Leicester Lions Speedway

[Foxes1]

Well done to them on winning the 2025 Knock Out cup. I can remember watching them years ago when riders like John Boulger, Ray Wilson, Dave Jessop and Malcolm Shakespeare rode for them.

[Blueman1967]

I used to go down on Saturday night, but it been moved to Thursday nights, having been on Monday night, did enjoy it.

[Foxmeister]

It’s a decent evening out at a fair price and the riders chat to fans. There aren’t many sports where you can speak to a World Champion before they race.

[st albans fox]

6 hours ago, Foxes1 said:

Well done to them on winning the 2025 Knock Out cup. I can remember watching them years ago when riders like John Boulger, Ray Wilson, Dave Jessop and Malcolm Shakespeare rode for them.

Blackbird road 

good memories 

never did work out why my parents were interested and took us down each week

old man liked a bet so suppose blackbird road was familiar re the dog track 

neither at all interested in bikes or stuff like that 

[RonnieTodger]

Good to see. Shame British speedway is on its arse to the point that there are only 7 top flight teams. Can’t even have four quarter finals 

[CosbehFox]

57 minutes ago, Foxmeister said:

It’s a decent evening out at a fair price and the riders chat to fans. There aren’t many sports where you can speak to a World Champion before they race.

You probably won’t any time soon in the UK 

[FoxesFan#1]

It was a great win and I'm at most of the home meetings, been a fan of the sport since growing up in the 80s

 

Good news, barring a disaster they are nailed on for the play offs to decide the league winners.

 

Three more home meetings to go this month with the finals in September (weather permitting) and last year the Lions made the final but lost to Belle Vue Aces

 

Sadly the sport has been decimated this past decade with a lot of quality clubs losing their stadiums once landowners decide they prefer a developer to build bland houses on them.

 

Established clubs like Swindon, Coventry, Lakeside, Wolves, Peterborough etc all with big fan bases lost to the sport.  We may see one back if we're lucky as a few of the venues are still undeveloped like Oxford returned after years of battle to get back into the stadium.

 

Sadly Birmingham closes this year as the landowner has sold up for more tower blocks to be built.  The ones next door to their track were built for the Commonwealth Games and are in the whole mainly empty.  This country is a sad place these days. 

 

Some very well run clubs still but much of the sport in the UK is really heading to semi-professional level now and most tracks will be best to be as far out of town away from property developers as possible.

 

Leicester Lions riders are very much FT racers and most have contracts to ride in Poland too, so the likes of Max Fricke (a GP rider too) are a real delight to have in the side.  He's been a great number 1 for the past few years.

 

The last three PL home meetings are Oxford (11th), Ipswich (18th) and Birmingham (28th) before the Play Offs start which do get very good crowds.  The final last year was the biggest crowd we've seen since it re-opened.

 

Unlike football the sport does get called off for rain so best to check Facebook or the official site.  Unless it's the final it's easy to buy tickets online the afternoon before the meeting.

Edited 3 August 2025 by FoxesFan#1

[CosbehFox]

Huge meeting on TNT this weekend. 
 

Three points in it for the world championship. Brady Kurtz, Australian has chased down the multi World Champ Bartosz Zmarzlik. 
 

Two rounds to go but the penultimate round is in Wrocław this weekend. Crowd will be big and behind Zmarzlik but this is Kurtz home track in Poland. 

[FoxesFan#1]

13 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

Huge meeting on TNT this weekend. 
 

Three points in it for the world championship. Brady Kurtz, Australian has chased down the multi World Champ Bartosz Zmarzlik. 
 

Two rounds to go but the penultimate round is in Wrocław this weekend. Crowd will be big and behind Zmarzlik but this is Kurtz home track in Poland. 

Crowds and stadiums are something else in Poland, almost football size

Good news Speedway in UK finally got some national coverage this past week... a good old punch up on the track at Redcar v Scunthorpe in the Championship got the press interested!

 

 

The racing incident that led to the punch up happens a lot. We saw a similar crash last week at Leicester when Kyle Howarth passed Jason Doyle as he took his front wheel away going into the turn, but there were no afters exchanged unlike at Redcar.

Supporters used to be treated to a lot more of this in the past!

