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.
Posts
