NEWS:
 

1/08/08:

 

After the Redcar v Newcastle match I was meant to be in got called off while I was en route, I pulled in to Birch Services on the M62 westbound at 4.30 pm I stopped for 10-15 minutes.
My van was broken in to from the sliding door, breaking the lock and my kitbag was taken.
In my kitbag was 1 pair of boots and steel shoe, 2 pairs of kevlars, all my body armour, 2 helmets, my wash bag and more....
Over £2000 pounds worth of gear and on top of that is the damage to the van door!
It was the last thing I needed after an up and down start to the season and a busy weekend of racing ahead.

Saturday Weymouth v Boston
Sunday Boston v Weymouth
Monday Reading v Newcastle
Tuesday Isle Of Wight v Newcastle

 

18/7/08:

After three weeks off due to the weather and the British Grand Prix I had three meetings planned for last weekend, Friday we (Weymouth) went to Plymouth for the third atempt of running the 2nd leg of the KOC, as a team we did very well but I had a bad meeting myself.

Maybe it was the break, only haveing a practice at Birmingham the week before with team mate Jay Herne.

After scoring paid 5 the next night was Weymouth v Plymouth in a league match, my first race I was in contention when falling on lap 3, my next was a good start to lead Glanz and Hughes until once again on lap 3 I crashed!

Thiw was followed up by a paid win and  2nd place to once again score paid 5.

This is not good enough so myself and team mate Jay Herne travelled to Mildenhall where we both had guest bookings for that club on the Sunday in the Premier League only for that fixture to be called off after damage to the track.

This weekend is a new one and Saturday night I guest for Mildenhall at Workington before racing for Weymouth at Sittingbourne on Sunday so here's to a better weekend!

24/6/08:

Sorry for the lack of updates!

The season didnt start like I wanted it to, I have had to make many changes and go back to basics as far as bike set-ups are concerned, frames, carbs etc etc and during this time my confidence lowerd as I wasent having good meetings.

However last week saw me have my first good meeting as a whole! one bad ride and four straight wins made me feel I was on my way back.

Weymouth have stuck by me and I hope to repay them with fine scores.

We have a break now for the British Grand Prix but I will be doing some riding before my next meeting. It has been a slow start and I have been working hard so now I can pick up from where I left off!

23/4/08:

 

Last weekend saw me race in my first meetings of the season (other than the Telford ice meeting).
I was away at Plymouuth on Friday and the return was 24 hours later at Weymouth.
I sufferd bike trouble and was rusty but still recorded the fastest time of the night at Weymouth, my new home track I haven ridden at since a fantastic meeting there fot the Stoke Spitfires in September 2005.
All in all as a team effort we all had troubles but this season once we have had a few meetings I will be back to my old self and the team will gel, so watch this space!
 
This coming weekend Im racing at home on Friday against a Newport select and away at Plymouth on Saturday in an all star select team, again 2 meetings to get me warmed up and back on the gas...

 

10/4/08:

 

I went to Weymouth on saturday for my press and practice day however the weather was far from perfect and only 4 out of our 10 man squad went mud racing, I however decided it wasent a good idea!
My first meeting is 18th of April away at Plymouth with the return at Weymouth 2h hours later, no doubt I will get in a few laps between now and then as I did at Birmingham last week.
I have been very busy having HGV (lorry) lessons in the week and I'm happy to say I passed my test on friday so I will be looking to do some truck driving during the season to back up my small fixture list.

 

 

28/2/08:

 

For the first time riding at my local track Telford I was in all three meetings and didn't have any crashes!
I love been involved with Telford as I have been going to watch there since I was a child, this year I rode for rest of the world, scored 1+1 in my first ride, had a last in my next and was excluded in my next after coming together with Shaun Tacey.
In the Speedway Star best pairs I was in a solid scoring position that would have seen me and partner Martin Smolinski through to the next round, however i did a 360 and finished behind!
 
