Shane Hazelden is a 15 year old from Crowborough with his sights set firmly on the top of his sport. His dad Garry, a former grasstrack racer and speedway mechanic, took him to watch races at an early age.
Shane’s first bike was a 50cc machine on which he rode around local fields, graduating on to a 100cc speedway bike at the age of eleven. Eastbourne Speedway offered the opportunity to pay and ride as a junior (they still do this, even hiring out bikes) and Shane decided this was for him. After a year practising, it became apparent he was serious about the sport and a 200cc Honda machine was purchased. Shane entered the British under 15 championship aged 13, competing on a 250cc bike against 500cc bikes (you have to be 14 to ride these).
He finished 2nd in his first year in the under 15’s pairs. Upon reaching 14, Shane rode a 500cc machine and finished 6th in the country in 2007, including a race win in the Cardiff GP on a 250cc bike.
All was set for a spectacular season last year, until on December 30th 2007, Shane lost control of his bike at Sittingbourne and crashed through the safety barrier at 60mph, shattering his right femur. Despite the forecast of a missed season, Shane fought his way back to fitness and was racing again by August. However disaster struck again at a meeting in Ipswich in August and another huge crash saw Shane break the same leg. Since then he has again been determined to jump back on the bike and pursue his dream.
SEB: After two huge setbacks at such an early age, did you ever feel like giving up and doing another sport?
SH: It’s all I have ever wanted to do since I can remember. A lot of people said I wouldn’t ride again but I have always been determined to become a top speedway rider.
SEB: What have you learned from your lay off and injuries?
SH: I know I need to be patient and have a steady return to racing. The trouble is, there are many riders aiming for the same goals and a year out at this stage leaves a big gap to catch up on. However, I think I have matured having to deal with this, you know in this sport you will get injured at some point.
SEB: What are your short and long term goals?
SH: I need to attend as many matches as possible to get noticed by the clubs and hopefully get signed after I am 16 for the National League. Eventually I want to become World Champion by competing in the Elite league and GPs.
SEB: Who prepares your bikes? I am impressed with your well equipped garage and workshop.
SH: My dad is a mechanic and I can do a lot myself now. We send the engines for tuning in Ipswich and Alan Mogridge (ex rider and family friend) has loads of useful riding and bike set up advice.
SEB: I notice you have two bikes, do they take much to keep set up?
SH: I have two race bikes (Jawas) and a practice bike. After each meeting they need around five hours of stripping down, cleaning and re-assembling. Each race at each meet has a different setting as conditions change from track to track and during the evening as well. I can keep the same bikes as I progress, the engines can be tuned for more power. There is no point having maximum power until I can use it efficiently.
SEB: Can you give us an overview of the bikes and tell us how a typical speedway meet is run?
SH: The bikes are 500cc single cylinder 4 stroke units running on methanol. Most engines are made by FGM, an Italian firm. They put out around 65-67bhp at 10,000rpm, weigh around 75kg. An engine needs rebuilding after an hour’s racing. They are chain driven, fixed gear and have no brakes! A meeting will consist of four to five races of four laps with four riders. Each race is around a minute, it doesn’t sound a lot but it is extremely physical. We need a new rear tyre each meet but a front will last a season. The bikes will hit 60+mph on the straight, in countries with larger tracks they can reach 100mph (with no brakes!!)
SEB: How often do you ride and how far do you have to travel?
SH: During the season I race three to four times a week, as far apart as Plymouth and Glasgow. My dad was quite relieved when the price of diesel dropped this year, the travel is a large part of the cost!
SEB: Obviously you don’t have much time for anything else apart from speedway. How does school and other activity fit into your life?
SH: I have to say my school (Crowborough Beacon Community College) has been excellent, as they are a sports college, they appreciate what I am trying to achieve. I intend to do as well as possible in my GCSEs so if the speedway doesn’t work out, I would do engineering or something connected with physical training. Other than training, my dad and I like to do a bit of carp fishing to get away from racing completely.
SEB: Any plans to ride bikes on the road?
SH: No, in fact I have never ridden a geared bike! My priority is to learn to drive so I can take some of the strain of travelling from my dad with the van.
SEB: Many thanks for the interview Shane and we wish you better luck with the coming season. Anyone you would like to thank for helping you achieve what you have so far.
SH: My mum and dad have been great and committed loads of time and effort (and money!) to help me.
Lakeside Speedway have been brilliant and John Harris Motorcycles have really supported me. Nick at Freedom Leisure and Maddie the physio at Crowborough Hospital have put in a huge effort to help me regain my fitness. Alan Mogridge has been great for my career as well.
To sponsor Shane or keep up with his progress, visit
www.shanehazelden.co.uk for all fixtures, news and speedway club details, visit
www.british-speedway.co.uk
I want to go faster, I want to go faster..
