What should we talk about today?
The world according to Kirkey
Grandmaster, Anatoly Karpov, once quipped, “Chess is everything: art, science, and sport.” Arguably this statement could be applied to many other pursuits, although its perfect fit with speedway is inescapable. The best vantage point to appreciate all three facets of this statement is trackside, but close on the heels of being part of the live … Read more
At its heart, speedway is a risky business. Injuries are, unfortunately, par for the course, although the steely resolve of the riders who entertain us often produces an almost unnatural pain threshold. Getting up and dusting themselves down after the most horrific of crashes is commonplace, as are the many occasions when riders knowingly drop … Read more
Proper or pantomime? Fair or unjust? Scintillating or exasperating? The playoffs have been part of speedway hierarchy since 2002 and have often had a habit of causing division across the terraces, especially when the top of the table team fails to be crowned champions. But is this sporadic criticism fair, and are the playoffs vital … Read more
Monday night TV Premiership coverage has consistently maintained its triple A rating: Action, Adrenalin & Abi. Presented by the effervescent Abi Stephens, the unique feeling of being able to experience the meeting from both sides of the safety fence has been enthusiastically facilitated alongside her two amigos, Scott Nicholls, and Kelvin Tatum. Live TV broadcasting … Read more
The internet is awash with parenting quotes ─ some glib, countless gushing, and many ─ honestly ─ graphic. As a dad myself, I prefer the latter references; Tom Hanks provides my favourite summation: “It’s like being caffeine-deprived for eighteen years.” Whatever the slant, if you are a parent there is one overriding objective: to keep … Read more
Defining a hero, role model, or legend is ─ of course ─ highly subjective. Yet they do exist, and the ones that have shaped my life for the better carry an enigmatic power; when I think of them, I experience a pang of emotion that both uplifts and humbles me. My late dad will always … Read more
After the shale had finally settled on the hosting of the 2023 FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, what was the word on the street? Pre and post event social media was alive with gregarious gossip engaging with all aspects of the premier domestic event, from attendance, suitability of the venue, the track, potential … Read more
2023 Sports Insure British Final: Monday 14th August 2023. Have I finally lost the plot ─ connecting the famous 70s Carpenters ballad to the Land of my Fathers? Having negotiated a 5-hour trip north from my base in the south-east to the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester through persistent pockets of rain, which became more … Read more
Kirkeytalk.com has teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to provide five pairs of tickets for the Monster Energy 2023 FIM British Speedway Grand Prix to be held at The Principality Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday 2nd September. To enter the competition simply message kirkeytalk.com via the contact tab above with the answer to the following … Read more
Live entertainment is unparalleled. By being there – for instance at a concert, sporting event, theatre or air show – you are part of the unfolding history. There is an explicit emotional link between you and the main event that can often have a magical and lasting effect. Seeing Queen at Wembley in 1986 and … Read more