Kyle Howarth captained the Sheffield Tigers to their first top flight championship in 2023, and in 2024 celebrates his testimonial at Owlerton with some of the sports top stars racing against the Sheffield 24 line up. He’ll also race for Scunthorpe in the Championship too where he starts as the Scorpions number 1.
In this podcast we get to know Kyle a little better, how he found his way into the sport and his personal highlights.
Born in Ashton-under-Lyne (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashton-under-Lyne) , Greater Manchester (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Manchester) , Howarth competed in grasstrack (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grasstrack) and motocross (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motocross) before starting his speedway career in 2008 in amateur competitions, gaining a National League (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_League_(speedway)) place with Scunthorpe Saints (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scunthorpe_Saints) in 2009, scoring 13+2 on his debut.[3] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-SGB-3) He averaged (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculated_Match_Average) 4.62 over the season and finished as runner up in the British Under-15 championship that year.[3] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-SGB-3) In 2010, he became a Poole Pirates (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poole_Pirates) asset and rode for Bournemouth Buccaneers (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bournemouth_Buccaneers) in the National League, averaging 7.43, and also made guest appearances in the Premier League (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_League_(speedway)) for Somerset Rebels (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somerset_Rebels) .[3] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-SGB-3) Also in 2010, he finished in third place in the British Under-18 Championship.[3] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-SGB-3) In 2011 he rode in the National League for Belle Vue Colts (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Vue_Colts) , and he also rode for Edinburgh Monarchs (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Monarchs) in the Premier League, averaging 5.11, and was named at number eight for the Belle Vue Aces (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Vue_Aces) Elite League (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_League_(speedway)) team.[3] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-SGB-3) He spent the winter riding in Australia, and won the Queensland Under-21 Championship.[4] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-NS1-4)
In 2012, after initially signing for King’s Lynn Stars (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Lynn_Stars) , he rode for Poole in the Elite League and Workington Comets (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workington_Comets) in the Premier League, and signed for both teams in 2013.[5] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-BBC-5) [6] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-NS2-6) [7] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-NS4-7) [8] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-Wadley-8) He finished in third place in the 2012 British Under-21 Championship (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Speedway_Under_21_Championship) and represented Great Britain at under-21 level.[9] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-NS3-9)
From 2013 until 2020 he rode for numerous clubs including Swindon Robins (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swindon_Robins) , Workington, Poole Pirates (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poole_Pirates) and Coventry Bees (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_Bees) . He joined Sheffield Tigers (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Tigers) and Wolverhampton Wolves (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolverhampton_Wolves) in 2016, staying with both clubs until 2020. As a Sheffield rider he won the SGB Championship Pairs (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGB_Championship_Pairs_Championship) , partnering Lasse Bjerre (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasse_Bjerre) , during the SGB Championship 2017 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGB_Championship_2017) season.[10] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-10) and then the following season won it again partnering Charles Wright (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Wright_(speedway_rider)) , during the SGB Championship 2018 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGB_Championship_2018) season.[11] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Howarth#cite_note-11)
In 2021 and 2022, he returned to Sheffield in the SGB Premiership 2021 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGB_Premiership_2021) and SGB Premiership 2022 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGB_Premiership_2022) and signed for the Leicester Lions (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicester_Lions) in the SGB Championship 2021 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGB_Championship_2021) and SGB Championship 2022 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGB_Championship_2022) .[12]…
This podcast is part of the sports social podcast Network hello and welcome to another episode of humans of Speedway I’m Ian Brandon and my guest in this episode is a multiple title winner in British Speedway marking his testimonial year in 2024 he won the top level title with wolves and most recently he captain in the Sheffield Tigers to Top Flight glory
In 2023 he is Kyle howth join Sheffield and was Sheffield was able to win championship title with them that was great in 2017 and then obviously stayed with them and went to wolver Hampton and was able to win a title there and then obviously get another title with
Sheffield so yeah I’ve both some really great clubs and I’ve been really fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to do do that Kyle howth began racing grass trck and Motocross as a youngster was a relative late arrival to Speedway it was only about 15 years
Of age when he began racing the sports and he joined up with the scumthorp Saints in the National League fast forward to the age 17 he’s racing in a team with the pool Pirates alongside Darcy Ward and Chris holder and now of course he’s Racing for the Sheffield
Tigers where he’s been for a number of years in fact since 2016 and claim that Top Flight league title the very first Top Flight league title for Sheffield in 2023 and as Captain and the only Rider to make it all the way through the season as well so lots to chat about in
Kyle’s career and of course not least his testimonial which is just around the corner as well so we’ll talk about all of that but first welcome Kyle Hoth he you right yeah good s so what’s uh what’s going on in the winter then for a for a top International Speedway Rider
Such as yourself you at this moment you you you’re starting to prepare for uh prepare for the new season and everything you’ve had a holiday yes um no it’s been quite a busy winter really me and my wife we bought a house in the winter and we’ve been uh renovating and
I suppose it’s just renovating and renovating and it’s getting there slowly but it’s been busy really think it’s been a nonstop we managed to go on a holiday a skiing holiday with my wife and the family and stuff so that’s that was nice but um just busy building bikes