It's Leicester v Birmingham tomorrow night, last home league meeting of the season before the play-offs and sadly the last Birmingham meeting as they are now officially homeless.  

Next season's league structure looks to be anyone's guess

[The whole world smiles]

Great to see lions make another play off final in a last race thriller against Sheffield tonight hopefully can get over the line and join the riders and the county in an exceptional 2025 for the regions sports teams.

[FoxesFan#1]

Superb evening, great racing and to win by 1 point on aggregate was unbelievably close. 

 

Max Fricke sealed the win in the last race and he’s had a phenomenal season for the Lions.  A real out and out number 1

 

The Final is in two weeks time with the first leg at home and then the away leg at Ipswich to decide the title.

 

Well worth a visit for anyone new.  Last years final was packed so expect the same again.

 

Been a superb season, racing has been excellent all year.

 

If football is doing your head in then there’s Ryan Douglas’ testimonial at the track on Saturday too

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/gallery/devastation-leicester-speedway-after-vandals-10851201

 

Devastation at Leicester Speedway after vandals break in on two nights in a row
The team is now in a 'race against time' before the season starts

 

The starting line has been destroyed (Image: Leicester Lions)

 

 

By

Samuel Kalantzis

Reporter

 

Significant damage has been caused at Leicester Speedway after people broke in on two consecutive nights.

Leicester Lions Speedway, in The Pavilion, in Beaumont Park, has been severely damaged by vandals who broke in on two consecutive nights between Sunday, March 1 and Wednesday, March 4.

According to Leicestershire Police, the first report of a burglary was received just before 12.30pm on Wednesday (March 4).

It was reported that damage had been caused to a fence and workshop, and that catering facilities had been broken into.

Then just after 8.45am yesterday (Thursday, March 5) a second report was received stating a lorry had been broken into.

The speedway's track equipment was stolen, while the perimeter fencing was heavily damaged, and one of the track's bends was destroyed.

The speedway is used by Watling JCB Leicester Lions, who race in the British Speedway’s ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. The team was preparing for the start of the season on Monday, April 6, but has now suffered serious setbacks from the break-ins.

Co-promoter at the speedway, Jen Crossland said: "We're devastated because we’ve worked so hard and the last two years we won the knockout cup, but literally before the season starts this happens, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time."

Speaking about the moment she saw the damage, Ms Crossland said: "I can’t tell you the feeling. When I walked in, my heart just sank.

"It makes you feel sick; it is the most horrible feeling seeing the devastation that they’ve caused.

"It's soul-destroying because we have worked so hard alongside brilliant volunteers to get the place to where it is, but someone has just come along and wiped it all out."

The co-promoter said she believes the culprits climbed over the fence and into the speedway before 'joyriding' around the site and causing significant damage.

In an attempt to repair the track in time for the upcoming season, Leicester Lions has set up a GoFundMe page for donations. Jen said many residents have also offered their own free time to help with repairs.

She said: "There is now a lot of work to do, and we thank everyone who is offering their time and support. We are just trying to put it all together so we can open on time."

"We're not going to let these people beat us. We are going to do the most we can with the amazing support of the community and hopefully be back on our feet in no time."

An investigation into the break-ins is ongoing and officers from the West Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) are speaking to representatives from the speedway and carrying out further enquiries into both incidents.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is being asked to contact police, quoting incident 270 of 4 March.

 

One of the corners has been destroyed

(Image: Leicester Lions

[FoxesFan#1]

Very sad to see what vandals can do but I'm sure all will be good for the start of the season.

 

Season tickets went on sale (in person) at the track this weekend so it looks like we should be OK

 

Supporters have raised more than was hoped so that should go along way to fixing the broken parts etc.

 

And some real interesting news, we have Northampton opening up for Speedway this year at Brafield

 

Just down the road for me so a great chance to see it close by

 

The sport overall in UK is at it's lowest ebb for decades but with Northampton opening and Buxton re-opening it's not all doom and gloom.  Plus Mildenhall re-opened late last year.

 

The biggest threat (after the vandals) is to the stadiums in cities where land is worth so much more than Speedway.  I think over time most tracks will be outside of cities and with Spedeworth running stock cars very well these days, they seem to like sharing with Speedway so we may see more venues get offered up.

