MARK PLUMMER catches up with a young rider aiming for the top – with a little bit of help from someone who has already been there – in his latest Friday Feature . . .
NATURAL talent, teenage ambition, dedicated backing and words of wisdom from a former world king – that sounds like a winning recipe.
And, in the case of 16 year-old sensation Nathan Greaves, it is certainly proving to be the case.
The Chesterfield-based racer has emerged as a rising star on the track during his 18 months of league racing.
And Greaves, who recently completed his GCSE exams and finished his education, already has a very clear career goal.
“I want to be world champion,” says Greaves. “And so should everyone else who rides speedway. If they don’t they are just doing because they don’t want a normal job.
“My dream is to one day be where Tai (Woffinden) is today and I know that time is on my side."
Greaves was a revelation in junior circles in both grass-track and speedway before putting pen to paper on his first league racing deal with Cradley (or Dudley as they were then) when still aged 14.
He had turned 15 by the time the 2013 campaign started and enjoyed a glorious introduction to National League racing by helping the Heathens to a clean sweep of honours.
Now he is part of a Cradley side set to follow up with more honours in the current season after already securing top-spot in the third tier standings.
And Greaves is also earning many admirers for his efforts at Elite League level with Swindon after becoming the youngest rider to feature in the inaugural Fast-Track Draft.
Greaves got the nod from Robins chief Alun Rossiter back in April and has been a regular member of a side now looking like snatching a play-off place ever since.
He has certainly come a long way since persuading father Jon to invest in a moto-cross bike for him nine years ago . . .
“I got my first bike when I was seven,” recalls Greaves. “My dad was doing a bit of moto-cross at the time but sold his stuff to get me a 50cc machine and I loved it straight away.
“I then ended doing grass-track and won a few titles, but one day I asked if I could have a go at speedway.
“We took my grass bike to Scunthorpe for a few laps and I quickly realised that I preferred speedway. It has all gone on from there really.
“Myself and Dad put every bit of spare time and cash we have into speedway. He has basically given up his life to help mine and I’m so grateful to him.
“I’m also really thankful to ‘Rosco’ for giving me the opportunity to ride in the Elite League. I never expected to be doing it this year and I’m in a position now where I could end up winning the title at 16.
“We’ve been in really good form lately and I think we’re looking good for a place in the play-offs.
“Everyone will be expected Cradley to wipe the floor again in the National League and I think we can do it. We have such a strong side that I’m at reserve on an eight-point average.
And Greaves is not just focused on success on the track. He is also working hard to improve his own technical knowledge – something he admits was lacking when he first roared onto the National League scene last term.
“In hindsight I didn’t have anywhere near enough knowledge of the bike when I started racing speedway,” continued Greaves.
“I had always been successful doing the British Under 16 Championship so it was really just a case of turning up and racing.
“Then I went into a National League team featuring top guys like Lewis Blackbird, Ashley Morris and Paul Starke who gave me plenty of tips.
“But I’ve been doing a lot of learning in the workshop to get to the point where I can do most things that need to be done although I had no idea how complicated it can be.
“I’m also starting to get a rough idea of the right set-up for a track and that’s something which will get better over time.”
It was a mechanical mishap that eventually led to Greaves crossing paths with hugely respected 1993 world champion Sam Ermolenko.
“We had a problem with my 250cc bike for about three weeks and we were recommended to take it to Sam.
“He has been a huge help to me ever since. He looks after my engines and sometimes comes along to my meetings.
“To have a man who was world champion helping me out is brilliant.”
And who’s to say that one day Greaves won’t be standing on the top step of the GP podium . . .
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UPCOMING FIXTURES...
2020 BRITISH SPEEDWAY UPDATE
Friday July 10, 2020
THE board of directors at the British Speedway Promoters Ltd were encouraged by the significant easing of restrictions announced on Thursday.
Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, revealed how grassroots team sports can resume from this weekend. Sports will need to publish specific guidance approved by government officials.
Members of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd have, in the last two weeks, been working on how our sport can work
safely for competitors, officials and spectators alike. We believe the biggest risk to riders is the natural danger element of racing motorbikes with no brakes.
Clubs have already been planning how social distance measures can be taken for spectators and again we must emphasise speedway venues rarely host capacity attendances.
Grassroots team sports inevitably include a small spectator element and we believe we are within touching distance of our sport being able to start a reduced season.
However, we acknowledge the clock is ticking and if we cannot begin league racing in August there is every chance the season will run out of time.
We thank all British Speedway supporters for their patience and understanding and wish to assure everyone we are doing everything within our power to start the season next month in a safe and enjoyable manner.
We will update more as soon as further information becomes available.
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEASON UPDATE Thursday May 21, 2020 BRITISH Speedway remains united in ‘cautious optimism’ about some league racing this season.
All three leagues have been keeping in touch to measure the impact of no racing so far this season and how it affects business going forward.
And the message is clear – all three leagues are refusing to give up on the 2020 season and are continuing to urge fans to 'do the right thing'.
Rob Godfrey, chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd, said: “Things are changing on a rapid basis and we are all encouraged to see it appears people are continuing to do the right thing to give us a chance of racing this year.
“The Premiership clubs had a catch up on Tuesday via video conference call, the Championship clubs are in regular dialogue and Jason Pipe, back as National Development League co-ordinator, is in touch with his clubs.