Then it was on to the main meeting in the evening, I scored 5 points and had a few close races, all in all it was a good day on the bike.
I must however pass my regards and best wishes on though Craig Branney and David Howe after to nasty crashes!

 

13/1/08:

 

Now announced I will ride at Weymouth for the wildcats!

Luke signs for a Conference League club for 2008 and agrees to race in the Telford Ice meeting on 24th Feb.
 
I hope to release the team name sometime next week for who I have signed, I have been frozen out of Premier league racing for 2008 through no fault of my own after talks with Sheffield and Stoke.
I have had to write to the BSPA to get my average reduced to 3.00 and a decision was made to agree to that, I am very thankful for their help and support.
 
I had many phone calls with my first choice team Stoke but it became clear they simply didn't want to use me, I then spoke with Sheffield who own my contract and was lead to believe I was going there until the end of January when they signed someone else, they also failed to put my name in the list of available riders.
During this time 99% of all Premier and Conference League Clubs had already selected their teams so I was left with almost nowhere to go for 2008 after working so hard on my comeback!
I did however have phone calls from The newly named Redcar Cubs but at the time I was still in with a shot of a Premier League place so I turned that offer down but I must state I was very grateful of the offer.
 
I look forward to my new role at a new club and hope you all wish me well, I am also riding in the Telford Ice meeting later this month, an event that is so local to me and is somewhat of a winter gathering.
I am racing in the best pairs and the open ice championship.
 
I will not be the team manager for the Birmingham Bulls as it was only a one year deal while I wasn't racing, I wish them all the best for 2008 though.
Next Tuesday at 8pm myself, Jack Hargreaves and Grahame Drury have a live radio interview on Radio Shropshire, something I enjoy doing and I hope we get lots of people tuning in.
 
I look forward to the season as many of you all do and hope its a safe and successful one!

catch you later,
LUKE

 

28/11/07:

 

I hope everyone had a good season, myself I guess it went to plan really, racing at the end of the year has given me confidence that in 2008 I really think I can be back in the Premier League somewhere.
Yesterday saw me ride in the Winter Warmer Grasstrack meeting at Newport, I won my first 2 races had had a 2nd place in my third qualifying heat, that put my straight in to the A-final where a bad start left me in 4th, the meeting was won by friend Lee Smart.
It was another meeting on the trail of my comeback and training schools is where I will be most weeks after Christmas building towards my goal of a Premier League place...

 

04/11/07:

 

My last meeting was on Tuesday, I raced for Sheffield at Scunthorpe in The Halloween Trophy. I was a little upset I only scored 3 points but not been race fit and Scunthorpe as a team are so very good round their home track so I guess it wasn't too bad.
My comeback has gone well however and I am really looking ahead to 2008 and I will be training hard to make sure I start in a premier league team!
Last night I was at the SRA awards night and it was once again a great success and many thanks go to Shane Parker and co for making such a good event.
As for 2008 I will be looking for new sponsors to help with my fresh start!
Later this month I am riding in the grasstrack meeting held at Newport speedway, many speedway and grasstrack riders will be taking part in the event I was runner up in 2005!

Luke

 

29/10/07:

 

As far as wet meetings go, Saturday night at Stoke was one of the wettest I have ever raced in, it was the Garry Stead meeting and despite the weather had a very good turnout!
I scored 5 points including a win, 2 thirds and a donut!!!
The racing wasent great because of the conditions but everyone tried thier best and the meeting completed all 20 heats, there was an auction afterwards and all money raised on the evening went to Garry, we all are still thinking about him!
As for me, I'm racing on Tuesday at Scunthorpe for Sheffield in an inter-league challenge, I hope the weather is a little better for that!
I have been very busy spannering for Jack in between my own meetings in this hectic run in to the end of the season!

 

23/10/07:

 

Sunday I rode for the Stoke Spitfires at Buxton, as a team we were at full strength and took all 3 points on offer. On a personnel note once again my meeting was up and down, I went away with 6 points picking up an 1st, 2nd, 3rd and a last place in my first ride.
Buxton is by far my bogie track and I was happy to get a meeting in.
As the season comes to a halt in just over a week I have 2 fixtures left, I am riding in the Garry Stead meeting at Stoke on Saturday 27th and next month I am riding in a grasstrack meeting at Newport speedway, the same meeting I was runner up in 2005.

