Grace goes back to school in a bid to learn the art of speedway.
No brakes, no gears and no doubt one of the biggest spectacles you’ll ever see on two wheels. Speedway motorbikes strip riding back to its rawest form. On a short oval of dirt and shale, riders need to pitch their bikes sideways at full throttle, chasing control through chaos and finding flow where traction barely exists. It’s loud, fast and unapologetically visceral, the kind of riding that reminds you why you fell in love with motorbikes in the first place. There’s plenty of riders that chase this feeling through to British, European and world competition level, with two riders currently representing Great Britain in the World Speedway Grand Prix championship: fan favourites Dan Bewley and Robert Lambert, as well as household name and Britain’s most successful speedway rider, Tai Woffinden, holding a permanent wildcard for 2026. Having met these riders last year after a trip over to Poland to watch the final round of the SGP championship, I’ve since been following the race series and have been hooked on this unique off-road sport that follows knockout style races, held in electrifying stadium settings. With 15+ years of tarmac riding experience myself, I stood on the sideline of a Speedway race thinking, how the hell are they doing that?
Just watching the bikes left me hooked in a trance and eager to learn what it would be like to ride one myself. I was also wanting to know whether skills learned on a speedway bike could translate to road or track riding, and vice versa. In Knutsford, just off the M6, is ‘Ride and Skid It’, who pride themselves on teaching the dark art of sideways riding to everyone from complete novices to seasoned pros. And needing no persuasion, I decided to head over and spend a day with them.
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I’m predominantly a road and track rider, so what I really wanted to come away with were tips and skills that I could apply to those scenarios, especially for when conditions get sketchy. The guys at ‘Ride and Skid It’ deliver tailored experiences, as well as passing on their passion for this adrenaline injected sport. It’s no surprise really when the day is run by several members and friends of the Collins family – a legendary surname in British Speedway, with accolades such as the 1976 World Speedway Championship title going to Peter Collins – the most decorated of five brothers who all competed in the sport. But present on the day was former World No°2, Les Collins, who now co-hosts the ‘Ride & Skid It’ school alongside his son, professional speedway rider and five-time British Flat Track champion, Aidan Collins. The family are celebrated for their combined impact on the sport and have picked up a few friends along the way, such as Adam Allot – professional world U-21 speedway rider – and together those three musketeers, bring the thrill of the sport to everyday riders like me. For such giants in the world of off-roading, the trio created a really friendly and approachable environment in a space of motorcycling that, from the outside, can look quite daunting.
After spending too much time getting lost in the history of speedway posters furiously sprawled across their welcome space; I quickly eyed up the ‘Rider of the day’ award and signed my name on the dotted line to take part. So how does it work? Well, it’s quite literally an arrive and ride experience but split into sessions and groups, kind of like a track day with a photographer and paramedic on site, but with much more dirt than Donington Park. Tucked away down a warren of roads in the North-West of England, I found the track after giving the suspension on my car a good test, but what a great setting it was for speedway riding with loads of open space in a huge field. The set-up has very much a grassroots feel to it with a few pop-up tents on site and tools being collected out the back of a van, but this added to the charm of the destination, with no mistaking the professional support for the offering, coming from instantly recognisable flags and banners waving the Honda and NGK logos. I brought most of my own gear with me, however the team provide everything you’d need like helmets, jerseys, gloves and especially the unique pieces of gear used in speedway such as armour, boots and most importantly, a steel shoe, which I was invited to try on after a welcoming in their signing on shed. Having never worn a steel shoe before, my lack of knowledge on how to size up and fit one was quickly sorted as I left it to the hands of Les Collins. Worn on the left boot, a steel shoe is a defining feature of the sport and becomes more than just protection; the steel shoe is an extension of the rider’s technique as it skims across the dirt when the bike is sideways helping the rider balance, steer and stabilise the slide. Knowing my steel shoe was fitted by a world-class rider, I was grinning and looking the part of a speedway star as I strutted over to the morning briefing with a metallic stomp.
