Feature Image courtesy of FIM Speedway

The agreement, announced by the Speedway Ekstraliga, will introduce restrictions on the number of national leagues riders can compete in, alongside designated race nights aimed at reducing fixture clashes.

One of the biggest developments concerns British-licensed riders, who will be required to compete in the British league to receive permission from the ACU to race abroad.

The new regulations could have significant implications for riders such as Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley, with both named as examples of competitors who would need British league contracts to continue racing overseas.
The agreement will also introduce changes to the use of Under-21 riders in the top divisions of Britain, Sweden and Denmark.

Full Speedway Ekstraliga Statement

The Speedway Ekstraliga officially announces that a three-year agreement between speedway leagues and federations within the Speedway League Bureau will come into effect from the 2027 season.

The system will cover the PGE Ekstraliga and METALKAS 2. Ekstraliga , as well as the highest speedway leagues in Sweden, Denmark and Great Britain .

A player with a contract in Poland will be able to compete simultaneously in a maximum of two of the three other national leagues covered by the agreement.

For example:

Maciej Janowski: Poland + Sweden + Great Britain ,

Fredrik Lindgren: Poland + Sweden + Denmark .

League days are divided into so-called slots.

Great Britain – league matches will be played on Mondays and Thursdays, Sweden – on Tuesdays, Denmark – on Wednesdays, and Poland (PGEE / M2E) – on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The restrictions do not apply to the French, German, and Czech leagues, among others . Players will be able to compete in them additionally, but in the event of a schedule conflict, slot-based competitions will take precedence.

From 2027, the rules for youth players in the top leagues in Sweden, Denmark, and the UK will also change. A team must include at least one domestic U21 player , while the other can be either domestic or international.

Additionally, the British ACU federation will only grant its athletes permission to compete abroad if they are also competing in the British league.

This means that, for example, Robert Lambert or Daniel Bewley , competing on a British license, will also need to have a contract in the UK in order to race in Poland and other foreign leagues.

What Does This Mean for British Speedway?

The new agreement represents a significant development for British speedway, particularly when it comes to attracting and retaining leading British riders.

Under the regulations, British-licensed riders wishing to compete overseas will also need to race domestically, which could see 2026 World Champion Robert Lambert returning to race race in the Premiership

The reinforcement of designated race nights should also help reduce scheduling conflicts between the major European leagues, although riders competing in Poland will be limited to contracts in just two of the other three participating countries.

The changes to Under-21 rider regulations could also have an impact on team building, with clubs required to include at least one domestic U21 rider while having greater flexibility over the nationality of a second youth rider.

With the agreement due to come into force in 2027, clubs and riders will now have time to assess how the new regulations will affect their plans for the coming seasons.

Could these changes bring the likes of Robert Lambert back to British league speedway on a regular basis? And will the new rules be good for the sport?

The post Major Speedway League Changes Confirmed for 2027 – British Riders Must Race in UK to Compete Abroad appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

Words by FIM Speedway – Feature Image courtesy of Wojciech Tarchalski

The former world No.2, who spent eight straight seasons in the world’s top five from 2018 until 2025, joins Great Britain racer Dan Bewley, Aussie ace Jack Holder and Poland’s Speedway European Championship runner-up Maciej Janowski in receiving a nomination from the SGP Commission.

This year’s Speedway GP top seven all earn automatic qualification – Great Britain’s new world champion Robert Lambert, Poland’s six-time world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik, Australia’s SGP silver and bronze medal winner Brady Kurtz, Denmark’s Michael Jepsen Jensen, Poland’s Patryk Dudek, Denmark’s triple European champion Leon Madsen and three-time Aussie champion Max Fricke.

Australian international Rohan Tungate, Polish action man Kacper Woryna, Swedish champion Kim Nilsson and Latvian ace Andzejs Lebedevs all qualified via the FIM SGP Challenge in Terenzano, Italy on July 25.

The 2027 Speedway GP line-up is completed by five substitute riders, led by Czech racer Jan Kvech – promoted from second reserve this year to first stand-in star for 2027. He is joined by second substitute Frederik Jakobsen – runner-up in this season’s Danish Championship. Kai Huckenbeck of Germany, Norway’s Mathias Pollestad and Ukraine’s former SGP2 champion Nazar Parnitskyi also make the list. The five substitutes will step into the Speedway GP line-up if any of the permanent riders are sidelined by injury, illness or other reasons.

Lindgren, 41, is the oldest member of the 2027 Speedway GP field and is working hard to overcome the foot injury suffered at Polish track Leszno on May 17, which kept him out of six SGP rounds this season.

He ended his campaign by scoring a solid 20 points across the final two SGP rounds in Vojens and Torun and is already targeting what would be an historic world-title challenge in 2027.

With next year’s series set to climax with the FIM Speedway GP of Australia – Adelaide double-header at Gillman Speedway on October 29 and 30, 2027 – the first SGP events staged outside Europe since 2017 – Lindgren can think of no better occasion to claim his first world crown.

