Post by speedway_history on Apr 17, 2009 14:40:43 GMT 1
Over the winter you said you would give the Elite League a miss, yet you're now riding for Lakeside. What happened to change your mind?
I was definitely not going to race in 2009. I had decided at the end of the year that I was going to give it a miss, and concentrate on my commitments in Poland, Sweden and some meetings in Russia.
Whilst on Holiday with my family in Egypt I was in contact with Martin Hagon (my main sponsor and a very good friend) and he was quite keen for me to race in England. After a long discussion with Martin, JD and my wife I decided that I would race in England in 2009.
I had a lot of interest from many clubs, but it was Lakeside that was the best option in every respect. The management have completely turned the club around, and there isn't too many better promoters in the business. It was also a big challenge as over the years I have not enjoyed the track at Lakeside, and logistically its only 1 hour from my house, and works perfect with all my other commitments. I am very happy to be here in 2009.
Other riders we've interviewed have said how good the team spirit is at Lakeside. Would you agree, and who do you get on with the most?
There are no big egos at Lakeside which always helps. All the guys are great. We have a mixture of personalities and riding styles, but all get on very well. The management plays a big a part with team spirt, and you couldn't ask for it to be any better.
Newspapers are reporting you've taken a 20% pay cut for Czestochowa. Is it Poland as a whole who are having difficulties, or is it just Czestochowa's sponsor's withdrawal which is causing the problems?
I have taken a 20% pay cut in Poland for this year. It has been a complete nightmare for me over the last few weeks. I was told on Thursday before I raced at Peterborough that myself Greg and Nicki would have to take a 50% pay cut! I was in a state of shock, as this is my forth year at the club, and we have never had a problem with money, in fact we have been one of the most stable. The main Sponsor Zlomrex have been struggling through this financial crisis, and because of that withdrew their budget.
I finally agreed terms on Saturday night at 9 PM. I could of moved clubs for a year, but to be honest they have been good to me over the years, and I feel that this can work both ways.
Last season you had an accident in Poland involving your Czestchowa team mate, Sebastian Ulamek, which put you out of the play-off finals. Your Swedish team, Vetlanda, then lost in the final to Lejonen - Ulamek's Swedish team. Did that make it more of a bitter pill to swallow, or is it just one of those things?
It was one of those things really. I was in front and Seb picked up, and I went flat out into the fence! I was lucky because I smashed the fence in 2, and landed a foot away from the grader!. I did mess everything up for Czestochwa, as we were favourites to win the league, and it messed up Vetlanda chances in the final as well. There was no way I could race as I had split 2 of my fingers open to the bone! It was tough on me as I had done a good job for my clubs.
And what's it like riding with riders in one country and against them in another? Would you perhaps be more careful in an overtaking situation, or are they just another opponent?
The way Speedway is you get use to being team mates one day and rivals the next. Because most of us travel together, we are all friends on planes etc, but when it comes to racing we want to beat each other. You have no friends on the track.
Given your current British form, are you confident of making the final team for this year's SWC?
With the way we are at the moment in Britain myself Scott and Bomber are the hub of the Great Britain set up. Realistically we do have only 3 Top international riders. The other guys aren't at the level yet, but hopefully will be in a few years. You have to look at what riders are doing everywhere and not just in England.
You made it through to the GP qualifier final in 2008, having enjoyed a great run of form. It's fair to say you were one of the favourites to qualify on what was once your home track, but you had an awful final round and missed out on making the GPs. What happened?
I was one of the favourites, but I had a really bad day. Everything went wrong. We had bike problems, and also I wasn't mentally switched on enough for the day. It wasn't meant to be. A bad day at the office!!! (the wrong day to have one).
Do you hope to get back into the series in the future? And following on from that, Chris Harris reported the costs of riding in the GPs are too high compared to earnings. Does sponsorship offset the losses, and if not, why bother?
I would like to get back in the series again, as I feel that I didn't do myself justice last time, and I am racing a lot harder now. The costs are high, and sponsorship is vital, but if you want to be in it you know the costs involved, and depends what you want out of it.
And finally, you said you wanted to master the Lakeside track. It's fair to say you've done that pretty quickly, so what's next on the list of things to achieve this coming season?
I wouldn't say I have mastered it yet, but I have been trying a lot of different set ups with engines. I have enjoyed it so far and hopefully I can keep it going. It would be great to win some silverware this year. The play offs are important for everyone, so that would be our first goal. My goal is to become British Champion and get myself back in the G.P.
