Speedway: Woffinden ready for GB return, more

TAI WOFFINDEN, Great Britain’s double World Champion, is to make himself available for a sensational return for his national side in this summer’s Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations. 

Woffinden sat out last year’s World Cup campaign but has moved to end his exile after being overwhelmed with the level of support he received when meeting fans at stage shows in Halifax and Berwick in February, as well as holding talks with officials.

“When I did three shows in Berwick and Halifax the fans were asked to put their hands up if they wanted to see me ride for GB again,” he said.
“And when I saw every single person put their hand up I couldn’t believe it, it was really cool to see and it got me thinking.
“I was genuinely taken by surprise by the reaction, it was really nice to see that I still have a lot of support and I want to give GB fans something to smile about and try and inspire us to some success.
“I don’t want my British fans to think I have ever forgotten about them, but I needed to take some time out and having the year out has obviously worked as changes are being made, the type of things I have been pushing for over the last 5 years.
“I have explained my reasons for not riding for GB many times and I’m not going to go over old ground again now. It’s time to look ahead to the future.
“I’m excited by the changes to the GB set-up, I’ve had some in-depth conversations with Rob Painter and the management team who have taken over, and we share a lot of the same ideas.
“I’m now happy to say I am available for selection for GB in the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations. If selected, I will give it my all and hopefully win something for our country.
“A combination of Rob’s attitude and ideas and the reaction from fans, both at the shows and on social media, have made me realise how much it would mean to people. I’m ready.”
Great Britain open their campaign in Manchester at Belle Vue’s National Speedway Stadium on Tuesday June 5 when they face Sweden, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Australia and Finland.


Tickets are available from speedwayofnations.com or tickets.com - there is also the telephone option on 01608 692282. 

SPEEDWAY - 2018 MAJOR EVENT PROGRAMMES

BRITISH Speedway’s Major Event Series returns at Poole on Wednesday - and you can order your copy of the new-look raceday programme now.
After the success of the event’s editions last year, a new-look 56-page, full colour programme has again been produced and will be available for each of the six prestigious meetings.
Wednesday’s Premiership Riders’ Championship programme includes feature interviews with home favourite Josh Grajczonek, World Champion Jason Doyle, seven-time British Champion Scott Nicholls and new Leicester favourite Hans Andersen.
BT Sport presenter Natalie Quirk gives us her verdict on the 16-man field, Peter Oakes looks at the career of legendary icon Ivan Mauger with new features including Braaapchat (Speedway’s Gossip Column) plus much more.

SPEEDWAY - BIG EVENT PREVIEW

SILVERWARE specialist Josh Grajczonek is hoping to bring the feel-good factor back to Poole on Wednesday (7.30).
Grajczonek takes his place in the prestigious Premiership Riders’Championship at Wimborne Road alongside 15 top stars.
“I rode in the Premiership Riders’ Championship last year and finished fifth,” he said.
“I was happy with how I rode that night at Belle Vue, I just messed it up in the semi-final so hopefully I can learn from that for this year and hopefully take me to the top.
“This year it’s on my home track, I’ve done plenty of laps around Poole now and last time I raced there in the challenge meeting I scored 13 points and felt really good so hopefully I can use that going into this year’s competition.
“I’m sure the fans will be backing me as well because the Poole supporters have been brilliant since I returned and they really have welcomed me back into the club which has been awesome.
“It would be great if me and Brady (Kurtz) could be the top two for them – with me finishing above him obviously!
“I am a bit disappointed I haven’t won a big meeting in England yet but that’s something I definitely want to try and do one day and it would be nice if this could be that moment.”
Former Poole favourite Kyle Newman comes in for injured Leicester colleague Danny King and Ty Proctor replaces King’s Lynn’s Robert Lambert who is required for league racing in Denmark which takes priority.
Admission prices are: £22 adults, £20 concessions, £10 12-16, 11 and under free.
FOR the full interview with Josh Grajczonek, see Wednesday’s special 56-page riders’ championship programme… packed with features, it is available for just £4. These can also be ordered at curtis-sport.com along with other major events.

Line-up: 1 Chris Harris (Rye House), 2 Craig Cook (Belle Vue), 3 Troy Batchelor (Swindon), 4 Hans Andersen (Leicester), 5 Ty Proctor (King’s Lynn), 6 Sam Masters (Wolverhampton), 7 Scott Nicholls (Rye House), 8 Jason Doyle (Somerset), 9 Josh Grajczonek (Poole), 10 Nick Morris (Swindon), 11 Kyle Newman (Leicester), 12 Charles Wright (Somerset), 13 Niels-Kristian Iversen (King’s Lynn), 14 Jacob Thorssell (Wolverhampton), 15 Brady Kurtz (Poole), 16 Max Fricke (Belle Vue).


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