Post by speedway_history on Dec 31, 2008 16:37:20 GMT 1
1..You were quoted on your website as saying SKY has made a big difference to speedway. In what way? Do you think more people recognize what speedway is, or is it more the financial input?
Sky has certainly raised the profile of the sport. I understand it gets very good viewing figures, the sport just needs to convert the armchair fans into members of the paying public. But, I don’t think the financial input has made a big difference to league racing if I am honest.
2..Following on from that, you were also quoted as saying better PR is needed to improve the sport. Is that with existing fans, or do you think promotion to a wider audience should be considered, and how?
I believe there are too many complex regulations that the fans (and riders) are confused by, the ruling bodies need to keep things as simple as possible. There is simply not enough marketing of the sport at the present time, each club has a hardcore of fans but not enough is done to attract new fans. I still can’t fathom out why the Elite League in particular has failed to attract blue-chips companies into sponsorship, as soon a major backer is attracted then I am sure others would follow.
3..You were at Reading for 16 years. How did you feel about leaving, and do you think you’ll be able to settle in at Birmingham quickly?
When you have been with a club for a long time then it does tug on your heart strings a little and I will miss a lot of people that helped me in my career. I do believe that many riders just race for the money and don’t really give a damn about their team. I have always believed in helping out wherever I can as regards promotion of the team I race for. Many times I have travelled to Reading to meet the fans at functions and attending shopping malls etc, I have even jumped on a plane to Newcastle and got a taxi to a supporters club meeting unannounced and at my own expense, days after signing for the diamonds in 2005. It’s very important for riders to make this effort as fans want to see the riders not the officials. I am very much looking forward to doing my job for Birmingham and cannot wait for the season to start, I am confident I will settle in well and the fans seemed to take to me when I raced for the Brummies at the end of last season. I look forward to building a strong relationship with them this year.
4..I’ve been told you have an excellent understanding of the rule book. Would you consider promoting/managing in the future?
I would most certainly consider the promoting and team manager options; I’d also like to get involved in helping to develop younger British riders, in a role like British under 21 Manager. As I have raced in leagues overseas and also competed in most European countries, I am sure I could help the youngsters concentrate on the racing and take the hassle out of logistics (getting bikes through control, getting signed in and collecting the money can be very stressful I can promise). I have also enjoyed 5 years of running training schools and helping out youngsters as much as possible. I believe it’s in my own interest to know the rule book inside out and I think I have a very good grasp of the rules. I’m always aware of what the score is on the night and I like to be involved in tactical talking with the manager. I did consider getting involved with some unnamed people in taking over Reading Speedway when BSI were selling it but unfortunately the figures did not come close to adding up!
5..And as if that’s not enough you’ve appeared on various quiz shows, and turned your hand to modelling. Are they things you’d consider doing more of, or was it just a bit of fun?
I’m always looking at things to do outside speedway and all of the things I have done have helped me get exposure for myself and the sport. I am happy to have a crack at most things and if Speedway was a household name sport I would love to do something like Strictly Come Dancing or Celebrity Big Brother. I’d also like to run the London Marathon to raise money for seriously injured riders, I have unsuccessfully applied in the past for the event, but hopefully one day I will be able to get in and raise money for riders like Lawrence Hare and Garry Stead etc.
6..You’re taller than the average rider. Do you have to adjust your riding style because of your height, and is it a help or a hindrance?
Yes, I am just over 6ft tall and I guess that is quite tall for a speedway rider. As I played lots of Rugby when I was young I became quite big in my upper body and torso which sometimes does not help as I would find it impossible to get my weight down to under 10 stone for example. I think the lighter you are the more it helps in speedway but we have to deal with what we are given and for everyday life I enjoy being the height I am.
7..Much has been made of your crash with David McAllen, for good or for bad. In your own words, can you tell us what happened?
So much has been written about the accident, but it was just a pure racing incident. Some guy that was on the centre green even wrote that I looked David in the eye and then t-boned him, which is so untrue and the video clearly proves that. I was riding a tight line, but the shape of the track at Glasgow is quite square (as are many around football or rugby pitch’s) and makes you drift slightly as you come off the final bend, that’s what happened in this case, I had no idea David was even there until I felt contact and to say that I deliberately went out to hurt him is complete rubbish. I think the fact that the Referee banned me from the meeting made things a lot worse. The SCB cleared me of any wrong doing within days of the accident and rescinded my fine and neutral observers of the video are saying it was an unfortunate racing accident.
I have never wished injury on any rider and I hope that he makes a full recovery from his injuries. I have seen the devastating effect that injury can have on a rider in Per Jonsson, whom I believe was the best rider I have ever seen on a speedway bike and is a very good friend of mine. He raced for many seasons and didn’t even have a slide of let alone a crash, then one fateful day in Poland he has an accident (again just a racing incident) and he is paralysed in his prime. All riders know it can happen but we just hope and pray it never happens to us to a rider involved an accident with you.
8..What about the impact of all the knocks and bruises you’ve had whilst riding? Do they still affect you?