 

If we can protect what we have and re-build then there's a chance we'll get out of the trough.

Edited 8 March by FoxesFan#1

[Lionator]

Just stumbled across as outragous clip of an accident in Poland tonight, I’ve never seen anything like it. The guy gets thrown over the fence and miles into the stands, seems like he will pull through thankfully. 

[FoxesFan#1]

17 hours ago, Lionator said:

Just stumbled across as outragous clip of an accident in Poland tonight, I’ve never seen anything like it. The guy gets thrown over the fence and miles into the stands, seems like he will pull through thankfully. 

It was a horrendous crash, I have never seen anything so bad in my life at any track I have visited since the 80s

 

If the lad can make any normal recovery that will be more than good enough.

 

Been a real tough week for riders getting injured especially on the continent.

 

Real nasty crash at Northampton last week too but thankfully the riders should be fine.

 

With all that being said Leicester have had a very good start to the season, already through to the cup final in July and have won 4 out of their first 5 meetings.  Decent crowds too especially the Sheffield meeting but they do bring a lot of away fans.

 

Fingers crossed the Polish rider makes a full recovery

[SemperEadem]

Are Leicester still  'owned' by the fella who has the Sheffield team too?

[FoxesFan#1]

Just now, SemperEadem said:

Are Leicester still  'owned' by the fella who has the Sheffield team too?

Not anymore, he sold Leicester to Paul Cairns in 2023.  His son is a fantastic prospect and rides for Poole Pirates in the league below

[David Hankey]

I have inherited a quantity of Leicester Lions Speedway programmes going back to the 1970/1980's plus others.

 

They are free to a good home.

 

Anyone interested?

[FoxesFan#1]

Last night's meeting was something else, as Leicester took on Belle Vue at home in the Premiership

 

Basically it was 2nd v 1st in the table and Belle Vue are the team to beat this season especially with the likes of Brady Kurtz in their team being the World #2

 

Both teams haven't lost at home this season and after 5 races we were losing 9-21 and were actually looking out of sorts heading towards a huge defeat... but my word the Lions came back strong and won 46-44 with a last heat decider.

 

Incredible racing too with Ryan Douglas in top form.  He is a real pleasure to watch.  The bravery and skill these riders have is incredible.

 

Douglas hunted down Kurtz in heat 13, lined up move after move to get him on the inside but on the last bend switched it to overtake him in some style.  That race alone was worth the admission money.  To overtake the World #2 who is in top form himself takes some skill to say the least.

 

Next week it is the KO Cup final (Speedway's FA Cup, sort of!) and Leicester have Ipswich home and away to decide the winner.  1st leg is away with the home leg on Thursday night (7.30pm)

 

Leicester hold the title from last season and should be favourites again, but it won't be easy.  

 

If you get the chance it's worth heading down to see them race

[grobyfox1990]

15 minutes ago, FoxesFan#1 said:

Last night's meeting was something else, as Leicester took on Belle Vue at home in the Premiership

 

Basically it was 2nd v 1st in the table and Belle Vue are the team to beat this season especially with the likes of Brady Kurtz in their team being the World #2

 

Both teams haven't lost at home this season and after 5 races we were losing 9-21 and were actually looking out of sorts heading towards a huge defeat... but my word the Lions came back strong and won 46-44 with a last heat decider.

 

Incredible racing too with Ryan Douglas in top form.  He is a real pleasure to watch.  The bravery and skill these riders have is incredible.

 

Douglas hunted down Kurtz in heat 13, lined up move after move to get him on the inside but on the last bend switched it to overtake him in some style.  That race alone was worth the admission money.  To overtake the World #2 who is in top form himself takes some skill to say the least.

 

Next week it is the KO Cup final (Speedway's FA Cup, sort of!) and Leicester have Ipswich home and away to decide the winner.  1st leg is away with the home leg on Thursday night (7.30pm)

 

Leicester hold the title from last season and should be favourites again, but it won't be easy.  

 

If you get the chance it's worth heading down to see them race

That sounds brilliant, really fun. Bet it was superb to watch. I went to speedway at beaumont leys last May and it was an unexpectedly thoroughly enjoyable night out. Think it was about a tenner. Need to look at the fixtures and go again when I'm in Leicester.