The oldest first-time world champion is currently Polish great Tomasz Gollob, who sealed his one and only Speedway GP world title aged 39 in 2010. But Lindgren said: “I’m looking to be the oldest first-time world champion in Adelaide. That’s the thought I have in my head; that’s what I am picturing, and that’s my goal.

“It’s over a year until we go there and less until we have the first GP. There is a long journey ahead and everything needs to fall into place. The fitness needs to be there; the mental side needs to be there; the equipment needs to be there, and the team around me needs to be there. I need to stay healthy all the way through and be present at every round. That’s crucial. But this is the image I have in my head and the one I am working towards.”

To make this dream a reality, Lindgren is under no illusions as to the work that will be needed to bring himself back to full fitness, and he admits there will be little rest this winter.

He said: “I need to get on it straight away. Obviously, when I started racing, it was hard to find some consistency with the training, physio and treatment.

“I really need to start with that ASAP, so that I can get the foot as good as possible as early as possible. Then I can also up the level of my training and do harder cardio work and so on.

“It has been one of my toughest seasons for a long time. I think it’s the first time in my career that I got injured so severely so early in the season.

“It was a long and tough recovery time to get back on the bike. Even though I have been back on the bike, I have been far from 100 percent. I have still been struggling with the foot. I have a lot of pain even today, and I still can’t walk normally, for example.

“When you know in the back of your head that you are not 100 percent ready, and you still have to go into battle with the best in the world, it’s hard. But I fought hard, and I still did have some decent results, even though the circumstances were not the best. I guess that’s a good thing.

“I have a long journey ahead of me, but I am really putting in the work. Fingers crossed, I can be healthy come the season and throughout the whole year.”

Janowski was handed a Speedway GP spot just days after falling a point short of winning the 2026 Speedway European Championship, which would have handed him automatic qualification. He can’t wait for his first full Speedway GP season since 2023.

He said: “This is a very exciting moment. It was some very good news when I had the call. I am very happy to be back and have another chance in Speedway GP. It’s going to be an exciting preparation for the season. It will definitely push me even harder.

“I will definitely try to improve my speedway skills during the winter. I will try to prepare the best I can – working on everything around the speedway too – and make it very organised. I have some plans for this winter, and I hope next year will be good for me.”

Holder has been sidelined since crashing out of the DEWALT FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Wroclaw with multiple injuries on June 20. After undergoing successful surgery last week on an arm injury, he’s looking forward to completing his recovery and getting back on track in 2027.

He said: “Getting the wild card is a massive weight off my shoulders. I don’t really want to be relying on them, but it is always in the back of your mind. I think I deserve it, and it’s the first one I have had, so I will take it with both hands.

“It was going well, and everything was going in the right direction this year. I was looking good, but then the season got cut short. It has made me hungrier now that I have that wild card, and it has given me more purpose to set the record straight when I return.

“Obviously I am super excited to be back. I was stressed about it, but now I have this opportunity. I’m just trying to get back fully fit and come back bigger and better.”

Bewley’s season was also interrupted by injury after he sustained a broken femur and compressed vertebra in his back when he crashed out of a Danish Speedwayligaen meeting in Outrup on May 20.

But after finishing fifth at the series-closing DEWALT FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Torun on September 26, he is also eagerly anticipating his return to the series next year.

He said: “I am thankful to have the wild card. I am looking forward to the winter now and to coming back at 100 percent next year.

“It was nice to come back in Torun and do the last GP, which was alright. It was nice to go into a winter, knowing I am not 100 percent, but I can still do a not-bad job. It makes me excited to have a good winter and come back next year.”

2027 FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX LINE-UP (in ranking order):
505. Robert Lambert (Great Britain)
95. Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland)
101. Brady Kurtz (Australia)
52. Michael Jepsen Jensen (Denmark)
692. Patryk Dudek (Poland)
30. Leon Madsen (Denmark)
46. Max Fricke (Australia)
223. Kacper Woryna (Poland)
29. Andzejs Lebedevs (Latvia)
25. Jack Holder (Australia)
66. Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden)
99. Dan Bewley (Great Britain)
71. Maciej Janowski (Poland)
233. Kim Nilsson (Sweden)
27. Rohan Tungate (Australia)

SUBSTITUTES
201. Jan Kvech (Czech Republic)
41. Frederik Jakobsen (Denmark)
744. Kai Huckenbeck (Germany)
999. Mathias Pollestad (Norway)
785. Nazar Parnitskyi (Ukraine)

The post 2027 Speedway GP line-up confirmed as Fredrik Lindgren takes final wildcard appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

Words by FIM Speedway – Images courtesy of Taylor Lanning

Despite being 23 points adrift of top spot after four rounds, three wins and three second places in the final six saw the Norfolk-born racer surge to victory on 162 championship points, denying Poland’s six-time world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik a record-breaking, history-making seventh gold medal – and a fifth SGP world title on the bounce.

Zmarzlik, who was forced to settle for silver on 160, finished in the Speedway GP top two for a ninth straight year, while Australia’s Brady Kurtz bagged bronze on 157 – his second World Championship medal in as many SGP seasons.

Incredibly, all three riders went into the final able to win the gold medal in the greatest-ever finish to a Speedway GP world title race, which was decided by the final four laps of the season.