Prepara it doesn’t really stop Speedway in the winter soon as this season stops you sorting sponsors organizing new sponsors covers new Pike new bikes new bike parts and all this comes about so all the bikes are built we managed to get them done with the mechanics we just
Kind of at this moment in time waiting to get out on the bike and as we all know the weather in winter in England isn’t the greatest is it it’s a very wet season so it’s um we’ve got a few practice he booked at the moment but how the weather is just
At the minute in February it’s bit of a wet month isn’t it so uh it’s the just 50/50 weather we can get on the bike at the moment doesn’t stop does it Speedway people think that you know get to the end of October and that’s it but for you
You know soon as that season finishes it’s turning the attention to the next one getting the bits for the bikes building bikes getting all the gear you need for the season ahead sorting your various contracts and stuff out and uh maybe a bit of a downtime for yourself
In between but you you filled that by buying a house spe is 12 month job really it doesn’t really stop like in the season you’re racing traveling still speaking to sponsors um and dealing with things in Speedway then you have your personal life where obviously a lot of us we have
Families or you know girlfriends wives whatnot so also that you have that and and then in the offseason soon as the season finishes like you just don’t go hibernate for five months and then appear again it’s building bikes getting new sponsor trying to get sponsors back
And trying to find new sponsors and and like you said trying to do your deals with the clubs um and then organizing for this year coming and so there’s a lot to it it’s not just about these shiny bikes and yourself W up to the track and race and whatnot there’s a
There’s a lot in it what goes in and it’s all preparation and um 12 months it’s just non stop and I feel like since the season’s finished for myself it’s just not stopped and I’m I’m currently um on the road to dropping some bikes off I Swit to go to Poland
And exactly all that like it’s not just your Europe English stuff if you racing abroad you’ve got your polish or Swedish or whatnot stuff to sort out so there’s a lot to it and the season will be here soon and your meeting is one of the very first your testimonial which is taking
Place at olon stadium in Sheffield and um well tell us about that meeting because um it’s it’s a team event so we’re going to get a first look at the Sheffield team and a world stars team as well uh and you yourself now you you’re turning your hand to being a a promoter
As well how’s that going no first of all I couldn’t do it about Julie reading she’s been a star and she’s been really a great help for me and she’s been she’s she’s basically helping me run the testimony and getting things organized so she’s been great to to work with and yeah
There’s a lot to it I understand they have a lot obviously a lot more a lot of respect for spe promoters now I see what it takes to to run a home meeting at home um all the fuing about and you know it’s not just them opening the gates and
And a speed Speedway meeting on the day it’s all your insurance is making sure your Riders are all fit and organizing Riders making sure You’ got your ambulance and all all these hidden covers what you didn’t didn’t really know about and so yeah the testimonials been going really well with we’re doing
Um Sheffield vers rest of the world select so the Sheffield team vers obviously the ride is what have been announced so far it’s looking a really good lineup and it’s um 14th of March at Sheffield so I just thought I’d do something bit different than just your standard old individual thought with she
Field winning The League last year I think it was great for the for the club and the team and I think for the fans and he pretty much the same team who’ve won the league so I thought it’d be great for the fans to have the winning
Team back and they can do that and and then put a really good solid uh World select team together and with the liks of Freddy Ling Tobias muak and Neil Christin Eon as the top three I don’t think that’s a bad start really is it
It’s not a bad start and you know to get Freddy lingren I know Freddy’s doing a few meetings um around that same week so people are going to have plenty of chance to see him I suppose but to see him going around olon again he’s going
To be something to to behold and I guess as well you know the link there too is that not just that he’s happens to be in the country but also a former teammate of yours at wolves and a title winner at at wolves back then in was it 2016 as
Well so yeah yeah it was great when I spoke to Freddy who was like straight away like yeah obviously we had some good times at wolves winning the league and We Roll together a lot we got on really well and I learned a lot of
Freddy he’s a good like you know being a world class round three rider for so many years now and he’s still is at the top of his game World number two and you know fair play to him he’s he’s he’s been great for British Speedway and
You’ve got to give it to him he still supports British Speedway he done many years here and and he’s still doing individuals at the start of the year and he likes riding in England he said that to and when I spoke to him so no it’s
Great to have him on board and and I really do appreciate him helping me out of course people know what’s happened to wolves but with Freddy lingren of course yourself Rory schline you know instantly there are three ex wolves Riders and and may well be more to be announced as well
Um so gives something for those wolves fans who this year of course find themselves without a club to go and uh support some of the uh some of the riders that brought them Joy over over the years as well yeah for sure I thought it was great to have some walls
I think it was I’ve been a wolves rider for the first four seasons was great and I really had some good memories so I thought it’d be nice to get some wolves and get some Wes fans over and give them something because obviously it was such a tough
Year for the club last year and everything going on and I think a club what had such a really good history about it and they’ve always been at the top of the game CVS and Pete Adams have always brought a really successful team they’ve always been around the playoffs
Haven’t they and you know in 2016 winning the league 2017 getting to the Grand Final and you know the previous years they’ve got to the semis and and and they’ve been really good so it’s just a shame how it’s gone but this is to speed right at the minute and and
Hopefully they can be back in the next coming years and and hopefully they can be back in CBS and Pete Adams can be running a show again well that certainly is the plan and um you know I know from speaking to Pete Adams in that episode
Um that we did a couple of episodes ago that you know he mentions in that that you know he wants to win a 10th league title and ideally he wants that to be with wolves and unless wolves say categorically there there is no comeback for them then that’s where he’ll be but
Um he’s not finished that’s for sure yeah he’s been about he’s he’s been great for the sport he’s a definitely a great character and a great sense of humor on him and working with him as a as a you know as a rider and being the
Manager he’s very um he knows what he wants and he’s a he’s a very clever team manager and he’s not won League titles for no reason and you know hug just said he wants number 10 but to win nine titles is quite you know a great great
