Spidvej Posted November 5 Report Share Posted November 5 A drastic reduction—or even a complete suspension—of the 2026 Speedway Grand Prix Series could unexpectedly throw British Speedway a lifeline. While such a scenario would deal a major blow to the global elite level of the sport, it could simultaneously open a window of opportunity for domestic leagues struggling to stay competitive and relevant. Without the guaranteed income and global exposure from the SGP circuit, top riders will be forced to look elsewhere to maintain racing activity and supplement lost earnings. We are already seeing signs of this shift with Dan Bewley and Freddie Lindgren venturing into the Danish League for the first time in 2026 - both riders seeking new challenges and perhaps some financial stability outside the Grand Prix arena. A diminished SGP calendar would only accelerate this trend. For British Speedway, this could mean the return of familiar names to its weekly fixtures. Riders who once limited their UK commitments to focus on the Grand Prix or foreign leagues might reconsider, drawn by the chance to race regularly and keep their skills sharp. Even short-term, that influx of talent could reinvigorate crowd interest, refresh team lineups, and bring a touch of world-class action back to British tracks that have long missed consistent top-level participation. While it wouldn’t solve the sport’s deeper structural problems in the UK, a wave of Grand Prix-calibre signings—motivated by the simple need to race—could provide British Speedway with a short-term survival boost and much-needed momentum heading into what could otherwise be its toughest season in decades. The question is, if the scenario with the Speedway Grand Prix series outlined above actually happens, will British promoters be able and willing to grasp this lifeline, and use 2026 to help get the sport in the UK back on track, quite literally, for 2027, or would it simply be a last throw of the dice before speedway in Britain finally ends up on life support, waiting to be put out of its misery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted November 5 Report Share Posted November 5 I would scrap all of the GPs. I am not sure that British Speedway has benefitted too much from having them. The old World Final was a much better way of deciding the World Champion than the GPs. However, we have what we have and I suppose we will have to put up with it. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Third Man Posted November 5 Report Share Posted November 5 (edited) Are all these returning GP riders going to ride for a lot less money, because if they don't we cant afford them Edited November 5 by The Third Man 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 valve Posted November 5 Report Share Posted November 5 47 minutes ago, Spidvej said: A drastic reduction—or even a complete suspension—of the 2026 Speedway Grand Prix Series could unexpectedly throw British Speedway a lifeline. While such a scenario would deal a major blow to the global elite level of the sport, it could simultaneously open a window of opportunity for domestic leagues struggling to stay competitive and relevant. Without the guaranteed income and global exposure from the SGP circuit, top riders will be forced to look elsewhere to maintain racing activity and supplement lost earnings. We are already seeing signs of this shift with Dan Bewley and Freddie Lindgren venturing into the Danish League for the first time in 2026 - both riders seeking new challenges and perhaps some financial stability outside the Grand Prix arena. A diminished SGP calendar would only accelerate this trend. For British Speedway, this could mean the return of familiar names to its weekly fixtures. Riders who once limited their UK commitments to focus on the Grand Prix or foreign leagues might reconsider, drawn by the chance to race regularly and keep their skills sharp. Even short-term, that influx of talent could reinvigorate crowd interest, refresh team lineups, and bring a touch of world-class action back to British tracks that have long missed consistent top-level participation. While it wouldn’t solve the sport’s deeper structural problems in the UK, a wave of Grand Prix-calibre signings—motivated by the simple need to race—could provide British Speedway with a short-term survival boost and much-needed momentum heading into what could otherwise be its toughest season in decades. The question is, if the scenario with the Speedway Grand Prix series outlined above actually happens, will British promoters be able and willing to grasp this lifeline, and use 2026 to help get the sport in the UK back on track, quite literally, for 2027, or would it simply be a last throw of the dice before speedway in Britain finally ends up on life support, waiting to be put out of its misery? Where is the source of this concept coming from. Unless I am mistaken, The 2026 GP series will run pretty much in line with 2025 concept. Or put another way, your post is without foundation and is in fact utter garbage! 