Post by speedway_history on Dec 13, 2008 18:24:59 GMT 1
1..You finished 2nd in the British Final, gifting yourself the wildcard for the British GP for your second appearance there. What was it like riding in front of the home fans again, and do you hope to be there again next year?
It was really special, something that 12 months before I would never have dreamt of doing, ok I didn't do fantastic but I had a great day and loved every second of it, and I'll be doing my best to get back there again, but if I don't manage it I achieved something that was very special to me and got some great memories from it.
2..You spent a short time as captain at Oxford, making you one of the youngest riders to hold that position. You've also been praised this season for helping out the younger members of the team; does leading come naturally to you, or do you take any advice when you can get it?
I've always been one to ask all the time, maybe to the point of annoying people, but if you don't ask you don't get. Peter Karlsson has always been great with me and I have learnt so much off him, same can be said about Todd in 07. I think without him I would have walked away mid season and that was the reason I gave up the captain's job, because he was so much better than me at it. As for helping others I think at times last year some of the younger riders found me easier to approach than, say, PK and I did enjoy it, but being captain or not I'll always be the same. I love being in the team environment more than individual.
3..You were back with Wolverhampton last year, but have spent the majority of your career at Peterborough. Where would you call "home"?
I actually raced for both clubs the same amount now, so that's even, but Wolves is my home for sure. The whole place suits me and I love being there. Peterborough was special; I was very young when I first rode there and had so much success in the years I spent there, but to be honest it was never quite the same after Peter Oakes left - he was the person who first went out of his way to help me ,so when he left it never felt quite the same. Since I left there I have had so many bad injuries at that track that it has left me with a bit of a block of the track but I am starting to get better there again.
4..What do you think about the decision to lower the points limit in the elite league?
I think something needed to be done. Whether it is the right thing we will have to wait and see. I do think the league looks like it will be closer together now, which is a good thing. We have to remember it is only elite by name - it's no good having a super strong league and in one or two years it totally falls apart. The elite will still be the strongest in this country and with the injection of some new exciting riders, ie Holder, I think it will be an exciting year with some great racing.
5..There's been no increase to the British reduction for next season, although it was widely speculated there would be. Do you think it should have been considered, given that it's possible British riders like Lee Richardson and Scott Nicholls may be struggling to find a team place next year? (Asked the day Eastbourne announced, funnily enough.)
It did surprise me, to be honest. When I heard the limit I did think that they would increase the reduction because it would encourage britsh riders, but then again there isn't enough good British riders to go around, so again there would be an uneven balance. I mean just think how strong Eastbourne would be if there was, say, a 10% reduction because they have (and fair play) got most of the English talent.
6..And promotion and relegation - do you think that will work?
I hope so. It works in other leagues so why shouldn't it here? I know not every premier club would want to come elite but there are a few that do, and the play offs give those teams a chance -and if nothing else, some exciting end of season matches.
7..What's your view on having regular race nights in Britain? It seems that the GP riders are all for it, but those who rely on riding here would like to see more meetings. Which side are you on?
The problem is that we share most of our stadiums here, so the times are limited. Also its okay for a GP rider to say I only want 15 or 20 meetings, but what about the other 75% of riders, and riders that only ride in england. I mean, the elite lost Kevin Doolan mainly because there wasn't enough meeings for him. I need about 60 meetings over here - 15 or 20 just isn't enough.
8..How do you like the tracks to be prepared, and what do you think gives the best racing?
I prefer tracks to be fairly deep - how Wolves was prepared at the start of the season was really good, plenty of dirt and you could pass anywhere. I just think slick tracks are boring, its boring to ride on as well as to watch.
9..Do you think there should be more support for young Brits looking to come into the sport, and if so, what form should that take?
The hardest thing for a British youngster is getting track time. Obviously its an expensive sport, but if you were a young rider in Poland you would be able to go down to your track and practice, and that doesn't happen in England as the promotions don't own the stadiums, which makes it harder for British riders to progress.
10..If you could make any one change to the rules in Britain, what would that be and why?
That the number two rider in the team can start off the inside starts in heat one. For years I couldn't understand why this wasn't the case, as number three and five start on the outside in their first race, so why not the number one rider? But ask me again in twelve months time and if I've been number one I may not give you the same answer. To be honest all the silly moans about stupid rules, i.e green or white helmet colours, tac sub rule etc, does it really matter? I go to watch speedway because i enjoy the sport and I think some people get caught up in a wave of negativity and are more happy to poke faults at what we've got instead of enjoying the sport. At the end of the day it should be four riders doing four laps, hopefully in the same direction. It seems pretty simple to me.
11..Thoughts on next year? Do you have any new sponsorship deals lined up, or any goals you hope to achieve?
Myself and Paul (my manager) are working hard on trying to secure old and new sponsorship for the coming season. As for next year I want to improve again, enjoy myself and get as far as I can in the gp qualifiers.
12..Young Dane Nicolai Klindt has just joined Wolverhampton. Are you looking forward to riding with him next season?
I think Nicolai is a very exciting young rider, but the problem with him is that he comes with such a big reputation. But for one reason or another he had a tough year last season and people are writing him off now, which maybe is a good thing as he can now focus on his racing without people expecting so much of him. And if i get a team place at Wolves it will be great to ride with him.
13..How's the collarbone injury? Has it healed, and are you feeling fit and ready to ride?
The collarbone is coming along well. Within a couple of weeks it should be fully healed, and by the time the new season comes around I should be fitter than ever.
14..And finally, are you hoping to be part of the WTC squad next year, and do you think we have a hope of winning it?!