Record but to make it 10 that would be very special so look I’d love to see wolves back and and and think see you’ve got to give it to CVS all these years he’s managed the club and he’s took that club to some great places aren’t he over
The years and uh so hopefully for them guys come back um let’s talk about Sheffield last year um you finally won this league title I say finally you never Sheffield have never won a Top Flight league title before and came very close to the previous year and you will
Go down in history as being that that title winning captain of course there was all sorts of other names involved uh you were the only Rider to make it from day one press press and practice to the Trophy presentation yeah no it was unbelievable
Year I think it was uh you could say we had our ups and we had our Downs for sure um we uh made while the club made team changes and there was injuries and forc to make team changes and you know that happens in Speedway it’s not the first
And it won’t be the last will it and and it was kind of a weir year because we was in the season we wasn’t doing not special was just ticking away ticking away you had your like your belu was obviously in form in the season and they
Was beating people om away and then you had your if Swit had had some losses and they was coming into form at the end of the season we’ had a couple of losses at home and and and and we’ had some wins away but we was kind of just in the
Middle I don’t think anyone could say he was going to win the league if I’m honest and obviously then obviously we had injuries Sheffield strengthened up li tyol Chris aler coming in and kind of brought a bit of a nice spring and it just such a shame losing Jack holder at
The time because you know he’s you look at his home form and away form for Sheffield and the last year and previous year he’s been outstanding any for the club so um yeah obviously ryers coming in and we managed to do that and it it was go time towards the end of the
Season and we come into the playoffs and it was against wol Hampton and the weather was a bit crazy raining and we had that wet we managed to go to wolves and win up wolves and and to bring to come home and we beat ws and and it
Brought a lot of confidence to the team and then going into the Grand Final I know obviously if Swit would towards the end of the season was so dominant at home W they they was beating nearly Everyone by like 15 16 20 points and then we knew obviously we was going to
Have it was going to be tough with EML and doy and whatnot and yeah they beat us by 18 points but it was some I just no our heads wasn’t down they just caught us on a really off night and they caught us in Fair Play to
Him coming home we there was a lot of confidence we’ had the previous three four home wins we had some really big home wins so we thought if we can catch him early on we can really I think we can do this and it was a really good
Atmosphere in the team at the time and yeah like I think the first eight Heats were very crucial and I think after eight Heats um you know after Heats we was back in it wasn’t we and then by heat 10 we was up by two if I’m right and um yeah it
Was all to play for and then yeah I think history was made for Sheffield winning the first title and it was such a relief to get that off our shoulders what was it like after were were there celebrations afterwards because I know we spoke to um Josh
Pickering who sort of basically said he went straight home to watch it back on TV CU he couldn’t believe it what what was it like for you crazy moment really cuz I think you know when they come in Sheffield coming into the league and getting into the semis in 2021 and 22
Getting into the Grand Final against B and losing and last year getting into the final again and winning it was such a relief it was kind of like a bubble burst you know what I mean like just yeah we’ve done it it was nice and the atmosphere in the stadium was electric
And went in the bar and the fans were just crazy and it was packed it was nice to see a spe bar I’m Hest to R the game it was so busy and it was just great for the club I went home and I forish with you I’m not I’ve watched the little
Clips back I’ve not watched the meeting back but um yeah it was just great like it just so much going on and so much to remember and there was just a lot of happy people around and it was nice to give back to the fans the promotion and
The sponsors to give some back nice to see that as a rider yeah definitely a memorable memorable day um looking at the the Sheffield team now you have kind of managed to retain you know really that that sort of nucleus of that that team that did win so it’s not
Like it’s all wholesale changes you sort of there’s a few tweaks here and there but largely it’s the it’s the team that finished the season which considering you’ve got wolfy Chris and Jack holder all in the same team um that’s uh that’s quite a strong spine yeah for sure you I
Think Chris being a world champion he ain’t a world champion for no reason he’s he’s rode at a World level for a long time and he’s he’s still a Class Act Wolfie fre to worldall Champion you know I don’t think you can get much better than that can you and
Then you’ve got Jack Alder who’s a current Grand PR e in a current Grand Prix Rider who’s um had some very very big group he’s had some wins in the Grand Prix he’s had some he’s had a good Grand Prix season last year and you know he’s he’s been on form and you’re
Looking him for Sheffield he’s been great for Sheffield haven’t you so the top three and then coming into me and pickle we know what we can do we know we can improve and we know we can score points on our day and then the reserves
In Jason and Dan I think they’ve had the first DP in in the top League last year and they know what to expect now so yeah it’s it’s looking a solid team and definitely I think a team what can can run up there for another league title
For sure no doubt it’s going to be interesting isn’t it and I think a much stronger league as a whole looking at the other teams now you’ve got like Oxford of course coming into this level with you know they’ve got magic yanowski and they’ got bomber uh you know they’re
They’re coming in you know toed up you’d say Birmingham moving up now largely because they have to but they’ve put together you know a competitive side you’d argue as well and uh and then looking at you know the other teams ipswitch still got emol and and Doyle
For example Belle view have still got a strong side with Dan buy and and Brady kurts and so on and and Jamon ldzy and so it’s uh again it’s very you’re looking at these seven teams and you know it’s very hard to say who’s going to make the playoffs and who’s
Going to miss out you know you you can you can argue a case for them all it’s it’s nice to see these Riders back and it’s nice to see England strengthening up as a as a whole like you know you got your P chal lii coming back your magic
Your noos um these riders coming back and your Wolfy’s coming back your your Chris holders come back and you’ve got your Ting off your dos your jack holder and your nails Christian and all these Riders it’s nice to have these backs so yeah like yeah dan bu your jamond
Lindsay your Brady C and people so yeah it’s it’s looking really strong and like you just said you actually don’t really know and I really do think this year is going to be one of them years I think if you can really get the ball rolling
Early get some away wins into your belt get some really good solid home wins get the team going I think that be really crucial this year because I don’t think you can afford to slip up a lot this year for sure um I don’t think there’s going to be
