Leicester Lions 2026

[bellevueace]

20 hours ago, YeOldPitGate said:

The problem is having a van and five bikes is feasible if your riding in Poland but in the UK these days in my eyes reality is the top 50% can warrant a van and two bikes next 50% should be one bike and ideally a track spare the costs have got out of control for what the UK can afford now days not helped by riders in the UK spending thousands per annum on tuning.

At some point a total reset will have to happen but it seems to have been kicked again for at least another year unless Harry comes through with some new multi million pound backers to sort the sport out.

Riders complain about the costs but when ways of cutting the costs have been suggested the riders have been the ones who have rejected everything in their hunt for that bit more speed. 

[Hamish McRaker]

1 hour ago, bellevueace said:

Riders complain about the costs but when ways of cutting the costs have been suggested the riders have been the ones who have rejected everything in their hunt for that bit more speed. 

Yes its like they have an F1 mentality to something that in real terms is more like Banger racing. It feeds down from the GP level, which has become ridiculous as its competitors seek out ever more technological and mechanical enhancements to gain a fractional improvement. Needs a radical change but cant see it happening, sadly

[mikebv]

On 2/13/2026 at 1:41 PM, YeOldPitGate said:

The problem is having a van and five bikes is feasible if your riding in Poland but in the UK these days in my eyes reality is the top 50% can warrant a van and two bikes next 50% should be one bike and ideally a track spare the costs have got out of control for what the UK can afford now days not helped by riders in the UK spending thousands per annum on tuning.

At some point a total reset will have to happen but it seems to have been kicked again for at least another year unless Harry comes through with some new multi million pound backers to sort the sport out.

In the Speedway Star a couple of years ago, in a pre season interview with Phillip Hellstrom Bangs, he said he had spent well over €100,000 on his machinery

And that this is the kind of money you have to lay out to "compete".....

Yes. THAT Philip Helstrom Bangs...  

Number ??? In the world.....

 

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

1 hour ago, mikebv said:

In the Speedway Star a couple of years ago, in a pre season interview with Phillip Hellstrom Bangs, he said he had spent well over €100,000 on his machinery

And that this is the kind of money you have to lay out to "compete".....

Yes. THAT Philip Helstrom Bangs...  

Number ??? In the world.....

 

And so many call for this to be reigned in and for riders to go back to basics

Just have 1 or 2 bikes , be frugal with the add ons and increase the service intervals

But look at the abuse for Drew Kemp when he breaks down a few times........

"He needs to be more professional and up his game" "This shouldn't happen at this level" etc etc

 

[IainB]

20 minutes ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

And so many call for this to be reigned in and for riders to go back to basics

Just have 1 or 2 bikes , be frugal with the add ons and increase the service intervals

But look at the abuse for Drew Kemp when he breaks down a few times........

"He needs to be more professional and up his game" "This shouldn't happen at this level" etc etc

 

I'm not sure the problem is with Mr Kemp's bikes 🤔

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

4 hours ago, IainB said:

I'm not sure the problem is with Mr Kemp's bikes 🤔

I think it was more times than not

[YeOldPitGate]

8 hours ago, mikebv said:

In the Speedway Star a couple of years ago, in a pre season interview with Phillip Hellstrom Bangs, he said he had spent well over €100,000 on his machinery

And that this is the kind of money you have to lay out to "compete".....

Yes. THAT Philip Helstrom Bangs...  

Number ??? In the world.....

 

Bonkers isn't it and certainly in the UK there's not the money coming in to warrant that kind of expense hence promoters regularly doing anything between 50-100k losses most seasons.

[Roger Jacobs]

9 hours ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

And so many call for this to be reigned in and for riders to go back to basics

Just have 1 or 2 bikes , be frugal with the add ons and increase the service intervals

But look at the abuse for Drew Kemp when he breaks down a few times........

"He needs to be more professional and up his game" "This shouldn't happen at this level" etc etc

The current machinery requires the finest tuning, and very regular upkeep to keep it functioning at its peak level. There needs to be a reset of the engines, allowed components, etc.  British league racing has to become more affordable for everyone, and the riders have as big a part to play as anyone else.  In that way, reaching the GP could be akin to Formula One, with riders progressing through the levels.