Post by speedway_history on Feb 9, 2009 17:18:47 GMT 1
1..You won a couple of individuals last year, including the Garry Stead benefit meeting at Stoke with a maximum. But what happened in heat 6 where it looked like you thought there were only three laps, and, more importantly, were you pleased with the attendance and the money raised for Garry?
Well as the track was so wet the racing was really slow I guess I felt it took that long it had to have been 4 laps but when i slowed I saw other riders still racing so I just kept going.
And yes, of course I was pleased with the turnout for Garry, I wish him well and will always do what I can to support him.
2..What were your reasons for not entering the Australian Championships this year?
I’d been planning on buying a house with my partner Natalie, and just before Xmas we did, and I have been putting all my time and money into that over the winter. And I'm still working flat out at the moment on getting the house finished, plus my new workshop before the season starts. I would love to have gone back to Oz and ridden in the titles but I had to think of my future with my partner and setting myself up for the years to come.
3..To follow on from that, during the final round of those meetings it was mentioned about having a GP in Australia, possibly Sydney. Do you think there’s a market for that, and would you like to see a “home GP”?
I think so, but it needs to be run at an already built track and not a one off, because the racing would be a lot better plus I think you would get more people. If I had to choose what track, I’d say Mount Gambier in South Australia. Not many meetings are run there any more but when there is it’s the best racing in the world.
4..If speculation about Leigh Adams possibly retiring in the near future is to be believed that would leave Australia with a sole representative in the form of Jason Crump. Would you like to fill that gap, or do you think all eyes will be on the likes of Chris Holder?
Not sure on how long Leigh is planning on riding in the GPs but that's up to him. My dream is to be in the GPs and it would be great if I got a wild card as I have set myself a goal this year: I want to earn my way into the GPs and I'm planning on doing that this year. It might sound cocky but I want this more than anything, and my whole year is being built around that goal.
5..Without a domestic league, what is it, in your opinion, that makes Australia so successful in terms of bringing on talented riders?
We have great under 16 riders on 125cc bikes cut down to size and small built tracks, and they race as I did to win races, trophies, and titles.
They have a season just like us but they ride for themselves, but to help them get ready for England they put a team meeting on to teach them how to be a team rider, which I find great.
6..What, in your opinion, is the best way to prepare a track to give good racing, and which are your favourite tracks, both domestically and abroad?
Well every rider likes tracks done differently. Myself, I like a bit of dirt not just on the outside but on the inside too, because that is how you get different racing lines and you prepare the track the same each week. If it’s been raining you just do the best you can do but if it hasn’t and you think its gonna rain don’t be a woos and say a hard slick track takes water better, you're silly if you say that. You can make better racing with more dirt than without as long as it's not too deep where you can't turn the bike. Only if you HAVE RIDDEN a bike you would know if the track is safe to ride or not.
7..Would you like to see a single race day in Britain?
I'm not sure about that. I'm happy with how it is now but I guess everybody has their own opinion.
8..You’ve won three league titles with two different teams – Coventry in 2007 and 2005, and Edinburgh in 2003. Which was the most special and why?
Well I’ve won 4 leagues: 2 with Coventry, 1 with the Monarchs and 1 with Sheffield Tigers in the CL.
They all have their great moments but winning the elite league last year with over 7000 fans watching and sky there, plus scoring paid 17 and beating Adams twice was very special to me. (My apologies for being a snob and forgetting the CL - schumi.)
9..With the points limit being reduced were you worried you’d be out of the team at Coventry, and did any other teams approach you over the winter?
I was really worried, as most riders would have been, as you don’t know if you have a job or not. But thankfully I'm still with Coventry which is great as I have some of my sponsors there and the team is the best in England.
10..How do you feel about the successful Coventry team being broken up because of the points limit, how much of an influence was Scott Nicholls to you personally, and do you think his input will be missed?
I could go on for ever talking about this. My opinion is that some clubs want to bring the standard of racing down to suit them instead of trying to become better and more successful.
