SPEEDWAY stars Kyle Howarth and Josh Pickering were involved in an ugly brawl at Leicester.
The pair threw punches at each other and had to be dragged apart during the Premiership KO Cup tie at Beaumont Park on Thursday night.
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Josh Pickering (left) and Kyle Howarth (right) exchanged stern words on Thursday night Credit: Mia Durkin and Phil McGylnn
Both riders dismounted their bikes as things turned physical Credit: Mia Durkin and Phil McGylnn
Punches were thrown from both directions before managers and officials stepped in Credit: Mia Durkin and Phil McGylnn
Howarth, who races for Leicester, was confronted by Sheffield’s Australian Pickering after their close battle in Heat 9.
They exchanged verbals while on their bikes on the back straight of the circuit. Just outside the pit gate, when they got off their machines, a fight broke out and they had to be separated by their managers and officials.
Pickering said: “I made a decent start and drifted a bit wide and the Leicester riders came past. Fair enough.
“I got past Kyle once and then I drifted again and he showed his wheel. That was my mistake, I can take that one. He rode at me a little bit but I left the door wide open.
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“Next lap on the first turn, he rode straight into the side of me.
“As we were going down the back straight and then third turn, he just f***ing continued to ride at me. He drove me all the way up to the airbag.
“After the race I rode up to him. I said ‘listen mate, what are you doing?’
“Straight away he was on the back foot, argumentative. I said ‘what are you riding like a f***ing desperate idiot for?’
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“I’m all for good, fair, hard racing. There’s no need to ride like a f***ing idiot. We all need to go home safe. No reason to go on like a f***wit.
“I went to ride off and he’s started to mouth off. I jumped off my bike and said ‘OK, what’s your f***ing problem?’
“We spoke at the end of the meeting. There’s no hatred but he’s not my f***ing mate.”
Neither rider was fined for the incident by referee Phil Griffin. But it has been referred to the Speedway Control Bureau for any further punishment for those involved.
Leicester boss Stewart Dickson added: “I just thought it was really hard racing.
“When I saw Josh Pickering going round to talk to Kyle after the race, I wasn’t 100 per cent sure whether he was going to question him or it was going to be a laugh and a joke about how hard the race had been.
“I was actually quite surprised when it turned into fisticuffs. I wasn’t too sure of the reason.
“It got a bit heated after that. It livened up the fixture, that’s for sure.
“Wrestling and ice hockey get fighting and aggro all the time which generates a sensational atmosphere.
Howarth, 32, was born in Greater Manchester Credit: Alamy
Pickering, 29, hails from Australia Credit: Alamy
“The only thing is that speedway is a lot more dangerous. As long as it doesn’t go over the line again with Kyle and Josh.
“The dispute has to end now. We don’t want feuds or vendettas on track because that can get out of hand and end very badly.
“I would think with the characters involved, Kyle and Josh will shake hands when the red mist has gone. I would hope so.
“They raced against each other two more times after that incident and there were no further issues.
“Both riders are known for being 100 per cent gutsy riders who give it everything. They are hard but fair riders. They wear their hearts on their sleeves.
“It was just a clash of two gritty blokes giving it everything and not giving an inch. That just caused the altercation after the race. It’s just passion and we love that. Boy did it get the crowd going.
“Kyle got the biggest cheer of the night from the fans, that underlines what the fans thought. The fans love it. But there’s a line that we don’t want to cross.”
Defending champs Leicester went on to win the fixture 46-44 and reach the KO Cup final for a second successive season.