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundTheBoards Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 2 hours ago, 1 valve said: Where is the source of this concept coming from. Unless I am mistaken, The 2026 GP series will run pretty much in line with 2025 concept. Or put another way, your post is without foundation and is in fact utter garbage! Exactly. If the Russians dropped a bomb on Poland this winter and wiped-out the whole country's tracks, it would benefit British Speedway, but It's not going to happen any more than the SGP are going to cancel all the GPs. Like you say, this thread is just garbage, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spidvej Posted November 6 Author Report Share Posted November 6 5 hours ago, The Third Man said: Are all these returning GP riders going to ride for a lot less money, because if they don't we cant afford them If the Speedway Grand Prix series doesn’t go ahead in 2026, that’s 15 world-class regulars suddenly searching for ways to keep racing fit and keep the income flowing. Once again, the usual detractors can’t see beyond the status quo—while ironically wishing that very status quo would change. The motto of many British speedway fans seems to be “What do we want ? We want change ! But not that!” Whatever “that” is, they actually prefer to remain wrapped in the blanket of cold pessimistic negativity! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spidvej Posted November 6 Author Report Share Posted November 6 5 hours ago, 1 valve said: Where is the source of this concept coming from. Unless I am mistaken, The 2026 GP series will run pretty much in line with 2025 concept. Or put another way, your post is without foundation and is in fact utter garbage! Looks like the charming individual calling my post “garbage” doesn’t know their facts. Before throwing insults, maybe check who’s actually running the 2026 Speedway Grand Prix series. Richard Coleman from Mayfield Sports—the very group supposedly managing it—is now the team principal of the south of France based “Tech3” team in MotoGP. That role demands his presence at 22 race weekends across Europe and beyond. So tell me, how exactly is someone supposed to oversee an entire SGP season while spending nearly half the year on the MotoGP circuit? Doesn’t quite add up, does it? Maybe do some research before dismissing my post as “garbage.” Then, you also wonder whether the FIM conducted due diligence re Coleman, given his losing a court case brought by another MotoGP team he was involved in, Craft Bamboo Holdings, with judgement against him being as recent as June 2024. So yes, you may very well be mistaken! Time will tell of course. Your post is obviously devoid of knowledge, and yet you think its fine to throw insults around! https://moto3.tech3racing.fr/index.php/en/news-gp-2025/253-news/884-guenther-steiner-leads-acquisition-of-tech3-motogp-tm-team https://legalref.judiciary.hk/lrs/common/ju/ju_frame.jsp?DIS=160551 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spidvej Posted November 6 Author Report Share Posted November 6 British speedway fans are a curious bunch. They’ve long lamented the decline of the sport, shouting loudly for change — yet the moment anyone dares to suggest or attempt something different, the very same voices instantly turn against it. It’s the living embodiment of that old saying: “If you always do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got” This insular, short-sighted mindset has become part of the sport’s identity in Britain. Instead of embracing progress, too many cling to nostalgia, treating innovation as some sort of betrayal. And heaven help anyone who dares to be optimistic — for in British speedway circles, positivity is often treated as heresy. Those who still see potential in the sport, who genuinely believe it can rise again, are mocked, attacked, or dismissed by a fan base that seems to draw pleasure from rubbishing the very thing they claim to love. If British speedway is to escape its slow decline, the culture around it must change first — from one of cynicism and self-sabotage to one of belief and boldness. Until then, the sport will remain trapped by its own spectators, let alone its promoters, who must be sick of the pessimism and negativity from within its own fan base! Knowing a little of the inner workings of British Speedway, I used to think some on the inside of the sport, promoters, officials etc were disrespectful when showing disdain for fans, but now, I understand it! Some of you would happily nail the coffin shut on the sport, purporting to want change, but not really, you would rather moan and whinge from behind a keyboard! British speedway's fans are its biggest asset, whilst simultaneously being its biggest weakness! