Messy but Magic

Firstly — Happy New Year, everyone. It’s been a minute.

I hope 2026 has brought you a gentle start, because ours has been anything but. Apologies for taking so long to sit down and write this. Life has been loud, messy and full-on in every direction — the kind of chaos that sweeps you up before you even realise you’re in the middle of it. Every time I thought, “I’ll write tonight,” something else happened. Another commitment. Another curveball. Another moment that needed my attention more than the keyboard.

But that’s our life, isn’t it? Chaotic, exhausting, overwhelming… and somehow still full of magic.

So here’s a little catch-up from my last blog, and then a glimpse into the start of 2026. Grab yourself a cuppa and hopefully enjoy the read.

The Play-Off Finals. Before we even get to the second leg at Ashfield, we need to talk about the first leg at Poole. Let’s be honest — we all know exactly what that was. The track was doctored within an inch of its life, and not in a way that encouraged racing. Speedway is desperately fighting for survival in the UK, and yet the advert they proudly put out that night was underwhelming. Disappointing doesn’t even cover it.

As a lifelong fan, I wanted edge-of-your-seat excitement, good hard but fair racing, that feeling where your stomach flips because anything can happen. Instead, we got a gate-and-go dust-bowl borefest — so much so I turned it off. Chris’s iconic race against Jason Doyle in 2018 is just one example of Wimborne Road producing some of the best racing this sport has ever seen — memories that will last a lifetime, from the start marshal celebrating, to the commentary that will always ring in my ear, to Middlo jumping for joy in the pits, to Chris being thrown up in the air. But this Play-Off Final Leg 1 night? It felt like watching a sport trying to suffocate itself.

The contrast for the second leg at Glasgow was like night and day. Ashfield Stadium — where crowds are treated to epic racing week in, week out — was alive. Buzzing. Almost vibrating with belief. You could feel it.

Chris came out doing “Bomber” things, as everyone calls it — sharp, fearless, riding with that fire that makes you hold your breath. Glasgow clawed back the deficit against the odds, dragged themselves level, and for a heartbeat it felt like the impossible was happening. And then the superheat. Speedway can be the most beautiful heartbreak, and that night it wasn’t to be. Congratulations obviously go to Danny, Matt, Middlo and the Pirates on the win — but the big winner, the only one that mattered, was Speedway. Speedway won, with an epic display of what this sport is and should always be about, at a time when it needs it most.

Chris was extraordinary. He left everything on that track. My phone was going crazy with messages all night — people asking how he does it, telling me how awesome he was, and his DMs were chaos. With BSN on in the background, I watched him thanking the crowd and just sat there thinking, “How does he keep doing this? How does he keep giving so much of himself to this sport? And how the bloomin’ heck have I not had a heart attack yet?”

What makes it even more unbelievable is that just before the Play-Offs, Chris badly put his back out. No one really knew except us, Ray — his physio in Glasgow — and driver Jon. He made no fuss. He turned up and still raced like the Bomber we all know. The reality at home was very different — he couldn’t even get dressed without help, the time when I had to add physio and nurse to my CV. No word of a lie, I said to him, “You’ll have to ring Glasgow and say you can’t race.” He looked me dead in the eye and laughed.

Maybe that’s what hit me hard this year — the fact he’s about to turn 43 and still rides with the hunger, spark and absolute fire of a teenager chasing his first dream. I know I’m biased as his wife, but as a long-time speedway fan looking at this from both sides, I can say hand on heart that what he’s doing right now is rare. Most riders slow down. Most fade. Chris seems to be ageing backwards.

When you sit and think back to how he started… that’s when it really hits. He was just 16 years old when his world changed. Losing his dad on Boxing Day at that age is the kind of heartbreak that reshapes a person forever. Most kids at 16 are worrying about exams or friendships or weekends. Chris was grieving the loss of the man who should have been there for every milestone, every race, every victory. But instead of breaking him, it built him. A fire. A determination. A refusal to give up or let tragedy define him.

What a journey he’s carved out for himself. The grit that’s carried him. The heart and resilience that’s shaped him. And the legacy he’s built through sheer determination and love for the sport is truly remarkable.