Would highly encourage anyone to go. 

 

edit - loads of free parking as well so no logistical issues

Edited 24 July by grobyfox1990

[FoxesFan#1]

1 minute ago, grobyfox1990 said:

That sounds brilliant, really fun. Bet it was superb to watch. I went to speedway at beaumont leys last May and it was an unexpectedly thoroughly enjoyable night out. Think it was about a tenner. Need to look at the fixtures and go again when I'm in Leicester.

Would highly encourage anyone to go. 

Oh yes I remember you said you went and enjoyed it, always so good to hear that

 

Speedway is my first love, grew up with it in the 80s/90s and it certainly has gone through a lot of tough times but it's still here and the product is still a fantastic spectacle.

 

I was just thinking that a Tenner entry would be really nice but for 1st team matches for the Lions it is £25 (adult) and for the Development League for the Cubs on Sundays it's £15. 

 

Best for any newcomer is to go straight to a Lions match as we're treated to the best riders in the country at that level.

 

Since 2021 alone, they've been in the Play-Offs for the league below (Championships) 2x and the top league (Premiership) 2x with likelihood of play-offs again for title this September.

[grobyfox1990]

20 minutes ago, FoxesFan#1 said:

Oh yes I remember you said you went and enjoyed it, always so good to hear that

 

Speedway is my first love, grew up with it in the 80s/90s and it certainly has gone through a lot of tough times but it's still here and the product is still a fantastic spectacle.

 

I was just thinking that a Tenner entry would be really nice but for 1st team matches for the Lions it is £25 (adult) and for the Development League for the Cubs on Sundays it's £15. 

 

Best for any newcomer is to go straight to a Lions match as we're treated to the best riders in the country at that level.

 

Since 2021 alone, they've been in the Play-Offs for the league below (Championships) 2x and the top league (Premiership) 2x with likelihood of play-offs again for title this September.

Hahahahah maybe I short changed my mate then as I am sure I only paid around a tenner!! £25 decent value for what I saw. 

Take it from me as someone who lives in Jersey where pretty much all culture, tradition, events and general fun for the masses has been stripped out to make way for tax efficiencies and structuring... we should make a concerted effort to support things like speedway et al, as when it's gone it's gone and you're left with an empty and soulless land.

[CosbehFox]

The World Championship this year as well looks like it's going to be a corker. Kurtz is seriously going after Zmarzlik, the last run of GPs have been in the best in years. 

[FoxesFan#1]

On 24/07/2026 at 09:57, grobyfox1990 said:

Hahahahah maybe I short changed my mate then as I am sure I only paid around a tenner!! £25 decent value for what I saw. 

Take it from me as someone who lives in Jersey where pretty much all culture, tradition, events and general fun for the masses has been stripped out to make way for tax efficiencies and structuring... we should make a concerted effort to support things like speedway et al, as when it's gone it's gone and you're left with an empty and soulless land.

That's so sad to hear about Jersey's lack of life etc, I'm with you fully, we need to appreciate the smaller spectator sports or it will just be football and other key ones left

 

I'm sure as a kid in the 80s they used to have sandtrack speedway on the beach in Jersey.  Probably with Grasstrack bikes but I bet it's just too hard/expensive to get all the kit over + local authorities hate anything with bikes these days.  Similar with Isle of Wight, they used to compete in the Championship and National League Speedway but now just operate under the NORA format now which is more an amateur level of speedway not governed by the FIM/BSPL etc. 

[FoxesFan#1]

On 24/07/2026 at 15:47, CosbehFox said:

The World Championship this year as well looks like it's going to be a corker. Kurtz is seriously going after Zmarzlik, the last run of GPs have been in the best in years. 

We'll all be hoping Kurtz wins it for the first time and I think if Bewley hadn't got injured then he was in with a superb chance

 

I see Robert Lambert won the GP Challenge yesterday which secures bis place in the GP next season.

 

Two superb 16 year olds coming through the ranks that we can hope will be as good as Bewley and Lambert in 3-4 years time being Cooper Rushen and Will Cairns.  I saw them both race this month and they look good already, scoring good points all ready and looking the part.