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...
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)