 

15/10/07:

 

Yesterday saw me ride my fourth meeting of the season, after my fixture of Buxton v Stoke Spitfires was rained off in the morning I took the challenge of riding for the Stoke Potters away at Glasgow.

Once again I had mixed feelings about the meeting but I was a lot happier about this one after winning my first race, my first heat win since my comeback!
I wasn't to score again however after not making the best starts in heats 4 and 8.

I will be riding in the Gary Stead meeting at Stoke on the 27th as I want to get as many good scores in before the end of the season to give myself a chance of a pl starting berth somewhere in 2008.

 

09/10/07:

 

Last night saw me in my third race meeting since my return, The New Era Individual at Oxford, again I had mixed feelings about my performance, I scored 6 points and made it to the semi final only to have bike trouble and miss out on the final.
I really need more meetings before the season ends and then I will be happy and ready to go in 2008 whoever I ride for.

Cheers Luke

 

04/10/07:

 

After my 3 planned meetings last month, Stoke Spitfires v Oxford, Buxton v Stoke Spitfires and Glasgow v Stoke Potters were all rained off I have my 3rd fixture at Oxford on Sunday in an individual event, it will be my first visit to Oxford since 2005 when myself and Jack Hargreaves did so well there, its an exciting opportunity and one I will take with both hands.
Its been very hard to find meetings to ride in since my return and I need some good scores to put my self in the shop window for a team place somewhere in 2008.

Cheers Luke

 

24/09/07:

 

Well as you will all know I'm Back!
I have had 2 meetings and with very much mixed feelings about them both I'm happy to say I'm ready to race and pick up where I left off in early July last year! My first meeting was at Birmingham last Wednesday in a conference league individual,

I scored 5 points and was happy to be back however I was a bit unhappy with just scoring 5 points. I have been mechanicing for Jack a bit and have done some miles in the last week along with my Team Managing duties that's why this update has taken so long to come.
My 2nd meeting was a surprise phone call from my parent club Sheffield to ride at Stoke in a pl challenge, I only scored 1 point and was upset I didn't do a better job in heat 14 after making a bad start, I really could have won the race but on the whole the meeting went well for me, I was on the pace and like I said, I'm Back!
Wednesday I was due to ride for the Spitfires at number 1 in place of Barrie as he was riding at Birmingham however the weather got the better of us as did the weather on Sunday when I was meant to ride for the spits at Buxton.

Cheers Luke

 

24/07/07:

 

After a check up on my still broken ankle the doctors are happy to leave it broken and bolted together as long as it causes me no problems, on the whole it seems ok so that's how it will stay for now.

With this news I felt good enough to have my first practice!!! I didn't feel to bad and even took a few tumbles with no ill effects so my target of having a practice before the end of July has been reached.

However I'm in no way ready to make my racing comeback just yet, I will have a few more practices and my next aim is to have a few conference league meeting under my belt before the season ends, great news I'm sure most of you will agree!?
I was at the Gary Stead Walkathon on Sunday 22nd along with Ben Barker with our bikes and racing gear, I'm glad to see many people there supporting Gary as you all did with me, it took place at the Apedale Park, just past the Stoke stadium entrance, weather was good for such a large turnout,

speak soon, Luke

 

02/07/07:

 

After a little setback with my last operation I think its all been a success, so now that's out of the way I think (fingers crossed) its just the ankle op to go.....

 

Last night (26th) I had a live interview on BBC radio Shropshire on the sport show, that again went well and I'm looking forward to getting on a bike soon, maybe July as I had a target of having a skid around the 5th, the date I had my accident last year, whether that is too soon I'm not sure, I will have to see, if not I think before July is over I will have had a practice, well if it stops raining anyway.