Not at the moment, as I work hard on my fitness. Apart from numerous cuts and bruises my most serious speedway injuries have been cruciate ligament damage in my knee (a simple fall in Sweden), a couple of dislocated shoulders and a broken rib. I have broken my leg and elbow whilst grass-tracking. None of the above affect me at the moment, though I am sure they will catch up with me in old age.
9..What would you say to those people who claim you always ride the inside line?
I would say correct go to the top of the class! In many situations the inside line is the fastest because it’s the shortest and I have passed many opponents by cutting back and hugging a tight line, my Commercial Manager Big H calls it the Maurizio Shuffle, but when it’s obvious that the outside is quicker then I will go there.
10..Are you going to any GPs this year, and who are you backing?
I will go to Cardiff as it’s on my doorstep and I usually do some media work for the BBC. I might get along to a few more this year, now that home meetings for me are on Wednesday’s, which will give me time to go along and be part of the pit crew of my good friend Jason Crump. I’d love to see Jason win the world title back, but of course I want to see the British boys do the business as well.
11..What, in your opinion, makes a good referee, and do you have any memorable moments of decisions that have gone for or against you?
I have always tried to have a good relationship with referees as they have a difficult job to do. We sometimes don’t agree on things but I have never once (whatever the circumstances) ever raised my voice or used any bad language while speaking to a ref even if I disagree (hence never had a fine in my life.) As I have said they have a hard job and do it to their best ability so I will not go down the road of naming and shaming. One incident which stands out for me as a good refereeing decision was at Stoke many years ago, 3 riders entered turn 3 of the first lap totally side by side (myself, Paul Pickering and Jan Stæchmann I think) and all 3 bikes got caught up as we entered the bend with all 3 coming of in a heap and I’m not sure if it was Paul or Craig Ackroyd but the decision was to put all 4 back in the rerun, which both riders and teams seemed happy with (common sense prevailed) as the ref could see no fault with anyone of the 3. One amusing incident was at Reading, when I was excluded for bringing down Shane Parker on the pits bend, everyone in the pits felt I was very unlucky. Anyway the Ref’s wife was on the pits bend and she had a right go at him after the meeting for making the wrong decision. I wasn’t very happy at the time, but I can laugh about now though.
12..And finally, there’s a distinct lack of Welsh riders around. What do you think the reasons for this are?
As we only have one track it’s not something many kids will want to get into unfortunately. Its so easy and much more profitable in this day and age to get your kid a snooker cue, a set of darts, football boots etc than to fork out for the bikes and all the equipment. British Speedway needs a structured development academy; until we do we will always be light years behind the Poles, Danes, Swedes and Aussies.
Sky has certainly raised the profile of the sport. I understand it gets very good viewing figures, the sport just needs to convert the armchair fans into members of the paying public. But, I don’t think the financial input has made a big difference to league racing if I am honest.
2..Following on from that, you were also quoted as saying better PR is needed to improve the sport. Is that with existing fans, or do you think promotion to a wider audience should be considered, and how?
I believe there are too many complex regulations that the fans (and riders) are confused by, the ruling bodies need to keep things as simple as possible. There is simply not enough marketing of the sport at the present time, each club has a hardcore of fans but not enough is done to attract new fans. I still can’t fathom out why the Elite League in particular has failed to attract blue-chips companies into sponsorship, as soon a major backer is attracted then I am sure others would follow.
3..You were at Reading for 16 years. How did you feel about leaving, and do you think you’ll be able to settle in at Birmingham quickly?
When you have been with a club for a long time then it does tug on your heart strings a little and I will miss a lot of people that helped me in my career. I do believe that many riders just race for the money and don’t really give a damn about their team. I have always believed in helping out wherever I can as regards promotion of the team I race for. Many times I have travelled to Reading to meet the fans at functions and attending shopping malls etc, I have even jumped on a plane to Newcastle and got a taxi to a supporters club meeting unannounced and at my own expense, days after signing for the diamonds in 2005. It’s very important for riders to make this effort as fans want to see the riders not the officials. I am very much looking forward to doing my job for Birmingham and cannot wait for the season to start, I am confident I will settle in well and the fans seemed to take to me when I raced for the Brummies at the end of last season. I look forward to building a strong relationship with them this year.
4..I’ve been told you have an excellent understanding of the rule book. Would you consider promoting/managing in the future?
I would most certainly consider the promoting and team manager options; I’d also like to get involved in helping to develop younger British riders, in a role like British under 21 Manager. As I have raced in leagues overseas and also competed in most European countries, I am sure I could help the youngsters concentrate on the racing and take the hassle out of logistics (getting bikes through control, getting signed in and collecting the money can be very stressful I can promise). I have also enjoyed 5 years of running training schools and helping out youngsters as much as possible. I believe it’s in my own interest to know the rule book inside out and I think I have a very good grasp of the rules. I’m always aware of what the score is on the night and I like to be involved in tactical talking with the manager. I did consider getting involved with some unnamed people in taking over Reading Speedway when BSI were selling it but unfortunately the figures did not come close to adding up!
