Post by speedway_history on Apr 11, 2009 21:53:57 GMT 1
1..If I could just start off with a couple of questions unconnected with speedway, but of interest to me; you were around 12-13-years-old in 1989 when the communist regime of General Jaruzelski collapsed, so what was it like growing up in the People's Republic of Poland?
I didn't think for me at the time there was any difference but now when I look at kids that age I see how things have changed.
It must have been really difficult for my parents at the time.
2..As a follow up, do you have any memories of the "miracle year" 1989 when Solidarity and Lech Walesa swept Jaruzelski from power?
I remember that I had a badge of Solidarity on my jacket and the thought of being rebellious but also the fear of not knowing what was going to happen, we wanted to be like UK or USA.
3..Okay, onto speedway, when did you first become interested in the sport and who were your early heroes; I've heard you based your style on the supremely gifted Shawn Moran?
I first became interested in Speedway about 2-3 years old, my parents lived in Leszno and my Granddad used to take me to the Speedway, I have only ever had one Polish hero, Roman Jankowski.
I based my syle on both the Morans and all the Yanks really.
4..On a related subject, which is your favourite track and why?
I am not just saying this but Wolverhampton, it has lots of lines for racing and is the perfect size for Speedway.
5..You've a reputation for being flamboyant on track with tassles on your kevlars and your "doughnut" celebrations, yet in interviews you seem shy and reserved, so which is the "real" Adam Skornicki?
I am a Polish Speedway rider and my job is to race, I sometimes find it hard to say the right words in interviews in English, the real Adam is the one on track.
6..We heard earlier of the "miracle year" 1989 and you had your own "miracle year" in 2008, winning the Elite League with Poole, scoring well for Poznan in Poland and becoming Polish champion; but after a disappointing 2007 what changed?
My Luck
.
7..From a purely personal point of view, the highlight of 2008 for you must've been that 15 point maximum in Leszno that crowned you Polish champion; did you go into the meeting hoping to win or were you surprised by the win?
Of course I was surprised by the win, in this final there were lots of great riders, I went to the meeting and wanted to get on the rostrum, I could not dream to be on top.
After three races I thought "I can do this" so pushed hard and that's what I did.
8..As a follow up, the win in Leszno saw Marek Cieslak, coach of the Polish national side, name you in his sixteen-man squad for 2009; does the prospect of perhaps lining up for your country in the SWC give you a goal to aim for and might we see "doughnuts" at Peterborough on July 13th?
I have never represented my Country at senior level and would love to ride at Peterborough and score points for my nation, and hope that we get to final and ride the Leszno track where I win the Polish Individual Final and try to get another GOLD medal.
9..Moving to the forthcoming season, you've changed clubs in both Britain and Poland, moving to Gdansk and Wolverhampton respectively; what are your hopes for the new season?
To finish the season with a big smile.
10..Turning to the Wolves, what does it feel like to be returning to the Monmore Green club and what do you think of the team they have assembled?
I have always thought Wolverhampton Speedway is my home, I enjoyed my time with Arena, Oxford, Belle Vue and especially Poole but I am very happy to be coming back to Wolverhampton.
11..On the more broader subject of British speedway, this close season has seen an exodus of riders from the British scene, yet Adam Skornicki is as reliable as a Swiss watch; what is it about the British scene that makes you loyal to it and return year after year when the more celebrated riders are turning their backs on it?
I think British Speedway is the place to be, if I had not come to UK in 2000 I don't think I would be racing anywhere now and for that I am very thankful.
12..I've only see you ride once, when at short notice you rode in the 2005 Bordernapolis at Berwick after Billy Janniro and Billy Hamill dropped out; do you have any memories of that meeting?
It was fucking cold, dark and long drive home (was this 2004?).
13..Recent years have seen the tragic suicides of several young Polish riders (Dados, Kurmanski and Romanek) and you were critical of the pressure placed on young riders by clubs and fans in Poland; is the culture of Polish speedway changing and if it is, in what way?
Things have not changed much. Managers and coaches in Poland, they have no time for excuses and still put pressure on riders. If they score 12 one week, 12 the next then they are happy, if then they score 2 then the rider is rubbish!
