British speedway is going nowhere

Team Great Britain manager Rob Lyon has gone back to the old guard for his side that will ride in the FIM World Cup later this month.

It is good news for Ipswich Witches number one Scott Nicholls as he regains his place after being left out last year.

But Lyon has discarded another Witch – Daniel King – plus fellow youngsters Eddie Kennett and Lewis Bridger in a move that confirms the lack of quality riders being produced in this country.

Nicholls, who deserves his recall after re-finding his best form with Ipswich this year, will be joined in the qualifier at King’s Lynn against Australia, Sweden and Finland on Monday July 26 by the experienced Chris Harris, Lee Richardson, Simon Stead and the one remaining young British hope for the future – Australian-raised Tai Woffinden.

An example of how other countries are concentrating on producing international talent is the recent 250cc international meeting in the Czech Republic that was attended by Felixstowe-based Olle Nygren who took a party of young Swedes.

“This is proving a big success in Sweden and a natural step for youngsters before they move up to 500cc machines,” said an evergreen Nygren, who is now in his eighties.

Britain has made no impression on the Grand Prix series since Mark Loram won the world title in 2000 with little likelihood of this changing as riders like King, Kennett and Bridger join an increasingly large number of riders over the last 15 years who reach a certain level and then fail to ‘kick-on’ to become international class.

Lyon said: “I’ve picked form riders in Scotty and Simon and it’s great to have them back on board.

“Now we need the backing of the fans as we want to avoid finishing second or third because that would mean a race-off meeting.”

Tickets for next year’s British Speedway GP are now on sale.

The world championship’s flagship event returns to Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday, June 25 with prices starting from �29 for adults and �16 for children. Fans who book their tickets before the end of August will receive a 10% discount on 2010 prices.

BSI Speedway managing director Paul Bellamy said: “Last Saturday’s meeting was a resounding success and the 44,150-strong crowd smashed our previous record for the event.

“But we will not rest on our laurels. We always want to give fans value for money, and that’s why we are offering discount on this year’s ticket prices.”

Tickets can be purchased via www.speedwaygp.com and also by calling 0871 230 7155.