 

Its good to hear Garry Stead is so positive, I hope many of you have bought a wristband, I understand he has the internet in hospital so if you read this pal, I will come and see you soon!

 

My role as Junior Team manager for the Birmingham Bulls academy team >is going well, we have had 3 meetings and won them all, away at Swindon in the KOC, home to Sheffield in the league and away at Workington in the league, we also went to Sheffield and Glasgow both for rain offs!!!

That wasn't the best!

 

See you all soon, Luke

06/06/07:

I have to go in to Hospital for an unexpected operation to remove a lump on my bladder, I will be going in on Fathers Day 17th, having the operation on my birthday 18th (oh the joy) and will leave on the 20th all been well.

 

This however wont affect my comeback plans and I'm still on target to have a few practices towards the end of this month and July.

 

My ankle is still broken and plated and the operation to repair this I will leave until the end of the season. I've been unable to do much work for Jack Hargreaves this season due to a few thing however my work at Birmingham is starting to take off well.

 

I would once again like to thank all the fans, clubs, sponsors and anyone who has helped me and with recent events involving Garry Stead I'm sure you will again put 100% into helping in anyway with him. I wish him and his family all the best and its times like these that the speedway family pulls together, I'm very lucky to be given another chance and I'm going to take it with both hands.

 

 Luke

 

17/04/07:

I had my last big (fingers crossed) operation just over two weeks ago and I was in Stoke Hospital for 5 days, it was a very sudden date set after a check up a few days earlier. The operation to reverse my stomach was a success and I have to take it easy for at least another four weeks before I'm able to return to fitness training.

 

I do feel there is light at the end of the tunnel now although at the moment I'm still very sore and limited I'm my day to day activities.

 

Getting back on a bike this summer is looking good still but at the moment I can't really do much. I haven't been able to help Jack out in the pits recently because of this however my first go at running a second half event at Birmingham will be this Wednesday and that's something I am looking forward to.

 

I hope I will learn from the professional outfit at Birmingham and put that into my own racing when I make my comeback later this summer.

 

The next update on my website will hopefully have some news on a date for my comeback but for now there isn't a lot to tell people but please keep checking for updates and things will get rolling soon I hope!

 

Luke

 

20/02/07:

As many of you will have read my article in the speedway star this week, you will know I have a long hard summer ahead of me!

My aim is still to get back on a bike around July time, after operations and training. My left ankle is still broken, that doesn't want to heal so I will have an operation on that as well as operations on organs. My general fitness is coming along slowly but I'm going to the gym as much as I can and all is on course.

 

I had an article in the Daily Star last week as well as the Speedway Star and there are still a lot of people interested in my progress. as I said in the speedway star its thanks to the fans support and kind donations that I can start racing on 2 new machines! You will find a photo of my x-ray on my ankle from last week below.

The season is almost here and it's a shame I'm unable to line up in a team but I will be there behind the scenes helping Jack and also an exciting new opportunity at Birmingham speedway, here's to a good safe season!

Luke
 

 

16/01/07:

I went to watch at Newport on Sunday and its nice to see people still taking an interest in my recovery, it was also nice to see some racing and catch up with some of the guys.

 

As far as my injuries are concerned there's no real news as of yet, I saw a specialist in Stoke last week about when my next operation could be but I need to go in for an x-ray sometime in the next month or so. They will x-ray my organs somehow and see hoe they are healing and if its safe to operate!

I'm going for another x-ray in February on my ankle, after seeing Brian Simpson the laser expert I'm hoping its now started to heal.

Other than that's its just my general fitness, I'm seeing a physio every week and things are going well, once all my operations are out of the way and I'm fit I'd love to think maybe I could get back on a bike late in the summer!

 

Until then I will be helping my best mate Jack as a mechanic, I will be at his side in the pits and helping in the workshop so lets hope he has a good season or I wont get paid ha ha......