Lambert lives in Torun and captained the Polish giants to their first-ever PGE Ekstraliga title since 2008 last year. Despite racing for them since 2021, he had never previously scored more than 11 championship points in an FIM Torun Speedway GP event.

He laid that curse to rest at the best possible time, and Lambert was elated to complete his incredible surge to Speedway GP World Championship gold.

He said: “It was unbelievable to win it in my home stadium. I’ve had some bad GPs here in Torun and a little bit of bad luck. It was tough coming here, with everyone saying that my GPs here have been terrible. But I’m absolutely on fire in the league. At least I was able to be consistent like I am in the league.

“Torun is my home club, and also the place where I live. To be able to win it here is something super special. When it soaks in, it’s going to be an amazing feeling.

“Winning the world title is completely unexpected. So many things go into it behind the scenes and have helped me get to this point. I’m sure Bartek has felt that all the times he has been world champion, and massive respect to him.

“It’s still sinking in, and it probably won’t sink in for a couple of days. I’m super happy. I never expected or planned to do what happened in the second half of the season. It kind of happened naturally and when it happens like that, it’s meant to be. It took hard work to get here, but when things are rolling, they’re rolling.”

Lambert started the day as Speedway GP World Championship leader on 142 points, after closing a 10-point gap going into the Deluxe Homeart FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens on September 12 to take a one-point lead at the top.

The 28-year-old was overtaken by Zmarzlik ahead of the main event in Torun after the Pole finished second in the afternoon sprint race, scoring three points to claim a two-point advantage on 144.

Zmarzlik had never previously failed to win the world title when he started the final round leading the standings, so Lambert is pleased he didn’t panic after being dumped out of Qualifying by fellow GB star Dan Bewley in Q1.

He said: “It was only a couple of points that I was down. Anything can happen in speedway. Look at Vojens – it was a complete turnaround to what it was before the meeting. I am a big believer in just doing my races and seeing how it plays out. It played out great.

“Even though I didn’t get into the sprint race, I was still second place in Q1 in terms of time. Dan and I were the top two. If I wasn’t up against Dan, I probably would have got through, scored a few more points and maybe I wouldn’t have made it so complicated for the final.

“I’m super happy with how I kept my composure and was able to push through, and I’m super proud of myself that I kept hold of my emotions and took it race by race. Even when we had the top three guys in the world in the final, and it all came down to that, I was able to pull it off.”

Lambert still has an exciting finish to 2026 to look forward to as wife Julia is expecting the couple’s first child, a daughter, in November. While fatherhood can affect riders in varying ways, Lambert admits the prospect of becoming a dad gave him extra horsepower on the track.

He said: “I knew about that back in March – before the season even started. That’s something we have been getting excited about. That has given me a different outlook on things. I had something to look forward to and focus on. Someone said before that becoming a father took 0.5 seconds off for Formula 1 drivers, but it seemed to give me 0.5 seconds. We’ll see how it goes, but I am super grateful to be in this position.”

Runner-up Zmarzlik was content to continue his run of nine straight seasons in the world’s top two. The 31-year-old said: “Of course I was fighting for the gold medal, but I am super happy about the silver medal. That’s the 10th medal in all for me now, which is a really nice feeling.

“I would like to say a big congrats to Robert and Brady. I think we have put on a really good show and a really good fight on the track all season. That’s nice for us. I am happy because I am still young, but for the last 10 years, I have been at the top, so I am super happy about this.

“Everyone wants to do a good job and win the gold medal. Robert has been consistent all season and been at the top. I know how hard it is. I understand the boys because I have been in this situation six times.

“I had another chance to win, but this season, I was only ready for the silver medal. I think a lot of people would want to have the silver medal, and I am really happy about this one.”

Third-placed Kurtz was delighted to show his outstanding Speedway GP debut season in 2025, which saw him win silver, was no fluke.

He said: “Obviously I am happy with the season as a whole. The most important thing for me was to try and back up last year – not just have one good season and then go missing.

“I’m really happy to say I have two medals in two years and congratulations to Robert. He definitely deserved the gold. He did come on at the end of the year, and I didn’t really have any answers for him.

“I have a little bit of hard work to do in the winter to try and make some improvements, come back again next year, and then we’ll go at it again. My team was fantastic all year. They did everything they possibly could to give me the best chance. I just under-performed a few times in the final and that’s all that made a difference really.”

Kurtz is already excited for 2027 after next year’s Speedway GP calendar was revealed on Saturday afternoon, with the series returning to Australia for the first time in 10 years.

The new world No.3 is relishing the chance to go for gold in his homeland at the FIM Speedway GP of Australia – Adelaide at Gillman Speedway on October 29 and 30, 2027. He said: “I’m super happy. I think it’s overdue. We have had so many good riders in the GPs for so many years now. To not have our own round has been a shame.

“I think it will be cool. Gillman is such a good track, and I think it will be an unreal GP there. I’m looking forward to it.

“Obviously it’s very far away at this moment, but hopefully by the end of next year, I can be up there again, and it would be a very special thing to fight for the world title in my home country.”