“There is little doubt in my own mind that some league racing will be possible this year. We can implement social distancing measures in stadia, both inside and outside the venue.
“We realise various club have different circumstances regarding their business, but I really do believe there will be some speedway this year.”
Damien Bates, vice chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd and promoter of Sheffield, said: "We had a very productive catch-up online with all Premiership clubs and it was good for us all to get together to discuss the situation.
"We are a long way from abandoning the season. We still believe there are possibilities, strong possibilities, that our sport can take place this season with the appropriate safety measures in place for everyone in a stadium.
"Naturally we are keeping a close eye on the travel situation because there are several riders who are in Poland right now and we need to see movement allowed without quarantine. It's a fluid situation.
"We are continuing to look at a full quota of fixtures, or perhaps half a season with 12 meetings per club in the Premiership plus play-offs. We are keeping our options open right now, all three leagues are, but in any situation we remain in the hands of the government.
"We believe we need to make another assessment when the government update us on the next phase of recovery from this crisis which will be early in July.
"In the meantime we urge all supporters of every club throughout the country to stay patient and be assured we are doing everything we can to bring some racing to them this year."
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SPEEDWAY PUT FORWARD FOR RESTART TALKS
Thursday April 30, 2020 BRITISH Speedway officials have put the sport forward for discussion at government level regarding how the season can start.
Weekly talks with various sports are set to take place and the government will assess each case individually in terms of how to restart when restrictions are reduced.
Rob Godfrey, chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd, made contact with his local MP in Scunthorpe, Helen Mumby-Croft, over the weekend and all clubs have been asked to do the same.
Godfrey has now been told speedway will be considered by government officials taking into account the venues throughout the country and the size of crowds.
“My understanding was that discussions have already taken place with major sports and I felt it appropriate to put speedway up there,” said Godfrey. “I just wanted to get the sport on the table, that’s all, nothing more, nothing less.
“If ever there was a good time not to be a major sport, it is now. It’s one aspect we are working on, of course, with sponsorship, TV and increased digital output but we are where we are.
“We are presenting the facts. Many of us can work with social distancing in our stadia, restricted numbers in parts of a venue won’t be a problem and certainly the pits area can be tightened up in terms of numbers and space between personnel, but again this is very broadly speaking.
“Above and beyond this, we are an outside sport without any confined space.
“We remain absolutely determined and committed to staging a British Speedway season in some format, but of course this won’t be next week or the week after. Yes, I know there are issues with international travel but for every problem we can find a solution.
“If there is time it would be nice to see a gradual reopening with practice sessions, but that all depends if and when we are allowed to do so.
“Whatever happens we are in the hands of the government and we can only start once we are told we can. We have various permutations available to us in terms of the fixture list, even if it means a three month or a two month season.
“In addition we acknowledge many clubs don’t own their stadium and would need full co-operation from their landlords.”
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEASON UPDATE
Tuesday April 21, 2020 BRITISH Speedway bosses remain ‘100% committed’ to staging racing this year.
The board of directors at the British Speedway Promoters Ltd have held a conference call today to discuss the way forward.
And Vice Chairman Damien Bates said: “We had a productive conversation and we all agreed we remain 100% committed to putting on a season this year at the first available opportunity.
“There are absolutely no thoughts of cancelling the season. We all want to stage the season in whatever format that can take.
“We have people working on fixtures covering all eventualities in terms of dates and potential rider availability.
“Naturally nothing can happen until the government allow it to, indeed when the next decision is made on the current lockdown situation we will talk again between us.
“We want to give fans, broadcasters and sponsors what everyone wants and that is live speedway to enjoy.
“If it’s July, August or whenever it may be we are determined to stage racing should the government rules allow us to do so.
“In the meantime, on behalf of every club promoter we extend our very best wishes to British Speedway supporters throughout the country and we urge you all to please follow the government rules. They are not guidelines or advice, they are rules.
“We want you all fit and well and ready to come and enjoy this wonderful sport as soon as it is safe and legal to do so.”
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY STATEMENT
Wednesday March 25, 2020 THE board members of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd are continuing to monitor the situation regarding the Coronavirus crisis on a regular basis.
With the latest information from the government stating high risk groups of people should stay at home for 12 weeks, it is unlikely that that there will be any British Speedway events taking place before June 15, at least.
The Board have to consider the public, their members, riders and officials, some of which will be included in the high risk group.
It is the wish of the Board that every effort is made to start the new season at the first available opportunity and we have members of the association continuing to provide alternative fixture dates as the situation evolves.
The British Speedway Promoters Ltd sends their best wishes to everyone at this incredibly difficult time.
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JOINT BSPA/SCB STATEMENT: CORONAVIRUS
Tuesday March 17, 2020 BRITISH Speedway’s new season has been suspended with immediate effect.
The decision has been taken in line with other sports following the latest update from the government on the Coronavirus crisis.
This suspension will be reviewed on April 15 and the situation will be monitored by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and Speedway Control Bureau on a daily basis between now and then.
LATEST RESULTS...
SUNDAY MARCH 15:
50TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING, Peterborough - OFF
SATURDAY MARCH 14:
BEN FUND BONANZA, Scunthorpe 1 Danny King (Ipswich/Poole) 2 Steve Worrall (Belle Vue/Poole) 3 Josh Auty (Scunthorpe) 4 Lewis Kerr (King’s Lynn/Eastbourne)
