The 2024 ROWE Motor Oil Premiership media campaign burst into life at the National Speedway Stadium, Belle Vue, Manchester, on 20th March, where CEO, Phil Morris, choreographed an ambitious fiesta of fascinating interviews for the press and TV, alongside team building events for the magnificent turn out of riders and management.
As the press conference went live, the first cohort of world champions who will be gracing the British scene this season were expertly eased into the process by elite football commentator Darren Fletcher, who latterly opened up the proceedings for questions from the press, whereupon I asked those present to reflect upon the lively conclusion to a Grand Prix heat at Cardiff in 2009 involving Scott Nicholls, seven times British Champion, and Emil Sayfutdinov.
I chose Tai Woffinden ─ our multiple world champion and Sheffield Tigers star – to answer this poser, simply because in all previous interviews I have conducted with him I have been impressed by his capacity to speak from the heart, whilst making no attempt to disguise his love for the sport. He’s an out and out entertainer too – both on and off the track – and let’s not forget, speedway is just as much about putting on a show as it is a serious top-class sport. Furthermore, I’ve been privileged to talk to him about aspects of his life, and seen firsthand how he actively supports other riders, especially those whose first language is not English. With his spontaneous and spectacularly stirring response, the audience was immediately energised – combined reactions of stunned, surprised, and delighted.
Tai’s address was tongue in cheek, outrageous, and accurate ─ a verbal commodity only the most entertaining of orators can master – and in my humble opinion Tai called it right, even if this was not an opinion unanimously held across the speedway fraternity.
Controversy is an important commodity in all sports, both to seasoned supporters and those yet to be engaged – with this latter group representing the holy grail of speedway promoters’ dreams. In football, the English Premier League has grasped this concept with the incorporation of the virtual assistant referee (VAR), where the main event is suspended in order to unpick, digest, and explore the dispute from various angles, utilising differing speeds and the classic freeze frame. Altercations in ice hockey are another good example of disagreements seen as box office moments.
Arguably, in its purest form, speedway is not a contact sport, but when has it ever been that basic? It is guts, adrenalin, and often akin to combat on two wheels. There are inevitably comings together where tensions can peak and racers may suffer from the disorientation of the red mist, making confrontations commonplace. Racing is what it’s all about, but these sporadic episodes epitomise the uniqueness of the sport as not just a spectacle of speed, but also a narrative of riders who risk everything to entertain us as we observe from the safety of the terraces. Capturing these moments – alongside the thrilling racing action – and using them to exploit the global reach of social media has to present more opportunity than threat.
Tai was correct in his assertion that this element of speedway promotion is not rocket science as, to date, the Scott / Emil Grand Prix dance routine has attracted sixteen million views on YouTube ─ with both riders shaking hands shortly afterwards, and Scott conceding that Emil is his daughter Maya’s favourite racer.
I was keen to get the lowdown on the title chances of each of the seven Premiership teams and I started my review with 21-year-old Anders Rowe of the Kings Lynn Stars, who expressed a pragmatic analysis: “We have a really good team that has bonded well over the last few days and I think it’s going to be a good year for us. I had a great end to last season, scoring big points and beating some really good riders, and I’m looking forward to the new season. I love going out and racing on a bike!” But this success does not come by chance, and Anders was eager to pay tribute to his best friend – Father Del – a former racer: “It’s awesome to have such a good relationship with dad. He has been there for me since I started and he’s helping me along my path to hopefully being one of the best riders in the world.”
Asking why Sorted readers should venture out to their nearest speedway track, Anders was emphatic: “It’s an adrenalin filled family fun night out! 15 heats of racing. No brakes, all action, thrills and spills!” And for those thinking about visiting the Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena, Saddlebow Road, Anders recommended the view either from the home straight grandstand, or on the first bend, also affording a great view of the pits where the riders prepare the 500cc motorcycles that accelerate faster than a Formula 1 racing car.
Next up was 32-year-old Richard Lawson of the Leicester Lions, who described the home septet as the most balanced of the Premiership sides, adding, “I think that will pay off this season.” When pushed to name the rider most likely to top the individual Lions score chart, he was adamant that Australian international Max Fricke will have the biggest roar, yet more modestly he believed that he could be the team’s secret weapon, riding at the number two berth. Praising the passionate fanbase, Richard also shared a top trackside tip: “They do a cracking jacket potato!”
As for the other teams to watch out for, he was candid: “On paper it has to be the defending champions Sheffield with their big hitting riders, but I wouldn’t discount Ipswich or Belle Vue either.”
24-year-old Zach Cook of newly promoted Birmingham Brummies described the second city team as this season’s dark horses, with every team member capable of increasing their current averages. Acknowledging that the premiership is blessed with a crop of top stars, he believes that the title is the most open it’s been for many years, adding, “Speedway is a sport you need to see live. The TV coverage is cool, but it doesn’t do justice to how fast and close it is. Races always provide plenty of action.”
The plush facilities at Perry Bar provide the very best of welcomes, but Zach recommended viewing the action from trackside, especially on the first bend.
Effervescent 21-year-old Jason Edwards, of reigning champions Sheffield Tigers, was excited to be back at Owlerton after getting the team call late last season and being given the opportunity to ride in the same team as Tai Woffinden. Reflecting upon the pulsating end to the playoffs he recalled, “Everyone had written us off and being involved in the heat two 5-1 was a real turning point; then suddenly the 18-point deficit evaporated!”
Turning to this season, Jason pointed out that every topflight team has at least one world superstar in their lineup, and identified Ipswich as the biggest challenge to the Tigers hopes of retaining the title, with Emil Sayfutdinov and Grand Prix rider Jason Doyle in their ranks. But alongside fellow reserve Dan Gilkes, he recognised that they are still the team to beat and have one additional and vital ingredient – the “Piko effect!” ─ better known as teammate Josh Pickering, whose ability to garner speedway spirit is legendary.