For final Speedway GP World Championship standings, CLICK HERE.

For full DEWALT FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Torun results, CLICK HERE.

The post World Champion! Robert Lambert completes incredible comeback to claim 2026 Speedway GP title appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

Words by FIM Speedway – Feature Image courtesy of Taylor Lanning

The 2027 Speedway GP series will conclude with not one, but two rounds at Gillman Speedway in Adelaide on October 29 and 30.

It’s the first time the world champion has been crowned Down Under since Aussie icon Jason Doyle won the 2017 FIM Speedway GP of Australia – Melbourne at Marvel Stadium to clinch the sport’s biggest prize. It is also the first time in a decade that FIM Speedway action has taken place outside of Europe, and it marks the first time two Speedway GPs have taken place outside of Europe in a single season.

Mayfield Sports Events founder Richard Coleman is delighted to take the Speedway GP series back Down Under for a high-stakes finale to the 2027 season at the country’s top speedway venue.

He said: “One of the main questions we have received from the fans since we acquired the championships a year ago is when we would be going back to Australia, so it is an absolute pleasure to make that dream a reality in October 2027.

“Australia won the 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations and 2026 FIM Speedway World Cup, and Brady Kurtz is very much in contention for Speedway GP gold in Torun this weekend. This truly is a special time for Australian speedway, and there could not be a better moment to bring the series back to the country where the sport was born over 100 years ago.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Gillman Speedway, the South Australian government, Motorcycling Australia and our partners at Monster Energy and the FIM for their support in making this happen. It has been a real team effort, and this is a special day for the sport Down Under.”

Long-time FIM Speedway presentation sponsor Monster Energy played a pivotal role in making it possible for the Speedway GP series to make its return to Australia.

Joe Parsons, director of Special Marketing Projects EMEA & Global for Monster Energy, commented: “We are all about bringing the sport to the fans and it’s fair to say the Australian fans have been starved of World Championship speedway for too long.

“We are very pleased to play our part in bringing the FIM Speedway GP of Australia – Adelaide to Gillman, and it will make for an incredible climax to what should be an awesome series. Bring on 2027!”

The Adelaide events conclude an 11-round championship, which launches with two returning venues. The action gets underway with the FIM Speedway GP of Croatia – Donji Kraljevec on May 1, before the iconic PGE Narodowy hosts track racing’s biggest event – the FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw on May 15 – in front of around 50,000 fans.

Taking its place on the calendar for the first time is the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Ipswich on August 14 as the 2025 Rowe Motor Oil Premiership champions host the biggest event in the club’s 75-year history at Foxhall.

The weekend’s action will also feature round two of the FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship – the FIM SGP2 of Great Britain – Ipswich on Friday, August 13 – the first SGP2 round the UK has hosted since 2022.

Following the opening rounds in Donji Kraljevec and Warsaw, the series’ longest-serving venue celebrates three unbroken decades of SGP action as the FIM Speedway GP of Czech Republic – Prague, which launched at Marketa Stadium in 1997, returns on May 29.

Round four is scheduled for June 12 at a venue to be confirmed. Wroclaw’s legendary Olympic Stadium, stage for the first-ever SGP round in 1995, hosts the FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Wroclaw on July 3.

Racing returns to Latvian capital Riga, with the FIM SGP2 of Latvia – Riga opening the FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship series on Friday, July 16, and the FIM Speedway GP of Latvia – Riga taking place at Bikernieki on Saturday, July 17.

Following Ipswich’s FIM Speedway weekend on August 13 and 14, the action heads for Sweden with the 2027 FIM Speedway of Nations Final – Vastervik on Saturday, August 28, which sees the sport’s top seven national teams battle it out for next year’s world team championship, with Sweden seeded into the event as host nation.

The Hejla Arena also hosts the 2027 FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 – Vastervik event for the sport’s top under-21 sides on Friday, August 27.

Dates and venues for the two FIM SON Semi-Finals, along with the SGP3 and SGP4 youth events, will be revealed by the FIM in due course.

The European rounds reach their climax in September as Denmark’s storied Vojens Speedway Center hosts the FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens on Saturday, September 11. The 2027 FIM Speedway Under-21 world champion will also be crowned there on Friday, September 10 in the FIM SGP2 of Denmark – Vojens.

The ninth and final European round takes place at Torun’s Marian Rose Motoarena, which stages its 19th SGP, the FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Torun on September 25, before a hugely-anticipated SGP double-header at Gillman Speedway in Adelaide brings down the curtain on an exciting season.

FIM Track Racing Commission (CCP) director Armando Castagna commented: “The FIM has been keen to see Speedway GP return to Australia ever since the moment we left Melbourne in 2017, so I congratulate everyone involved in achieving this goal for 2027.

“It’s great to see Warsaw and Donji Kraljevec return to the calendar, and of course we welcome Ipswich as a host club for the first time for what I am sure will be a very special event at Foxhall.

“I wish all of our riders, teams, local organisers and our partners at Mayfield Sports Events a successful season in 2027, but first, we must find out who will be crowned 2026 Speedway GP world champion in Torun tonight.”

