Alan Boxall has the inside line while Eastbourne's Roger Strudwick (79) and Tom Brennan (27) close in
Pit Bikes - Clash Of The Titans Q  Words and pictures by Alan Turner Pit bike racing is a fairly recent phenomenon in Britain, but the sport originated in America (where else?) and was becoming established even before the Millennium. That perennial favourite, the Honda monkey bike, was the original choice, then Kawasaki saw an opportunity and came up with a completely new style of machine, soon copied by a number of manufacturers. Racers being racers it was perhaps inevitable that bikes that were once accessories should have their turns as centres of attention. In the States, even roadracing featured among the disciplines for which the bikes could be used. As most bike sports this side of the pond frown on riding in the paddock, it took a while for interest in pit bikes to gain any traction. Eventually, cheap second-hand machines started to appear on the market and, unsurprisingly, proved popular, initially with 14
younger riders and then with more senior interest. Pit bike racing on speedways, especially the speedway minitracks, has grown in popularity. Now, regular track racers enjoy the opportunity for off-season outings while others are encouraged because it must be the cheapest route of all into motorcycle speed sport. Over the winter, weather permitting, there had been events at Iwade as well as Arlington. This culminated in
a challenge match, 'The Clash of the Titans', with an event at both venues for Iwade Colts v. Eastbourne Mini Trackers, the aggregate score to determine the winner. The mini-bike tracks are much smaller than the full size speedway ovals. Eight bikes contest a race. There are two starting tapes, a few yards apart, with the second row having the higher scoring riders. The starter lets the tapes go simultaneously. If that sounds
Connor Dugard and Tom Brennan demonstrate their speedway skills