Polish teams are not interested in creating the next World Champion they want to win matches.
14..In 2004 and 2005 you rode for Leszno alongside the Weird World's First Lady's favourite rider Damian Balinki (she describes him as "fabulously insane in the nicest possible way"); what's Damian Balinski like and is it better to be riding with him than against him, or doesn't he discriminate?
Damian is big friend and we grew together in Speedway and crashed a lot together and there has always been big competition between us, if you race with or against him it is always good fun. It doesn't matter if we doing speedway, cycling, running or playing cards we are always competitive.
It is a shame that he never come to England to race but safety first, at least the Elite league riders are safer.
15..Over the winter you've taken part in a couple of speedway meetings on ice in places such as Czestochowa and Torun; are they a useful aid in keeping yourself "sharp" in the close season or just a bit of fun for riders and fans?
These meetings are just a bit of fun and are always run for charity which is important to me but it also blows cobwebs away.
16..You also rode in the New Year Classic at Poole where you scored a maximum in the heats only to lose out to Ben Barker in the final which begs the question do you think it's unfair to tag finals onto the end of these meetings?
I think it's unfair, the best rider after 5 rides each should win the meeting but we know the rules before the meeting and we know that there is a potential for 6 races. I have no hard feelings about losing in a final.
17..Turning to the Grands Prix, the old debate of the Grands Prix versus the World Final to determine the world champion is being raised again; which would you prefer; the current closed Grands Prix system or the World Final where everyone had a chance to qualify?
I think the GP is super for the sport and has raised the profile of speedway, it is very good for the riders taking part but I think this should be the GP Championship but I also think they should run a one off World final where it's open to everyone, then top riders can choose to take part in both also.
18..And finally, Polish legend Tomasz Gollob was back on the world championship podium in 2008, can he claim the world championship in 2009, or, in other words, who do you think will be world champion?
I think Tomasz is the most talented and experienced rider in the Grand Prix series, he wasted his best chance a couple of years ago and now I think he is inconsistent on a few tracks.
I think will be between Jason and and Nicki as two leaders and maybe Hans Andersen has outside chance.
Thanks
I didn't think for me at the time there was any difference but now when I look at kids that age I see how things have changed.
It must have been really difficult for my parents at the time.
2..As a follow up, do you have any memories of the "miracle year" 1989 when Solidarity and Lech Walesa swept Jaruzelski from power?
I remember that I had a badge of Solidarity on my jacket and the thought of being rebellious but also the fear of not knowing what was going to happen, we wanted to be like UK or USA.
3..Okay, onto speedway, when did you first become interested in the sport and who were your early heroes; I've heard you based your style on the supremely gifted Shawn Moran?
I first became interested in Speedway about 2-3 years old, my parents lived in Leszno and my Granddad used to take me to the Speedway, I have only ever had one Polish hero, Roman Jankowski.
I based my syle on both the Morans and all the Yanks really.
4..On a related subject, which is your favourite track and why?
I am not just saying this but Wolverhampton, it has lots of lines for racing and is the perfect size for Speedway.
5..You've a reputation for being flamboyant on track with tassles on your kevlars and your "doughnut" celebrations, yet in interviews you seem shy and reserved, so which is the "real" Adam Skornicki?
I am a Polish Speedway rider and my job is to race, I sometimes find it hard to say the right words in interviews in English, the real Adam is the one on track.
6..We heard earlier of the "miracle year" 1989 and you had your own "miracle year" in 2008, winning the Elite League with Poole, scoring well for Poznan in Poland and becoming Polish champion; but after a disappointing 2007 what changed?
My Luck
.7..From a purely personal point of view, the highlight of 2008 for you must've been that 15 point maximum in Leszno that crowned you Polish champion; did you go into the meeting hoping to win or were you surprised by the win?
Of course I was surprised by the win, in this final there were lots of great riders, I went to the meeting and wanted to get on the rostrum, I could not dream to be on top.
After three races I thought "I can do this" so pushed hard and that's what I did.
