What should we talk about today?
The world according to Kirkey
“Some people are on the pitch; they think it’s all over. It is now!” is one of the most iconic moments of sporting commentary – delivered by the BBC’s Kenneth Wolstenholme at the conclusion of the 1966 FIFA World Cup: objectivity and subjectivity beautifully fused together to capture not only the finality of the game … Read more
The Rule of Three is a writing technique that suggests listing three words, phrases, sentences, images, or ideas in succession to accentuate an idea. Examples include the stirring salute, “Blood, sweat and tears,” and Prime Minister Tony Blair’s oratory, “Our priorities are education, education, education.” The domestic speedway scene may seem somewhat divorced from this … Read more
Division, disruption, and derision are the cruel consequences of right-wing ideology. In this space difference is framed as dangerous and contrived tribal tensions are sustained by agent provocateurs who frequently occupy positions of power. Currently, our own nation is plagued with this condition where prejudice is propelled to the pinnacle of public discourse. Nonetheless, disagreement … Read more
Sliding Through Life – The autobiography of Scott Nicholls written by Ian Kirke. The big launch day at the British Speedway Grand Prix, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, fan zone on Saturday 17th August 2024. Order here. © Ian Kirke 2024 @ianjkirke All non-credited imagery reproduced by kind permission of Emma Ellis.
Scott Nicholls heads back to the Welsh capital for Britain’s biggest indoor motorsport event next Saturday, where he will be in the fanzone on City Hall Lawn from 1pm, signing copies of his brand-new autobiography Sliding Through Life written by Kirkey. It will come as no surprise that one of most viewed moments in Speedway GP history gets a mention. … Read more
Speedway programmes provide an intrinsic link to the observable action and, unlike many other professional sports, they enshrine a detailed and contemporaneous record of the event. But to the well-informed fan, contemporary publications are more than just a racecard. They are an anthology of data, drama, and disclosure. Furthermore, the reach extends to a record … Read more
Manchester – at least in my personal experience – has a reliability and permanency of one facet: rain. And I wasn’t to be disappointed during the qualifying rounds and the Under-21 final of this year’s Speedway of Nations tournament held at the National Speedway Stadium in Belle Vue, Manchester. Thankfully, the proceedings brightened up for … Read more
© Ian Kirke 2024 & all images. @ianjkirke
Drawing a parallel between speedway and professional football is perhaps a less than perfect comparison when it comes to renumeration. The latter contains multiple examples of lucrative, often eye-watering contracts, which dominate the sports pages. As an example, in January 2018 Mesut Özil signed a three year contract with Arsenal worth around £55.9 million, including … Read more
