International speedway came to the Belle Vue National Speedway Stadium in October which saw a thrilling two-day event culminating in Team GB claiming the top spot to become the Speedway of Nations World Champions for 2021.

Prior to the racing on the first day, fans and press had the opportunity to meet and listen to both UK and Australian speedway riders being interviewed at a “Speedway of Nations Warm Up” event, hosted by ATPI Events.  Aces star Charles Wright took part in a Q&A Session along with other former British Champions plus Team GB riders and managers.

The Aces favourite talked about his time on track this season after a year out of racing in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic which saw league racing in the UK cancelled.  Charles can rightly be proud of a third place in this year’s British Final and a runner’s up medal in the league as the Aces just missed out in the Premiership Grand Final play off over a superb two-legged tie against the Peterborough Panthers. His score was hampered by an expensive engine problem.  

Charles said: “Peterborough deserved the title, congratulations to them. I finally got the Belle Vue bib on my chest during 2021 and it means a lot to be riding for the Aces.”

Ashton’s Kyle Howarth rounded off his fine season of racing with a creditable 9 point haul in his former team mate Rory Schlein’s Testimonial meeting at Wolverhampton narrowly missing out on a final place race off.

Words and photos

Howard Murphy