8..As a follow up, the win in Leszno saw Marek Cieslak, coach of the Polish national side, name you in his sixteen-man squad for 2009; does the prospect of perhaps lining up for your country in the SWC give you a goal to aim for and might we see "doughnuts" at Peterborough on July 13th?
I have never represented my Country at senior level and would love to ride at Peterborough and score points for my nation, and hope that we get to final and ride the Leszno track where I win the Polish Individual Final and try to get another GOLD medal.
9..Moving to the forthcoming season, you've changed clubs in both Britain and Poland, moving to Gdansk and Wolverhampton respectively; what are your hopes for the new season?
To finish the season with a big smile
.10..Turning to the Wolves, what does it feel like to be returning to the Monmore Green club and what do you think of the team they have assembled?
I have always thought Wolverhampton Speedway is my home, I enjoyed my time with Arena, Oxford, Belle Vue and especially Poole but I am very happy to be coming back to Wolverhampton.
11..On the more broader subject of British speedway, this close season has seen an exodus of riders from the British scene, yet Adam Skornicki is as reliable as a Swiss watch; what is it about the British scene that makes you loyal to it and return year after year when the more celebrated riders are turning their backs on it?
I think British Speedway is the place to be, if I had not come to UK in 2000 I don't think I would be racing anywhere now and for that I am very thankful.
12..I've only see you ride once, when at short notice you rode in the 2005 Bordernapolis at Berwick after Billy Janniro and Billy Hamill dropped out; do you have any memories of that meeting?
It was fucking cold, dark and long drive home (was this 2004?).
13..Recent years have seen the tragic suicides of several young Polish riders (Dados, Kurmanski and Romanek) and you were critical of the pressure placed on young riders by clubs and fans in Poland; is the culture of Polish speedway changing and if it is, in what way?
Things have not changed much. Managers and coaches in Poland, they have no time for excuses and still put pressure on riders. If they score 12 one week, 12 the next then they are happy, if then they score 2 then the rider is rubbish!
Polish teams are not interested in creating the next World Champion they want to win matches.
14..In 2004 and 2005 you rode for Leszno alongside the Weird World's First Lady's favourite rider Damian Balinki (she describes him as "fabulously insane in the nicest possible way"); what's Damian Balinski like and is it better to be riding with him than against him, or doesn't he discriminate?
Damian is big friend and we grew together in Speedway and crashed a lot together and there has always been big competition between us, if you race with or against him it is always good fun. It doesn't matter if we doing speedway, cycling, running or playing cards we are always competitive.
It is a shame that he never come to England to race but safety first, at least the Elite league riders are safer
.15..Over the winter you've taken part in a couple of speedway meetings on ice in places such as Czestochowa and Torun; are they a useful aid in keeping yourself "sharp" in the close season or just a bit of fun for riders and fans?
These meetings are just a bit of fun and are always run for charity which is important to me but it also blows cobwebs away.
16..You also rode in the New Year Classic at Poole where you scored a maximum in the heats only to lose out to Ben Barker in the final which begs the question do you think it's unfair to tag finals onto the end of these meetings?
I think it's unfair, the best rider after 5 rides each should win the meeting but we know the rules before the meeting and we know that there is a potential for 6 races. I have no hard feelings about losing in a final.
17..Turning to the Grands Prix, the old debate of the Grands Prix versus the World Final to determine the world champion is being raised again; which would you prefer; the current closed Grands Prix system or the World Final where everyone had a chance to qualify?
I think the GP is super for the sport and has raised the profile of speedway, it is very good for the riders taking part but I think this should be the GP Championship but I also think they should run a one off World final where it's open to everyone, then top riders can choose to take part in both also.
18..And finally, Polish legend Tomasz Gollob was back on the world championship podium in 2008, can he claim the world championship in 2009, or, in other words, who do you think will be world champion?
I think Tomasz is the most talented and experienced rider in the Grand Prix series, he wasted his best chance a couple of years ago and now I think he is inconsistent on a few tracks.
I think will be between Jason and and Nicki as two leaders and maybe Hans Andersen has outside chance.
Thanks