Well...with another Grand Prix season reaching its conclusion, the hardly surprising fact of the matter that the two Brits, Messrs Nicholls and Harris have finished up (effectively) bottom of the standings has probably not been lost on the viewing public and, more importantly, BSI/IMG.Now, we all appreciate that the sport, put mildly, is somewhat stuck in a rut in Britain, and the core issues, including a chronic lack of proper practice facilities, dwindling crowds and relatively non-existent national press coverage (bar the saviour of the ever-present Sky Sports) are doing a good job of discouraging the next generation of riders from pursuing the 'speedway dream' (descriptions of this on a postcard please!), but, when domestic Promoters and the BSPA talk about the sometimes negative impact the GPs supposedly have on the sport in Britain, I think they are clutching at straws.
In the short time I have been following Speedway, my opinion has always been that, as the pinnacle of the sport, and with the domestic scene in Sweden, Denmark and the UK nose-diving rapidly, the Grand Prix series is pretty much the only thing keeping Speedway alive as a professional entity. This is a debate for another day, but I feel that it is the responsibility of the authorities and Clubs in this country to formulate a system which fits around the GP calendar. This is no different from the stance football takes with its international breaks. But, as stated, more on that another time.
Back to the issue at hand, and going right back to basic principles...if the GP series is the only real commercial prospect the sport possesses at the current time, then, given the state of the sport over here, it is imperative that at least one British rider is included in the 2010 line-up.
Looking at the options, I personally have always liked Scott Nicholls, but for whatever reason (be it his equipment, attitude or external factors), he has had an absolute nightmare of a season, and will not be around next year. So, we
then have Bomber...after 2007, the man I thought could be the saviour of British Speedway, who did enough to earn a wild-card last season; but, will IMG overlook some pretty non-descript performances and remember the all-action seat-of-the-pants excitement that this guy can produce when he is on song? I'm not so sure...for Chris' sake, I hope so. However, sentiment aside, is there justification for offering two places to the Brits? Again, I'm not so sure, but given the departure of Leigh Adams, and the possibility of Rune Holta following him out of the door for next year, there could be a reprieve.
What I would suggest is that we look to follow the Russian example in 2010. At 19, Emil Sayfutdinov is a precocious, but raw and undeniably exciting prospect. Despite dropping out of 2009 GP qualifying at the third stage, IMG took a gamble in offering him a Wild Card, and he repaid their faith tenfold, blowing away a long list of more experienced campaigners and adding an air of unpredictability and mystery to each race, which has no doubt shaken up the Speedway World. Emil even had time to drag his country to a respectable and unexpected fourth place finish in the World Cup! He has signle-handedly raised the profile of the sport in Russia, and has a determination and fearless quality which, if nothing else, gets him noticed.I think that in following this model, IMG could really make a genuine difference to British 
Speedway should they decide to offer a Wild Card to a similarly talented young rider, one Tai Woffinden. Also 19, this fresh-faced teenager has already won team championships in all three divisions in Britain, and, combined with his U21 Championship win in 2008, and his third placed finished in the British Championship I feel now is as good a moment as any to launch Tai on to the World Stage. He has the right image, the desire, and the raw talent to drag British Speedway kicking and screaming into the 21st century, and, perhaps more importantly, his capacity to deliver success could significantly raise the profile of British riders, generating more column inches in the press, and bigger and better sponsorship opportunities, all the while encouraging existing young riders to aim higher to emulate the success of Emil Sayfutdinov, and generate greater subscription of newcomers to the Sport.
Speedway should they decide to offer a Wild Card to a similarly talented young rider, one Tai Woffinden. Also 19, this fresh-faced teenager has already won team championships in all three divisions in Britain, and, combined with his U21 Championship win in 2008, and his third placed finished in the British Championship I feel now is as good a moment as any to launch Tai on to the World Stage. He has the right image, the desire, and the raw talent to drag British Speedway kicking and screaming into the 21st century, and, perhaps more importantly, his capacity to deliver success could significantly raise the profile of British riders, generating more column inches in the press, and bigger and better sponsorship opportunities, all the while encouraging existing young riders to aim higher to emulate the success of Emil Sayfutdinov, and generate greater subscription of newcomers to the Sport. For now, we must wait and see what the eventual line-up is for 2010, but suffice to say, the result could, in my humble opinion, have a major role in affecting the perception and popularity of the sport in Britain.
