Lydd Speedway

27/08/2026

Dear All,

BRITISH VETERAN SPEEDWAY RIDERS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday 19th September 2026

After much consideration we reluctantly announce the cancellation of the above race meeting at Lydd.
With no significant amount of rain recently the ditches we rely on to water the track remain empty. Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to find another source of water.
Another reason for the cancellation is that only 12 riders have entered the event even though the meeting was advertised in April and May.
Just 2 x 2 valvers, 3 x 4 valvers and 7 laydowns makes 2 of the 3 classes normally run uncompetitive and the meeting financially unviable.
We also understand Mildenhall are holding a meeting for uprights on the same day which may lose us some riders, but this is insignificant.
Gone are the days when we had between 30 and 40 riders competing in the 3 classes. 10 years ago we had so many 4 valve uprights a qualifying event had to be held in the afternoon to reduce numbers in the actual 4 hour meeting. There are very few amateur clubs running now compared with 20 years ago. Long gone are the Southern Track Riders, Northern Track Riders, Amateur Broadsiders Club and Red Dragons. Lydd is a unique track being the only true stand alone venue, although we are now affiliated to NORA we are a riders club. We do not rely on spectators for revenue.
We had hoped to have a celebration as September 22nd marks the 30th anniversary since the first race meeting at Lydd.
However we live in the hope the vets can be restaged in April 2027 as the ditches will be topped up from the winter rain. All we need then is at least 16 veterans and some support classes to get a minimum of 24 riders. It costs over £1000 to run a meeting with £550 going to medical cover, £200 to NORA insurance and £300 to £500 on trophies depending on the number of different classes.
Having said all that we are not giving up on the season. If we can get enough water we will put on some practices to hopefully finish the season off.
We will keep you all informed.
Regards,
Malcolm and Angie

28/06/2026

Dear All,
Apologies to the riders who booked in for the cancelled "Try Speedway" practice/training at Lydd this weekend.
The reason for cancellation is that the last ditch on the farm is almost dry. We have been advised by the landowner not to take anymore water and leave what is left to the farm wildlife. Unfortunately this is our only source of water to keep the dust down. There is no well or rivers running through the farm.
So for now we are forced to take a summer break. Be sure we will be back as soon as the water shortage has been resolved.
In the meantime HG Aerospace will be constructing a multi bend circuit on the centre green for revvis only. No water will be needed to run on what will be mainly grass. This is to build up the academy to produce riders for the future of speedway.
We will keep you all updated.
Regards,
Malcolm and Angie

20/06/2026

Dear All,
We have just enough bookings to run our open practice this Sunday so the session is on.
There could be some rain about in the morning but the afternoon looking fine and dry. It could be a hot one so bring plenty of water and maybe a sun shade with you.
Sign on in the club room from 11am. Bike warm up 11.50 and practicing from 12 noon til 5pm.
Lydd Speedway Baseball caps and tee shirts will be on sale for £10 each in the clubroom. Childrens and adult sizes in black or white.
Please bring cash for fees and purchases.
Regards,
Malcolm and Angie

15/06/2026

Dear All,
We still have only 15 bookings for our open practice this Sunday 21st June from 12 noon til 5pm. We need 18 to make it viable and will only take 25 bookings to hopefully give us approx 22 on the day.
To book return an email or phone/text 07870 471770

The following Sunday June 28th "try speedway" have a practice/training session from 12 noon til 4pm.
Contact Tony Gaul to book a place.

We are keeping an eye on the water level in the farm ditch as this is our only supply to keep the dust down. The rain last week did very little to bring the level up. Unless we can find an alternative supply it may not be possible to run anything in July and August. We will keep you informed.
Regards,
Malcolm and Angie

08/06/2026

Dear All,
Firstly we send our best wishes to Martin Tappenden for a speedy recovery. Martin received a number of injuries including ten broken ribs in a road accident recently.

FIXTURES:

Saturday 13th June 12 noon til 5pm
HG Aerospace Academy Practice Session
Contact Michael Gray through Facebook to book a place.

Sunday 21st June 12 noon til 5pm
Open Practice Session
We only have 9 bookings so far:
Jamie Kinnaird, Dan Simmons, Mark Smith, Cody Evans, Keith Cornell, Patrick Holford, Colin Tarrant, Graham Knowler, Frank Iszard.
We need at least another 9 to make this session viable.
Book by return email or phone/text 07870471770

Sunday 28th iJune 12 noon til 4pm
Try speedway practice/training session
Contact Tony Gaul at "Try Speedway" to book for this session.