Yes, if I've had a good enough season I would love to be part of the WTC team. As for winning it, sadly I think we are behind the Poles and the Danes at the minute, but if another English rider has a season like Bomber did maybe that would turn around.
It was really special, something that 12 months before I would never have dreamt of doing, ok I didn't do fantastic but I had a great day and loved every second of it, and I'll be doing my best to get back there again, but if I don't manage it I achieved something that was very special to me and got some great memories from it.
2..You spent a short time as captain at Oxford, making you one of the youngest riders to hold that position. You've also been praised this season for helping out the younger members of the team; does leading come naturally to you, or do you take any advice when you can get it?
I've always been one to ask all the time, maybe to the point of annoying people, but if you don't ask you don't get. Peter Karlsson has always been great with me and I have learnt so much off him, same can be said about Todd in 07. I think without him I would have walked away mid season and that was the reason I gave up the captain's job, because he was so much better than me at it. As for helping others I think at times last year some of the younger riders found me easier to approach than, say, PK and I did enjoy it, but being captain or not I'll always be the same. I love being in the team environment more than individual.
3..You were back with Wolverhampton last year, but have spent the majority of your career at Peterborough. Where would you call "home"?
I actually raced for both clubs the same amount now, so that's even, but Wolves is my home for sure. The whole place suits me and I love being there. Peterborough was special; I was very young when I first rode there and had so much success in the years I spent there, but to be honest it was never quite the same after Peter Oakes left - he was the person who first went out of his way to help me ,so when he left it never felt quite the same. Since I left there I have had so many bad injuries at that track that it has left me with a bit of a block of the track but I am starting to get better there again.
4..What do you think about the decision to lower the points limit in the elite league?
I think something needed to be done. Whether it is the right thing we will have to wait and see. I do think the league looks like it will be closer together now, which is a good thing. We have to remember it is only elite by name - it's no good having a super strong league and in one or two years it totally falls apart. The elite will still be the strongest in this country and with the injection of some new exciting riders, ie Holder, I think it will be an exciting year with some great racing.
5..There's been no increase to the British reduction for next season, although it was widely speculated there would be. Do you think it should have been considered, given that it's possible British riders like Lee Richardson and Scott Nicholls may be struggling to find a team place next year? (Asked the day Eastbourne announced, funnily enough.)
It did surprise me, to be honest. When I heard the limit I did think that they would increase the reduction because it would encourage britsh riders, but then again there isn't enough good British riders to go around, so again there would be an uneven balance. I mean just think how strong Eastbourne would be if there was, say, a 10% reduction because they have (and fair play) got most of the English talent.
6..And promotion and relegation - do you think that will work?
I hope so. It works in other leagues so why shouldn't it here? I know not every premier club would want to come elite but there are a few that do, and the play offs give those teams a chance -and if nothing else, some exciting end of season matches.
7..What's your view on having regular race nights in Britain? It seems that the GP riders are all for it, but those who rely on riding here would like to see more meetings. Which side are you on?
The problem is that we share most of our stadiums here, so the times are limited. Also its okay for a GP rider to say I only want 15 or 20 meetings, but what about the other 75% of riders, and riders that only ride in england. I mean, the elite lost Kevin Doolan mainly because there wasn't enough meeings for him. I need about 60 meetings over here - 15 or 20 just isn't enough.
8..How do you like the tracks to be prepared, and what do you think gives the best racing?
I prefer tracks to be fairly deep - how Wolves was prepared at the start of the season was really good, plenty of dirt and you could pass anywhere. I just think slick tracks are boring, its boring to ride on as well as to watch.
9..Do you think there should be more support for young Brits looking to come into the sport, and if so, what form should that take?
The hardest thing for a British youngster is getting track time. Obviously its an expensive sport, but if you were a young rider in Poland you would be able to go down to your track and practice, and that doesn't happen in England as the promotions don't own the stadiums, which makes it harder for British riders to progress.
10..If you could make any one change to the rules in Britain, what would that be and why?
That the number two rider in the team can start off the inside starts in heat one. For years I couldn't understand why this wasn't the case, as number three and five start on the outside in their first race, so why not the number one rider? But ask me again in twelve months time and if I've been number one I may not give you the same answer. To be honest all the silly moans about stupid rules, i.e green or white helmet colours, tac sub rule etc, does it really matter? I go to watch speedway because i enjoy the sport and I think some people get caught up in a wave of negativity and are more happy to poke faults at what we've got instead of enjoying the sport. At the end of the day it should be four riders doing four laps, hopefully in the same direction. It seems pretty simple to me.
11..Thoughts on next year? Do you have any new sponsorship deals lined up, or any goals you hope to achieve?
Myself and Paul (my manager) are working hard on trying to secure old and new sponsorship for the coming season. As for next year I want to improve again, enjoy myself and get as far as I can in the gp qualifiers.
12..Young Dane Nicolai Klindt has just joined Wolverhampton. Are you looking forward to riding with him next season?
I think Nicolai is a very exciting young rider, but the problem with him is that he comes with such a big reputation. But for one reason or another he had a tough year last season and people are writing him off now, which maybe is a good thing as he can now focus on his racing without people expecting so much of him. And if i get a team place at Wolves it will be great to ride with him.
13..How's the collarbone injury? Has it healed, and are you feeling fit and ready to ride?
The collarbone is coming along well. Within a couple of weeks it should be fully healed, and by the time the new season comes around I should be fitter than ever.
14..And finally, are you hoping to be part of the WTC squad next year, and do you think we have a hope of winning it?!
Yes, if I've had a good enough season I would love to be part of the WTC team. As for winning it, sadly I think we are behind the Poles and the Danes at the minute, but if another English rider has a season like Bomber did maybe that would turn around.