Much room for error there’s going to be a lot of I’ve reckon some tough old meetings and there’s going to some really tough away meetings so yeah it’s going to be interesting and I think um whoever make it into the semifinals fair play to him they’ll deserve it and
Who ever get to the finals and whatnot well fa play people often associate um Speedway tracks inside dog tracks as as being tight and Technical and people think of wolves or say Edinburgh or somewhere like that but olon is quite the opposite it is factually the fastest track in British Speedway you reach
Higher speeds there than anywhere else um it does have its quirks to it though what is it about the track that that maybe gives Sheffield a little bit of a Home Advantage every now and again I think it’s changed since they’ve gone from the championship to the Premiership
Obviously because of the Riders and now like it just seems to be riding even faster and I don’t think people probably say that sounds weird but like there’s no room forever when you’re racing people like D and your jam Lindley and your Brady CS or your Jason dos em who
If you’re in front you know if you make a mistake of coming past where in the championship you could probably make the odd mistake and still be in full but when you’re racing these guys there’s just no room for error from the gate from dropping the from dropping the
Clutch from in heat like from the start you’ve got to be on it and um it just makes it that a little bit more harder doesn’t it CU When You’re racing these boys and especially trying to when you’re racing if you try to pass them
It’s not easy is it so um Sheffield as a whole as a home track and you’ve got to be on it you’ve got to have fast equipment you’ve got as you have noticed you ride a lot close to the fence like it’s kind of a the home straight the back straights like a
Straight but the home straights like a bit of a D um sorry the the back straights are bit like a d like where it’s it it like you go down the back straight and you turning all the time away and then the home straight you do
Get your wheels in line so there’s a lot of lines to Sheffield and it’s a it rides a really fast track you rail the boards and and it can be a very scary track if I’m honest sometimes it still scares me sometimes but um yeah I think
Uh I think anyone would say you you really want to try get your Lads styled in at home and and get a really good home track Advantage because if you can do that I think made a little bit EAS itself sure on the subjects of big
Tracks you’re going to be riding at skun in the championship as well leaving behind Plymouth who you’re with in in 2023 so a change and um new scenery in in one respect but also back to where it all started for you yeah I’m looking forward to it Plymouth didn’t work out
For me last year and I think um I I’m more of a fan of the big fast open tracks I can’t lie and um it’s a new challenge really looking forward to it I’ve worked with Rob and and and Rob rrey and David how before but um I’m looking forward to that again
Rob’s put a really good team together with Simon Lambert he kind of M and and Hof and Jake Allen and that so yeah I’m really looking forward to that team it’s it’s it’s looking A new challenge and it’s not it’s not far from Sheffield so Sheffield’s on a Thursday and then I can
Um stay up north at my parents house and then I can go to swim the next day where it’s an hour and 15 an hour and 20 minutes away so you know it works well with the travel wise too so it’s a new challenge what I have really looking for
To and a slightly new look to the championship as well and and some you know different riders coming in to to it for the first time as well some younger Riders also getting their first chance too so set to be an interesting year at that level also yeah there’s some as
You’ve just said there’s some exciting teams in the championship and there’s some Riders been chopping and changing and there’s some faes at new different clubs so yeah it’ be um have really I think personally on scun part on their behalf I think they’ve got as a solid
Team one to seven I think that team if it can start off I don’t see why not that team can’t be in the ru for a title itself so but yeah there’s some interesting teams but no definitely not right in skun and skunthorp open up against workington your first home
Fixture and then you’re back at uh at North Side the week after aren’t you so you’ll be heading up to workington is that that be the first time you’ve you’ve raced there or have you had any practice so far no never I’ve got I’m supposed to be practicing actually this
Week maybe Thursday Friday but weather depending but the weather’s not been too too great this week as it so um no it’s new I’m doing the Ben fund so that’ll be um really interesting and I’m really looking forwards to that getting spinning some laps there I think it’s
Great to see workington back I used to ride for workington years ago and at the old Doan Park that was a such a a shamed to see that track go cuz that was a great race track but no it’s nice to see workon come back a new big track Steve
Lawson he looks like he’s built a fantastic race course and so yeah so looking forward to seeing that place and spinning some locks and see how it goes the Waverly Hotel I’m sure pleased that Speedways back and as a former Comet I guess you know what I mean there yeah
The good old wavely a definitely got some history in there and it’s that place to tell some stories I think it’ be a very interesting but now it’s um like I said it’s just nice to see work and some speed Raz a whole um back on
Track and I think it’s great to see them fans back and I know some faces from when I used to race there so I’m definitely looking forward to going up there again and of course the Ben fun meeting a fantastic curtain riser for this big season for workington some
World-class Riders racing there Freddy lingren Dan buy uh and many others as well and um a fantastic cause that it’s for which I’m sure has supported you at time times in your career also yeah great charity and a great cause and look you know what you don’t really want
Any Rider to use it but when it’s tough times and injuries do occur and they’re there to help it every little bit helps for sure so know they’re great so it’s always nice to give back and when the phone rings or I said to Steph who helps
Run the meeting I said if there a spot put me in and you know you don’t have to ring me i’ just do it anyways it’s just great to get back from the sport that’s what it’s all about yeah looking forward to that you’re on your way to the to the
Glittering docks of Ip switch you said um are you uh are you riding yourself in in Poland this next year then yeah I’ve signed for clubing gal in the second league so I’m off to take my bikes over there to to get basically shipped over to Poland and then I’m flying out next
Week to go over to Poland to meet people and show my face and and start getting that underway so it’s a new challenge for me something I feel like I’ve needed for a while now and something what I’m really looking forwards to uh is Poland
Is as you know a lot of would say it’s probably the the middle they’re probably where everyone wants to be um in Poland the tracks out there the Riders out there your big names out there the only way you get better really I guess is just riding in against better Riders
Each week isn’t it and um Poland seems to be the number one Speedway in the world right now and you know you got your lik see him B up coming from there and he’s probably the P for the best speed rider in the world right now isn’t