Away from speedway, work was relentless. The JLR cyber incident was still in full swing, and suddenly my job — the place I’ve worked for nearly three decades — was turned upside down. Six weeks of uncertainty, new working practices, constant hurdles, and my anxiety through the roof. It was exhausting trying to adapt while pretending I was fine, but somehow I got through it. We all did. And it reminded me why I love that company so much — the resilience, the teamwork, the way everyone pulled together when everything felt impossible. To be nominated for a Pride of Finance Award during one of our toughest times was humbling.

Chris completed his final race meeting of the season riding for Coventry Select — third time lucky thanks to the weather. The team didn’t win, but Chris won the final and picked up another award to round off his season. Not long after, Chris and Cruz were asked to loan their bikes to the ACU for Motorcycle Live 2025. Seeing their bikes displayed side by side — father and son — was completely surreal. Two generations, two journeys, one shared love for the sport, sitting there for the world to see. One of those moments that stops you in your tracks and makes you realise just how special this life really is.

Somewhere in the middle of the madness, we still found pockets of peace. Hours spent in the woods where Chris built little tracks for Cruz to race around, the two of them disappearing into their own world. Muddy boots, cold noses, while me and the girls watched on with hot chocolates poured from a flask. Memories made in the quiet moments between the chaos. Those are the bits that stay with me.

Then came awards season — although calling it a “season” feels generous. It was more like a marathon nobody warned us about. Six weeks after the final meeting and we were still in smart clothes, still travelling, still clapping, still smiling for photos even when our faces hurt. But what a run it was. At King’s Lynn, Chris won Most Entertaining Rider of the Year, and Cruz won Mascot of the Year — my two boys, side by side, shining in their own ways. Watching Cruz proudly shake hands and collect his trophy definitely brought a tear to my eye.

Cruz then had his own guest booking at Mildenhall as Official Mascot for Peterborough. He was awesome on track and on parade, and Chris loved being there with him as Dad and Chief Mechanic, watching him out there on his own, proud as punch. Cruz loved every minute — buzzing to show me and the girls all the pictures and videos. A special thank you to everyone who made him feel so welcome, and for the gifts he received. He was especially proud of signing so many autographs — he reckons he signed more than Dad.

Then came a weekend in Glasgow for the end-of-season party, where Chris was named Home Rider of the Year and we got to spend time with our Glasgow friends who feel like family, while the kids stayed home with my parents.

Onto the WSRA Awards, where Chris won Ride of the Year sponsored by BSN, and Chris was inducted into the Exeter Hall of Fame, followed by the British Speedway Online Awards where he bagged Championship Rider of the Year for the second year running, and then the ACU Awards at Motorcycle Live 2025.

Then something different — Chris being invited to the Glasgow Sports Awards. We all thought he was nominated for Sportsman of the Year, which he didn’t win, so thought nothing of it as the evening drew to a close with just one award left — the big one. The Lord Provost Award. Chris had no idea until they started talking about Speedway. I was at home watching live updates, while Kerry and Russell were there supporting him. What a moment. He’s still in disbelief — and seeing him on billboards around Glasgow again, raising the profile of British Speedway, is surreal.

When I look back at what he achieved in 2025, it almost doesn’t feel real.

World Champion. Vice World Champion a week later. Championship League Riders Champion. British Masters Grasstrack Champion. Scottish Cup winner. Winner of the Long Track in Scheeßel, the Wimborne Whoppa, the European Grass Track Semi, Bielefeld — and even setting a flying lap Bahn record. Podiums at Marmande, La Reole, the European Final, the Championship Pairs. British Final finalist. KO Cup finalist. Championship finalist. BSN semi-finalist. And then the honours — the Lord Provost Award, CabDirect Rider of the Year, WSRA Ride of the Year, Most Entertaining Rider at King’s Lynn, Home Rider of the Year at Glasgow, Growlers Rider of the Year, the Svein Kassa. Every time I blinked, there was another trophy, another medal, another moment.

This wasn’t just a good season. This was a season people will talk about long after he’s hung up his kevlars. Proof that he’s not just still here — he’s still him. Still Bomber. Still the man who can make a stadium gasp. Still the man who puts bums on seats. Still extraordinary.

Onto team reveals — because apparently we don’t do anything quietly. First up was the Glasgow Tigers’ Traitors-themed announcement, another cracking piece of PR, with Cruz loving being part of it and enjoying a day off school. Then King’s Lynn, where Cruz took the lead in an I’m A Celeb-style video we pulled together in a couple of hours in the garage, revealing he’s returning as mascot for 2026 — and of course bringing his dad along, as Chris was announced as the first rider signed for the Stars.

