Returning reserve Luke Muff talks about the new Speedway season.

Returning in 2022 to the line-up of the Mildenhall Fen Tigers – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery – is 34-year-old Yorkshireman, Luke Muff.

2021 was Luke’s first year riding league Speedway and it culminated (albeit a bit delayed) with a National Development League [NDL] title winners’ medal! Which isn’t half bad for starters!

There’s been a trend in the last several years for riders who previously got their racing thrills from motocross to turn to Speedway, and Halifax-based Luke is one of these. But actually his background in the sport goes back a long way as he explains,

“I was taken to Speedway at tracks like Sheffield and Odsal in Bradford from a very early age, probably aged about four years, by my Dad and Granddad, but I remember really being more interested in playing around on the embankments and terraces rather than paying any attention to the racing!

“When I did start riding motorbikes myself, for many years it was in the amateur motocross scene around the north of England and I lost all touch really with Speedway”

All that changed though, just as Luke was reaching his 30s, thanks to a bet with his grandfather!

“My grandad had a £10 bet with me that I wouldn’t get on with a Speedway bike at one of the training open days at Scunthorpe.  I bet him £100 in return that I would! I had my first laps on the mini track there and loved it; graduated quickly onto the main track and loved it even more and suddenly I knew it was the sport for me!”

Luke goes on.

“It’s funny really because when I was watching the sport a bit,  if I had a favourite rider it was Sean Wilson and now I have him doing my engines! I’m also getting a lot of help and advice from Adam Roynon and being around such experienced riders is really helping me”.

Luke reflects on the experience that’s most valuable of all, riding in the NDL last year with the Fen Tigers.

“I felt that at first I was finding points a bit hard to come by but then I was upping my scores, getting five and six points from the reserve berth and obviously it was a shame for me personally that  I did lose my place in the title run-in. I certainly think if I’d had the opportunity of those extra handful of meetings I’d have continued my improvement.

“But I understand completely that, unlike other motorcycle sports, Speedway is a team sport and it’s ultimately the team which matters.  So I took the decision to replace me in the line-up well – no point at all in getting upset by that. Just concentrate on improving and taking the next opportunity when it comes along.”

That opportunity is now of course and Luke has been ensuring he’s fit and ready for the off.

“I’ve been practicing at Scunthorpe and have hired out the Redcar track too – where Jason [Edwards]. who’s at Redcar in the other division this year of course, has been a big help.  Adam [Roynon] has been helping me too – he’s the Master of Starts and is helping me out with my technique in that.  And I’ve  been keeping fit and stepping up that fitness regime as the season start approaches.”

Luke knows the value of all the assistance he gets from sponsors and friends and is keen to give them a mention,

“I want to thank SWR & Sean Wilson for the engine tuning that is top quality; and Tommy Nicholls for his advice and the spares he provides.  Then there’s Martin Dicken, SF Race Wear and OZ Chem who provide my fuel and our club sponsors Manchetts Rescue & Recovery who always go the extra mile to help me and all the Fen Tigers’ riders.  Di and Linda from the Supporters Club work so hard to give support to us all and of course all the members who give towards the cause. And then there’s Brian Jacobs who is a top bloke and helped me so much last year, Dave who has been my driver and of course Dad for mending the bike and picking me out of the fence!” 

Luke is ready for the off as the opening Fen Tigers’ match of the season nears closer,

“I can’t wait to get going  - and to be honest I don’t even know who we are riding on Sunday, I know it’s a challenge match!  I just want to get back out in front of that Mildenhall crowd who really appreciate the sport and love entertaining racing which is what me and the team intend to give them”.

That opening fixture is on Easter Sunday (17/4) and is indeed a Challenge match against a team of young GB talent from the Poultec Training scheme.  The racing gets underway at 3pm.