I was definitely not going to race in 2009. I had decided at the end of the year that I was going to give it a miss, and concentrate on my commitments in Poland, Sweden and some meetings in Russia.
Whilst on Holiday with my family in Egypt I was in contact with Martin Hagon (my main sponsor and a very good friend) and he was quite keen for me to race in England. After a long discussion with Martin, JD and my wife I decided that I would race in England in 2009.
I had a lot of interest from many clubs, but it was Lakeside that was the best option in every respect. The management have completely turned the club around, and there isn't too many better promoters in the business. It was also a big challenge as over the years I have not enjoyed the track at Lakeside, and logistically its only 1 hour from my house, and works perfect with all my other commitments. I am very happy to be here in 2009.
Other riders we've interviewed have said how good the team spirit is at Lakeside. Would you agree, and who do you get on with the most?
There are no big egos at Lakeside which always helps. All the guys are great. We have a mixture of personalities and riding styles, but all get on very well. The management plays a big a part with team spirt, and you couldn't ask for it to be any better.
Newspapers are reporting you've taken a 20% pay cut for Czestochowa. Is it Poland as a whole who are having difficulties, or is it just Czestochowa's sponsor's withdrawal which is causing the problems?
I have taken a 20% pay cut in Poland for this year. It has been a complete nightmare for me over the last few weeks. I was told on Thursday before I raced at Peterborough that myself Greg and Nicki would have to take a 50% pay cut! I was in a state of shock, as this is my forth year at the club, and we have never had a problem with money, in fact we have been one of the most stable. The main Sponsor Zlomrex have been struggling through this financial crisis, and because of that withdrew their budget.
I finally agreed terms on Saturday night at 9 PM. I could of moved clubs for a year, but to be honest they have been good to me over the years, and I feel that this can work both ways.
Last season you had an accident in Poland involving your Czestchowa team mate, Sebastian Ulamek, which put you out of the play-off finals. Your Swedish team, Vetlanda, then lost in the final to Lejonen - Ulamek's Swedish team. Did that make it more of a bitter pill to swallow, or is it just one of those things?
It was one of those things really. I was in front and Seb picked up, and I went flat out into the fence! I was lucky because I smashed the fence in 2, and landed a foot away from the grader!. I did mess everything up for Czestochwa, as we were favourites to win the league, and it messed up Vetlanda chances in the final as well. There was no way I could race as I had split 2 of my fingers open to the bone! It was tough on me as I had done a good job for my clubs.
And what's it like riding with riders in one country and against them in another? Would you perhaps be more careful in an overtaking situation, or are they just another opponent?
The way Speedway is you get use to being team mates one day and rivals the next. Because most of us travel together, we are all friends on planes etc, but when it comes to racing we want to beat each other. You have no friends on the track.
Given your current British form, are you confident of making the final team for this year's SWC?
With the way we are at the moment in Britain myself Scott and Bomber are the hub of the Great Britain set up. Realistically we do have only 3 Top international riders. The other guys aren't at the level yet, but hopefully will be in a few years. You have to look at what riders are doing everywhere and not just in England.
You made it through to the GP qualifier final in 2008, having enjoyed a great run of form. It's fair to say you were one of the favourites to qualify on what was once your home track, but you had an awful final round and missed out on making the GPs. What happened?
I was one of the favourites, but I had a really bad day. Everything went wrong. We had bike problems, and also I wasn't mentally switched on enough for the day. It wasn't meant to be. A bad day at the office!!! (the wrong day to have one).
Do you hope to get back into the series in the future? And following on from that, Chris Harris reported the costs of riding in the GPs are too high compared to earnings. Does sponsorship offset the losses, and if not, why bother?
I would like to get back in the series again, as I feel that I didn't do myself justice last time, and I am racing a lot harder now. The costs are high, and sponsorship is vital, but if you want to be in it you know the costs involved, and depends what you want out of it.
And finally, you said you wanted to master the Lakeside track. It's fair to say you've done that pretty quickly, so what's next on the list of things to achieve this coming season?
I wouldn't say I have mastered it yet, but I have been trying a lot of different set ups with engines. I have enjoyed it so far and hopefully I can keep it going. It would be great to win some silverware this year. The play offs are important for everyone, so that would be our first goal. My goal is to become British Champion and get myself back in the G.P.