All you need to know as Speedway comes to town
The newly-formed Northampton Foxes are set for their first home fixture on Thursday.
Northampton captain Nicolai Klindt rode for King's Lynn last season [Getty Images] A newly-formed British Speedway team will host its first home fixture on Thursday. Northampton Foxes meet Ipswich Witches - the reigning Speedway Great Britain Premiership champions - at Northampton International Shaleway at 19:30 BST. The meeting will see speedway racing return to Northamptonshire for the first time in seven decades, with organisers hoping to attract new supporters from the county to the sport.
What is speedway? Motorcycle speedway, often referred to simply as speedway, sees competitors race around an oval circuit of about 300m (984 ft) in length. Each rider rides a 500cc motorcycle with no brakes and fixed gearing.
The bikes run on methanol for fuel, with each bike's tank holding enough fuel for one race. The bikes can reach speeds of up to 80mph (128. 8km/h) and can go from 0mph to 60mph (96.
6km/h) in about three seconds. Northampton will join the Belle Vue Aces and Ipswich Witches (pictured) for the 2026 British Speedway season [Getty Images] Most events see two teams - each with seven riders - racing against each other. In British Speedway 15 heats take place with two riders from each team in each.