Post by speedway_history on Dec 22, 2008 17:46:48 GMT 1
1..You quit racing at the end of last year, and have become a nanny in the UK. What made you want to get back into racing?
I planned to see my friends in Carlisle one weekend in march and thought I'd made it a speedway weekend with Workington on saturday and Newcastle on sunday. When I arrived at Derwent Park at around 6:30 I found out the meeting was called off, lights out and no one was there, I spent the night at my mate's house. Next day I was at Newcastle, basically where my "GB-Adventure" all began. I watched the meeting and it was freezing cold, but still, I really enjoyed the meeting, seeing old friends and the thought of a come-back arised when people said they were gutted that I had to retire because I wasn't a bad rider at all. So I got a bike and kit together, went out for some 2nd halves and even managed to ride in 2 meetings towards the end of the season.
2..Do you think the way the averages are assessed is unfair?
To be really honest, I can understand why the rule is there (don't think I have to explain). But, of course I'm not exactly happy about it. There's no difference made between a rider that guested for a Danish league team twice 5 years ago and a rider that has been ridden there regularly for the past 5 years. I wouldn't say it's an unfair rule in general, but, like me, there are always individuals that suffer the most. I would like to add that I'm not the only one in a situation like this.
3..What was your previous average prior to the assessment, and do you think that should be your current average?
When Newcastle wanted to give me a chance in 2005, they had me down on a 5.00.
Frankly, I don't really care about my assessed average at the moment. But I really want my chance to ride 12 (6H & 6A) matches for a team and then I can tell you what my current average should be. Also, I'm confident in saying that it wouldn't end there. Once I have my actual average, I know what I can improve on. With my average being assessed on 8.00 I have absolutely no idea if I can reach that figure, all I can do is give it my all and score as many points for my team as I can.
4..Clearly you are committed to British racing, but the BSPA don't seem to want to help. I understand it's a rule that they can't bend, but what assistance do you think they could give to younger riders looking to race in the British leagues?
It all depends on the circumstances. Riders like me, who base themselves over here all year and make British racing priority #1 should be able to ride in whatever league they want to (I would ride in Conference League, if I was eligible for it). And my explanation for that is - before someone says 'you are taking places away from young brits' - in Speedway terms I should be classed as a brit. I live in Britain, work in Britain and race in Britain. I understand that I would not be able to compete in the British Championships, and that's ok, because my priority would be to race for a team, and I want to do well for a team and be loyal.
5..Do you have a club in mind that you'd like to ride for?
Any club that is prepared to give me a chance.
6..What's the difference between the help given to youngsters in Germany to the help you'd get in Britain?
It depends on the Speedway clubs in each country. Don't think they differ much from each other. My former club in Germany "MSC Nordhastedt" always tries to bring youngsters on, but from what I've seen, only very few made the step up to the big bikes. Maybe the German kids' mentality is different to the British kids.
Over here, Sittingbourne really has a nice setup, having been there a few times now with a kid, I'm currently looking after. He's taking his first steps on a Speedway bike now and is improving each time he goes out on track.
But I think Sittingbourne is a good place to start riding, they're very good there.
7..If someone were to give you a team place on your 8.00 average, do you think you'd be able to maintain, or improve it?
I can't say that now. But what I can say is that I will give 100% to score as many points as I can.
8..If you don't manage to get a team spot, do you hope to be included in some more individual meetings?
I certainly hope so. Also, I will do more 2nd halves, try different tracks. I won't give up.
9..The points limit for the premier league has just gone up. Do you think this might increase your chances of getting a place in a team?
Obviously a team has now a few more points to play with, but in the end I don't think it will make much of a difference to me. If a promoter really wants to give me a chance, he will do that, whatever the team average is. And that's why I'll keep trying, and trying, and trying...
I planned to see my friends in Carlisle one weekend in march and thought I'd made it a speedway weekend with Workington on saturday and Newcastle on sunday. When I arrived at Derwent Park at around 6:30 I found out the meeting was called off, lights out and no one was there, I spent the night at my mate's house. Next day I was at Newcastle, basically where my "GB-Adventure" all began. I watched the meeting and it was freezing cold, but still, I really enjoyed the meeting, seeing old friends and the thought of a come-back arised when people said they were gutted that I had to retire because I wasn't a bad rider at all. So I got a bike and kit together, went out for some 2nd halves and even managed to ride in 2 meetings towards the end of the season.
2..Do you think the way the averages are assessed is unfair?
To be really honest, I can understand why the rule is there (don't think I have to explain). But, of course I'm not exactly happy about it. There's no difference made between a rider that guested for a Danish league team twice 5 years ago and a rider that has been ridden there regularly for the past 5 years. I wouldn't say it's an unfair rule in general, but, like me, there are always individuals that suffer the most. I would like to add that I'm not the only one in a situation like this.
3..What was your previous average prior to the assessment, and do you think that should be your current average?
When Newcastle wanted to give me a chance in 2005, they had me down on a 5.00.
Frankly, I don't really care about my assessed average at the moment. But I really want my chance to ride 12 (6H & 6A) matches for a team and then I can tell you what my current average should be. Also, I'm confident in saying that it wouldn't end there. Once I have my actual average, I know what I can improve on. With my average being assessed on 8.00 I have absolutely no idea if I can reach that figure, all I can do is give it my all and score as many points for my team as I can.
4..Clearly you are committed to British racing, but the BSPA don't seem to want to help. I understand it's a rule that they can't bend, but what assistance do you think they could give to younger riders looking to race in the British leagues?
It all depends on the circumstances. Riders like me, who base themselves over here all year and make British racing priority #1 should be able to ride in whatever league they want to (I would ride in Conference League, if I was eligible for it). And my explanation for that is - before someone says 'you are taking places away from young brits' - in Speedway terms I should be classed as a brit. I live in Britain, work in Britain and race in Britain. I understand that I would not be able to compete in the British Championships, and that's ok, because my priority would be to race for a team, and I want to do well for a team and be loyal.
5..Do you have a club in mind that you'd like to ride for?
Any club that is prepared to give me a chance.
6..What's the difference between the help given to youngsters in Germany to the help you'd get in Britain?
It depends on the Speedway clubs in each country. Don't think they differ much from each other. My former club in Germany "MSC Nordhastedt" always tries to bring youngsters on, but from what I've seen, only very few made the step up to the big bikes. Maybe the German kids' mentality is different to the British kids.
Over here, Sittingbourne really has a nice setup, having been there a few times now with a kid, I'm currently looking after. He's taking his first steps on a Speedway bike now and is improving each time he goes out on track.
But I think Sittingbourne is a good place to start riding, they're very good there.
7..If someone were to give you a team place on your 8.00 average, do you think you'd be able to maintain, or improve it?
I can't say that now. But what I can say is that I will give 100% to score as many points as I can.
8..If you don't manage to get a team spot, do you hope to be included in some more individual meetings?
I certainly hope so. Also, I will do more 2nd halves, try different tracks. I won't give up.
9..The points limit for the premier league has just gone up. Do you think this might increase your chances of getting a place in a team?
Obviously a team has now a few more points to play with, but in the end I don't think it will make much of a difference to me. If a promoter really wants to give me a chance, he will do that, whatever the team average is. And that's why I'll keep trying, and trying, and trying...