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I’m not about to read every post on this thread, and I apologise if this has been covered and discussed by you on previous posts, but I’ve seen enough to know that the silence coming out of Northampton is staggering. Unless someone who uses this forum that lives or works in Northampton can say any different, there appears to be absolutely zero noise in the local area. We are now in late March—barely five weeks away from the season starting for Northampton — and what have we actually heard? No confirmed team name, no full rider line-up, and next to no presence. How on earth do they propose to build a fan base from a standing start without drumming up any local support? Are they telling the Northampton public that they have a new Speedway team to follow? They will no doubt get a decent crowd level from existing speedway fans around the country at the beginning of the season for the novelty factor, but that won't last if they haven't done the groundwork locally. It feels like the management is just relying on disenfranchised Coventry and Peterborough fans to fill the void because we’re missing our own tracks, and the few Leicester fans that exist to pop along. I’ve personally started three different offices for companies from cold starts, and I can tell you now: this is not how you do it. You don't just open the doors and hope for the best. When you're launching in a new territory, you must be aggressive. You must get out into the local community, pound the pavement, and actually sell what you’re providing. If the person walking down Northampton High Street doesn't even know there's a world class sport (I use the term World Class loosely in the UK) appearing on their doorstep in five weeks' time, the marketing has failed before the first heat. And when those involved directly in the running of the sport and the decisions read things like this, they'll no doubt accuse me of being disruptive and moaning. They’ll claim we don’t understand the "complexities" behind the scenes. But in reality, there are plenty of Speedway fans who actually know how to run successful businesses, how to start a business from nothing, and how to keep it successful. In any other industry, if you launched a product this quietly, you’d be out of business in six months. You must create a "local anchor" — give the people of Northampton a reason to claim the team as theirs. If you don't build that local identity from day one, you aren't a club; you’re just a nomad team at a neutral venue. If they don't start shouting about this soon, they’re going to be racing in front of an empty stadium once that initial novelty wears off. I’d like to be proved wrong and see it be a massive success, and I might be wrong and all of the above is actually happening behind the scenes. But if the actual Speedway world doesn't know anything about it, I highly doubt it is.

Thank God we're back.... I almost had to start a conversation with the Missus!!!!

This northampton situation is the strangest business model I’ve ever seen annd I know I’m not alone,apart from buster and his digger what is going on ? Were they pushed into making a decision to run by the time scale but haven’t actually secured the finances to run yet ? How do they expect to attract a fan base from the local area when nobody knows it’s actually happening, opening a new sport to an area that’s not really got a history of it and making it a success is hard enough but they seem to be giving themselves the worst possible start to achieve it,

Well you know the old saying? "If you're bored of Northampton, then you're bored of life". (or it could be London, i forget which)

This post is a classic case of demanding blind faith in a sport that’s already on its knees. The idea that fans should just "stop knocking them" and wait until May to see what happens is exactly how we ended up in this mess. In any other industry, if a business asked for your money but refused to tell you the name of the company, who the staff are, or what the product looks like until the last minute, you’d walk away.

You may be... But the good people of Northampton aren't... (Because they haven't been told much about it yet)...

Only just read last weeks copy of the Speedway Star and they do a two page spread on Northampton... Mark Lemon is quoted as saying that they needed a sixth team for the "integrity and credibility" of the sport... I do hope when he used those words, he managed to do it with a straight face... Fair play if he did....