MSE founder Coleman concluded: “While we are preparing for an exciting end to the Speedway GP world title race this evening, the hard work has already started on a big season of racing in 2027.

“It’s great to welcome Warsaw and Donji Kraljevec back on to the SGP calendar for 2027, and it’s a pleasure to continue working with our local organisers in Prague, Wroclaw, Riga, Vojens and Torun once again. We also look forward to taking the SON Final and SON2 to Vastervik, with SGP events taking place there in 2028 and 2029.

“It will also be exciting to see the best riders in the world head to Ipswich’s Foxhall Stadium for what I am sure will be an unforgettable weekend for motorsport fans from Suffolk and beyond.

“I would like to thank all of our local organisers for their hard work in 2026 and stay tuned for more exciting news as attention turns to 2027 following tonight’s racing in Torun.”

Ticket information for all 2027 FIM Speedway events will be released in due course. Visit FIMSpeedway.com and follow @SpeedwayGP on social media for all the latest news throughout the winter months.

2027 FIM SPEEDWAY CALENDAR

FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX
MAY 1: FIM Speedway GP of Croatia – Donji Kraljevec
MAY 15: FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw
MAY 29: FIM Speedway GP of Czech Republic – Prague
JUNE 12: To be confirmed
JULY 3: FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Wroclaw
JULY 17: FIM Speedway GP of Latvia – Riga
AUGUST 14: FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Ipswich
SEPTEMBER 11: FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens
SEPTEMBER 25: FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Torun
OCTOBER 29: FIM Speedway GP of Australia – Adelaide R10
OCTOBER 30: FIM Speedway GP of Australia – Adelaide R11

FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS
AUGUST 27: FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 – Vastervik
AUGUST 28: FIM Speedway of Nations Final – Vastervik

FIM SPEEDWAY UNDER-21 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (SGP2)
JULY 16: FIM SGP2 of Latvia – Riga
AUGUST 13: FIM SGP2 of Great Britain – Ipswich
SEPTEMBER 10: FIM SGP2 of Denmark – Vojens

The post 2027 Speedway GP Calendar Revealed as World Championship Heads to Australia appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

The group has been working behind the scenes on a comprehensive business plan and is hoping stadium operator Spedeworth will consider allowing speedway to return to Arlington.

As part of the plans, there would also be a strong emphasis on developing young riders, with the consortium’s long-term ambition being to establish a sustainable operation capable of eventually bringing top-level speedway back to the stadium.

The latest attempt comes more than five years after the Eastbourne Eagles’ last completed senior home meeting at Arlington. The Eagles defeated Plymouth Gladiators 54-36 on July 31, 2021, before their scheduled home meetings against Birmingham and Redcar were postponed.

Eastbourne subsequently withdrew from both the Championship and National Development League in August 2021 after being unable to overcome financial difficulties. British Speedway confirmed the withdrawal on August 26, 2021, and at the time expressed hope that the Eagles could eventually return under new management.

There have been previous attempts to revive the club since then. Plans were being formulated as far back as late 2021 for a potential return, but the Eagles have remained absent from British league racing.

Now Gray and the new consortium are trying to open another chapter, but their first task is to demonstrate that the appetite for speedway at Arlington remains.

A petition calling for the return of the sport was launched on September 7 and is being used to show the level of public support for the proposal.

The full statement reads:

Over the past few weeks, we have been forming a consortium with the aim of bringing speedway back to Arlington.

Until recently, the prospect of speedway returning to the stadium appeared very unlikely. However, we hope Spedeworth will take a fresh look at the sport and consider the possibility of welcoming speedway back.

Behind the scenes, we have been developing a comprehensive business plan. Our consortium brings together experienced business professionals and individuals from across the speedway community, all of whom share a passion for securing a sustainable future for the sport at Arlington.

By working together, we firmly believe speedway could return, supported by a strong development programme that creates opportunities for young people within the sport—an ambition the academy fully supports. Our long-term vision is to establish a sustainable future for speedway at Arlington, with the potential to host top-level racing once again.

Before we can move forward, however, we need to demonstrate that there is genuine public support for the return of speedway. If you would like to see speedway back at Arlington, please sign this petition. Every signature will provide valuable support and help demonstrate the strength of feeling within the community.

The petition has already begun attracting support as the consortium looks to build a case for discussions over the future of speedway at Arlington.

For Eastbourne supporters, it represents the latest hope of seeing the Eagles and the sound of speedway bikes return to a venue synonymous with the club for generations.

Sign the petition to bring speedway back to Arlington >>HERE<<

The post Plans launched to bring speedway back to Eastbourne appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

The Cheetahs topped the qualifying standings at Wimborne Road before overcoming Glasgow in the semi-finals and defeating Berwick 6-3 in the Grand Final.

It marked Oxford’s first senior trophy since speedway returned to the city in 2022 and provided a major high at the end of what has been a difficult Championship campaign for the club.

Masters and Rowe were the standout pairing throughout the meeting, remarkably avoiding a single last place across their six outings.