It and um yeah so that’s definitely a challenge what I’m looking for to and who are your teammates there because that’s a that’s a team that’s had a few British base riders in there um so s Masters is racing in the team um and then I Kevin waler I used to know Kevin
From when he used to race in England and then I think Casper galski I used to old C from when he did a little stin swind and pooled so yeah I know a few of them so obviously it shouldn’t be too bad I go over there and introduce myself to
The the the team and whatnot the other Riders but no I think um as a rider as you know Speedway you just race one minute you could be racing on a Monday against them and on on the Wednesday that your teammate so no it’s a A new challenge but definitely I’m looking
Forward as I recall it’s the sort of track that British style of riders tend to go well at so I think you know that’s um a good choice for you I think you’ll go well there yeah I’m I’m looking forward to it for sure it it apparently
It’s like a big slickest track I’ve never been there so um summer I’m looking forward to in that type of way because obviously we all know the Polish beway tracks s some of them as torren they’re all big fast so as you I’ve looked I’ve watched plenty
Of videos I seen salon and know Josh pick speaking from Josh pick and Evo there last year kind of like a bit some would say a British base track so uh definitely looking forward to that uh hopefully um can get to grips and start practicing soon over there and getting a
Setup or something what I’m happy with so it’s going to be busy really when things get fully going with um two leagues in in Britain and then riding in the Polish second division as well it’s uh it’s going to be a busy 202 yeah busy I don’t know once the season
Starts when I’m going to be home but sounds like i’ be living on the road a lot more and living out hotels and and um yeah so we’re all good we’re ready for it this is what the winter breaks for to chill out and and to see these
Things but um yeah all travel in the airport runs and um last minute dashes I’m pretty sure they’re going to happen so yeah all all all to start and get used to Sheffield Tigers captain and new skunthorp score scorpion number one for 2024 Kyle howth with us on humans of
Speedway and in the next part we’ll get into Kyle’s early years how did he get started in Speedway in the first place all on the way on humans of Speedway welcome to humans of Speedway I me and Brandon if you haven’t already make sure you like or subscribe or follow or whatever the instruction is on your app of choice and don’t forget you can also now get the podcast on YouTube as well in audio format but another way
That you can follow it and get updates as soon as a new episode drops so we’re chatting with Kyle howth of the Sheffield tigers and the skunthorp scorpions in 2024 but he’s raced for many many teams in British Speedway over his career and he gets ready to mark his
Testimonial year as well with a big event at olon on March 14th um but how did it all start for you KL you’ve always been around bikes 7 you and I think you came from more the Motocross side of things but you were uh well you were just beyond a toddler really when
You first got on a bike yeah used to race you know foury old I was on a uh a peee and place things that I used to go watch me dad race M across with his mates and sit in the van and then he’d come in and I’d go on the kids
Track and every weekend really just being around bikes and going to me Dad’s car garage and the bikes were there and just watching me dad and and and my brother used to ride a little bit when and then all of a sudden just being
Around it is all my life that’s all in a way I think most of these Lads will say that’s all you ever know sometimes being around it all your life so and still love it to this day still get the same Buzz I think at start of the Season
Still got them butterflies and nerves in the start of you in your belly you know because it’s you know it’s coming up and so yeah riding bikes coming from Motocross and then I did a little bit of grass track with my dad and then two 2009 I went to
Um Cardiff GP I think it’s when Jason Crump got a 21 Point maximum and I went watching it I went watching it with my dad and his friends and seen the kids race before then and my dad said do you want to have a goal and then two weeks
Later we went to a bookon training school and I hit every fence panel I think I knocked every fence panel down and um he I don’t know you’d say this but the buzz started from there if you want me to be honest and two weeks later I was doing
An Amit meeting at scum for and I think I took every fence panel down there too if I’m honest and it was um no it was it was I don’t know I’m not going to lie I I went to it and I thought it was boring you know I
Thought who wants to race in a circle but getting on it and getting the buzz was totally different and I got hooked from day one so then from 2009 with a click of a finger and I don’t know where it’s all gone if I’m honest like it’s just happened so fast
Traveling here there everywhere being the British under 15s and then the British under 18s then the doing the British under 21s and going doing the world under 21 rounds to to racing and signing the pool as a 17y old lad and Here There and Everywhere and now I’m
30y old and think God where’s it gone one of the perks are getting older isn’t it I think the the years just go by faster and faster and before you know it all this season will be all all done and dusted and it’ll be all all over again
Because it’s going to come at you thick and fast isn’t it when uh when things do get underway in March Speedway as then Lads will tell you when it kicks off in March like before you know it you’re in the midseason and you think I’ve only
Got three months left and then if your team’s not doing well you could be done for um August and if your teams are doing well you could be going into October so um no it’s um Speedway the traveling lifestyle it like I said like throughout your
Career you feel like it goes so like a click of a finger and it’s over so no it’s um happened so fast and I was speaking to a couple Lads this week actually a friend who I still speak to Ash Morris we started the British um under under 15s together and we was
Talking where’s it gone and he’s 29 and I’m 30 and I’m thinking we sound old but you know it’s just gone so quick and so what now obviously we’re we’re recording this in February so March is is around the corner are you are you geared up for
That month or is March like you know you’re sort of just getting into it You’ got your sort of preseason friendlies almost like your testimonial for example Ben fund and then you know does the real real work begin in April for you yeah cuz one SE March is a funny month for
Speedway because you know I know you got your press days you got your testimonials it’s kind of bit of a faffing around month because you press days you go there you’re waiting around pictures and by you know and practices and and then you get March out the way
Really like you your three months of the year’s gone already hasn’t it like I know it’s crazy but then it’s like nine months till Christmas and you think what and then the speed right comes and all of a sudden I’ll see you and I’ll probably see you at BSN day and you be
Like I was speaking to you can you believe it we’re in August and you think yeah we’re in August already what what’s what’s happened what and you think I’ve got so many meetings fit in and you know you’ve had the rainoff you’ve had this you’ve had that and all the thing you