All sorts of riders had turned up to try the day, from a youngster at 12 years old to a group of mates trying this instead of a road ride… there was also a guy who was nearly 70 and returning for his seventh time. And then there was me. It was a great group size that didn’t feel overcrowded and allowed the instructors to really get to know you. Aidan Collins led the morning briefing and described the day to be like a CBT of speedway. The intention was to provide the basic skills in the hope of inspiring people to come back again for fun, or even to progress to another level in the sport after this initial hook. Speedway bikes that you’d see world championship riders use would be of 500cc displacement, differentiated by the engines used, the gear ratio chosen and the rear wheel sprocket, all chosen by the riders and their teams to suit different tracks and racing conditions. These 500cc bikes are absolutely fierce and would leave a Formula One car weeping off the line, so they really need to be in the hands of more experienced riders. Therefore, I wasn’t so surprised when we were presented with our 125cc bikes for the day. Today wasn’t about chasing speed, it was about technique. And when I got out on the oval track with its unforgiving surface, I soon realised that one-hundred-and-twenty-five cubic centimetres was plenty enough. A Honda CG125 was the engine powering our machines, housed in a full-size speedway frame with the rest of the trinkets being extremely minimal, making it look basically like a push bike – albeit with handling that’s worse than one. The bikes have no rear suspension, making them a “hard tail”, with the rigid frame connecting the seat to the rear wheel. There’s very basic suspension up front using a simple dampening system, paired with loads of lock like a BMX bike, resulting in a formula that forces the rider to use their body to control the speed and direction by sliding the bike. Especially as there’s no front or rear brake. On the plus side, they’re very lightweight, but nowhere near designed for comfort. To finish the features, the bikes are only designed to travel left, so there’s no left footpeg and a big metal hook on your right to plant the foot with no steel shoe, so don’t be turning right or that’ll dig into the ground flipping you over the handlebars. Remember when I said 125cc was more than enough?
‘Flimsy’ was the first word that came to mind when I lifted it up off the right-side peg, followed by an uncomfortable plonk as I sat on the seat. Having been spoilt recently by modern sports bikes with their suede stitched seats and semi-active suspension, this felt like going back in time to when me and my brother would bodge something together out in the garden shed and call it a vehicle. “Feather the clutch and don’t be the first to stall it”, were the words going around my head as I held on to the handlebars and followed the three others in my group out of the pitlane. Setting off in third gear needed a few revs but once I was away, I could leave the clutch alone and build my momentum. The bike had a great pull to it, especially with it being so light. I swept out the pitlane and I was heading rapidly to the first corner in a wobbly, ‘jelly-on-a-plate’ style. Sticking my left leg out, in an attempt to stabilise myself round the first corner, underfoot felt super slippery so I really needed to force my foot to the floor to seek that planted feeling and add to the fire in my thighs. This first outing was just a familiarisation session to get used to the feeling of the bike and the surface conditions. And it sure did that. After a few laps, we were back in, rolling off the gas, using the engine braking and my feet for friction to bring me to a stop. Even though I was miles off bringing style to speedway, the addiction bug bit me out on track and I was super keen to bring substance to my movements and be able to commit more to corners. How could something so bad feel so good?
We were now about to have focussed coaching alongside an instructor, with donut drills to feel more comfortable as the bike starts sliding. But before doing so, we first had to grasp the proper riding position – elbows up, aggressive stance and weight forward. The aim was to have maximum grip at the front and in turn, make the rear of the bike go light to aid with the slide. Most pro riders wouldn’t even have a seat attached to their bike, so to help with moving the rear, your own rear needed to be off the seat and that steel shoe planted, almost in line with the handlebars. Getting in the right place on the bike, meant that speed and style could follow. I guess that would be true of most motorcycle disciplines. Stomping the bike into first gear this time, leaning to the left and power sliding round a space that could barely fit a lawnmower was actually the perfect way to start getting the speedway sensation, helped by the shouts of encouragement from the instructors. And what a feeling to chase, with the revs rising, the rear sliding and finding that flow that just clicks into place. After some successful and consistent donuts, my heart rate was up, and I was feeling the buzz from those intense drills.