Following up on my post from yesterday, I think it’s important to clarify one thing: some people seem to confuse concern with criticism. My comments come from a point of genuine worry, not just for the situation at Northampton, but for UK Speedway as a whole. In Northampton's case, I can only assume the deal isn't fully over the line yet. As Karlito mentioned in his video, why wouldn't there be at least some social media activity? It’s free advertising, yet there’s a total vacuum. Speedway has been the backdrop of my life and my brother’s for over 40 years. We’ve had the highs and lows following Coventry, travelling the country together when we were younger. Mum and Dad taking us to Coventry away meetings in the 80’s are great memories. When the Bees weren't riding and we could drive, we’d be at Cradley or Stoke on a Saturday. Dad would take us to Long Eaton and Birmingham Wheels. When I moved to Woking for my first job after Uni, I was at Reading every Monday. Now living in Lincolnshire, I’m at Scunthorpe for every home meeting. This isn't just a hobby; it’s a lifetime commitment. My Dad is 80 this year and has been a regular since he was a boy. Now, he has nowhere to go. The sport hasn't even got a proper TV deal for him to watch — and yes, I know BSN exists, but it doesn't solve the visibility issue. If I were a promoter right now, I’d be turning to the one big asset every club has: its fans. I’d be appealing to the fans in the Speedway Star and the club programmes for help, because some of us might just have some good ideas on how to actually run a business and turn things around. Clubs seem to treat us as the enemy these days rather than engaging with us. I can think of one fan who runs a very successful business: Alex Brady. Yes, he’s been involved before, but I believe someone like that has incredible transferable skills. You only have to look at his company’s social media output to see that they know what they are doing. Both himself and his business partner, Jamie Minors, have gone from strength to strength from a cold start all those years ago. They are young people who know how to engage with a young audience as well. In my view, promoters and speedway managers should stick to building teams and using their contacts within the sport to do that. Yes, the promoter also puts his or her money in. But seek out people who actually know how to drum up paying customers. Not just wait for them to magically appear out of thin air. At Scunthorpe, I think they get a lot right. The price point is spot on, and the programme is a no-frills scorecard that does the job keeping cost down. Their biggest bonus is the track itself, which serves up terrific racing. They deserve bigger crowds. But the social media output and the website are poor. They could put some great races out on their social media as advertising from the EWR. I haven't been into the town centre, but I can’t imagine there is much around telling people the Speedway even exists, or in any out of town shopping areas. There is a big sign at the entrance to the car park....... It shouldn't just stop at Scunthorpe looking for fans, either. Lincoln isn't far away, and I’d be heading straight to Lincoln University and other UNI’s nearby as Lincoln isn’t the only one. I’d be seeking out the Media and Graphic Design courses and offering those students the chance to promote the club. Give them access to the social media channels and let them crack on. When I was at school, we were taught to keep a display book of our best work for interviews; this would give these students real-world results for their portfolios. I notice my own football team, Coventry City, have let Coventry Uni Graphic Design students handle some of their social media content and it looks superb. They also have a "City Unseen" video on YouTube—watch it, it’s brilliant. You could do the same at any Speedway club on a smaller scale. I’ve heard the "wait until May" argument for Northampton, but I try to imagine that logic in my own professional life. If my directors asked for an update on my latest £1.75m project and I told them I was just waiting until May to see what happens without telling anyone about it, I’d be out of a job. It’s not criticism; it’s concern for something that has been part of my life for four decades. If promoters stopped treating the fans like the enemy and tapped into the skill sets, we have, we might actually be able to help this sport thrive again.

Great heat on You Tube and Social Media from BSN - showing what Pickering will offer at Scunny,

It isn't really a professional sport (at ownership level in particular), though... More of a hobby than a pro sport for so many... Winning can even be detrimental to their plan as the costs can rise hugely, and close them down!!! We fans judge Speedway like proper professional sports, however these sports have professional marketeers, big sponsors, major media coverage, and an independent leadership team that are in position due to their personal skill sets and contacts, rather that just being an ex competitor in that specific sport... UK Speedway, has none of the above, hence it comes across as amateurish... Because, when it comes to marketing, promoting, administrating and managing optics, that is what it is..

As Bob Monkhouse once said "I havent spoken to my wife for years. I didnt want to interrupt her"

Over the last week I have received a message telling me the site is unsafe, a message saying the address does not exist and got into the site normally. Each alternative seems to appear about a third of the time. When I do get in the number of adverts has increased dramatically and is making the site almost unreadable. I know and accept that advertising is needed to keep the site financed but they are at a level that means I almost regret when I actually get into the site. Another thing that is totally out of hand is the abuse some people throw at anyone who has a different point of view. People need to understand that different points of view exist on most things. Because someone has a different point of view it does not make them a lesser form of life and those who suggest it does should be moderated until they learn some manners.

If you don't find yourself interesting to listen too, god help the rest of us 😜😀

I wasn't around in 1928.

Firstly it wasn’t me who mentioned the podium it was MikeBV talking about his son, I just quoted him and I can remember last year someone making a post about it on FB but it isn’t about the podium it’s about all the unnecessary little things, the podium just happens to be one of them and it’s so unnecessary and cheap to fix ,your later point is valid about them entering the stadium but I’m talking about people who may see it on tv or on YouTube or wherever as their first impression, something I saw a couple of years back on tv was I think the speedway of nations and everytime the camera panned round to the pits there were around 30 people who were standing around talking or drinking tea and it looked like a branch of primark, totally unprofessional and shambolic so I messaged the promotion and FIM and told them and the next day there was nobody standing there in the pits, it’s the little things that matter, I understand the sport hasn’t got a pot to piss in but a lot of little things cost peanuts

Wouldn't be the worst idea for someone at Northampton Speedway to have a word with Karlito and see if he can help with spreading the word... I'm sure that the vast majority of posters on here are fully behind the venture at Northampton and hope it will go on to be a great success... Any perceived negativity is purely down to the fact that they don't seem to be giving themselves the best chance of succeeding... As Karlito says... it doesn't take a lot to get the interest started... and once it starts momentum can build... The total lack of news can only lead to many of us thinking that there are big problems that still need to be resolved and could be putting the whole thing at risk of ever happening...

