Humans of Speedway

In this episode we speak with one of the longest serving referees in British Speedway, and Chairman of the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund, Paul Ackroyd. Paul began as a fan, but eventually found his way into the referee's box, where he enjoyed a career spanning 28 years, and in the time from the early 80's to the noughties he's ruled over pretty much every name you can think of in that era. He's...

Lewis Kerr has entertained speedway fans all over the country, racing for numerous teams during his career, but 1 side has remained a constant, his local team Kings Lynn Stars. 2022 marks his testimonial year with the club, and his big day will be one of the first meetings of the new season, on the 20th of March. In this episode Lewi will tell us more about what we can expect from the event which...

Tom Brennan is the 2021 British Under 21 Champion, and a WORLD CHAMPION as part of the GB team which claimed gold in the 2021 Speedway of Nations in Manchester, ending a 32 year wait for a British team world title. He also races in the Premiership for the Belle Vue Aces, and in the Championship for Glasgow Tigers, and he reveals some of the reasons why he's chosen to be a part of those clubs. We a...

In this episode we speak to another rising star of British Speedway, Jordan Jenkins. Last year he became a National League Champion with Mildenhall, and in 2022 he'll look to retain that title as he captains Oxford Chargers. He's also racing in the Championship once again with Redcar Bears, and will be heading to Poland to race in the U24 Ekstraliga with Czestochowa. Learn more about your ad choic...

In this episode we chat to rising star Jordan Palin, who despite being only 17 years old and originally not even knowing what speedway was, has found a natural talent on a speedway bike which has seen him already become a British Junior champion and a Premiership Champion with Peterborough. But for Jordan this is just the start, and his sights are firmly fixed right at the very top of world speedw...

In this episode we look back on the Humans of Speedway class of 2021, and bring you 5 mins or so of each guest from this year, including:Jeremy DoncasterGraham CookeChris MortonDennis McClearyPaco CastagnaNicolai KlindtMitchell DaveyPaul AckroydAidan CollinsChris LouisDavid HoweIan Stavros SlaterMike TaylorPhil LanningAdam EllisPlus details of the first guest of 2022! Learn more about your ad choi...

Adam Ellis realised a dream in 2021 becoming the British Speedway Champion, and adding his name to a trophy adorned with the greats of the sport. But whilst he hails from a British family he grew up in France and developed his skills on the French grasstrack circuit. He has risen through the British youth system though, going from the British Youth Championships, to the National League, Championsh...

Phil Lanning is a multi award winning journalist and sports publicist, during his career he has written for The Sun newspaper for over 25 years, as well as writing leading articles for the Speedway Star, and working directly alongside names such as Tai Woffinden, Jason Crump and Gary Havelock in managing their PR and publicity coverage. He’s also the youngest son of legendary commentator Dave Lann...

Mike Taylor is the man behind the mic on commentaries and coverage provided by BBC WM. He's a speedway fan at heart too having followed the sport as a young Brummies fan watching Hans Nielsen racing around the old Perry Barr in the early 80's..! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian Slater in speedway circles is simply known as Stavros! He's worked as a spannerman to many well known names in British speedway including Bobby Ott, Niklas Klingberg, Ricky Ashworth, Kyle Howarth and Leon Flint. But he's particularly known for working alongside Carl Stonehewer, being his best mate and mechanic through his time at Workington, and getting a place in the Speedway GP series despit...

David Howe has ridden for many of British Speedway's best knows clubs, along some some of the best known names of the era. He's a former British Under 21 champion, Elite League Winner, and has appeared in world speedway's showpiece event the Speedway GP in Cardiff, including in 2007, the last time a Brit won the fixture. Since finishing his racing career he know works as a speedway mechanic and cu...

My guest in this episode is Chris Louis. As the son of one of the best known riders of the 1970s, former British Champion and World number 3 John Tiger Louis, the sport was always going to be in his blood. And Chris very much followed in his dad’s footsteps by himself becoming British Champion and reaching number 3 in the world. He was also captain of what many believe to be British Speedway best...

Aidan Collins was born into speedway, it's hard not to be when you're the son of British Speedway legend Les Collins. Following a speedway a flat track career of his own, Aidan now gives fans a motorcycle enthusiasts the chance to ride speedway. Joining him at the Buxton Circuit are his dad Les, the former world number 2, and another ex rider Adam Allott, who also has strong family connections to...

In this episode we look at the work of the world's only charity dedicated to helping injured speedway riders. The Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund. If you'd like to donate, TEXT SRBF to 70085 to give £5. WE’RE ALL EXCITED TO SEE BRITISH SPEEDWAY GETTING BACK UNDERWAY AGAIN, THE SPEED AND THE DANGER ARE SOME OF THE ASPECTS THAT MAKE THE SPORT SO THRILLIING TO WATCH. 500CC BIKES WITH NO BREAKS HURTLI...

Danish international speedway rider Nicolai Klindt links up with us from his base in Poland to talk about the early days of his career through to the present day. We'll hear how riding alongside triple world champ Jason Crump, and riding in Poland against the worlds best transformed his ability. He's also ridden for a number of British clubs, but find out why he almost retired from the sport in 20...

Paco Castagna has one of the most famous surnames in speedway. The son of Armando is already 2x Italian Champion and hope to add further silverware to his cabinet, and firmly has his eyes on speedway's greatest prizes. Growing up around some of speedways iconic names, he knows exactly what is required to make it to the top, and in this episode you'll hear just how much determination he has to succ...

You could call him Mr Berwick, but Dennis McCleary has dedicated over 50 years to helping run Berwick Bandits, beginning in 1969 and still going. He started as announcer and his voice is still keeping the Shielfield crowds informed in 2021, he’s also been programme editor, co promoter, team manager, time keeper, in fact most jobs other than actually riding the bikes..!During that time hundreds of...

Chris Morton MBE is a true speedway legend, with a racing career spanning the decades the majority of which wearing the iconic Belle Vue Aces race jacket. He appeared in 7 World Finals, won the World Pairs title alongside his great friend Peter Collins, and was British Champion in 1983. In this episode take a journey through his illustrious career from the very beginnings learning his craft at Pet...

FIM Speedway GP Race Director Phil Morris describes how his dream meeting would look, who would make his all time team, and which rule he would fix once and for all..! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another chance to listen to 1992 World Champion Gary Havelock describe how his dream meeting might look..! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Graham Cooke is a long standing member of the Swindon Robins and Cardiff SGP track staff, as well as Swindon assistant clerk of the course, writer, and a driving force behind the UK Rune Holta fan club..!In this episode you'll discover some of the secrets and mysteries of the dark arts of track preparation, what it's like standing in an empty Millennium Stadium, and the hazards to being in the mid...

Jeremy Doncaster is a 3x World Finalist, GB World Team Cup winner in 1989 and regarded as one of the best all round speedway riders of his generation. He was a long time star of his hometown club Ipswich, as well as also being involved with one of the best British League teams of all time, Reading 1992.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over more than 20 years Shane became a legend with a number of British speedway clubs including Ipswich, Kings Lynn, Glasgow, Peterborough, before ending his career at Sheffield. A real character of the sport he entertained on the track as well as off, and he recalls some of his favourite stories and creates his dream speedway meeting..Who will be in Shane's all time 1-7, where would the event be...

From being of the most successful riders of his generation, including 2 British speedway championships and 3 World Longtrack crowns, to being one of the voices of the sport on TV for over 20 years. Kelvin Tatum has competed at the very highest levels of world speedway, captained his country, ridden alongside some of the greats of the sport and now he's sharing these stories in his new autobiograph...