Jason’s elevator pitch was impressive: “In other motor sports you sometimes only get a glimpse of the action. The beauty of speedway is that you can watch it all there and then.” And for those that visit Sheffield, there is ample parking, and you can have a meal at the impressive carvery before watching the action from the comfort of the imposing main stand, or closeup from the various viewing points.
I was keen to speak to the youngest rider on show – the Oxford Spires 16-year- old rising star, Ashton Boughen. Let’s not forget that this is only his second year within the sport.
When quizzed about the Spires potential in the upcoming campaign he was upbeat. “The team is bonding well, and we’ve already won our first match and shown people what we are capable of.” Looking at the rest of the premiership contenders, I asked Ashton who the biggest threat is. Concluding that all the teams have talent throughout the ranks, he nonetheless identified Sheffield and Ipswich as the sides who pack the biggest punch. Reflecting upon his own teammates, Ashton was quick to praise the Spires number one and marquee signing, “Maciej [Janowski] is an awesome rider.” Although he was quick to acknowledge the importance of every rider’s contribution, he couldn’t disguise his excitement at having Chris Harris in the ranks. When asked to identify the Spires secret weapon, Ashton was resolute: “Lewis Kerr – the strongest reserve in the league. He has helped me out throughout my career, and I think we will be a strong pairing.”
Before being whisked off for more media mania, I asked Ashton to sum the club up in a couple of sentences: “Oxford is an outstanding club, the owners, management, and supporters are fantastic, and the stadium is a great place to race. Three leagues this season, so a lot of action and a lot to look forward to.” And who can argue with that assessment?
Jordan Jenkins – 22- year-old Ipswich Witch – reported that the team has gelled well and that he is particularly looking forward to riding alongside – in his opinion – the best two riders in the league, Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov, adding, “Emil is unbelievable on a bike!”
Acknowledging that Sheffield is the team to beat, he nonetheless recognised the astute signing of Adam Ellis. “He had a tough year last term, but he has made some changes, and he is a brilliant rider.”
For Jordan ─ who was once the Witches’ mascot ─ speedway offers “great passing and sometimes big crashes at high speed.” And since Foxhall Stadium sits in a valley, the action can be witnessed from several places. Praising the great crowds, Jordan couldn’t hide his excitement for the upcoming campaign: “It was a dream move for me!”
21-year-old Connor Bailey, of the Belle Vue Aces, was quick to highlight the great team spirit that exists in the home camp: “I like to think that we will hit the ground running and have a successful season.” Highlighting the big guns of Grand Prix rider Dan Bewley, Brady Kurtz, and Jaimon Lidsey, he was nevertheless cognisant that meetings will ultimately be won with Norick Blodorn, Ben Cook, Connor Mountain, and himself pulling their weight: “Collectively the rest of us will tip the scales in our favour.”
Connor expressed the uniqueness of the sport: “Speedway riders are very accessible to the fans, and you get two hours of action-packed entertainment. It’s a really good night out!”
Especially so at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester, a purpose-built raceway unanimously acclaimed as providing some of the best racing in the world: “Belle Vue has awesome facilities, including great places to eat and drink.”
There was something else new in the world of domestic speedway that caused me to reflect upon – and pardon the pun ─ the playing field of professional sport.
In an age of equality, it may seem odd that elite team sport tends to reflect the old stereotype of gender bias. According to a variety of reliable sources, the most watched team sport is association football, with a worldwide fanbase of around 4 billion and an estimated 270 million actively engaged players; yet, there are no professional teams that field mixed gender teams. Instead, there are separate competitions for male and female players. Arguments that seek to perpetuate this discrimination often centre upon physical attributes, yet has speedway bucked the trend and demonstrated that where there is skill, determination, and desire, coupled with organisational openness, change can happen?
The signing of German female racer Celina Liebmann by Workington Comets (in the second tier Championship) is history in the making, breaking the glass ceiling of professional team membership and shattering any lingering prejudice. Yet in a landscape where, for example, riders, promotors, and officials represent an overwhelming macho image, can speedway do even more, and build upon this recent and very welcome head-start that can only add value to the sport in encouraging more females to choose speedway as a career, or follow it from the terraces? Catching up with Celina at the media event I posed some questions.
Her verdict on the Comets chances of success was buoyant: “It’s an exciting side, with top heat leaders Troy Batchelor and Craig Cook, and overall I think we will surprise many.”
In terms of those to look out for, she highlighted the potential of Finnish teammate Antti Vuolas who recently beat Jason Doyle at Wroclaw in Poland, and, of course, her own promise: “We are both unknown quantities!”
Her marketing pitch for speedway was inventive too: “No brakes, turn left and feel free!”
I was interested to discover more about her journey to the Cumbrian coast. “I always dreamed about coming to England and last year I raced in the British Women’s Open Championship. In the Redcar round I had the same times as the day before in a league meeting and showed the promotors that I was fast enough for the Championship. I am really happy to be at Workington.”
Her family had few qualms over her career choice, since her dad was a former ice speedway racer and her parents met at the freezing trackside. Away from speedway she admitted to following the fortunes of 1860 Munich, the German equivalent of my team Notts County ─ with apparently the same level of frustration!
Finally, I recommend that you check out the action at your local track, and in the words of Robbie Williams, rock’s equivalent of top Tiger, Tai: “So come on, let me entertain you!”
For all the latest speedway news visit British Speedway.
© Ian Kirke 2024 & all photographs.
@ianjkirke