They want clubs like Coventry to come down to their standard and run like them. Maybe its time for an outside person or a group who don’t have any involvement in any clubs to come in, so they don’t change things to suit their own club. Maybe if they thought of the sport and not themselves, speedway would be better off.
Riding with Scott has been great. I got a lot out of Scott by watching more than talking because of the way he rides. I think he has one of the hardest styles and one of the more ruthless ones in the sport. And that is what I need to work on, to be a bit harder.
11..What would you say to those who think you’re a “gating tart”?
Just ask them who won the last meeting at Coventry, I think you had to start on handicaps didn't you? But not sure, so best buy them the DVD!!
And if they want to call me that, so what. Remember, there was a rider who was known more for his gating - these people might of heard of him - Ivan Mauger!! He won 6 world titles - not bad for a gating tart...
12..You’ll become the second heat leader this year with Coventry. Are you confident you can increase your average, or do you think there will be more pressure on you to perform?
Not at all. I feel I'm a strong heat leader now and I can put some points on my average. I’ve got plenty of meetings and I'm looking forward to it.
13..How are you preparing for the new season? Do you have any new sponsors or machinery lined up, and how are you feeling physically?
I'm being trained by an ultimate fighting coach. He has been working on my upper body as he said I'm like a TWIG. I have already put on 7kg of muscle and he is planning on putting 2 more on me. He has changed a lot about how I eat including only one takeaway a week!! Its hard, but I wanna be the best and this is what it takes. Plus I’ve been seeing a sport psych in helping me be a lot harder in my racing.
Not changing a lot on bikes and setup. I feel I have the bikes to get me where I want to go.
Yes I do have some new sponsors - ‘Drains Are Us’ a local company who have come on board - need your drains doing they’re the people to call.
And SPIKED CLOTHING is a new clothing brand that has just hit the scene -(extreme sports) and they want to get into speedway. With great people behind it the signs look good for the brand in the future Check out www.getspiked.co.uk to see their clothing and other great stuff on the web page.
14..And finally, who’s your tip for the Elite League Champions this year?
Its going to be a hard year this year as all the rule changes. But Coventry to win - WHO ELSE? But the Hammers look strong I think, so we will have to wait and see but ‘go the bees’!!!
Well as the track was so wet the racing was really slow I guess I felt it took that long it had to have been 4 laps but when i slowed I saw other riders still racing so I just kept going.
And yes, of course I was pleased with the turnout for Garry, I wish him well and will always do what I can to support him.
2..What were your reasons for not entering the Australian Championships this year?
I’d been planning on buying a house with my partner Natalie, and just before Xmas we did, and I have been putting all my time and money into that over the winter. And I'm still working flat out at the moment on getting the house finished, plus my new workshop before the season starts. I would love to have gone back to Oz and ridden in the titles but I had to think of my future with my partner and setting myself up for the years to come.
3..To follow on from that, during the final round of those meetings it was mentioned about having a GP in Australia, possibly Sydney. Do you think there’s a market for that, and would you like to see a “home GP”?
I think so, but it needs to be run at an already built track and not a one off, because the racing would be a lot better plus I think you would get more people. If I had to choose what track, I’d say Mount Gambier in South Australia. Not many meetings are run there any more but when there is it’s the best racing in the world.
4..If speculation about Leigh Adams possibly retiring in the near future is to be believed that would leave Australia with a sole representative in the form of Jason Crump. Would you like to fill that gap, or do you think all eyes will be on the likes of Chris Holder?
Not sure on how long Leigh is planning on riding in the GPs but that's up to him. My dream is to be in the GPs and it would be great if I got a wild card as I have set myself a goal this year: I want to earn my way into the GPs and I'm planning on doing that this year. It might sound cocky but I want this more than anything, and my whole year is being built around that goal.
5..Without a domestic league, what is it, in your opinion, that makes Australia so successful in terms of bringing on talented riders?
We have great under 16 riders on 125cc bikes cut down to size and small built tracks, and they race as I did to win races, trophies, and titles.
They have a season just like us but they ride for themselves, but to help them get ready for England they put a team meeting on to teach them how to be a team rider, which I find great.
