The Fans and why they love BSB
THE MUMFORDS
13-year-old Alfie Mumford from Sutton, Surrey made himself spokesperson for the family: dad Elliot, mum Lauren, sister Amy and her boyfriend Jordan. What does he love most about BSB? ‘The noise!’ When prompted, he also admits to being keen on other aspects of the weekend. In fact there aren’t many things he doesn’t like. Happily, everyone else agreed. There are other reasons the Mumfords go to BSB and other events, mainly the fact that Elliot is a personal sponsor of Gino Rea who makes his BSB debut this season in the Superbike class.
THE FRYERS
Father and son Stephan and Darren Fryer, 61 and 38 years old, rode through filthy weather all the way from Bodmin to Donington on Saturday morning for their traditional visit to the first BSB round of the year. I found them enjoying a welldeserved full English in Donington’s splendid new café. They go to the British World Superbike and Motogp rounds but BSB is top of their list thanks to the rider accessibility and value for money. They will take in both Brands Hatch rounds as well this season.
THE ROYSTONS
Charlie and Sue Royston came up from Cranbrook in Kent for their first visit to Donington Park. Recently-retired Charlie did a bit of grass-tracking as a youth and even rode a few second-halves at Canterbury speedway but regards himself as coming back to bikes at the age of 63. They’ve been to Assen and intend to get to three or four more BSB races this year. Their reasons for supporting BSB are just the same as everyone else we talked to. ‘The family atmosphere and to be able to wander round and see the riders.’
THE SCOTTS
The Scott family from Brierley Hill might be the archetypical BSB fans. Wherever you look in a BSB crowd there are families. Dad Carl, mum Beverley and daughters fiveyear old Lucy and camera shy Sophie, three, plan to be at the Snetterton and Silverstone rounds of BSB, plus the British GP this year. Scott was a school mate of Luke Quiglety, until recently a more than useful racer, and used to ride on the road himself, but the arrival of the family put paid to that. They’re back now that the girls are old enough to enjoy the racing.