Got 25 meetings to fit in yet before playoffs or whatnot and you think it’s crazy in it and how it goes like last year I I thinking for example I had six weeks off for Plymouth because we had rain offs and grip offs and this and that and then
Towards the end of the year it was just chaos yeah it comes at you quick doesn’t it especially when you know you got some clubs catching up on meetings and then you’ve got playoff finals and semi-finals and all that to go through as well um let’s get back on on track
Though um and talk about you know your how you found your way into speedway and stuff and um you had some national league rides or or equivalent you know that that level of Speedway um initially with with scunny you rode for that Bournemouth team as well um Edinburgh um
You rod for the Belleview Colts and then it was like you got into workington and and also then pool in in 2012 now that pool team at the time was you know just full of talent wasn’t it you were you were what 17 when you got into it and it
Was a team that had the likes of uh Chris holder so you reunited with him now I suppose must be a bit weird but also Darcy Ward Davey watt you know that team of 2012 was was quite an impressive one i’ only ever jumped on a Speedway
Back at 15 years old so for 15 to 17 to go into the Top Flight was quite a big draft you know and I remember getting the phone off phone call off M FL if I’m honest and you want to double up and um you want to share a reserve spot and I
Said I’m probably a bit too young but you know I’ll have a goal and dip my feet in and I was still learning Race Craft as you do still learning now but I didn’t really I was probably a couple years two early if I’m honest but it was great to
Learn that I was in a team with d Dave wat Chris Al the you know Dary Ward these Riders at the time and magic yoski and you know it was such a hard league and um I was getting two three points at Reserve if I look when I look back now
And it wasn’t really bad because you know I was 17 year old I’d only been into British Speedway like two and a half three years and I was in the top League getting two three points and a lot of people say it’s only two three
Points but you know I’d only been on a bike two three years so I was quite happy that learning and yeah it was tough um that League back then won it with your B views your wol rampton was stacked with your Wolfies your Freddy lingren your peter Carson and you know
Your I switch at the time you Scott Nichols your bombers he was such a tough place and and but no it was great I learned a lot and that’s where it all started really for me like moving on and moving on in my career you’ve written for some good names in British Speedway
You know when you look at the likes of the pool Pirates wolves Sheffield um workington of course you know so you’re riding for pool in the top league but also workington in that um you know what’s the championship of course now and so you know that’s good
Good EXP experience and some some decent riders in that side as well even though they weren’t overly successful yeah for sure it’s it’s been great and workingon had some um really enjoyable times there didn’t really manage to win much um then obviously went to join Sheffield and was
At Sheffield was able to win a championship Champion Championship championship title with them that was great in 2017 and and then obviously stayed with them and obviously went to W wolver Hampton and was able to win a title there and then obviously get another title with Sheffield so yeah I’ve go
Some really great clubs and I’m I’ve been really fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to do that and um I look back now I remember doing a stin with commentary uh that was a great time got to the Grand Final against pool and
201 14 or 15 if I’m right and we we got to the Grand Final and we got beat off off pool but um yeah I’ve R some really great clubs over the years and it’s been great it was all happening for you when you were younger though because um you
Also had this opportunity with with Great Britain as well and you were in that 2015 World Cup squad so again that’s a great piece of experience to have had at that age too yeah Rosco and it was a really good stepping stone and it was great to
See um a lot of people don’t know but when you do these as as you’re getting older the financial is massive like to have the financial to do these meetings cuz you know it’s not just rocking up on a SP back and these foreign countries and and um appearing and there’s a lot
Of money goes into it so the team GB thing was massive for me and to be able to get that and I didn’t manage to get a ride but to be able to be a part of it at the time was great it was in Denmark
To see how it work the World Cup so all the world class Riders were there and it was great to be part of the squad was walk and people like that and um to get the opportunity to do that what’s that what one I seem to
Remember and it might have been W wolfy that put the picture on that you all had branded teamware and this we all Rosco basically messed up he says he didn’t but he did and everyone like had jackets in it said like Ty wer and Danny King
What mine said Carl how so that’s why wolfon calls me Carl now he never calls me Kyle so on interviews when people say why does wussy call you Kyle that’s where he calls me yeah he also calls me because I’m from Manchester he calls me
Car pilson the guy and he says I’m like him but I’m nowhere near like car pilson that’s what he calls me I just remember wolfy putting this um post on and it was just a picture of your jacket and he just put my mate Carl uh and there was nothing else it
Was Yeah so basically Rosco started that that was Rosco’s fault sort of doesn’t surprise me in some way but we did um an episode of this podcast with Alan rosseter um not long ago about a few five or six episodes ago so if people want to cycle back through that and
Listen to Rosco’s stories and yes there are stories as you’d expect but um modern day Legend of uh of Speedway you’d say oh he’s um he’s a character for sure Osco um um obviously I live near swinden so um sometimes I pop in on
Him some times and we have a yeah he’s a good B he’s he’s he’s he’s been good for British Speedways a character for sure and people I love him or hate him and he’s been great for swind and Speedway he managed to bring some titles to swind
And Speedway didn’t he um you know unfortunately that’s another club what’s gone and hopefully one day we can see them back on track but um yeah it’s h he’s a he’s definitely a character Ros go at some good times and he’s uh hopefully he can see him back in Brick
Speedway one day as a manager again yeah I think he’s um he’s open to it but it’s got to be on his terms you know he wants to have you know full control over who’s in the team and and all that kind of thing so um you know fair enough to
Him as you say he’s a busy enough guy but um I wouldn’t say we’ve we’ve necessarily seen the back of of Rosco in a management role just yet no I think that swind coming from Swindon he kind of had that where he built his own teams
And and he he wanted the Riders what he wanted what he thought was capable of winning the league and obviously he’s won the leagues so he does he does have a rough idea how to play doesn’t he and um yeah I’m pretty sure Rosco will be
Back obviously it’s got to suit him he’s got a family he’s got kids and and obviously his job and he runs a pub so I guess it’s all got as as we all know it’s all got a suit and and he’s got to work right for him I guess you’ve worked