Oxford top qualifying

The Oxford duo set the standard during the qualifying heats, accumulating 26 points under the 4-3-2-0 scoring system.

That put them three points clear of home favourites Poole on 23, while Berwick scored 20 and Glasgow 19 to secure the remaining two semi-final places.

Scunthorpe and Plymouth both finished on 17 points, with Redcar on 16, Edinburgh 14 and Workington 10.

Masters contributed 14 of Oxford’s points with Rowe adding 12, as the pair recorded two maximum 7-2 advantages and two 6-3 heat wins.

Oxford see off Glasgow

Having already beaten Glasgow 6-3 in Heat 16, Oxford faced the Tigers again in the opening semi-final.

Masters made the start and went on to take the victory, while Chris Harris moved into second.

With second and third enough to progress under the Pairs scoring system, Rowe held the crucial third position ahead of Leon Flint to secure another 6-3 Oxford victory and a place in the Grand Final.

Berwick stun hosts Poole

The second semi-final produced the biggest upset of the night as Berwick eliminated home favourites Poole.

Zach Cook and Richard Lawson initially appeared to have the race under control, but Nick Morris worked his way into second before Peter Kildemand moved inside Lawson on lap three.

Cook won the race, but Morris and Kildemand’s second and third places gave Berwick a 5-4 victory and ended Poole’s hopes of winning on home shale.

Masters and Rowe seal the title

That set up an Oxford versus Berwick Grand Final, and the Cheetahs once again delivered when it mattered.

Masters and Rowe made strong starts before Kildemand moved into second place.

With Masters out front, the battle for the decisive third position became crucial. Kildemand attempted to slow Rowe and bring teammate Morris into contention, but the Oxford rider held firm.

Masters took the chequered flag ahead of Kildemand, with Rowe’s third place sealing a 6-3 victory and the Championship Best Pairs title for Oxford.

Masters felt there was no question that Oxford deserved their victory.

“It was nice to finally get a gold. We’ve had a lot of silver since I’ve joined the club but we’ve finally got a gold, and it’s come at the end of the toughest year in the club’s history.

“Poole were favourites, and Berwick did us a massive favour by knocking them out in the semi-finals. But I felt we deserved to win – we were the best pair throughout the evening, including in the qualifying races.

“Anders was awesome tonight. He was out there scoring points and we were team riding, which is what this Pairs event is all about. The best team won and I’m glad it was us.”

Rowe added:

“It’s awesome to win the Pairs with Oxford. We haven’t had the best of seasons, but we’ve been fighting hard all year, and it’s fantastic that we won today.

“When we were talking before the meeting, we said we needed no last places and we managed that all night. We knew that would get us through the qualifiers and then it started all over in the semis and the final and we managed it there too.”

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck described the victory as a reward for everyone who had supported the club through a difficult season.

“I’m so chuffed with the result today. It’s what everyone connected with the club deserves at the end of such a rough year.

“It wasn’t just about winning today. It was about bringing back something to everyone at Oxford, and saying thank you for continuing to back our great club.”

2026 Championship Best Pairs – Results

1st Oxford – Sam Masters & Anders Rowe
2nd Berwick – Peter Kildemand & Nick Morris

Semi-Final 1

Oxford 6-3 Glasgow
Sam Masters, Chris Harris, Anders Rowe, Leon Flint

Semi-Final 2

Berwick 5-4 Poole
Zach Cook, Nick Morris, Peter Kildemand, Richard Lawson

Grand Final

Oxford 6-3 Berwick
Sam Masters, Peter Kildemand, Anders Rowe, Nick Morris

Image courtesy of British Speedway – Taylor Lanning

The post Oxford win the 2026 Championship Best Pairs at Poole appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

The Roos topped the standings on 38 points, completing a remarkable double after also winning the 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations. Brady Kurtz led the Australian scoring with 11 points and sealed the title with second place in heat 19.

It was also a historic night for Jason Doyle, who became the first rider to complete the modern-day Speedway Grand Prix, Speedway World Cup and Speedway of Nations grand slam, adding the SWC crown to his 2017 individual world title and SON successes in 2022 and 2025.

Kurtz hails Australian team spirit

Australian skipper Kurtz, racing in his first Speedway World Cup Final, felt the bond within the team helped make the difference on a huge night in Poland.

“When I saw the boys come running out after we won, I was pumped. It was something really special. I am so happy to be a part of it. I feel like it has been such a long wait for me to be a part of an SWC team. To get this across the line is pretty cool.

“I think Australia is by far the country that is proudest to race in the World Cup. There is no question about it. I think we all bonded a little bit better than the rest of the countries. It is a cool weekend to be a part of, and I think that definitely helped us.”

Denmark take silver, Poland third

Behind Australia, Denmark fought back strongly to claim silver with 30 points, despite scoring just eight points from their opening nine races. Mikkel Michelsen led the Danish challenge with 12.

That was enough to edge the home nation Poland into bronze by a single point, with the Poles ending the night on 29. Six-time Speedway GP World Champion Bartosz Zmarzlik was their leading scorer with 11.