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Hi Sherif,
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly putting a lot of your eggs in one basket by pinning your hopes that Tai W's inclusion in the 2010 GP will have a serious (hopefully) knock-on effect on the UK state of the shale game. I suppose we can look to the Chris Hoy effect, although he was already a world beater before going through the card at the China Olympics.
Re your earlier comment about the BSPA. They just see themselves as victims, that's it's someone else to blame, if only this or that. They have a long way to go, but there are always choices, plenty of choices.
David
Hi Sherif,
ReplyDeleteAnother thought. Certainly there was a time in the 60's and 70's (and maybe later) that the hub of the world scene was Britain. But now, that just isn't the case, and with less top draw riders riding here, and the proposed expansion of the GP series, does world speedway need the UK as it once did? I think the answer is no. Imagine a GP series without a UK round for a minute... is that deathly silence I hear. The GP series would still carry on and thrive. Whatever you views on Ole, he has certainly brought the series to a larger audience, and some of the arenas the GP's take place in are stunning. I guess the UK scene will continue, but the GP series is now something almost totally separate from it.
David
Hi David...good to have your continued support!
ReplyDeleteI think you have hit on a key point in your first paragraph. It is probably a fair comment that Britain is no longer considered the powerhouse it once was, both in social, political and sporting terms.
I would however suggest that the British GP probably still attracts more spectators than the other fixtures, although I suspect that if Poland had a dedicated stadium the size of the Millenium Stadium, they may be able to fill it. Despite the fact that half the crowd at Cardiff are probably from Poland, Sweden and Denmark, I cannot see IMG dropping the British GP, as they know they will sell tickets consistently, year on year. For me David, the real concern is...do they need a British rider?
Broadsiding motorcycles around oval-shaped tracks may have been born in Australia or the U.S., but it was England where it was raised to the exciting, beautiful, and dramatic sport of speedway that we came to love. It would be a sad day if there were no British riders competing for World Championship honors. Given the Nicholls/Harris disappointment of the past season, by all means put Woffinden in. It can't really get any worse. At the moment,it looks like the glorious days of the likes of the two PCs--Craven and Collins, the Boococks, Wilson, Simmons, Louis, Jessup, et al. are long gone. But the Sayfutdinov example is an inspiration, and there seems to be nothing to lose in bringing in new blood.
ReplyDeleteIndeed...well put. I think it is imperative that IMG continue to acknowledge the contribution (albeit historic) that Britain has made to the Speedway World....to not include a British rider would be akin to kicking us while we are at our lowest ebb in UK Speedway history, but, make no mistake, it is by no means a divine right that a British rider should be included.
ReplyDeleteI am sure however that IMG will decide to include at least one on a wildcard...after all, we don't want Sky losing interest!
Good thread - I wasnt really suggesting that there shouldnt be a UK rider in 2010 GP. UK world champs will come and go, as they have done before, but there always seem to be long gaps between winners.
ReplyDeleteAnother question - what effect has the GP had on the domestic scene - has it really had a very negative impact, or is it really down to other factors, such as lack of Saturday night action or lack of a London showpiece track.
You know, the more one reads from other websites about "bring back the old spectacle of qualifying rounds and a one of world final" the more it makes one think. However, I dont think there is any turning "back" now (is there?).
Pity that there arent more contributors, but I think most of them are still in the British Speedway Forum website (Q: Is this the _main_ on-line forum for UK fans, or are there any others worth visiting where there is fairly lively posts / replies etc.
David
Ahh...the problem is, supposed 'rival' websites frown upon advertising your respective forum links on their site. I asked the BSF for a sticky thread over a month ago, as I personally think this site approaches the issues of speedway from a completely different angle, but as yet have had no response. Most days it feels rather like a tough one-man crusade David, but I will no doubt find ways of attracting more traffic, as I truly believe these are the real discussions that should be taking place (and not what the points limit should be next year etc...).
ReplyDeleteAs for your original point, my sentiment will always remain that the GP has not ruined the domestic scene in the UK. It has been almost irrepairably damaged from within, through a combination of pathetic promotion, inflexible and unworkable rulings from the BSPA, and no security of tenure, and therefore an inability to improve current facilities at the stadiums.