 

Luke

 

18/12/06:

Today 18th of December I went to visit Brian Simpson in Ipswich for laser treatment on my still broken ankle. My other injuries are healing well but there's still a long way to go before I'll be back on a bike. I am going to Stoke hospital every fortnight for checkups on all my injuries and I am seeing a specialist late January in regards to my internal organs. I have come out of the crash with my right leg 1 inch shorter than my left one! I am still in some discomfort but I'm getting back in to normal living pretty well. Even though I'm still badly injured I am looking forward to the 2007 season and putting new equipment together for my return which I'm hoping will be sometime late summer.

The support is still really great and I'll like to thank everyone involved once again and wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year!

LUKE!
 
I also have for sale my 2005 stuha rolling chassis with 2006 Jawa diamond only 4 months use due to injury, talon rear wheel, magura clutch lever gts covers!
2006 conference league 4s run off winning bike!
£500, contact John on 07870 852 256

 

06/10/06:

 

I have been out of hospital for almost 3 weeks now and the time I've been out I have been making good progress as I did when I was in hospital, I'm going for physio but my ankle is still broken, its held together with a metal plate and screws, I have to leave it for a month and go for another check up to see if it starts to heal.

 

Last Saturday I went to stoke for the first time and it was good to get out, I still have a very long way to go before I'm totally healed but I felt a bit more normal!

I have had several fund raisers going on and the support from everyone from all around the country has been so amazing, there's so much support and help its so nice, not just from the speedway world but all over, my local pub, The Plume Of Feathers has held a fund raising night and an auction with all the proceeds going to me, there has been a charity golf day near Newport that my dad attended and took part in that was run by the Celtic Trust who Terry Philips and Lawrence Rodgers helped to run.

 

The formula Grasstrack club raised money, there was the Luke Priest fund set up by Ian Lewsey, merchandise by Claire Perkins, wrist bands from Sarah and Lisa from Stoke, Sarah had just had a baby girl called Chloe so all the best Sarah, Wolfcry from Wolverhampton speedway helped me and so many donations from tracks and supporters there really is to many people to mention on here, you all know who you are but the last thanks has to go to the staff at the city general hospital in stoke and of Source Steve the paramedic who saved my life!!!

I will be updating my site more often now I have time and I'M sure I'll be adding to this update because I will have missed people out, not on purpose I hope u know.

 

There is another fund raiser taking place for me on the 16th of November run by Moto Nostalga at Wattlesborough village hall near Shrewsbury in Shropshire. It starts at 8pm and the guest speaker is 1976 world speedway champion Peter Collins. Tickets will be on the door charged at £5 per head, there will be people from different motorcycling events there and thanks to Grahame Jones for asking the 1993 world speedway champion Sam Ermolenko who will be in attendance, there will be an auction with many great items up for grabs, for more info please contact Lisa Curran on 01743 358 226 or 07931343995

 

More updates very soon, thanks Luke

 

01/10/06:

 

Taken from the Luke Priest Fund Site:

 

Luke was at Loomer Road on Saturday evening to see the Potters last home fixture. It was fantastic to see him there and he got a huge cheer and applause from the crowd. The Potters team made a presentation to him of a framed bike cover from Tony Rickardsson. The bike cover is from one of Ricko's 2005 GP World Championship bikes and was donated back in July.

 

The framing was arranged by Luke’s Stoke team-mate Mark Lemon. Luke is hoping to be back at Loomer Road for the meeting against Scunthorpe on Saturday 14th October. It was against Scunthorpe that Luke had his bad crash and the Scunny fans have been fantastic in their support.

 

15/09/06:

 

 I went to see Luke this afternoon and subject to a consultants ok he may be going home tomorrow (Saturday) for a weekend break. If it all works out over the weekend he will be allowed to stay at home. His last tubes came out today and this afternoon his dad, two friends and I took Luke in a wheelchair to the pub next to the hospital. Yes no joke 'THE PUB' and the picture at the top is proof!!! His first time out of the hospital grounds and I can't tell you how good it was to see him sitting somewhere other than a hospital bed. He will be visiting his local hospital over the coming months for physio as he has lost a lot of weight and needs to build up his muscles. Still a long way to go, but this is fantastic news today.

