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In a recent Speedway Star,, Mark Lemon said how he didn't want to be telling riders they had to take a pay cut as he understood their challenges.. He is looking at it the wrong way, (like so many ex riders who become promoters do, as they are far too close to the riders).. He should actually be telling them... "You increase the crowds by 500 and you will get more money"... As currently, their presence clearly doesn't engage enough fans to attend...

Pathetic isn’t it. Those giving it back are just as bad, ignore it and it’ll soon get bored. 99% of people come on here to talk speedway and have a debate. If it bothers them that much then dm instead of airing it all clogging feeds up.

My point exactly... Expecting to work six months and earn twelve months money from Speedway in the UK is folly... The competitors, and competitions, do not resonate with enough people, therefore the renumeration package should reflect that low standing... Not be something far in excess of what is affordable...

What when they have over 4 points to play with. That would be crazy.

Absolutely ridiculous. He had over a 7 point average for Scunny in the championship in 2024. He has one bad year and drops down to the NDL? Makes an absolute mockery of the sport. Some poor lad doesn't have a team place now because they want a number 1. I get the "rider coach" part but he doesn't have to take a team place to do that.

Point 2 promote team fixtures!!!!! It's now 39 days before the season starts (klindt testimonial) and still no fixtures for ANY league how the hell can fans plan to follow their team at home and away with no fookin fixtures 😗

It’s not the riders responsibility to put bums on seats. That the responsibility of the promoter who has two key tasks. 1. Build a competitive team. 2. Promote the team/fixtures. Clearly a winning team puts bums on seats - even more if well promoted. The riders have two key tasks. 1. Ensure they have competitive bikes. 2. Race to the best of their ability. Obviously it helps the promotion if the riders avail themselves to PR activities which most do willingly.

And these riders, in the PL, literally don't put a single bum on a seat, they just make the numbers up, which is no bad thing, but there's a long queue of riders behind them that would happily take their place... the tail is well and truly wagging the dog.

It’s a absolute disgrace that Edinburgh has a bspa member in control of the club and has always ran a youth meeting but see fit to unveil a development team that has 5 members that are lets be honest not British youth riders and never have been, are they really saying that this is the best way forward to developing British speedway in the long term, if so god help us or have they just been just taking the micky out of every parent who’s spending hard earned money to try and get their kids through the system, they ain’t the only ones but this many is scandalous

If he was .02 less ave he would have been signed

Did the interview ask him about what he does during the other part of the year?

The rider coach thing is just a cop out for having him in the team. it’s a job for the boys kind of thing as he’s in with club there.

But how can a rider put 500 extra bums on seats? If Dan Bewley cant do it for BV, with the way he rides the NSS, theres not much hope for anyone else

Just reading this thread . How is this laughable . My family are not a rich family myself partner and son all work and pay for his riding what cost a lot . At times it really hard to get time of work especially for rearnaged meetings when we have took leave for the first meeting thats been cancelled .i would guess this is the same for most parents or hopfull riders. If the sport was perfect then NDL and NJL would take place over a weekend of bank holidays to allow familys to earn and pay. As they say its ment to be a devepoment league

So you think it’s funny do you, parents spending £1000/s of pounds from when there kids are 8/9 years of age to maybe make a good fist of it around the age of 15, and a slim chance of getting a team spot, then after maybe 6/7/8 years of those parents losing money travelling everywhere to say a NJL fixture and the club says sorry curfew is happened or something else not tonight guys, and you still stick at it and then you get overlooked by clubs who bring in riders who just fancy coming over here and trying their luck and who as you say will turn up?(bit difficult not when you are 12,000 miles from home) ahead of you it’s no surprise when the cupboard is increasingly empty. I’m telling you that not one parent of the youth section believes that they are entitled to anything, what they want is a fair crack at it for the countless hours they have done keeping their kids racing when the easiest thing was to pack up, and without doubt attitudes like yours more parents will gradually do the latter.

Time for these old timers to retire then me thinks.

He must of forgotten to mention the gaurentee on top of that then, yes that must be what’s missing

I’m looking forward to th team announcement. Have a feeling it will be good news.

Hasn't stopped Jack Smith getting a "gig" year on year, has it?

So the Academy have Announced their 7 for the new season, with 4 new faces and 3 old ones. 3 brits and 4 fake ones, with one being the sister of Jordy Loftus Jordy Loftus Dayle Wood Connor Coles Vinnie Ford Jamie Halder Ben Whalley Anika Loftus Interesting looking line up that should do well. Slightly disappointing the lack of actual brits but it can be a bit challenging to get them to travel this far.

That’s about what’s most of them are worth.The main men earn their money in Poland.The Prestige and Sponsorship Deals is their main aim in GPs

The way the sport is run nobody can.

It was obvious what would happen the day it was announced. Personally i think the NL limit should be 40 and leave it there, changing year on year creates a bigger mess. 40 allows a little natural average inflation to help riders progress beyond but also high enough that a decent standard of teams can be put on track. Lowest rider average should be 3.00 meaning riders have to work hard to earn and keep their place rather than being convenient low numbers.

Now that is the ultimate Oxymoron.

