A BIG few days lie ahead for a rider with big talent – as MARK PLUMMER finds out in his latest ‘Friday Feature’ . . .
“Five years ago I started with nothing,” says CRAIG COOK. Now he stands potentially six rides away from a national title and 15 rides away from regular World Championship racing.
That’s a measure of the 27 year-old Cumbrian’s fine progress since switching from the bumps to the shale and bursting onto the speedway scene at Buxton.
The Belle Vue and Edinburgh man might have been a late starter, but he is more than making up for lost time as he lines up his first GP qualifier at Berwick tomorrow night.
A star-studded field is set to descend on the big Shielfield Park track but anyone employing the ‘horses for courses’ theory will be backing Cook to do the business at a venue when he bagged a five-ride maximum in a Premier League Cup meeting earlier in the season.
He certainly won’t be short of confidence either. Former National League and Premier League Riders' Champion Cook said: “I’m looking forward to tomorrow at Berwick. It has worked out perfectly for me really.
“I’ve got a short trip to a track where I’ve already had a good meeting this season, rather than having to go on a long trek abroad to somewhere like Slovenia or Germany.
“Being involved in a GP qualifier is taking the next step in my career. It is the level I need to be competing at and tomorrow will give me a bit of insight into what is required.
“I know I’m capable of qualifying for the next round on my day. There are plenty of good riders in the line-up, but they are all there to be beaten.
“Berwick can be a bit of a gater’s paradise so I need to make sure I’ve got my gating gloves on and I’m making fast starts.
“It is all about being sensible in a meeting like this. There is no point in winning four races and then putting yourself through the fence in your fifth ride.
“It is difficult to know whether or not you are ready to be a GP rider. If I was lucky enough to make it, I would have to be ready.”
A semi-final date later this month will await if Cook is successful in the first stage of his qualification meeting. The GP Challenge, when the top three finishers win tickets to the big-time, is in late September at Lonigo, Italy.
It is not just international prizes that he is eyeing though. Cook will roll into Monmore Green in 10 days’ time as a serious contender for British Final glory.
Cook brought up the rear in the 2013 decider at the same venue – a performance which was enough to earn him a reserve berth for the British Grand Prix.
But this year the Millennium Stadium wildcard slot is what he really wants to get his hands on.
Cook continued: “The wildcard is something I’m looking at winning after coming so close last year.
“I would love to be British champion and I would love to ride at Cardiff. They are two huge prizes up for grabs on the same night.
“I’ve been a bit inconsistent so far this season and that’s something I’m working hard all the time to address.
“It had be difficult to understand how you go from getting a maximum at Edinburgh to not scoring for Belle Vue.
“Every little mistake is costly in the Elite League when you’re riding as a heat leader in the new format.
“It is extremely tough to ride at number one, three or five as you are up against top riders in every single race, but that is what I need to continue developing and improving.
“I’ve really had to step it up riding for Belle Vue this season compared to last year.”
But, in the second tier, Cook is the man that many aspire to be.
He boasted the highest average of any rider in the Premier League until the recent return of his fellow Great Britain international, Danny King, for the first time in eight years.
And after ruling out riding on the continent, Cook doesn’t have plans to leave the Premier League behind anytime soon.
Unsurprisingly he is enjoying every minute of life as the spearhead of an Edinburgh side still to taste defeat in 2014.
He added: “It is pretty insane how well we have been doing. We know we’re going to lose the odd meeting sooner rather than later, but it is all about keeping our form going to the end of the season.
“Leagues and trophies aren’t won at this time of year and we’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing.
“I’ve heard people saying I’m too good for the Premier League, but that is nonsense.
“Whereas the Elite League is becoming a bit likes two leagues within one, the level of competition in the Premier League is a lot more even throughout.
“The racing is hard and it is tough. Reserves can go out and beat number ones.
“The reason I ride in the Premier League is because it is not financially viable for me to go to Poland.
“Richie Worrall has sent good equipment out there and only had two meetings. If I did that with my machinery, I wouldn’t be able to pay the mortgage.
“I’m not from a rich background. I started in this sport five years ago with nothing. My dad quit his job to work with me.”
So far it is a gamble which is paying off.
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UPCOMING FIXTURES...
2020 BRITISH SPEEDWAY UPDATE
Friday July 10, 2020
THE board of directors at the British Speedway Promoters Ltd were encouraged by the significant easing of restrictions announced on Thursday.
Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, revealed how grassroots team sports can resume from this weekend. Sports will need to publish specific guidance approved by government officials.
Members of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd have, in the last two weeks, been working on how our sport can work
safely for competitors, officials and spectators alike. We believe the biggest risk to riders is the natural danger element of racing motorbikes with no brakes.
Clubs have already been planning how social distance measures can be taken for spectators and again we must emphasise speedway venues rarely host capacity attendances.
Grassroots team sports inevitably include a small spectator element and we believe we are within touching distance of our sport being able to start a reduced season.
However, we acknowledge the clock is ticking and if we cannot begin league racing in August there is every chance the season will run out of time.
We thank all British Speedway supporters for their patience and understanding and wish to assure everyone we are doing everything within our power to start the season next month in a safe and enjoyable manner.
We will update more as soon as further information becomes available.
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEASON UPDATE Thursday May 21, 2020 BRITISH Speedway remains united in ‘cautious optimism’ about some league racing this season.
All three leagues have been keeping in touch to measure the impact of no racing so far this season and how it affects business going forward.
And the message is clear – all three leagues are refusing to give up on the 2020 season and are continuing to urge fans to 'do the right thing'.
Rob Godfrey, chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd, said: “Things are changing on a rapid basis and we are all encouraged to see it appears people are continuing to do the right thing to give us a chance of racing this year.
