A genuine question

[4thbender]

Does Polish speedway have a Polski equivalent to the Ben Fund for when injury causes riders to fall on hard times, or do they just pack them off back to the UK for the ever-generous British fans to take care of?

[mikebv]

44 minutes ago, 4thbender said:

Does Polish speedway have a Polski equivalent to the Ben Fund for when injury causes riders to fall on hard times, or do they just pack them off back to the UK for the ever-generous British fans to take care of?

Not sure, however, the Polish teams tend to foot the bill for the riders rehab, regardless of where they were riding when they got their injuries..

And it can easily run into high five figure costs...

Meaning the rider's UK team can benefit from their rider coming back quicker...

[IanBrannan]

In a word, no. The Ben Fund is the only charity in the world to offer the type of help it does. Particularly when you consider those with long term or life changing injuries, or ex riders who perhaps decades after finishing needing treatment for an issue caused by their riding days. 
 

Poland do cover a lot of expenses, and the treatment is faster, and often better as there are surgeons who understand speedway injuries. Polish clubs spend a huge amount getting a rider back fit, but there are also examples in the past of riders being paid up front for part of their polish contracts and then having to repay that money to the clubs as they missed meetings too. 
 

The Ben Fund is more about supporting riders and families while they’re not earning though with costs of bills etc. Rather than purely paying for treatment. 

[SPEEDY69]

On 7/4/2026 at 3:58 PM, 4thbender said:

Does Polish speedway have a Polski equivalent to the Ben Fund for when injury causes riders to fall on hard times, or do they just pack them off back to the UK for the ever-generous British fans to take care of?

No, no equivalent.  I also don't think the Ben Fund is just for British riders, so what you say is true in terms of independent financial support to riders. 

[castrolargh]

4 hours ago, SPEEDY69 said:

No, no equivalent.  I also don't think the Ben Fund is just for British riders, so what you say is true in terms of independent financial support to riders. 

I don't think its for solely British riders either, more for incidents that occur racing in Britain

[RS50]

1 hour ago, castrolargh said:

I don't think its for solely British riders either, more for incidents that occur racing in Britain

I was wondering who could potentially benefit from this.  Is it for British riders, or anyone who rides in Britain?

For instance could Dan Bewley benefit, after his recent crash, which happened outside UK?

Would a non British rider benefit if they crashed riding in the Premiership or Championship?

Could say Jack Holder, a non British rider, but rides in Britain, but had a recent crash outside Britain benefit?

Would they help Robert Lambert if he got injured?

Presumably any non British rider not riding in Britain could not benefit.

[IainB]

7 hours ago, SPEEDY69 said:

No, no equivalent.  I also don't think the Ben Fund is just for British riders, so what you say is true in terms of independent financial support to riders. 

 

2 hours ago, castrolargh said:

I don't think its for solely British riders either, more for incidents that occur racing in Britain

... and it's not just for riders anymore.

... and it's not just for Speedway related incidents anymore.

It seems to be quite secretive about the work it does... I know secretive and Speedway, who would have thunk it. 

🤔

Edited 1 hour ago by IainB

[Hackett]

On 7/4/2026 at 3:58 PM, 4thbender said:

Does Polish speedway have a Polski equivalent to the Ben Fund for when injury causes riders to fall on hard times, or do they just pack them off back to the UK for the ever-generous British fans to take care of?

No Ben Fund but they do cover the riders insurance.  😉

Edited 1 hour ago by Hackett

[scottyfan]

1 hour ago, RS50 said:

I was wondering who could potentially benefit from this.  Is it for British riders, or anyone who rides in Britain?

For instance could Dan Bewley benefit, after his recent crash, which happened outside UK?

Would a non British rider benefit if they crashed riding in the Premiership or Championship?

Could say Jack Holder, a non British rider, but rides in Britain, but had a recent crash outside Britain benefit?

Would they help Robert Lambert if he got injured?

Presumably any non British rider not riding in Britain could not benefit.

Tobias Thompsen received help from the BEN Fund after his crash at Poole on Good Friday 👍

[Mgas]

8 hours ago, SPEEDY69 said:

No, no equivalent.  I also don't think the Ben Fund is just for British riders, so what you say is true in terms of independent financial support to riders. 

I was under the impression they helped all riders injured while riding in Britain. I’m quite sure Greg Hancock recently said they helped him they have also helped countless foreign riders as far as I’m aware.