What amazes me is the amount of negativity towards the new promotion team. They are sinking much money into getting things up and ready to be in a position to run by May. They will live and die by their decisions. Just because they are not jumping to the timelines desired by people without any financial involvement or backing them is very unfair to keep bashing them. People need to get behind them and stop knocking them for trying to bring speedway to Northampton. Soon the keyboard warriors will be complaining about whatever nickname they decide on, then it will be the seven riders signed, then the design of the racesuits, then the cost of entry, then, then, then, the list will go on which is grossly unfair. UK speedway is dying on its arse and people need to unite and stop with the negativity towards pretty much everything and everybody who tries to run and finance UK speedway tracks.

Maybe they are keeping it quiet because they don't want prospective patrons to type speedway into google and end up here reading all the negativity. Good things come to those that wait

With the way things are going they are probably going to be one of the weaker teams anyway... just what a new club needs to get the fans flocking in their thousands...!!! If they are then also told that they can't have a proper facility for one of their chosen riders that really would put the lid on it... Surely this should be a case of the famous... "In the best interests of the Sport"... rule... and this would be one of the more reasonable applications of it...

I can only presume it is to show those councils currently deciding on whether to give house building permission, on ex Speedway sites, that the sport isnt in steep decline and confidence is so high in its growth that a new track has opened... Those fighting the developers can point to both Northampton and Buxton as examples of people seeing a bright future... Personally, if they had a couple of hundred thousand to spend I would have used it to grow the businesses of the 14 current tracks through national marketing and special offers... An extra 500 at each would make a huge difference given the low starting point, and bring another 7,000 fans in to the sport.. Even if Northampton is a "success", there won't by anything like 7,000 there each meeting.... Fingers crossed it works, however, the optics of having your team compiled by your opponents doesn't sit well in a professional sport....

Such a shame and shortsighted of whoever decided to axe it.

I'm sorry I couldn't understand your accent, you're gonna have to repeat that

Can’t believe that someone who seems to trawl through posts on this forum looking to pick a fight is telling someone else to calm down 😂😂

Oh my,someone DOES need to calm down, another one that accepts and makes excuses for mediocrity and poor practices and wonders why we are where we are and because you obviously need a little help the post I made was sarcasm

Another strange contradiction where Speedway is concerned... They're happy to ask for volunteers for menial things like track raking, stadium maintenance... etc... But when it comes to things that could actually have a positive influence on their business... advertising... marketing... promotions... they don't want to take advantage of the great wealth of knowledge that could be at their fingertips... Very odd...

Lots of matches over the next 2 weeks which might be live streamed or video’s afterwards. We ( mainly Stewmac) will try and put up when known.

Newbies don't give a feck about rules. They only care about getting value for money in being entertained, hence, 9/10 don't return.

When weathers warmer I will be visiting Scunthorpe regularly to see Picko ride, along with other Sheffield riders. Great racing guaranteed and I always enjoy watching the national league riders coming through

The line up doesn't matter The cause does. It's an early season meeting where riders are blowing off the cobwebs and in my opinion since it was brought in one of the most important British meetings of the year.

More meetings will have guests this season? This time next year Rodney , Bomber will be a millionaire..

Ah right yeah, it did get known as “The podcast”, but yeah No Brakes No Fear is the actual name. Glad you enjoyed Bruce anyway, I’m hoping to do more stuff like that during the season this time rather than in the winter as has been the case. It’s great there are other podcasts around now which weren’t there 5 or 6 years ago. Personally I think we need more club specific podcasts / YouTube channels, either official club backed or just fan based ones. And for those podcasts to collaborate with each other and not see it as a competition. People will watch and listen to more than 1 thing, and what’s clear is if you watch or listen to 1 speedway show you’re probably going to listen to more, the stats prove that.

Tate vinnie and jamie putting in some good laps today.