6..What, in your opinion, is the best way to prepare a track to give good racing, and which are your favourite tracks, both domestically and abroad?
Well every rider likes tracks done differently. Myself, I like a bit of dirt not just on the outside but on the inside too, because that is how you get different racing lines and you prepare the track the same each week. If it’s been raining you just do the best you can do but if it hasn’t and you think its gonna rain don’t be a woos and say a hard slick track takes water better, you're silly if you say that. You can make better racing with more dirt than without as long as it's not too deep where you can't turn the bike. Only if you HAVE RIDDEN a bike you would know if the track is safe to ride or not.
7..Would you like to see a single race day in Britain?
I'm not sure about that. I'm happy with how it is now but I guess everybody has their own opinion.
8..You’ve won three league titles with two different teams – Coventry in 2007 and 2005, and Edinburgh in 2003. Which was the most special and why?
Well I’ve won 4 leagues: 2 with Coventry, 1 with the Monarchs and 1 with Sheffield Tigers in the CL.
They all have their great moments but winning the elite league last year with over 7000 fans watching and sky there, plus scoring paid 17 and beating Adams twice was very special to me. (My apologies for being a snob and forgetting the CL - schumi.)
9..With the points limit being reduced were you worried you’d be out of the team at Coventry, and did any other teams approach you over the winter?
I was really worried, as most riders would have been, as you don’t know if you have a job or not. But thankfully I'm still with Coventry which is great as I have some of my sponsors there and the team is the best in England.
10..How do you feel about the successful Coventry team being broken up because of the points limit, how much of an influence was Scott Nicholls to you personally, and do you think his input will be missed?
I could go on for ever talking about this. My opinion is that some clubs want to bring the standard of racing down to suit them instead of trying to become better and more successful.
They want clubs like Coventry to come down to their standard and run like them. Maybe its time for an outside person or a group who don’t have any involvement in any clubs to come in, so they don’t change things to suit their own club. Maybe if they thought of the sport and not themselves, speedway would be better off.
Riding with Scott has been great. I got a lot out of Scott by watching more than talking because of the way he rides. I think he has one of the hardest styles and one of the more ruthless ones in the sport. And that is what I need to work on, to be a bit harder.
11..What would you say to those who think you’re a “gating tart”?
Just ask them who won the last meeting at Coventry, I think you had to start on handicaps didn't you? But not sure, so best buy them the DVD!!
And if they want to call me that, so what. Remember, there was a rider who was known more for his gating - these people might of heard of him - Ivan Mauger!! He won 6 world titles - not bad for a gating tart...
12..You’ll become the second heat leader this year with Coventry. Are you confident you can increase your average, or do you think there will be more pressure on you to perform?
Not at all. I feel I'm a strong heat leader now and I can put some points on my average. I’ve got plenty of meetings and I'm looking forward to it.
13..How are you preparing for the new season? Do you have any new sponsors or machinery lined up, and how are you feeling physically?
I'm being trained by an ultimate fighting coach. He has been working on my upper body as he said I'm like a TWIG. I have already put on 7kg of muscle and he is planning on putting 2 more on me. He has changed a lot about how I eat including only one takeaway a week!! Its hard, but I wanna be the best and this is what it takes. Plus I’ve been seeing a sport psych in helping me be a lot harder in my racing.
Not changing a lot on bikes and setup. I feel I have the bikes to get me where I want to go.
Yes I do have some new sponsors - ‘Drains Are Us’ a local company who have come on board - need your drains doing they’re the people to call.
And SPIKED CLOTHING is a new clothing brand that has just hit the scene -(extreme sports) and they want to get into speedway. With great people behind it the signs look good for the brand in the future Check out www.getspiked.co.uk to see their clothing and other great stuff on the web page.
14..And finally, who’s your tip for the Elite League Champions this year?
Its going to be a hard year this year as all the rule changes. But Coventry to win - WHO ELSE? But the Hammers look strong I think, so we will have to wait and see but ‘go the bees’!!!