This petition has been created to raise serious concerns with the editorial direction of the Speedway Star grasstrack section under columnist Jon Batham.

Over the past 18 months, many within the grasstrack community including riders, organisers, volunteers, and supporters feel that coverage has become increasingly divisive, negative, and damaging to the sport and to individuals involved within it. 

Rather than promoting unity and the future growth of grasstrack racing, articles have frequently focused on political disputes and controversy surrounding the ACU, the sport’s long-established governing body.

There is also growing concern that certain individuals, clubs, and organisations are being unfairly targeted or portrayed negatively within coverage, creating an atmosphere that many feel borders on personal attacks rather than balanced journalism.

The issue reached a tipping point following the omission of a recent memorial event from the regular “What’s On” weekend fixture listings. The event, organised to celebrate the life of a Grasstrack Stalwart, an event that had previously been included in earlier coverage promoting Grasstrack Fictures, making its exclusion difficult for many in the sport to understand.

This has led to further concerns regarding impartiality and whether personal disagreements or outside influences are impacting editorial decisions. Members of the grasstrack community believe that Speedway Star, as the leading publication covering the sport, has a responsibility to provide fair, consistent, and unbiased reporting that supports all areas of grasstrack racing.

This petition calls upon Speedway Star management to:

• Review the current editorial approach to Grasstrack coverage
• Ensure all reporting is fair, balanced, and impartial
• Avoid coverage that appears personal, divisive, or politically motivated
• Refocus attention on promoting riders, clubs, events, and the future of the sport
• Rebuild trust with the wider grasstrack community

This petition is not intended to silence debate or opinion. Constructive journalism is important to the sport.

 However, many supporters now feel the current direction of coverage is harming rather than helping grasstrack racing and the people who dedicate their lives to it.