Lambert stars for Great Britain

It wasn’t the result Great Britain had hoped for, with the injury-hit British side finishing fourth on 23 points, but Robert Lambert produced a superb individual performance.

The GB skipper piled up an outstanding 14 of Britain’s 23 points, underlining his current form against some of the world’s best as the British team battled through a difficult night in Warsaw.

Australia’s victory was their third Speedway World Cup crown, following their back-to-back successes in 2001 and 2002, and ends a wait stretching back nearly a quarter of a century

Results

Feature Image courtesy of Taylor Lanning

The post Australia end 24-year wait for Speedway World Cup glory appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

Hosts and reigning champions Poland bid to win the SWC title for a record-extending 10th time but face huge competition from 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations world champions Australia, Semi-Final 1 winner Great Britain and Semi-Final 2 victor Denmark in the biggest world team final for generations.

The four countries produced an all-time classic contest at the 2023 FIM SWC Final – Wroclaw, with just six points separating Poland in first place and Australia in fourth. They will all be hoping to lift team speedway’s top prize in the biggest track racing event of the year.

Team managers have narrowed down their squads of 10 stars to a starting line-up of four riders, plus one substitute at No.5, who can be called into action at any time, with each rider taking up to five rides – plus a sixth as a tactical substitute if their team falls six or more points behind the leading nation.

Poland is led into action by six-time Speedway GP world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik, who is joined by Speedway European champion Patryk Dudek and 2025 FIM SGP Challenge winner Dominik Kubera.

The line-up is completed by newly crowned four-time Polish champion Maciej Janowski, with 2026 FIM German Speedway GP winner Kacper Woryna offering boss Stanislaw Chomski a strong option at No.5.

Australia qualified for the BOLL FIM SWC Final – Warsaw as 2025 SON world champions and their challenge is led by world No.2 Brady Kurtz, plus two former FIM Warsaw Speedway GP winners – 2017 world champion Jason Doyle and Max Fricke.

With Speedway GP winner Jack Holder still sidelined by injury, team manager Mark Lemon also hands SWC debuts to in-form Queensland racer Ryan Douglas and 2027 Speedway GP qualifier Rohan Tungate, who takes on the No.5 role as the Roos bid to win the SWC for the first time since 2002.

Denmark names an unchanged side from its victory at 11.lv FIM SWC Semi-Final 2 – Riga on August 7, with 2012 SWC winner Michael Jepsen Jensen captaining the side. He is joined by his Speedway GP rival Leon Madsen and 2026 BST FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla winner Anders Thomsen.

Boss Nicki Pedersen, a four-time SWC winner as a rider, also selects triple European champion Mikkel Michelsen, with 2026 Danish Championship runner-up Frederik Jakobsen named at No.5 as the Danes bid to win their first world team title since 2014.

Great Britain boss Oliver Allen names Speedway GP world title contender Robert Lambert as captain of the Lions as they seek their first world title over the four-team format since 1989.

He is joined by double SWC silver medallist Adam Ellis, while two-time SON world champion Tom Brennan is named in the No.5 role. Former British champion Charles Wright and Leon Flint are rewarded for their recent podium finishes at the 2026 Cab Direct British Speedway Championship Final in Manchester on August 15 with their SWC Final debuts, with SGP icon Dan Bewley still unavailable due to injury.

The four teams will battle it out over 20 heats with one rider from each team in every race. The nation with the most points will be crowned 2026 FIM SWC world champions.

For more details about the Warsaw event, including the fanzone timetable, CLICK HERE.

2026 BOLL FIM SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP FINAL – WARSAW STARTING LINE-UPS:

RED – POLAND:
1. Bartosz Zmarzlik ©
2. Maciej Janowski
3. Dominik Kubera
4. Patryk Dudek
5. Kacper Woryna
Team Managers: Stanislaw Chomski / Dariusz Cieslak

BLUE – GREAT BRITAIN
1. Robert Lambert ©
2. Charles Wright
3. Adam Ellis
4. Leon Flint
5. Tom Brennan
Team Manager: Oliver Allen

WHITE – DENMARK
1. Mikkel Michelsen
2. Leon Madsen
3. Michael Jepsen Jensen ©
4. Anders Thomsen
5. Frederik Jakobsen
Team Manager: Nicki Pedersen

YELLOW – AUSTRALIA
1. Ryan Douglas
2. Brady Kurtz ©
3. Jason Doyle
4. Max Fricke
5. Rohan Tungate
Team Manager: Mark Lemon

Words by FIM Speedway – Feature Image courtesy of Wojciech Tarchalski

The post 2026 FIM Speedway World Cup Final starting line-up revealed appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

Charles Wright, a rider with an impressive record in individual and pairs competition, will spearhead the Bears’ title defence and will be joined by Jason Edwards for the 7pm showdown.

The Bears have won the event in three of the last four seasons, and were runners-up on the other occasion, with Wright involved in each of them.

Last year the British No.2 combined with Erik Riss to defeat Poole in the Final, and it was the fourth time Wright had been successful overall as he also won the Pairs with Sheffield back in 2018.