It's not a competition! Any speedway podcast is a good thing and I like the 360 one, or are trying to wind up Dean? 🤷‍♀️ Interesting to hear riders and ex riders views on things from Simon Lambert, Stuart Robson etc. I havent listened or watched a podcast that I havent liked. Redcar used to do one called bears talk i believe with Ryan then recently Ian Brannan did some video interviews, i think. Theirs was good as well.

Then there not ready to step up to champ, there is younger riders going out scoring 15+ then step up and can't do anything in champ because the nl is nowhere near a level to step up.

That’s what you get when you set a 42 point team ave fill the top end with big riders and just see who’s left on a 2/3 to fill the bottom end they should introduce 2 even 3 reserve races and the reserves should then race the middle order

I must say I did have a wry smile when he said re riders potentially giving up the sport... "The trouble is that then as time goes on you run out of riders and there won't be enough to sustain a league system in the UK".. Even the odd American could maybe spot the irony of, one of the many, holding down TWO team places in the UK, making such comments..... Difficult to develop riders to keep a league system going when spaces are not available for them to take up...

Or beat the confidence out of those who can't get anywhere near him.

Simon Lambert LAMBERT TO LEAD YOUNG STARS - King's Lynn Speedway - The Home of the Stars

Template for those that can't be @rsed 😁 To: Planning Department, Rugby Borough Council [Date] Subject: Formal Support for Policy W1B – Restoration of Coventry Stadium, Brandon To whom it may concern, I am writing to formally express my strong support for Policy W1B of the Rugby Borough Council Local Plan. As a lifelong Speedway fan for over 50 years and a regular attendee of Coventry Speedway during its decades of operation, I believe the restoration of the Brandon site is vital for the local community and the heritage of British motorsport. The inclusion of Policy W1B is a visionary step in protecting a site that holds immense cultural and historical value. My support for this policy is based on several key factors: 1. Preservation of Sporting Heritage For over half a century, Brandon was more than just a stadium; it was the "Cathedral of Speedway." Having attended regularly for 50 years, I have witnessed first-hand how this venue put Rugby and Coventry on the international sporting map. Restoring the stadium ensures that this prestigious history is not lost to speculative development. 2. Community and Social Value The stadium served as a hub for generations of families. The loss of the venue has left a significant void in the social fabric of the area. Policy W1B correctly identifies the site's potential for "other community uses," which would restore a sense of place and belonging for local residents and fans alike. 3. Economic Impact A fully operational motorsport and community hub brings significant footfall to the borough. The restoration would support local businesses, create jobs, and attract visitors from across the country, providing a sustainable economic boost that housing or industrial development on this specific site cannot replicate. 4. Protection Against Conflictive Development I particularly welcome the provision that "Planning permission will not be granted for development proposals which would conflict with these objectives." This protection is essential to prevent the permanent loss of a unique sporting asset. The restoration of Coventry Stadium is not just about bringing back racing; it is about rectifying the loss of a premier sporting institution. I urge the Council to remain firm in its commitment to Policy W1B and to reject any proposals that threaten the future of motorsport at Brandon. Yours faithfully, [Your Name] [Your Address/Contact Information]

The big issue that has crept into the sport is that being good enough is no longer the sole consideration for a team spot. Ultimately if a rider is more than good enough they will get a team spot but there are also a growing list of maybe riders that squeak in for other reasons like locality, sponsorship, recommendations from riders who have no actual interest etc. The grim reality is that very few riders are ready once they turn 15 be that physically, mentally, emotionally or whatever. There have been and will continue to be altercations between riders who are above and below the legal age and it won't always be able to be swept under the carpet. I would happily see the minimum age for NL returned to 16 and could even be higher.

It's looking more positive that this could actually happen and speedway/ stocks return to brandon , well done to all involved that have kept the faith.

Cya later Charley. Basically hes saying I love doubling up because Im making plenty of money . Such an inspiring thing to say. Imagine being a young rider reading that statement.

Where has the one rider over 8 points come from? It can’t be introduced at this stage of a (admittedly ridiculous) pre-season. Now if there was a sudden ‘one ginger’ per team rule introduced, that would be more in line with British speedway credibility and explain why Kurtz hasn’t been named by the Aces.

4 not 5, but the club does struggle to get brits to travel up to us here at Edinburgh that are of a standard which is good enough. Hence having to go down a different route. We do have the Monarchs speedway academy which has plenty of youngsters in attendance, just not old enough as of yet to compete apart from one who turns 15 this month but is too soon for him ride NDL. Give it a couple more years and hopefully we’ll have 2/3 Scots in that line up.

Have we got a forum full of kids in here or something? Embarrassing reading all this. Wouldn't think you are all grown adults

I don’t buy into this rule, imo this ageist rule has been a big contributor to the lack of riders in the sport over a couple of decades now, I think the national league should be open to any rider no matter how old or how experienced they be, if they want to ride in it then they should be allowed to, the only thing is they ride for £20 per point and no more and that should be sufficient to limit the number of experienced riders who are just there for a pay day which unfortunately is allowed to happen too many times, it’s an amateur league with too many expectant professionals in it, I’ve been in and around the national league probably more than anyone else, I’ve seen the changes, the rules, the money and the jealousy from the higher up clubs and the riders walk away from the sport and to me we are just doing the same thing and expecting a better outcome but isn’t that speedway all over

Like the club to give Max Perry the final slot.