 

taken from the fund site!

 

16/08/06:

From the official stoke site:

Luke Priest continues to make good progress with a number of further operations lined up over the coming days.

"Luke has had the plaster cast removed from his leg which is another plus for the lad" explained his father, John. "What is planned next is to take the fixator away and to test his bladder."

"At the moment, all liquids are being bypassed his bladder. But they intend to inflate the bladder to ensure it has fully healed this time. If that proves a success, I really do think that Luke is well on the way to recovery. All-in-all, though, he is making really steady progress and looks quite well in himself".

02/08/06:

 

From the official stoke site:

 

Luke Priest underwent an operation on Tuesday to repair his bladder. "He was in a lot of pain afterwards but we are all hoping that it was a success" said his father John.

 

Luke has now been moved to Ward 120 at City General Hospital.

 

01/08/06:

 

From the official stoke site:

 

Luke Priest, who has an operation on his bladder today, will be handed a cheque for £3935 as part of the fund set up following his accident on July 5.

 

There are more pledges to come in with one of the organisers, Ian Lewsey, saying: "The response has been terrific and we have items and pledges coming in from across the country."

 

22/07/06:

 

From the official stoke site:

 

News on Luke Priest is brighter. The 21 year old is now officially out of intensive care and his condition is regarded as stable and improving.
“There have been a few steps forward and one or two back, but on the whole we are delighted with Luke's progress” said his father John.
“There is still a long way to go and we take each day as it comes. But there are a few positives now which we are all hanging on to.”

 

19/07/06:

 

From the official stoke site:

 

Adam Allott has earned a pat on the back after donating part of his first wage packet to the Luke Priest Fund. "Adam got paid after the Mildenhall meeting last week and promptly put half of it in the fund for Luke which I thought was a terrific gesture" added Tattum.

 

12/07/07:

 

From the official stoke site:

There is a piece of positive news about Luke Priest: "I spoke to his father earlier and he said that Luke has had a drink of tea through a straw and has eaten a little bit of rice pudding" added Tattum.

"There is still a very long way to go and everyone will be pleased to hear that there is the slightest bit of improvement".

10/07/06:

 

From the official stoke site:

Luke Priest remains in a critical but stable condition. Speaking on Saturday night at Loomer road, Priest's father, John, said: "Luke has had an operation today to repair a three inch tear in his bladder. We understand that has been a success which is obviously a high point for us."

"He has had an operation on his pelvis and an external fixator is in place. Work will go ahead on his broken ankle and elbow at a later date and they will have to reconstruct his rectum."

"Luke is still critical but sedated and stable. we are taking each day as it comes and some are better than others. We'd like to thank all the people who treated Luke at the track and in hospital as well as for all the words and thoughts of support."

09/07/06:

 

The collection at Loomer Road last night raised £1173.15

 Thanks to all the Stoke and Redcar fans for their generosity.

So that anyone can see how the fund is doing and see full details of how to donate a website has been setup please

Go to The Luke Priest Fund

Once again thank to everyone for their support!

 

Luke had an operation yesterday (Saturday) to repair his bowel this was successful, he is due an operation tomorrow (Monday). I will update the site as soon as I know the outcome. PLEASE DO NOT ring his family, the hospital or Stoke speedway. Thanks :0)

 

07/07/06:

 

For one night only I have decided to put my feelings against the stoke promotion to 1 side and am going to be at tomorrow nights meeting.

I will gladly accept cards on behalf of Luke and pass them on when convenient for the family. So just find me out (enough people know me) and give me any cards.

If you wont be at the meeting please feel free to post the cards to:

Luke Priest
c/o 8 Rainford Close
Packmoor
Stoke on Trent
ST7 4SX

 

From the BSPA Site:

 

STOKE SAS Spitfires skipper Luke Priest will be under the supervision of a trauma team following the crash at Loomer Road on Wednesday which left the 21-year-old with multiple injuries.


