Wisbech banger racing legend Nicky Young ‘flattered’ to be immortalised on motorsport mural at Adrian Flux Arena in King’s Lynn
Banger racing legend Nicky Young says he feels flattered to have been immortalised on a motorsport mural at the Adrian Flux Arena.
The 41-year-old from Wisbech - a multiple title-winner - is one of three iconic names to take centre stage on the graffiti-styled piece at the King’s Lynn venue. His face appears alongside speedway hero Terry Betts and stock car favourite Mat Newson.
The trio received countless nominations to appear after Adrian Flux asked for suggestions from fans about who should be included.
Young, commonly known as Spud, said: “Matt Black from the stock cars checked I was okay having my picture on it and I just said ‘sure, that’s great’. But that was it.
“I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve been sent a picture and I didn’t realise it would be that big. It’s massive. I’m definitely going to go and have a look before I’m racing at Lynn again.
“Of course, lots of people I work with have given me some stick about it, but my mum likes it. She said I’m the face of Trackstar (Racing, promoters of the sport at Lynn). It’s pretty special, really isn’t it? To be chosen out of hundreds of other drivers. It’s a pretty big thing.”
Young plans on seeing it for the first time in the flesh later this month when he attends one of the prestigious stock car world finals that will be held at the stadium as a fan.
Other well-known figures from the world of stock cars and speedway that have left a lasting legacy at the Arena are also included in the piece that champions all forms of motorsport that feature in Lynn.
One, Edwin Overland, died last year aged 81 and became known as the voice of speedway for his announcing at King’s Lynn Stars meetings. He lived in Terrington St John, was also a teacher who spent 23 years as deputy head at Leverington Primary School and became an instantly recognisable voice on BBC Radio stations in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk during a career that spanned over 40 years.
Uncle Edwin, as he was affectionately known, covered Peterborough United and Cambridge United football matches while providing speedway reports and announcing at fixtures for the Peterborough Panthers and Stars.
Street art company MurWalls designed and produced the showcase mural, and another closer to the road that proudly displays the Adrian Flux logo. They have gained widespread praise for a number of headline-grabbing pieces of work, including a tribute to Liverpool football player Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother in a car accident, and a piece on musician Ed Sheeran, who supports Ipswich Town Football Club.
Gerry Bucke, the Adrian Flux general manager, said: “The mural looks incredible and we couldn’t be happier with how the project went. The detail really has to be seen in person to be appreciated.
“Our name is intrinsically linked to the venue now, but we still know what matters most – the names and faces of those people who have played a huge part in providing sporting entertainment to thousands of people over the years. It’s fitting that seven of the most important figures have been honoured now and forever more.”
The project was commissioned to celebrate ten years of the insurance broker sponsoring Norfolk’s premier motorsport venue, formerly known as the Norfolk Arena. It took roughly two days to complete the artwork, with staff at the Arena having helped prep the walls before Murwalls arrived in West Norfolk.
Visit the Adrian Flux website to watch a video of the work taking place
