MARK PLUMMER catches up with a new British champion for his latest ‘Friday Feature’ . . . it’s Under 19 king Ollie Greenwood . . .
Anyone who has ever had a conversation with Ollie Greenwood will know he is not your typical teenager.
The newly-crowned British Under 19 champion is as modest as they come. There’s not a hint of cockiness or arrogance and absolutely no chance of hearing him utter the sort of big, bold statements that plenty of his peers choose to air.
“I just enjoy riding my bike,” says Greenwood in typically under-stated fashion.
That is sure to have been the case on Monday when he scorched to a 15-point maximum to lift the national crown on offer at Kent. The Central Park circuit is clearly one that suits him as he also went through the card when guesting for the Kings in a National League fixture earlier in the season.
“I like it down there,” added Greenwood, who succeeded his Coventry Storm team-mate Stefan Nielsen – the Under 19 winner for the past two years - as champion. “And it was my last chance to race in the Under 19s.
“You don’t win a British title every day and I’m very proud to have done it.
“It is the biggest meeting I have ridden in so far after missing the British Under 21 Final for the past two years.
“I pulled out this year because Peterborough were riding on the same night and last year I was out injured after breaking my collar-bone.”
Greenwood’s triumph earlier this week could prove to be part of a major individual double as he lines up in the National League Riders’ Championship next Sunday (September 28).
The Walsall-based teenager will have the benefit of home advantage at Rye House – the club where he has spent the second half of the Premier League season after a broken collarbone led to his release from fellow second-tier side Peterborough.
He added: “It is all about making starts at Rye and it is all about being consistent in an event like the NLRC.
“When you have a meeting full of riders of very similar standard and speed, the starts and first corners tend to be where races are decided.
“I’ve got on quite well there since joining Rye House in the summer. I’ve probably scored better round there than I did at Peterborough.
“They could hardly be more different as home tracks, but it is something that will only help my development.
“It was a shame I couldn’t get back into the Peterborough team after my injury. They tried to re-declare but it got rejected and Trevor (Panthers co-promoter Swales) couldn’t have been better about me going somewhere else.”
And while Rye House look set to land the wooden spoon in the second tier, Greenwood does still have hopes of team honours with Coventry Storm.
They face Kent in the National League play-off semi-finals with all previous form pointing towards a mouthwatering all-Midlands final showdown against table-topping reigning champions Cradley.
Greenwood has risen to the top of the Storm averages - something he 'did not expect' to happen in the current campaign but despite his fine form he insists he has no regrets about snubbing the chance to be part of the inaugural Fast-Track Draft in the Elite League for financial reasons.
“I’m not making any money out of speedway at the moment,” he continued. “So there is no way I could consider giving up my job and trying to race full-time.
“I wouldn’t be in a position to keep my machinery up to scratch and there is no way it would work out for me.
“Anyway I believe the Premier League is currently much more competitive than the Elite League for a rider like myself. Every ride is a tough one and that’s what you need to keep improving.
“I’ve done a few guest bookings in the Elite and all team managers ask is that you try to beat the other reserves and in most cases that is other people from the National League.
“I won’t really give my future too much thought until the close season but I definitely want to be racing in the Premier League again next year.
“The obvious next step is to get up into the main body of a team at that level. I will just need to evaluate the other options.”
And he is likely to have plenty . . .
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UPCOMING FIXTURES...
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)