Stoke promoter Dave Tattum went to see Priest immediately after the fixture against Scunthorpe on Wednesday had been concluded and said: "Luke has a broken ankle, elbow and pelvis, and in addition to that he suffered internal organ damage, the muscle was pulled away from the pelvis and he has a badly ripped rectum.


"They operated on him on Wednesday night and he will be supervised by a trauma team for about 48 hours after that.
"My understanding is that the situation is not life threatening, but the internal organs may need medical attention and that is why they are on stand-by.


"Luke was out of it and is receiving help with his breathing. He has possibly been sedated to help ease the pain and we can only hope that he makes a swift and full recovery.


"I spoke to his father, John, at the hospital and he seemed to be OK."


Tattum asked that supporters don't continue to contact him for an update on the situation as that will be done through the official club channels.
He said: "I can understand that people are concerned about Luke because he is a smashing lad and it was obviously a nasty crash.
 

"But we will release what news we can when we have it through our press office."

 

06/07/06:

UPDATE ON LUKES CONDITION:

 

Thursday 2.30pm - Luke remains under sedation in hospital after an operation on Wednesday night. He has a broken ankle and some internal injuries, although at this stage surgeons are unable to determine the exact extent of these. We are sure all supporters would wish to extend their best wishes to Luke, his family and friends at this time and we will provide further information when available.

 

Taken from the official Stoke speedway website:

Stoke SAS Spitfires home meeting against Scunthorpe last night was marred by a horrific crash in Heat 6 which left Luke Priest needing lengthy on-track treatment before being taken to hospital.

Priest had been trailing Tai Woffinden and team mate Jack Hargreaves when Woffinden slid off just as they were entering the first turn on lap two. Hargreaves missed the spill but Priest laid his bike down in an instant and slid into and under the air fence at high speed.

Medical staff immediately rushed to his aid and the meeting was held up for around 80 minutes as Priest was treated before being transferred to hospital with possible multiple injuries.

"We won't know what sort of injuries Luke has just yet, but the lad was obviously in a lot of pain and we can only hope that he recovers as quickly as possible"

Taken from the evening sentinel:

Stoke SAS Spitfires rider Luke Priest was seriously injured during last night's speedway meeting at Loomer Road. The 21-year-old sustained multiple injuries when his bike hit the track's perimeter wall during the sixth heat of Stoke's Conference League meeting with Scunthorpe.

Priest, right, the hero of the Spitfires' Conference League Four-Team Championship victory last month, lay prone on the track for 80 minutes while he was treated by the team doctor and paramedics.

Priest had been trailing Tai Woffinden and team-mate Jack Hargreaves when the Scunthorpe rider slid off just as they were entering the first turn on lap two.

Hargreaves missed the spill, but Priest laid down his bike to avoid a crash and slid under Loomer Road's protective air fence at high speed.

"We don't know what injuries Luke has just yet, but the lad was obviously in a lot of pain. We can only hope he recovers as quickly as possible," said Spitfires team manager John Adams.

Priest's farther, John, was at trackside to see his son's horrific crash. He was accompanied to hospital by team-mate Hargreaves, who is a neighbour of Priest's in Much Wenlock, Shropshire.

The meeting went ahead after Priest was taken to hospital, with the visitors running out 45-31 winners.

Referee Dave Watters said: "My job is to run a meeting if at all possible. The promoter was offered an abandonment which was not taken up.

"The track was safe and the fence had been repaired. I was concerned about the riders, but the consensus seems to be that they wanted to continue."

Visiting Australian rider Craig Watson sustained serious arm injuries when he was involved in a near identical crash during the visit of Newport to Loomer Road in May.

**************************************************************************

On behalf of www.lukepriest.co.uk and all it's visitors can I pass on all our thoughts and well wishes.

 

Can I suggest any well wishes etc be posted on here (in the guestbook), the BSF & the pottie power forum or emailed to me and I will get them to him as I don't think it would be right for people to hassle the hospital or his family at this time as its looking like a major accident!

His website address is www.lukepriest.co.uk or email chris@lukepriest.co.uk