Every team should have one at this level, for the younger ones to learn from.

Pathetic isn’t it. Those giving it back are just as bad, ignore it and it’ll soon get bored. 99% of people come on here to talk speedway and have a debate. If it bothers them that much then dm instead of airing it all clogging feeds up.

So you think it’s funny do you, parents spending £1000/s of pounds from when there kids are 8/9 years of age to maybe make a good fist of it around the age of 15, and a slim chance of getting a team spot, then after maybe 6/7/8 years of those parents losing money travelling everywhere to say a NJL fixture and the club says sorry curfew is happened or something else not tonight guys, and you still stick at it and then you get overlooked by clubs who bring in riders who just fancy coming over here and trying their luck and who as you say will turn up?(bit difficult not when you are 12,000 miles from home) ahead of you it’s no surprise when the cupboard is increasingly empty. I’m telling you that not one parent of the youth section believes that they are entitled to anything, what they want is a fair crack at it for the countless hours they have done keeping their kids racing when the easiest thing was to pack up, and without doubt attitudes like yours more parents will gradually do the latter.

Being the parent of a rider we have no sense of entitlement as a family we have worked hard to get the boy to the level he at .

Why do people keep mocking the lad for this? Not all young riders have rich parents or big sponsors and I believe Nathan has to balance his riding around a full time job. When he has signed for a team he’s always been reliable and never misses meetings and gives maximum effort so maybe the offers last season just weren’t right for him financially or otherwise.

At least that's a positive post about Scunthorpe

https://www.savecoventryspeedway.com/_mobile/news.php?extend.4312.1

Stinks of desperation . Opening a new track with no fanbase and slinging them into the top flight. Whoever is fronting this will lose a fortune.

Just over seven weeks to go until Klindt’s testimonial for the season curtain raiser. Still have no (active) owner, Manager, team, sponsorship? Track man? So much to be done in such a short space of time. That’s without the bigger picture of fixtures to be sorted for all clubs as well as admission prices and season tickets etc etc. It’s been an absolute sh!tshow this winter let’s be honest.