MARK PLUMMER talks the British Final, British talent and a potential new jewel in the crown of British speedway with SCOTT NICHOLLS in his latest ‘Friday Feature’ . . .
THERE is only one man to interview four days before the British Final.
The man who has virtually turned the national championship into his own personal possession since the turn of the century, winning exactly half of the 14 finals staged post-Millennium.
And it is clear that despite having seven British titles already in the bag, Scott Nicholls will travel to Monmore Green on Monday craving glory just as much as he has always done.
“The British Final is a massive night in the calendar,” said Nicholls. “It should a special occasion for every rider involved.
“You have 16 guys all going after the same thing and it usually creates plenty of excitement.
“I still believe I have what it takes to win more British titles. I wouldn’t bother turning up if I didn’t think I could do it.
“Don’t get me wrong, it will be far from easy on Monday, but the title wouldn't be worth winning if it was easy.”
It has certainly come to easier to Nicholls that most in recent years.
Chris Louis and Mark Loram won their second and third British crowns respectively in the first two finals of the 21st century before Nicholls’ wave of success began in 2002.
That was the start of a streak of five titles in seven years with only Joe Screen (2004) and Chris Harris (2007) interrupting his flow.
Harris then claimed a couple more titles of his own in 2009 and 2010 before Nicholls ruled supreme again in the following two years and 12 months ago he finished as runner-up to home favourite Tai Woffinden at Wolverhampton.
It's the same venue again and, in the opinion of the bookies who make world champion 'Woffy' an odds-on favourite, the same outcome is likely.
Nicholls is not so sure though. He added: “Tai was on fire last year but it wasn’t all plain sailing for him. Anything can happen in the British Final.
“It is all about one race at the end of the day. If you don’t make the final, you won’t have a chance of winning.
“There are a lot more genuine title contenders these days and that makes it even more satisfying to win.
“Every rider just wants to win the British title once. Then it becomes about backing it up and getting a second one, and so on.
“Now for me it is about the record books and trying to win as many as I possibly can.
“I’m one of the older riders now, but I don’t see that as a handicap. You only have to look at what Greg Hancock does in the GPs to see that age isn’t an issue.
“The final has been at Wolverhampton for a number of years now and it is a track when you can get some good racing.
“There probably is an argument for taking it to a different track every year and I wouldn’t disagree with that.
“But it is Monmore Green on Monday that I’m focusing on. The wildcard for Cardiff is just a little bonus and I won’t be thinking about that.
“All I want is another British title and I know I will be disappointed if I don’t win it, even if I do come away with the wildcard.”
Nicholls believes the feelgood factor is gradually returning to British speedway.
He cites the influx of riders with moto-cross backgrounds to the shale and the emergence of some bright, young talent as reasons behind the current buzz.
And Nicholls has not ruled out becoming involved in the development of future stars once bringing his own racing career to an end.
“There are definitely some promising riders coming through,” he continued.
“The transition of a lot of guys from moto-cross into speedway has done the sport good. These lads are super-fit and they know how to handle a bike.
“We’ve also got a few young boys starting to make their mark and I sense a little resurgence is happening for British speedway.
“Phil Morris and Neil Vatcher are doing a good job in developing the young talent, but they are limited to how much they can do. I want to see young kids out at training tracks all over the country on little 100cc or 150cc bikes.
“I’m a big fan of the Fast Track scheme in a lot of ways although it is clear to see there is a substantial gulf between some of the riders.
“Hopefully that is something which will be addressed over time as more and more riders come through and others progress on into the main body of teams.
“I would love to get involved in the development of British talent. There is nothing more rewarding than helping someone and seeing your input pay off.
“Who knows what might happen when I slow down my own racing?”
Nicholls launched a new chapter in his career this year with a move to Belle Vue.
He has arrived in Manchester amid a huge buzz as the Aces’ dream of a new home – the National Speedway Stadium – appears to be getting closer.
A planning submission for the 6,000 capacity stadium, which could stage major events such as the Speedway World Cup, is due this month.
“I’m really enjoying it up there,” continued Nicholls. “It has been a bit of a struggle on the road, but we’ve got a clean home record and the crowds have been good.
“The prospects of the new stadium getting the go ahead are looking really positive. It seems to be going forwards and that is a good sign because it will be brilliant for Belle Vue.”
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UPCOMING FIXTURES...
23/03/19 1930 Leicester v Ipswich (Ch)
23/03/19 1500 Ben Barker Testimonial, Redcar
24/03/19 1600 Steel City Championship, Sheffield
28/03/19 1930 Ipswich v Leicester (Ch)
29/03/19 1930 Redcar v Newcastle (TTT)
30/03/19 1930 Leicester v Redcar (CS)
30/03/19 1900 Peter Craven Memorial, Belle Vue
30/03/19 1900 Bordernapolis, Berwick
31/03/19 1800 Sheffield v Scunthorpe (CS)
31/03/19 1830 Newcastle v Redcar (TTT)
01/04/19 1930 Peterborough v Belle Vue (PSC)
03/04/19 1930 Birmingham v Wolverhampton (David Mason Farewell)
03/04/19 1930 20th Anniversary Meeting, Somerset
04/04/19 1930 Belle Vue v Peterborough (PSC) 04/04/19 1930 Ipswich v King's Lynn (PSC) 05/04/19 1930 Scunthorpe v Leicester (CS)
05/04/19 1930 Redcar v Sheffield (CS)
06/04/19 1900 Berwick v Newcastle (CS)
06/04/19 1930 Leicester v Scunthorpe (CS) 06/04/19 2000 Eastbourne v Birmingham (CS)
07/04/19 1830 Newcastle v Berwick (CS)
07/04/19 1600 Sheffield v Redcar (CS)
LATEST RESULTS...
SUNDAY MARCH 17:
BEN FUND BONANZA, Leicester
1 Scott Nicholls (Wolverhampton/Leicester) 2 Charles Wright (Peterborough/Redcar) 3 Danny King (Ipswich/Sheffield) 4 Sam Masters (Wolverhampton)