Saturday 19th September Start time TBC
Veteran Speedway Rides Championship
We need more entries for this event to go ahead.
So far only 2 x 2 valvers Keith Cornell and Graham Knowler
So far only 3 x 4 valvers Keith Hill, Dan Owen and Dave Hollingsbee
So far only 5 laydowns Jamie Kinnaird, Frank Iszard, Rob Hollingworth, Dan Simmons and Russell Manville.
To enter return an email or phone/text 07870 471770

Regards,
Malcolm and Angie

10/05/2026

Dear All,

OPEN PRACTICE Sunday 17th May
We just about have the minimum number of bookings so far.
Riders are: Jamie Kinnaird, Alec Gooch, Marc Bonner, Keith Cornell, Russell Manville, George Prinos, Aston Knott, Dan Simmons, Rhys Laker, Darren Hartman, Will Cooper, Cody Evans, Martin Tappenden, Liam Laker, Mark Smith and Dan Owen.
Just in case some are unsure what an open practice is it means it is open to youth and adults on speedway, grass track, flat track, pit bikes and e bikes.
You can purchase a NORA day licence on the day if you don't have a season licence for an extra £5.
We run from 12 noon til 5pm with track maintenance every hour in probably dusty conditions.
To book return an email or phone/text 07870 471770

PAUL HURRY/TONY GAUL PRACTICE/TRAINING SESSION
Sunday 31st May. 12 noon til 4pm
Please book with Tony for this session.

HG AEROSPACE ACADEMY PRACTICE
Saturday 13th June. 12 noon til 5pm
Please book with Michael Gray for this session

OPEN PRACTICE Sunday 21st June. 12 noon til 5pm
To book return an e mail or phone/text 07870 471770

SUNDAY 28th June
PAUL HURRY/TONY GAUL PRACTICE/TRAINING SESSION
Sunday 28th June 12 noon til 4pm
Please book with Tony for this session

BRITISH VETERAN SPEEDWAY RIDERS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday 19th September. Start time TBC
We plan to run this meeting IF we can get a minimum of four riders in each of the following classes and enough riders in support classes if required.
A maximum of 32 riders in the meeting, ( foreign riders welcome).
With many of the riders who have supported the event over the years now retired and not many over 30 year olds staying in the sport at amateur level numbers are dwindling. So we are sending this message to gauge how many are left to carry on with this meeting which we have run successfully for the last sixteen seasons. Please let us know asap if you would like to ride in the following classes:
2 valve uprights for riders over 45 years of age.
4 valve uprights for riders over 40 years of age.
Laydowns for riders over 30 years of age.
To enter please return an e mail or phone/text 07870 471770.
Regards,
Malcolm and Angie

29/04/2026

Dear All,
Please find attached a photo of the wreath for Rich's funeral tomorrow from us all at Lydd Speedway.
Regards,
Malcolm and Angie

28/04/2026

**Fixtures Update**
For practices-Please try not to be late and sign on in the clubroom between 11am and 12 noon. Bike warm up at 11.50 and practice starts at 12 noon til 5pm. Please have your NORA licence or membership number with you either in card or digital form. Please pay cash on the day. £30 for under 15s with a NORA licence £35 for those with a membership or no NORA number. £40 for 15 year olds and over with a NORA licence and £45 for those with a NORA membership or no NORA number.
We will also have Lydd Speedway tee shirts and baseball caps on sale at £10 each.

There has been an alteration with Lydd fixtures as follows:
Sunday 17th May. Open Practice
Sunday 31st May. Try Speedway training/practice day
Saturday 13th June. HG Aerospace academy practice for under 15s.
Sunday 21st June. Open practice
Sunday 28th June. Try Speedway practice/training day
To book in open practices return an email or phone/text 07870 471770
To book in Try speedway contact Tony Gaul
To book HG Aerospace academy practice contact Michael Gray.
Regards,
Malcolm and Angie

19/04/2026

Dear All,
We were sad to hear the news that Keith Cornell's mechanic and good friend Richard passed away recently. Affectionately known as "Rich" he was always there to help with any work at the track. He will be greatly missed by all at Lydd speedway. We send our condolences to his family and friends.

NORA
There seems to be some confusion between a NORA licence and a NORA membership by some riders.
If your NORA number begins with an I, A, B or P you have paid NORA for a seasons licence.
If your NORA number begins with a M then it is NOT a licence. It is merely a membership where you have registered your details on line and cost you £2. This means you do not have to fill in a day licence form each time you ride at a NORA practice but still have to pay for a day licence. So a practice session at Lydd will cost an extra £5 for your day licence.
The charge for licence holders is £30 for under 15s and £40 for 15 year olds and over.

Still a few spaces left for our open practice session on Sunday 26th March.
Entries so far: Alec Gooch, Marc Bonner, Keith Cornell, Russell Manville, Tim Mount, Frank Iszard, George Prinos, Aston Knott, Dan Simmons, Rhys Laker, Sebastian Hickmott, Alfie Shipp, Finley Theobald, Albie South, Oscar South, Harrison Rogers, Chris Pullen.

Even more spaces available for our May 17th open practice.
Bookings so far: Jamis Kinnaird, Alec Gooch, Marc Bonner, Keith Cornell, Russell Manville, George Prinos, Aston Knott, Dan Simmons, Rhys Laker, Darren Hartman, Will Cooper.

HG aerospace have a youth only practice/training session at Lydd on Saturday 30th May. Riders must be under 15 years of age. Michael Gray is moving forward with his youth policy and will be arranging race meetings for young and not so young through the summer months.
Regards,
Malcolm and Angie

15/04/2026