5..And as if that’s not enough you’ve appeared on various quiz shows, and turned your hand to modelling. Are they things you’d consider doing more of, or was it just a bit of fun?
I’m always looking at things to do outside speedway and all of the things I have done have helped me get exposure for myself and the sport. I am happy to have a crack at most things and if Speedway was a household name sport I would love to do something like Strictly Come Dancing or Celebrity Big Brother. I’d also like to run the London Marathon to raise money for seriously injured riders, I have unsuccessfully applied in the past for the event, but hopefully one day I will be able to get in and raise money for riders like Lawrence Hare and Garry Stead etc.
6..You’re taller than the average rider. Do you have to adjust your riding style because of your height, and is it a help or a hindrance?
Yes, I am just over 6ft tall and I guess that is quite tall for a speedway rider. As I played lots of Rugby when I was young I became quite big in my upper body and torso which sometimes does not help as I would find it impossible to get my weight down to under 10 stone for example. I think the lighter you are the more it helps in speedway but we have to deal with what we are given and for everyday life I enjoy being the height I am.
7..Much has been made of your crash with David McAllen, for good or for bad. In your own words, can you tell us what happened?
So much has been written about the accident, but it was just a pure racing incident. Some guy that was on the centre green even wrote that I looked David in the eye and then t-boned him, which is so untrue and the video clearly proves that. I was riding a tight line, but the shape of the track at Glasgow is quite square (as are many around football or rugby pitch’s) and makes you drift slightly as you come off the final bend, that’s what happened in this case, I had no idea David was even there until I felt contact and to say that I deliberately went out to hurt him is complete rubbish. I think the fact that the Referee banned me from the meeting made things a lot worse. The SCB cleared me of any wrong doing within days of the accident and rescinded my fine and neutral observers of the video are saying it was an unfortunate racing accident.
I have never wished injury on any rider and I hope that he makes a full recovery from his injuries. I have seen the devastating effect that injury can have on a rider in Per Jonsson, whom I believe was the best rider I have ever seen on a speedway bike and is a very good friend of mine. He raced for many seasons and didn’t even have a slide of let alone a crash, then one fateful day in Poland he has an accident (again just a racing incident) and he is paralysed in his prime. All riders know it can happen but we just hope and pray it never happens to us to a rider involved an accident with you.
8..What about the impact of all the knocks and bruises you’ve had whilst riding? Do they still affect you?
Not at the moment, as I work hard on my fitness. Apart from numerous cuts and bruises my most serious speedway injuries have been cruciate ligament damage in my knee (a simple fall in Sweden), a couple of dislocated shoulders and a broken rib. I have broken my leg and elbow whilst grass-tracking. None of the above affect me at the moment, though I am sure they will catch up with me in old age.
9..What would you say to those people who claim you always ride the inside line?
I would say correct go to the top of the class! In many situations the inside line is the fastest because it’s the shortest and I have passed many opponents by cutting back and hugging a tight line, my Commercial Manager Big H calls it the Maurizio Shuffle, but when it’s obvious that the outside is quicker then I will go there.
10..Are you going to any GPs this year, and who are you backing?
I will go to Cardiff as it’s on my doorstep and I usually do some media work for the BBC. I might get along to a few more this year, now that home meetings for me are on Wednesday’s, which will give me time to go along and be part of the pit crew of my good friend Jason Crump. I’d love to see Jason win the world title back, but of course I want to see the British boys do the business as well.
11..What, in your opinion, makes a good referee, and do you have any memorable moments of decisions that have gone for or against you?
I have always tried to have a good relationship with referees as they have a difficult job to do. We sometimes don’t agree on things but I have never once (whatever the circumstances) ever raised my voice or used any bad language while speaking to a ref even if I disagree (hence never had a fine in my life.) As I have said they have a hard job and do it to their best ability so I will not go down the road of naming and shaming. One incident which stands out for me as a good refereeing decision was at Stoke many years ago, 3 riders entered turn 3 of the first lap totally side by side (myself, Paul Pickering and Jan Stæchmann I think) and all 3 bikes got caught up as we entered the bend with all 3 coming of in a heap and I’m not sure if it was Paul or Craig Ackroyd but the decision was to put all 4 back in the rerun, which both riders and teams seemed happy with (common sense prevailed) as the ref could see no fault with anyone of the 3. One amusing incident was at Reading, when I was excluded for bringing down Shane Parker on the pits bend, everyone in the pits felt I was very unlucky. Anyway the Ref’s wife was on the pits bend and she had a right go at him after the meeting for making the wrong decision. I wasn’t very happy at the time, but I can laugh about now though.
12..And finally, there’s a distinct lack of Welsh riders around. What do you think the reasons for this are?
As we only have one track it’s not something many kids will want to get into unfortunately. Its so easy and much more profitable in this day and age to get your kid a snooker cue, a set of darts, football boots etc than to fork out for the bikes and all the equipment. British Speedway needs a structured development academy; until we do we will always be light years behind the Poles, Danes, Swedes and Aussies.