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PersonalResponsibility Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 3 hours ago, Spidvej said: Looks like the charming individual calling my post “garbage” doesn’t know their facts. Before throwing insults, maybe check who’s actually running the 2026 Speedway Grand Prix series. Richard Coleman from Mayfield Sports—the very group supposedly managing it—is now the team principal of the south of France based “Tech3” team in MotoGP. That role demands his presence at 22 race weekends across Europe and beyond. So tell me, how exactly is someone supposed to oversee an entire SGP season while spending nearly half the year on the MotoGP circuit? Doesn’t quite add up, does it? Maybe do some research before dismissing my post as “garbage.” Then, you also wonder whether the FIM conducted due diligence re Coleman, given his losing a court case brought by another MotoGP team he was involved in, Craft Bamboo Holdings, with judgement against him being as recent as June 2024. So yes, you may very well be mistaken! Time will tell of course. Your post is obviously devoid of knowledge, and yet you think its fine to throw insults around! https://moto3.tech3racing.fr/index.php/en/news-gp-2025/253-news/884-guenther-steiner-leads-acquisition-of-tech3-motogp-tm-team https://legalref.judiciary.hk/lrs/common/ju/ju_frame.jsp?DIS=160551 You've posted more than one of these opinion pieces in the GP section and, while they're interesting, I've not seen anything to back them up. Yes, the Moto3 thing and the court case are real, but otherwise it seems to boil down to the fact you don't think it's possible to run a GP series with such commitments and that the GP calendar hasn't been announced. I'd say it's a reach to say the GPs will be reduced significantly in any way, and even more so that it would somehow benefit British speedway. I don't think riders have ever made fortunes from the GPs, that's what Poland is for, so taking an extra 20 meetings in the UK is hardly going to move the needle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilTheAce Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 3 hours ago, Spidvej said: British speedway fans are a curious bunch. They’ve long lamented the decline of the sport, shouting loudly for change — yet the moment anyone dares to suggest or attempt something different, the very same voices instantly turn against it. It’s the living embodiment of that old saying: “If you always do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got” This insular, short-sighted mindset has become part of the sport’s identity in Britain. Instead of embracing progress, too many cling to nostalgia, treating innovation as some sort of betrayal. And heaven help anyone who dares to be optimistic — for in British speedway circles, positivity is often treated as heresy. Those who still see potential in the sport, who genuinely believe it can rise again, are mocked, attacked, or dismissed by a fan base that seems to draw pleasure from rubbishing the very thing they claim to love. If British speedway is to escape its slow decline, the culture around it must change first — from one of cynicism and self-sabotage to one of belief and boldness. Until then, the sport will remain trapped by its own spectators, let alone its promoters, who must be sick of the pessimism and negativity from within its own fan base! Knowing a little of the inner workings of British Speedway, I used to think some on the inside of the sport, promoters, officials etc were disrespectful when showing disdain for fans, but now, I understand it! Some of you would happily nail the coffin shut on the sport, purporting to want change, but not really, you would rather moan and whinge from behind a keyboard! British speedway's fans are its biggest asset, whilst simultaneously being its biggest weakness! dont worry about SGP, Morris and Castagna will run the SGPs for him 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 4 hours ago, Spidvej said: Looks like the charming individual calling my post “garbage” doesn’t know their facts. Before throwing insults... On 12/20/2024 at 8:20 AM, Spidvej said: Surprised that some people still haven’t worked out that IainB is a lot like his avatar, clueless ! He largely posts compete rubbish to get a reaction from people, he is best ignored. Even a broken clock is correct twice a day, IainB can’t even match that. IainB is probably known as “thrush” by people that know him in real life. Kettle, pot, black? 