“The Premiership clubs had a catch up on Tuesday via video conference call, the Championship clubs are in regular dialogue and Jason Pipe, back as National Development League co-ordinator, is in touch with his clubs.
“There is little doubt in my own mind that some league racing will be possible this year. We can implement social distancing measures in stadia, both inside and outside the venue.
“We realise various club have different circumstances regarding their business, but I really do believe there will be some speedway this year.”
Damien Bates, vice chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd and promoter of Sheffield, said: "We had a very productive catch-up online with all Premiership clubs and it was good for us all to get together to discuss the situation.
"We are a long way from abandoning the season. We still believe there are possibilities, strong possibilities, that our sport can take place this season with the appropriate safety measures in place for everyone in a stadium.
"Naturally we are keeping a close eye on the travel situation because there are several riders who are in Poland right now and we need to see movement allowed without quarantine. It's a fluid situation.
"We are continuing to look at a full quota of fixtures, or perhaps half a season with 12 meetings per club in the Premiership plus play-offs. We are keeping our options open right now, all three leagues are, but in any situation we remain in the hands of the government.
"We believe we need to make another assessment when the government update us on the next phase of recovery from this crisis which will be early in July.
"In the meantime we urge all supporters of every club throughout the country to stay patient and be assured we are doing everything we can to bring some racing to them this year."
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SPEEDWAY PUT FORWARD FOR RESTART TALKS
Thursday April 30, 2020 BRITISH Speedway officials have put the sport forward for discussion at government level regarding how the season can start.
Weekly talks with various sports are set to take place and the government will assess each case individually in terms of how to restart when restrictions are reduced.
Rob Godfrey, chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd, made contact with his local MP in Scunthorpe, Helen Mumby-Croft, over the weekend and all clubs have been asked to do the same.
Godfrey has now been told speedway will be considered by government officials taking into account the venues throughout the country and the size of crowds.
“My understanding was that discussions have already taken place with major sports and I felt it appropriate to put speedway up there,” said Godfrey. “I just wanted to get the sport on the table, that’s all, nothing more, nothing less.
“If ever there was a good time not to be a major sport, it is now. It’s one aspect we are working on, of course, with sponsorship, TV and increased digital output but we are where we are.
“We are presenting the facts. Many of us can work with social distancing in our stadia, restricted numbers in parts of a venue won’t be a problem and certainly the pits area can be tightened up in terms of numbers and space between personnel, but again this is very broadly speaking.
“Above and beyond this, we are an outside sport without any confined space.
“We remain absolutely determined and committed to staging a British Speedway season in some format, but of course this won’t be next week or the week after. Yes, I know there are issues with international travel but for every problem we can find a solution.
“If there is time it would be nice to see a gradual reopening with practice sessions, but that all depends if and when we are allowed to do so.
“Whatever happens we are in the hands of the government and we can only start once we are told we can. We have various permutations available to us in terms of the fixture list, even if it means a three month or a two month season.
“In addition we acknowledge many clubs don’t own their stadium and would need full co-operation from their landlords.”
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEASON UPDATE
Tuesday April 21, 2020 BRITISH Speedway bosses remain ‘100% committed’ to staging racing this year.
The board of directors at the British Speedway Promoters Ltd have held a conference call today to discuss the way forward.
And Vice Chairman Damien Bates said: “We had a productive conversation and we all agreed we remain 100% committed to putting on a season this year at the first available opportunity.
“There are absolutely no thoughts of cancelling the season. We all want to stage the season in whatever format that can take.
“We have people working on fixtures covering all eventualities in terms of dates and potential rider availability.
“Naturally nothing can happen until the government allow it to, indeed when the next decision is made on the current lockdown situation we will talk again between us.
“We want to give fans, broadcasters and sponsors what everyone wants and that is live speedway to enjoy.
“If it’s July, August or whenever it may be we are determined to stage racing should the government rules allow us to do so.
“In the meantime, on behalf of every club promoter we extend our very best wishes to British Speedway supporters throughout the country and we urge you all to please follow the government rules. They are not guidelines or advice, they are rules.
“We want you all fit and well and ready to come and enjoy this wonderful sport as soon as it is safe and legal to do so.”
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY STATEMENT
Wednesday March 25, 2020 THE board members of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd are continuing to monitor the situation regarding the Coronavirus crisis on a regular basis.
With the latest information from the government stating high risk groups of people should stay at home for 12 weeks, it is unlikely that that there will be any British Speedway events taking place before June 15, at least.
The Board have to consider the public, their members, riders and officials, some of which will be included in the high risk group.
It is the wish of the Board that every effort is made to start the new season at the first available opportunity and we have members of the association continuing to provide alternative fixture dates as the situation evolves.
The British Speedway Promoters Ltd sends their best wishes to everyone at this incredibly difficult time.
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JOINT BSPA/SCB STATEMENT: CORONAVIRUS
Tuesday March 17, 2020 BRITISH Speedway’s new season has been suspended with immediate effect.
The decision has been taken in line with other sports following the latest update from the government on the Coronavirus crisis.
This suspension will be reviewed on April 15 and the situation will be monitored by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and Speedway Control Bureau on a daily basis between now and then.
LATEST RESULTS...
SUNDAY MARCH 15:
50TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING, Peterborough - OFF
SATURDAY MARCH 14:
BEN FUND BONANZA, Scunthorpe 1 Danny King (Ipswich/Poole) 2 Steve Worrall (Belle Vue/Poole) 3 Josh Auty (Scunthorpe) 4 Lewis Kerr (King’s Lynn/Eastbourne)
