Strictly Shale

Strictly Shale is a love letter to speedway – its thrills, spills, sense of community and essential Britishness – masquerading as a photography book about the sport. Speedway is an audacious pursuit of racers on high-powered bikes without brakes which continues to be shaped by its glorious history, flavoured by its landscapes, forged from the valour of its riders and driven by its culture. Though no longer mainstream, it tenaciously holds onto its traditions: Breakneck thrills, glamour, derring-do and a unique community ethos. It is something which, on every night of the season – provided it’s not lashing down – can be experienced somewhere in Britain.


With Strictly Shale, Jeff Scott offers a revealing glimpse into the culture of this robust, social ecology. His collection of candid, poignant, and discerning photographs takes you behind the scenes, capturing the methanol-fumed spirit of speedway. For over ten years, Scott has documented in words and pictures the diverse range of people who love British speedway: The fans, the riders, the volunteers, the officials, and many of the other devotees who make up its congregation.


Strictly Shale is the second speedway photographic collaborative project designed and edited by Rachael Adams.