WSRA launch rider of the month award

NEWS Wednesday 2nd July 2025, 12:50pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs Academy

The World Speedway Riders' Association are a charity, and they are the sponsors of the National Development League which our Monarchs Academy compete in. Good news for our team members is that there will now be a monthly draw in which they can win an award worth at least £250.

That means for the first month anyway there is a one-in-six chance it will be one of our riders, though for later months they will have to join the WSRA. But why not?

The following is the official announcement from former Monarchs' captain Bert Harkins (330 matches as a Monarch).

THE World Speedway Riders' Association are set to launch a Rider of the Month Award with a difference!

Rather than the usual performance-based award, there will be a prize draw each month which gives every rider an equal opportunity to win the award.

The first of the awards will be open to all riders across the WSRA National Development League which carries a prize of three days personal coaching with two modern day legends of the sport, with the winner being drawn live during a meeting covered by British Speedway Network.

As a charitable association, the WSRA see this as an opportunity to further support the NDL and its competitors.

WSRA chairman, Bert Harkins said: "We have seen some young riders quit the sport in recent weeks because they are struggling financially or mentally with the pressures of the sport, so we as a charity want to relieve the stresses and strains with this monthly award."

With the support of Try Speedway managing director Tony Gaul, NDL racers will have the opportunity to have three separate sessions of tuition at the premier training school with former Speedway Grand Prix star and seven-time British Champion Scott Nicholls and ex-Great Britain international Paul Hurry providing the coaching.

After the first (July) draw there will be similar awards in August, September and October, but these will be restricted to riders who are members of the WSRA (annual membership currently £25), and the award will have a guaranteed value of at least £250.

One of the main benefits of joining the association is the wealth of experience from ex-riders' members – from World Champions to riders who only rode in a handful of meetings – many of whom are freely available to offer advice and guidance to young riders.

Besides the social events and their backing to the NDL, the WSRA, as a registered charity, works closely with the Speedway Riders' Benevolent Fund, including sponsoring their annual Bonanza meeting, supporting injured riders.

Ben Trigger, No.1 for champions Leicester, has praised the WSRA initiative to support young riders.

He said: "It definitely is a good idea and I'm really glad that the WSRA are doing it because they are trying to support the youth that are coming through.

"I think what they are doing is good. It gives riders in the NDL some recognition because they can have some training days with Scott Nicholls and Paul Hurry after the first draw.

"In the draws that follow you have the opportunity to win a £250 voucher which is great because it's money you don't have to fund yourself.

"For riders coming through it's hard to make money riding solely in the NDL because no matter what level of the sport you're racing in, the costs are the same.

"If you're in the Championship scoring a 15-point maximum you'll be sitting comfortably financially whereas, in the NDL you'll struggle to get by so having the help of the WSRA makes a real difference because nothing comes cheap in speedway."

Any rider wanting to join the WSRA should contact Graham Darling on 07737 440296 or graham.darling71@gmail.com by July 20 to have the chance to win one of the draws in August, September or October which is only open to NDL WSRA members.