🤔😂 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Help Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 7 hours ago, RoundTheBoards said: Exactly. If the Russians dropped a bomb on Poland this winter and wiped-out the whole country's tracks, it would benefit British Speedway, but It's not going to happen any more than the SGP are going to cancel all the GPs. Like you say, this thread is just garbage, More likely to bomb us than them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJA Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 5 hours ago, Spidvej said: Looks like the charming individual calling my post “garbage” doesn’t know their facts. Before throwing insults, maybe check who’s actually running the 2026 Speedway Grand Prix series. Richard Coleman from Mayfield Sports—the very group supposedly managing it—is now the team principal of the south of France based “Tech3” team in MotoGP. That role demands his presence at 22 race weekends across Europe and beyond. So tell me, how exactly is someone supposed to oversee an entire SGP season while spending nearly half the year on the MotoGP circuit? Doesn’t quite add up, does it? Maybe do some research before dismissing my post as “garbage.” Then, you also wonder whether the FIM conducted due diligence re Coleman, given his losing a court case brought by another MotoGP team he was involved in, Craft Bamboo Holdings, with judgement against him being as recent as June 2024. So yes, you may very well be mistaken! Time will tell of course. Your post is obviously devoid of knowledge, and yet you think its fine to throw insults around! https://moto3.tech3racing.fr/index.php/en/news-gp-2025/253-news/884-guenther-steiner-leads-acquisition-of-tech3-motogp-tm-team https://legalref.judiciary.hk/lrs/common/ju/ju_frame.jsp?DIS=160551 It's called delegation. It is what senior managers and business owners do. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJA Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 2 hours ago, PhilTheAce said: dont worry about SGP, Morris and Castagna will run the SGPs for him And don't forget the ever powerful Michal Sikora will be in the background pulling the strings as much as possible, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellevueace Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 11 hours ago, The White Knight said: I would scrap all of the GPs. I am not sure that British Speedway has benefitted too much from having them. The old World Final was a much better way of deciding the World Champion than the GPs. However, we have what we have and I suppose we will have to put up with it. I always thought the GP,s would have a negative effect on league racing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Third Man Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 6 hours ago, Spidvej said: If the Speedway Grand Prix series doesn’t go ahead in 2026, that’s 15 world-class regulars suddenly searching for ways to keep racing fit and keep the income flowing. Once again, the usual detractors can’t see beyond the status quo—while ironically wishing that very status quo would change. The motto of many British speedway fans seems to be “What do we want ? We want change ! But not that!” Whatever “that” is, they actually prefer to remain wrapped in the blanket of cold pessimistic negativity! Where is the money coming from to pay these riders? Don't forget No TV money this season, so promoters will need to cut costs just to make sure they don't lose any more money than last season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundTheBoards Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 6 hours ago, Spidvej said: Looks like the charming individual calling my post “garbage” doesn’t know their facts. Says the bloke posting the garbage. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 1 hour ago, bellevueace said: I always thought the GP,s would have a negative effect on league racing. The GPs only have a negative effect on league racing in the eyes of traditionalists and people who fail and have to blame someone else for their failure 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 (edited) 59 minutes ago, The Third Man said: Where is the money coming from to pay these riders? Don't forget No TV money this season, so promoters will need to cut costs just to make sure they don't lose any more money than last season Hi Bartek .... Do you know the GP's will probably be cancelled next year? You don't? Are you not on the BSF? No? Get yourself on there mate, the breaking news starts there... So... This means you have plenty of meetings less next season so how do you fancy riding in the UK? You do? That's brilliant! The fans will love you... The Zmarzlik name alone will pack the stands. How much do you want to ride? (Bartek answers. Long Pause)... You haven't got a brother that rides Bartek have you? Bartek? Hello? Bartek? You still there? Edited November 6 by mikebv 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben91 Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 Are there any facts behind this supposed cancellation/massively reduced GP calendar or is it all speculation? If the latter then there’s not much point worrying about what impact it would have on British speedway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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