With some you know big managers you mentioned there Rosco on on that scene but you know mid low you got steady now Pete Pete Adams for you what what makes a a good team manager um I think just a team manager being himself like for example work with Stuart Dixon
Very passionate guy very passionate his team talks I like football team talks he’s not scared of effing and jeffing and pointing in your face and telling you when you’ve been crap you’re crap you need to sort you you’re effing this out and and get sorted and then you’ve
Got your likes of for Simon stead who’s Cal collected he’s been a rider himself he’s Rod at a top level himself who who who knows when Riders are putting in and knows who Riders are not putting it in and he knows them lastly decid is what
It’s like to be in them and he’s and he has his ways and Mido he’s been a rider Rosco been a rider I think it’s always great to work of a manager who’s been a rider because he knows what it’s like to be in them positions like you know them
Last SE deciders when obviously you know there’s a lot of pressure on and these big meetings and people like that they just they understand you know what I mean but then you’ve also got your Pete Adams who don’t if if I don’t think he
Has been a rider as he but he knows what to do and you know Stuart Dixon I think he had a ride ride back in the day if I’m right um but uh everyone’s different aren’t it but I think it’s just being yourself really and just being honest
And and and I think obviously you it’s not just about filling a program isn’t it let’s be honest it’s about working your tactics someone like Stewart um he’s very like I’d say football manager in a way with his tactics but then someone like Simon stead he might have a
Pro he’s got the programming the back of his head too and he knows when if he needs to make a reserve switch this is what he’s going to do and what not and he goes from there really it was interesting chatting with Pete Adams and we did you know talk about this that
He’s always been conscious that he’s not a rider and and he didn’t want to tell you know Riders to do something that uh that he’d never done himself which is why he always has taken time to to have someone sort of in his Corner who is a
Rider for example like olle olon who he used to work closely with when he first started at at Coventry and and many other Riders have done that similar role in the past to sort of give him you know that Insight that he needs I think it
Like with Pete he’s work with some big world CL class Riders over the years and he and I think for him he probably learned off these Riders how to deal with other Riders because every Rider is different like you know in life in work you have to deal with individuals
Differently don’t you everyone’s different and um having a manager learning his Lads and how to speak to other Riders and deal with them and get how to get your best out of riders because some riders in a way they get treated different or spoken to different
And and Pete Pete obviously knew how to do that and he got the best out of his riders for sure you look at that you say when you win titles you you you do have a you must have a clue what you’re doing in your time you’ve also won silverware
In the championship pair which was always you know a big one at Somerset because it was part of the Cardiff weekend so it always used to pull a big crowd but he did it twice with u with Sheffield and and once in that team alongside Charles Wright and you’re
Riding in Charles Wright’s testimonial uh as well and bringing back maybe a bit of that magic I don’t know but um you know a good event to win that and you know a fun one to win too no I did that with Charles um back in 2018 and then
200 19 did it with the last of year at Sheffield so that was awesome like you know to able to look back and see your name on the trophy and you’ve won it it’s a nice same you could say prestigious trophy backet like in Speedway it’s one what people wanted to
Win definitely a Somerset pulled in a big crowd and you’d win that and it was at the atmosphere Somerset was electric on it so um no I think Oxford now it’s similar place last year it was packed to the rafters it was great so to be able
To get the opportunity to to represent my club and hopefully I can do that for scum for this year and you never know we can lift some silw well scunny got the taste for silverware didn’t they last year they won the The Knockout cup maybe the championship pairs might be
Something on your radar again I don’t know you you maybe to get yourself a hattrick of those uh it’s coming back to Oxford this time but sort of event that um you know skunthorp could have a chance in yeah for sure um like I said they they had I think Rob’s really built
Scunny up to be a Powerhouse team over the years and they did really well this last year we’re winning the KO cup and he’s he’s trying to move the club in the right direction and yeah so look at him the team’s looking steady again this
Year and I’d love to be able to play a really big part and help the club out and help them bring some silver where and um maybe you know people like like the peirs likes like that whoever’s riding whoever what riders in on the day then or coming towards it and Rob and
David how think the Riders are and hopefully then the Riders can go do some damage and and get a silver and we’re talking about team managers that have you know been Riders themselves and and moving in that direction David how is one of those now um and um of course
He’s been mechanicing for uh for Ryan Douglas who’s now not riding in in Great Britain so he’s a familiar figure around skun thought but now taking the Helm of the team as well so uh here’s your Gaff now he’s been there you can’t fool him he’s been there he’s done it he’s wore
The T-shirt Ro for woles w for RO a cardi all these big meetings now he’s he’s a spanner man for Doug Ryan Douglas so he’s been he’s not one you know always if you say to him my equipment and you rocking up with poor equipment
You’re going to say look you need to S your equipment out and there’s no excuses and he’s been there and like he said as sometimes it’s always good to have a manager who when it comes to these big meetings and and where he’s got to make these big choices he can put
Himself in them shoes and think right well I’ve been here before what what do I think I could do or what do I think’s best and go from there really so I think it’s a new challenge him being a manager and I think it’s a great challenge it
Keeps me involved in Speedway I support what he’s loved and what he obviously still does love so um he’s been at scum for now and I’d probably say you could look at David and he’s part of the club there in he he’s part of the Furniture
Let’s say so um no it’s it’s going to be great to work with him as a as a as a rider and um hopefully we can do good Kyle howth on humans a Speedway and he is going to be lining up as number one for the skunthorp scorpions in 2024 and
Of course captaining the Sheffield tigers as well in the sports andore Premiership in the next parts of humans of Speedway though we’ll hear how Kyle’s dream Speedway meeting might turn out including who would make his alltime want to 7 in the next part of humans of Speedway you’re listening to humans of Speedway I’m Ian Brandon don’t forget to keep an eye out for the official British Speedway podcast no breaks no fear which will be returning in the next couple of weeks at the start of March We Begin all the previews you need ahead of a bumper
Season of British Speedway right now though we’re ch in to the captain of the reigning champions of British Speedway Sports and short Premiership the Sheffield Tigers Kyle howth is with us Kyle’s also marking his testimonial year in 2024 with a big meeting with some uh well-known names some World Stars