20.03.2026: Zielona Góra v Toruń: https://youtu.be/qM27WfU7gCU?si=zQQ5d40FsbmaZj_D

Can’t beat a little piece of positivity

I think we’ve finally cracked the mystery of the BSPL’s undercover PR man — step forward, Steve Irving! In nearly half a century following speedway, I’ve never seen such single‑minded loyalty to the party line. For Steve, every corner of the speedway garden is blooming, and every promoter walks on water. It’s almost touching — almost. Maybe pop an AirTag on that self‑respect, Steve, in case it wanders off again. Now, if he took a moment away from cheerleading, he might notice what’s happening elsewhere in motorsport media. Crash.net and others are reporting that Richard Coleman is “fully focused” on his MotoGP duties as Team Principal with Tech3 — and that’s no small commitment. Remember, 2026 is the final season for 1000cc engines before MotoGP moves to 850cc in 2027, which means non‑stop testing and development is already underway. Yet, somehow, Coleman also claims to be giving his total focus to MotoGP, the Speedway GP series, and Ipswich Speedway. Quite the feat! Perhaps he’s mastered quantum cloning. Realistically, though, Ipswich fans should expect Andrew Chisholm to be the one holding the reins at Foxhall this year. Steve might want to grab a selfie with his idol early — Coleman sightings in Suffolk could be rarer than unicorns by mid‑season. And before anyone complains that this reads like an essay — guilty as charged. I must have missed the point in time when education and critical thinking became surplus to requirements. Maybe that’s why “Hawk127”, who is seemingly bereft of a dictionary, thinks "woke" is an insult. It just means being a decent person — who wouldn’t want that? Anyway, I’ll leave the PR spin to Steve and the BSPL. Some of us still prefer our motorsport journalism with a touch of reality, not rose‑tinted propaganda.

I’m f*c*ing bored of Northampton already…

Northampton wont attract new fans. Its in a field in the middle of nowhere, and the facilities are extremely basic. An uncovered stand, or grass banking, looking thru a big mesh fence. This wont appeal to newcomers midweek, when they can sit at home instead, glued to their devices! 12 old duffers from Peterborough with their home made knitted bobble hats, and a 30 year old programme board, wont make the place a success

Totally agree. If it is entertainment and you want to attract a new generation of punters, then you do not need those riders who are costing clubs a fortune. No new punter or family will have heard of any of the top names, so as long as the racing is competitive and you have match race’s featuring different age groups to entice youngsters as well as a meaningful match or individual meeting then that is all you can ask for. No one seems to want to try a two wheeled speed event including for example flat track riders etc. as well as speedway. As it is now you have the same old same old format which with all the ridiculous rules and doubling up etc you will never convince the media that it is credible and without the media the punters are not going to pick up on it. Give them something different (proven by increased numbers who attend the play offs when you something to go for but not the qualifying matches) and just maybe they could start on that very long journey of attracting new fans, sponsors and possibly media attention on a national scale.

I think integrity in this instance applies structurally rather than morally in that without a sixth team the whole system could have tumbled. Morally, speedway has had little to no integrity for decades and it will take more than Mark & Rob sitting at the top table to alter that. With regards credibility, speedway has the same as wrestling or monster trucks and the sooner they realise that and lean into it the better. Speedway is a thrilling entertainment not a creditable sport.

Good job you mentioned that, they probably wouldn't have thought of it...

the best kept sporting secret ever . opening night massive crowd of people who support other teams . 3 weeks in and tiny crowd ..they should be marketing it on social media , give the team a name at least theres plenty of Speedway fans internet savvy enough to create a razamatazz , Speedway has far too long relied on its dwindling fanbase to advertise it , and this is a classic exmaple . failing to prepare is preparing to fail !!!

Literally, seven figures spent on riders, (who Average Joe Public will never have heard of), yet hardly anything on professional PR, Media output, and Event Management.... Absolutely crackers!!!!

Maybe we could build a podium out of the buy,a brick wall, it would give me something else to bang my head against while you continue to miss the point

And here is some more

Just facts cowboy.. The positivity well ran dry a fair while back

Everybody seems to have forgotten that for several years Milton Keynes, which is only 20 miles from Northampton, had a team. Thats a lot nearer than Coventry, Peterborough and Wolverhampton!

Oh, you cynic... But. With your inside knowledge, and my years of following the sport, I can only assume you are very much probably right!.... On a separate note, Mark Lemon in his Speedway Star interview, mentioned how important to the "integrity and credibility of the sport" this sixth team is... Reading further, it apeears that there are several (all, who knows?), other BSP promoters actually running the show, with riders already spoken with, and team planning in an advanced stage... So... This means that promoters of teams in the same top tier competitions are compiling the Northampton team... The very same team that their own team(s), (already announced) will race against.. "Integrity and Credibility"??? Imagine a professional sport being ran that way, with spectators then being expected to take it seriously...?

He's also getting track time at Redcar tomorrow night (Fri 20 Mar) as he represents the Diamonds Select side in the Tyne/Tees Trophy meeting.

Unfortunately due to the upcoming fuel crisis 😧 I don't think many people will be prepared to travel to Northampton or anywhere else for that matter

I'm sure that as long as they let us know what's happening a few days before that first fixture, the masses will drop everything... change all their plans... and head straight to Northampton...