Pirates skipper Zach Cook, one half of the defeated finalists in 2025, is back for another attempt and he will this time join forces with Richard Lawson in a powerful home combination.

The only club other than Redcar to win the silverware since Covid is Glasgow, who were led in 2023 by Chris Harris, and his partner on this occasion for the Tigers is Leon Flint.

Elsewhere in the line-up, Oxford’s Sam Masters is a former winner from back in 2014 when he rode for Edinburgh, and the Australian will be joined by Anders Rowe.

Plymouth captain Danny King partnered Wright to the title when in Redcar colours two years ago, and he is scheduled to line up alongside Scott Nicholls for the Gladiators, subject to the latter’s recovery from a broken collarbone.

Scunthorpe will be led by the league’s top rider Josh Pickering, joining forces with young gun Luke Harrison, whilst Berwick deploy an experienced duo of Peter Kildemand and Nick Morris.

Edinburgh have their ‘Thom(p)son twins’ in action with Dan Thompson pairing up with Aussie racer Kye Thomson, and Workington will be represented by mid-season signing Drew Kemp along with Comets No.1 Jonas Jeppesen.

The format for the event remains unchanged in that each pairing has four races during the qualification section, which comprises 18 heats in total and is scored on the 4-3-2-0 system.

The top four teams after Heat 18 proceed to the two semi-finals (1st v 4th, 2nd v 3rd), with the highest scoring pair in each semi-final moving to the Final.

Gate choice for the Final is determined by adding the points scored from the semi-final to the qualifying scores for the two teams concerned, with choice going to the team with the highest total.

The meeting winners will then be the team scoring the highest number of points in the Final.

The Starting Line Up

A – SCUNTHORPE: Josh Pickering & Luke Harrison

B – BERWICK: Peter Kildemand & Nick Morris

C – GLASGOW: Chris Harris & Leon Flint

D – WORKINGTON: Jonas Jeppesen & Drew Kemp

E – REDCAR: Charles Wright & Jason Edwards

F – OXFORD: Sam Masters & Anders Rowe

G – EDINBURGH: Dan Thompson & Kye Thomson

H – POOLE: Richard Lawson & Zach Cook

I – PLYMOUTH: Scott Nicholls & Danny King

Words and Feature Image by British Speedway

The post 2026 British Speedway Championship Best Pairs line-up revealed appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

Since staging their first fixture in 1951, the Witches have racked up five top-flight titles and established themselves among Britain’s most storied clubs.

Representatives of all five title-winning sides from 1975, 1976, 1984, 1998 and 2025 will be present, with the confirmed rider guest list including Tony Davey, Mick Hines, Kevin Jolly, Leigh Lanham, Savalas Clouting, Chris Schramm, Chris Mills, Alan Sage, Trevor Jones, Andy Hibbs, Carl Squirrell, Stefano Nielsen, Ted Howgego, Lol Hare, Stan Pepper, Roger Pascall, Nigel Flatman, Jeremy Doncaster, Carl Blackbird, Lewis Blackbird, Ben Howe and former Witches title-winning team manager Ritchie Hawkins.

Gates open at the earlier time of 6pm – 5.45pm for season ticket holders – and fans will need the extra time to take in Pete Rout and Jason Bullard’s fantastic collection of Witches race jackets and kevlars throughout the years. There will also be a large exhibition of vintage speedway bikes to enjoy.

In addition to Witches’ Rowe Motor Oil Premiership showdown with Leicester, which sees them bid to avenge their Premiership Knockout Cup Final loss, fans can enjoy a unique second half, raced on upright machines, with Witches team manager Paul Hurry among the stars competing.

This season’s Witches riders will compete in retro race jackets, inspired by the 1951 original. The meeting programme will also have a 1951 theme, and special commemorative merchandise to celebrate the milestone will be available to purchase.

Chairman Richard Coleman is calling on Ipswich fans to share in an occasion celebrating all things Witches.

He said: “It’s an honour to be leading the club into its 75th anniversary season along with Andrew Chisholm and Paul Hurry, and we were keen to do something alongside one of our summer fixtures to mark the occasion.

“We look forward to seeing our Ipswich legends back at Foxhall for this special night and we are working on inviting many more.

“The sight and sound of the vintage bikes is sure to excite fans of every era, and this will definitely offer a very unique second half. I can’t wait to see Paul taking a few laps.

“I was delighted to take a look at Pete Rout and Jason Bullard’s collection of Witches race jackets, bikes and memorabilia at the Suffolk Show in May, and this is a must-see when fans visit Foxhall.

“With so much to see and take in, I would encourage all Witches fans to get to Foxhall a little earlier next week.

“Of course, this year’s team also has a big job to do on the track. We are yet to defeat the Lions at Foxhall this season and there could not be a better night for us to put that right.”

Advance tickets for Witches’ 75-year celebration against Leicester are available online HERE now, with cash accepted at turnstiles on race day and credit card payments available at the entrance to the right.

Those who can’t make it to Foxhall can follow the racing live on WitchesTV HERE.

Words and Images by Ipswich Speedway

The post Ipswich Witches set for huge 75th anniversary celebration at Foxhall appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.