So Mr Vatcher now runs the NJL make some positive changes

In order what would be everyone's preference be when it comes to a No.1 between Kurtz, Lambert, Lindgren and Woffinden? Mine would be 1. Lindgren, 2. Lambert, 3. Woffinden and 4. Kurtz. Around Foxhall, I think Lindgren would be the most consistent and Kurtz would be the most inconsistent.

Both have said they can only make it pay if they double up, Wright ditto.

Research....Yes Steve, maybe you should Why are some British speedway fans suddenly treating Mayfield Sports Events like the saviour of Ipswich Speedway and the entire SGP series when, on paper, they barely exist as a company? According to Companies House, Mayfield Sports Events Limited was only incorporated on 5 August 2025, as a private limited company with a SIC code of “Other sports activities.” MAYFIELD SPORTS EVENTS LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK First accounts are not due until May 2027, and there is no visible track record of having ever run a speedway event, let alone a world championship series. Yet people are talking as if they’re the proven, long‑term guardians of the sport, rather than a brand‑new outfit with the minimum share capital and everything still to prove. Then look at what’s actually happening with the 2026 Speedway Grand Prix under this new era. The FIM’s regulations for this year’s SGP, as reported in Poland, highlight two key changes: the reintroduction of race jackets (plastrons) and, far more importantly for riders, a reduction in prize money for each SGP round. The Polish report notes that the prize fund per round drops from 125,000 euro in 2025 to around 90,325 euro in 2026, meaning riders are collectively losing roughly 25–30 percent of the pot per event. Over a 10‑round season that’s a seven‑figure saving for organisers, not exactly the move of a “saviour” investing heavily in riders and the product. On top of that, the same piece stresses that “one of the two most important” changes is bringing back race jackets after they disappeared from the world championship a few years ago, with “the second, much more significant for the riders themselves, [being] the reduction in the prize money for each SGP round.” So not only are we seeing a cut to riders’ earnings, we’re also seeing a step away from full race suits to jackets, which hardly screams modern, premium world championship presentation. A shocking decision by the organizers of the World Cup. Competitors will lose nearly PLN 1.5 million And yet there’s another elephant in the room that almost nobody seems willing to talk about: Richard Coleman of Mayfield Sports Events is also going to be acting as Team Principal for the Tech3 MotoGP team, based in the south of France, with over 20 race weekends plus testing and all the other commitments that come with a senior MotoGP role. That’s a massive, year‑round job in itself, involving constant travel, factory work, commercial duties and media. How exactly is that supposed to sit alongside being the driving force behind the SGP series and supposedly “saving” Ipswich Speedway? Are fans assuming Tech3 owner Günther Steiner is just going to wave Coleman off for SGP commitments whenever there’s a clash, or that both world‑level programmes can be run at full tilt without any conflict of time, focus or accountability? If people want to hail Mayfield as the future, fine—but at least be honest about what we’re actually looking at: a company incorporated in August 2025 with no public track record in speedway promotion, a significantly reduced prize fund for the 2026 SGP series, cosmetic changes like race jackets being spun as “innovation,” and a key figure who is simultaneously committed to a top‑tier MotoGP role. Maybe the real question isn’t “why don’t you trust Mayfield?” but “why are so many people willing to suspend basic scrutiny the moment a new logo turns up and tells them everything will be alright?”

I was having an OK sort of day and you go and show me that!!

Christina did well as the Leicester number 8 in 2024 😂

The NDL is a great ideal in principle, but in practice looking at some of the riders named by teams it could become financial suicide for some! If you have a promoter with deep pockets who is/are happy to fund things great, but is this a sustainable business model for any longevity of the product? At Birmingham in 2025, the average crowd for the 4 NDT meetings was around 150, less than 30% of the average PL crowd. Deducting riders pay (no Championship riders involved), insurance, referee, medical, track prep etc costs saw a loss for every meeting despite some generous sponsorship! if you factor in stadium hire costs and security every meeting drained strained resources even further. Now some clubs might not have the stadium hire or security costs that the landlords at Perry Barr asked, but assume they do have rental obligations, unless they own their track. As a stand alone venture, I wish Buxton every success as I know the guys financing it have put some serious funds in, but when you hear of the crowd levels in the past at the venue they are going to have get a lot more people through the door!

I wonder if Mayfield are looking into the future and wanting to bring bigger and better events to Foxhall Stadium due to its capacity

That all but confirms Mayfield Sports are the new owners. That’s pretty huge and Louis has played a blinder there to be fair. I get you’re frustrated, everyone on here has been. But they released their AGM statement confirming five clubs, and talks were ongoing to grab a 6th. They’ve clearly been waiting on both Ipswich, and getting Northampton up and running. But until those two get completed, what can the BSPL say in the meantime? I get it. We all want regular updates, but if there’s nothing further to report then it’s pointless them coming out with a weekly “update”, that the update is there’s no further update!

I use the ignore facility