Somewhere in all that chaos, we squeezed in Chris’s 43rd birthday — a trip to the F1 Arcade, the Coral Cup with friends in Newbury, our 8th wedding anniversary, a weekend with family, Cruz’s first tooth-fairy visit, a trip to the shooting range, and a Christmas full of magic. Breakfast with Santa, sleigh rides, Snowdome visits, light trails — we did it all.

On Chris’s birthday I was meant to see Five with my good friend Chivsy and a few others in Birmingham, but for the third time in 12 months I was bitten and had another allergic reaction, so sadly had to give it a miss. Don’t worry Chivsy — we’ve got Take That in 2026.

Mia-Faye has been thriving in ways that make my heart ache with pride. College has been amazing, but her nursery placement? She absolutely shone. So much so that they didn’t just want to keep her — they created a full-time apprenticeship position just for her. My tiny premature baby, who fought so hard to get here, now stepping confidently into her own career.

Amara-Mae started at a new dance school in November. She quit dancing last March — her choice — but asked to go back in September. We chose a new school that runs term-time only, mid-week, for an hour and a half after school. It suits her, and our busy lives, so much better. Joining somewhere new where you don’t know anyone is daunting, but she’s loving it and has already made new friends. Resilient, brave, and just bossing it. She’s also been super excited about something much quieter — getting a new pen pal. It’s early days, but seeing her so keen already makes me smile, and she already loves writing just like I do.

And as if my mum heart wasn’t full enough, both Amara-Mae and Cruz came home with incredible end-of-term school reports. Seeing their faces light up as we read them… those moments make everything worthwhile.

By the end of December, I felt like I was barely treading water. Between the travel, illness, reveals, awards, the emotional hangover of the season, chaos at work and the constant hum of uncertainty, I’ve never felt the weight of it all quite like this. I don’t know how we did it — honestly, I think I was running on autopilot. Amara-Mae ended up in urgent care again, then Chris went down ill over Christmas, and I was left juggling the kids, the house, the magic, the calendar and the emotions — with the grace of someone absolutely drowning but refusing to admit defeat.

Underneath all the fun and noise, this off-season has felt heavier than ever. British Speedway is standing on shaky ground — clubs folding, clubs for sale, rumours swirling, uncertainty everywhere. It’s not just about contracts anymore. It’s about futures. Stability. Survival. Every phone call feels loaded. Every silence feels ominous.

Through all of this, I’m still hopeful that speedway can survive and start to thrive again. This sport has given so much to so many, and it deserves a future that’s secure, exciting and full of possibility. The fans deserve clarity. The riders deserve stability. The clubs deserve support.

As we stepped into 2026, full of hope for what’s to come, we did so with a bang. The phone calls and organisation are already in full swing — kevlars and cover designs underway, sponsorships to secure, calendars to manage. It’s already feeling overwhelming.

Speedway commitments have already begun, with Chris heading to the NSSC on the 13th of January.

Then we’ll celebrate Cruz’s 6th birthday. Six. I can’t believe I’m even writing that. My little superstar — the boy with the biggest heart and biggest smile — somehow turning six. It feels like only yesterday he was toddling around in oversized ear defenders, desperate to be just like his dad. Now he’s mascot for the second year running for both King’s Lynn and Glasgow, a key part of team reveals, opening tracks and events, spreading his love for the sport with his charm, the firmest handshake and that infamous wink. Time really is a thief.

And then Mia-Faye will officially begin her new chapter, switching to a full-time apprenticeship before the end of the month.

More speedway commitments will follow, of course. A “Night With…” event in February — details to come. Then Glasgow’s boot camp. Once boot camp hits, that’s it. The countdown will be over and Chris will embark on his 29th consecutive season in British Speedway — yes, you read that right - his 29th.

As we fully immerse ourselves into 2026 with tired eyes, full hearts, and winging our way through whatever comes next, we’ll face it the way we always have — together. Messy and magical. Exhausted and hopeful. Riding the highs and lows of this wild rollercoaster and the beautiful life we’ve built.

Our life isn’t perfect — far from it — but it’s ours.

And somehow, even on the hardest days, it still feels like magic.

Here’s to 2026, and I hope you’ll stick around to follow our journey ...

Blog: ©️ 2026 Emma-Louise Harris - All rights reserved.

Photos: Team Harris or as per Watermark