Jan O Pedersen Speedway Academy

[Main Man]

The first two riders selected for the Academy will be announced soon ...so watch out for details

[Main Man]

The first named rider for the Jan O Pedersen British Speedway Academy is 16 year old Coventry Storm rider James Shanes.

The Puddletown, Dorset based racer ,who has made the transition from grass track to speedway and has had rave reviews wherever he has ridden, is overjoyed at being selected by the 1991 World Champion, “ I was amazed when Jan O approached me about it and discussed everything with my parents. I am totally new to speedway but have enjoyed every minute of riding for Coventry firstly in the Midland Development League and then after my exams were over in the National League for The Storm.”

“At Coventry 7 times British Champion Scott Nicholls has taken me under his wing to mentor and help me after Laurence Rogers arranged this. Now I have the chance to work with a World Champion. This is a dream come true. “

Jan O is pleased with is first capture for the Academy and hope to have all five places filled very soon in readiness for the August start to the scheme , “ I have been keeping tabs on James after Laurence (Rogers) alerted me to him. I watched him at Stoke firstly in a Development League match where he scored a maximum then on his National League debut when he scored paid 10. I have spoken with the family and like his attitude and believe I can really help him. Now we have to confirm the remaining places and should be able to announce the second rider this week whilst we work on the remaining three places.”

“At the same time we are getting enquiries in for the secondary scheme we are running for those not eligible for the Academy and will be working on this as well. We had hoped to kick things off with a training session last week but had to postpone this and hope to make an announcement on this after discussions with a few tracks we are talking to.”

“The level of support and help for this though will be determined by fans and businesses joining the Membership schemes. We had a slight glitch on the website with this that may have put some people off but it is all up and running and we need as many to join as possible ….so get on www.speedwayacademy.co.uk and pledge your support for British Speedway.

[Guest]

And I can remember 1949 when Harold McNaughton, then 37 years old, made his speedway debut at Hastings, then rode for New Cross, Southampton and Ipswich with distinction, then rode for England at Division Two level.

Another later starter, at 38 years, was Tom Oakley - he rode among his clubs for Southampton, New Cross and Bristol.

They both battled into the top flight with determination and ability, not needing all the pseudo-youth schemes that operate these days. McNaughton and Oakley were determined to be speedway riders and battled to the top with courage and determination. Coincidentally, both retired at the end of the 1953 season.

Now riders of that age have virtually no chance of getting into speedway. Times have changed a lot. I often think the sport was the better for the way it brought riders into speedway all those years ago.

Edited July 11, 2013 by Guest

[Main Man]

Dudley’s Max Clegg announced as second rider in British Speedway Academy

 

Following on from the announcement of Coventry Storm’s 16 year old James Shanes as the first rider for the Jan O Pedersen British Speedway Academy the second rider to be named is Dudley’s Max Clegg.

The 16 year old ,who rode for Scunthorpe last year before joining the Dudley Heathens this season, has been showing good form for his side as they vie for a place in the National League play-offs.

He ended his debut season with a 4.54 average which so far he has upped to an amazing 7.33 with some excellent displays in Heathens colours.

The Brighouse born racer first raced at the age of 7 in the Yorkshire Gras track club but had his first bike, a 50cc Husky , when aged just 3! His best racing moment was winning the 2005 British Grass Track Championship and was runner-up in the 2011 British Junior under 16 500cc Championship.

Max is really looking forward to working with the 1991 World Champion, “ I know that Jan O has been a great help to many riders and I know that I can learn a lot from him both about my riding and all the aspects behind the scenes. I want to be successful and realize that help and support from Jan O will help get me there. “

“ I have had a good start to the season but still have a lot to learn and having Jan watching me and giving advice will only be of great benefit . I can’t wait to get it all started.”

Jan O believes he has another gem for the Academy , “ like James Shanes I think we have another superb prospect. I have watched him since he signed for Dudley and been highly impressed by him and his riding. He is quite shy really but hopefully we can help him in this aspect as well as the riding, preparation , training , diet, psychology etc of the sport. “

“ The two 16 year olds named so far certainly have caught the eye so far this season and that is a big plus as we have something solid to work with. We are talking with several riders at the moment who are interested in the three remaining places on the Academy and hopefully we can be in a position to announce rider number three very soon!”

“But I must again stress the point that the success of the Academy and the supporting scheme is very much dependant on funding and we really need as many fans and sponsors to pledge their support by becoming either Foundation members at £25 or Executive members at £100 –and you can join on-line on the website : www.speedwayacademy.co.uk “

 

announcements this week on the three remaining places in the main Academy and a substantial sponsorship for the scheme

[Main Man]

The Jan O Pedersen British Speedway Academy are pleased to announce that the final three places on the scheme have now been offered and accepted by the riders concerned.

There was a lot of interest in the chance to be involved and after careful consideration and discussion Jan O has finalised the five who will take part in the inaugural scheme but leaves open the chance for others to join the associate scheme he will be running which has no age restrictions as the main one does.

Joining the already announced duo of Coventry Storm’s James Shanes and Dudley Heathens Max Clegg will be Buxton and Berwick’s Liam Carr, Rye House asset Danny Verge and Coventry Storm’s Oliver Greenwood.

Jan O commented, “ We had a lot of interest in the Academy and have talked with many riders and their families as well as assessing the candidates in various ways. In the end we have gone for the five we have chosen as young riders in the 16-19 age group who fit the elements we were looking for and have potential to progress with the type of help and support we can offer them.”

“We will also be involving riders of any age in the associate scheme and they will receive most of the elements that the five Academy riders are going to get but will not have the academic part with the NVQ qualification. But the number of riders we can support for this is highly dependant on the membership schemes we are running and any sponsorship we can attract. Laurence Rogers is working on this and has had talks with a few potential; backers and has one substantial sponsor lined up. He can be reached through the website : www.speedwayacademy.co.uk , where people can join the membership scheme directly or he van be e-mailed at :laurencerogers@blueyonder.co.uk if any sponsors want more details.”

“ I am really pleased with the final five we have chosen for the Academy and have seen all of them ride at some stage recently . I have talked through everything with them and their parents and I am really looking forward to getting this all started now. We are awaiting a venue and a date for an on track get together , which will be open to all comers although to cover costs we may have to make a charge for this unless a big sponsor wants to step in to cover this!”

“ I am working on a workshop base where we will conduct that side of the scheme and should have this all in place very soon. We are working on all the elements and will be all ready for the real launch soon . In between I will be working with all five riders on a one to one basis as well. I will look at their fixtures to see where I can maximise my time with them so I can start to analyse individual needs and start planning with them exactly what is required.”

“ It is exciting times and we just hope that the fans and sponsors will support us by becoming members then we can extend the scheme even further and start to get British Speedway back on the way to the top again. “