Interview - Jaimon Lidsey 🇦🇺

After several years racing in Poland for Leszno, Jaimon Lidsey decided it was time for a change, and he is now ready and prepared to race for the Pigeons of Grudziadz, where he forms a powerful Aussie trio with his fellow countrymen Jason Doyle and Max Fricke. Jaimon took some time out of his pre-season preparations to speak to me. 

Let's start by asking how you first got into speedway, at what age were you and where did you race in the early days?

I started racing speedway when I was 12 years old, racing at 125cc Junior bike at Olympic Park speedway Mildura.

What was it like leaving Australia to come over to Europe and did you get help from some of the other Aussie boys?

It was difficult at the start, I came with a back pack, a gear bag and started from scratch. I had so much help from Piotr Rusiecki (Polcopper) and also from some Aussie riders. 

You spent several years with Leszno and raced for the team at Rawicz as part of that time. Looking back on it, what would you say the best things were?

The best thing was I started differently to everyone else by coming to Europe first, not the UK... and it paid off and I’m very grateful I took the chance.

Now you've got new and exciting challenges ahead with your current team Grudziądz. Is it a track you enjoy racing on? 

Yes, new club this year and everything has been great so far. Grudziadz is a technical track but I’m hoping to get a good home track advantage there this year and score a good amount of points throughout the season. 

Who do you see as the key riders for Grudziądz? I watched Kevin Malkiewicz closely last year when he raced for Wrocław in the playoffs and he looks very talented...

We are all key riders for the club. The juniors will also be very important. Kevin is a great up and comer and Kacper Łobodziński is also a good rider. Them 2 boys will definitely help us win meetings this season. 

Most people in the group are aware that GKM haven't yet managed to make the playoffs in the past few years since their elevation to Ekstraliga in 2016. I think this year may be their best chance yet. Would you agree? 

I hope so. I’d love to be a part of taking GKM to the playoffs for the first time and there is no reason why it can’t happen. 

With all the traveling between countries during the season, how do you stay fresh and keep organised? 

There are a lot of kms in the vans and plenty of flights each season. I’ve got a young family as well that I try and spend as much time as possible with each week. You just have to learn to deal with not much sleep and just keep everything rolling, it’s only 7 months a year and it’s a pretty cool job. 

Lots of the Continental European Speedway group members watch the meetings from Poland, but haven't actually been there. Can you describe for them what it's like actually living and racing in Poland (compared to say the UK)? 

Speedway is huge in Poland, the stadiums are full of fans from 8,000-14,000 people each meeting depending on the stadium and the fans are like British football fans. It’s pretty cool. 

Several of your family members and friends follow your progress via the group here. Do you think they feel we do a decent job of keeping them up to date with the streams and news? 

It is fantastic this group, for not only myself but my family on the other side of the world. What I also like is there is no drama and abuse on here otherwise that person gets kicked out. As a rider this is the only group I have joined involving speedway. Keep up the great work - I’m sure I am speaking on behalf of everyone who has been grateful for this group and the Kergel links 😆

Almost 20 of the group members will be at Grudziądz on 14.04 to watch your opening meeting v Lublin. We'd like to wish you all the best for it, and indeed all the best for the 2024 season! Thanks for talking with me! 

Thank you too Michael!

Michael Purves, 02.04.2024