Including world number two Freddy lingren in the lineup that’s on the 14th of March but right now Kyle we want to know how your actual dream Speedway meeting would look if we took all the shackles off no problems whatsoever uh and sort of how your perfect meeting
Would be and we’ll start by getting a look at what your dream track would be what is your favorite track in Speedway I do you know what I’ve always liked the look of torren torren looks I went to the GP you sat there it just looks like
The Gods like it’s the the dogs Bolls done it like it just looks me so maybe it’s some like T it just looks unbelievable yeah nice big track was um P jonsson designed it didn’t he torren yeah ah you know you go watch your Grand Prix there you like you get there you
Walk through the doors and you go upstairs and you sit down and you think wow like this is some this is some track and that place does create some great racing doesn’t it okay that’s the racing what would you say is the uh been the best atmosphere that you’ve witnessed in
Speedway no I tell you at the best 2016 uh bellw versus wber Hampton Grand Final they just heighted each other they heighted each other and the atmosphere Wy winding the fans up and it was just so electric the bellev fans was like going crazy the wolver ampton fans on
The back straight and obviously Freddy lingren and um what’s he called um oh what’s he called Mattis AAR had that Tiff in the down the back straight it caused a bit of atmosphere the bellw fans were getting riled up and it just caused them atmosphere and obviously then we won and
Then they was getting angry it just crazy it was great there’s no more a volatile atmosphere in British Speedway I think than when Bellevue are under the Kos on their home track uh he don’t like it it goes it doesn’t go well does it no I think probably
Manun man Union and they’re very uh you got to give it and they’ve got great support and the supporters get loud and they get a bit lar but I think it’s great for Speed rate makes a bit of entertainment too and um for sure I’d probably say the new rivalry is probably
Now BW Sheffield isn’t it Sheffield have got the Bary Army and they made a bit of noise and there’s probably a bit of a rivalry there now obviously being over probably 30 40 miles apart so yeah it’s great it’s great to see these teams get in like that and creating a great
Atmosphere in Sheffield these days of course bringing their own atmosphere the barmy Army are getting a name for themselves are they at Sheffield homean away and and sometimes not even at Sheffield fixtures they just turn up for a bit of Speedway and to to cheer on the
Riders but uh all a good bit of atmosphere and bit of banter and all no they’re great I think it’s um they’ve done Sheffield really great and um for the for the Riders when we’re there you hear them and they’re all singing and chanting and chanting stuff it’s really
Good it’s good it’s like it’s a bit like football you could say and it’s great for the Riders it creates a laugh and everyone has a laugh and you hear them they’re in the background singing the chance and that and yeah it’s great have you been serenad by the barmy Army um I
I have outside Walkabout in Cardiff and S Mary Street at 1:00 in the morning it did happen how about you no one meeting obviously was in McDonald’s after the the meeting once and one meeting the cheered me saying our’s here our’s there he likes Big Mac and he doesn’t care
Something like that I I don’t know I don’t know got me just made you laugh some of them all good value uh right um on to to the big topic now who would make your dream team your alltime one to seven you got seven Riders who’s going in that
Team Jason from I like Lee Richardson i r Lee a few times Dary Ward God this is a tough one um from Richardson Ward I got to stick Chris Alder and I like Chris Alder he was great um Lee Adams Nikki pedon one more who could
I thinking of he got me on the spot um I probably got to say you know what I’ve got to give it to him bomber I love the way he rides and bomber’s just class I like him he’s just such a great um racer when I race against him I was at Glasgow
Last year and I was in front of him and I didn’t know where he was coming inside Outside Inside Outside Inside and I got over the checkered flag and I was like mate you just had me and my throttle was just jammed on and he was just laughing
Like the guy’s just class for racing he’s a he’s a nightmare to race against I imagine he’s inside outside all over the place and never gives up and you can’t really ever uh ever relax with bom around you can you yeah I I remember I
Was on last year I think it was 813 for Plymouth and we was at Glasgow and I was winning and he passed me and I passed him back and I always then he passed me and then I passed him back and then he passed me back and I’m thinking where
The E you coming from yeah no he’s great great he’s been great for Speedway bomber us definitely yeah absolute Legend and uh looking forward to see him again in um in all the leagues he’s racing in as well in British Speedway this year of course Glasgow and uh and
Oxford in the uh in the Premiership um let’s uh finish on the subject of teams then you’ve ridden for quite a few well-known names in in British Speedway well-known teams but for you what would be the best uh team actual team that’s existed um pool have always been a tough
Team Matt Ford has always put a good team together hasn’t he uh every time you go pool they’re always tough it’s not often you catch them on an off night at home I’ve been on a team where I’ve won there before and thought drove away and thought how how’s that happened and
Probably pool really they’ve probably been such a dominant outfit haven’t they for many years now yeah so many good teams over those years as well of you know the different eras you know from the present uh you know going backwards to as you say when uh when Matt Ford first took
Over and a couple of years after that with midow and they had their first success well look thanks a lot Kyle for for joining us and all the best with the testimonial 14th of March is the date for your diary at olon stadium in Sheffield for your uh for your big day
Or evening I should say for Mark Sheffield Sheffield versus rest of the world so we can get down come and enjoy the meeting and hopefully uh the weather’s on our side and we can have a good night racing absolutely all the best to Kyle howth our guest in this
Episode of humans of Speedway thanks to you as well for listening don’t forget to check out some of the previous episodes there’s loads to go at I think it’s about what 50 or 60 now in total in the series Gina monarez the Team USA Captain was the most recent guest but
We’ve also recently spoken with Charles Wright another Rider marking his testimonial year in 2024 we spoke with uh wolves legendary team manager Peter Adams of course previously of centry and cradley as well Hans neelson Brady kurts Craig akroy Ben Cook and Alan Roseta from this most recent series and from
The series prior to that Danny King Steve warl Paul Bowen you might recognize him off The Apprentice you’re fired fair enough mate um Justin sedman we’ got Dave Rowan there as well Gary flint and Leon Flyn Adam Ryan uh many many more besides please do take those in and uh don’t
Forget to like And subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss uh the new episodes as and when they’re coming your way once again thanks a lot for listening to humans of Speedway and we’ll catch you on the next Episode Sports social podcast Network