Finally, sessions three and four were about applying those concepts from the morning into determined afternoon riding, out on the oval track. To set us up, we followed an instructor’s example line to begin with; roll off to engage braking, wide on entry, hitting the apex and exiting on the edge of the oval, speedway style. Aidan now wanted us to crank up that grocery shopping pace and see us riding with assiduity, and that didn’t take much as there was plenty of friendly egging on by the instructors which led to the continued intoxicating surges of exhilaration. And I discovered that’s what this sport is all about. You can see why races are only four laps long because it is literally like someone putting a needle in your arm for several minutes to receive a shot of pure rush. Four sessions may not sound like a lot on paper, but the frenzied nature of the activity meant that this was ample time to spin solid laps, come in and out of the pits, have a word with the instructors and feel the burn of the crazed machines. By the end of the afternoon, I was really getting into a rhythm and wanted to keep practising and chasing the feeling of successful slides. My legs were thinking differently. So, I had to compromise by telling myself that I’ll come back again. And so, the bug begins.
After that very first session thinking, how am I going to do this, eventually with some coaching and guidance came the harmony in the heat and I just wanted to keep hunting it. I’ve since been out on my road bike and the day with ‘Ride and Skid It’ has undeniably helped with feeling more at ease flicking my bike about on twisty roads and generally having a heightened confidence on tarmac after jumping off something so perfervid. I genuinely feel a refreshed fascination for motorbikes, having tried something completely new and seeing a passion that I love from another dimension. There oddly feels so much purpose in seeking fluidity in such wild conditions. I’ve come away with a huge recommendation. For riders who want to sample every flavour of two-wheeled thrill – from track days to trail riding – or for riders that want to challenge their finesse, gain confidence through a raw and raging environment, or for those who just want a great day out; speedway offers something genuinely different. A humbling, addictive challenge that sharpens throttle control, rewires your instincts and delivers an adrenaline rush so pure, it leaves you grinning long after the dust has settled.
Alan Davis: I gave it a go…
“The reason I’m here is because I became a Speedway fan in 1969 thanks to the Coventry Bees – they no longer exist now but at the age of 67, I came to give Speedway a go. I didn’t expect to do very well because it’s hard! But gosh, it’s fun! It’s addictive, I absolutely love it and I’ll keep coming back as long as my body holds out! I love the experience; the guys are brilliant, they look after you, explain everything well and they’re great to watch too. This is my 7th day with ‘Ride & Skid It’ and I love the experience. Some people say that Speedway helps with road riding but I only potter on the road so I’m not sure. I won’t be a world speedway champion but I want to get the technique. It’s difficult to let the bike go and control it with your body and the throttle, but once you get it, there’s no feeling like it. Speedway riding was on my bucket list originally, but I enjoyed it so much that I keep coming back.”
Why should you give speedway a go?
A pro speedway rider and five times British Flat Track champion, we asked Aidan Collins why people should want to try their hand at speedway…
“Because it’s a completely unique sport. Everyone thinks it’s very easy. People are amazed at how hard it is but also how fun it is, and also how much they learn from taking part in speedway. People learn new skills that they would never really get the chance to do otherwise and take those skills and that confidence into riding at track days, racing on circuit, etc. If you look at all the riders in the MotoGP paddock, they all do some sort of off-road training, whether it’s flat track, grass track, speedway… they all do it and that’s because they’re learning skills when there’s loss of traction. It helps and supports so much with other forms of riding. Even with riding on the road, we’ve had e-mails off road riders saying that when they’ve got into a sketchy moment on the road, the skills they learnt here kicked in and helped them in situations where they’ve lost traction. We’ve also had a lot of advanced rider groups and groups from the police force come and take part. And why would you want to do it, aside from learning the skills, is because it’s a mega rush. Why do we ride motorbikes? To get an adrenaline rush. And Speedway, in my opinion, is the ultimate adrenaline rush. The feeling of getting the bike power sliding under control is like no other. Anyone can go fast, but how you go round corners is where the magic happens. It is such a buzz.”
Three top tips for starting out in Speedway riding…
A world class rider, Adam Allot gave us his top three tips for newbie speedway riders…
“Throttle Control – You need to be smooth, controlled and consistent. If you’re consistent, the rest will then fall into place as you build.”
“Body Position – You can’t just sit like you’re cruising on a motorcycle; you’ve got to get into it! It might feel an awkward body position to begin with but it’s going to help get into that race ready position.”
“Confidence – You need to try and push your body and mind into it. Speedway is different to any other motorcycle sport so tuning into that confident mental space is so important.”
Want to know more?
If this feature’s whetted your appetite for a bit of sideways action, give the guys at ‘Ride & Skid It’ a shout. All you need to know can be found on their website –www.rideandskidit.com
