Tai Woffinden

[lucifer sam]

This was always going to be a very tough season for young Tai Woffinden. The loss of his father during the winter would have been a devastating blow to the young man. To cope with that, the responsibility of being given the Wolves captaincy and a full year in the GP series - well, it must have been a bit of a strain on him, to say the least.

 

In the circumstances, 49 points from 11 Grand Prix rounds is not too bad a haul. Although he hasn't sustained it across a full round, he has had his moments, when he's been able to beat the world's best. But Grand Prix rounds are very tough and he's only reached 1 semi-final in 11 rounds.

 

But what now? Would another full year in the Grand Prix be of benefit, or would it be better for him to have a break of a year or two before he gets another chance?

 

I tend to go with the latter. I would like to see Woffinden returning to the series in either 2012 or 2013, by which time he will have had the opportunity to build up his machinery, his confidence and hone his skills. I still think he is a major talent (he is the cream of the crop, as far as young Brits of his age are concerned), but for that talent to blossom, maybe a couple of years away from the spotlight, would help him.

 

I think another full year in the GP series in 2011 could damage his confidence.

 

All the best

Rob

[williamfj]

Yeah I agree, a couple of years in the domestic leagues, building up experiance & confidence will do him the world of good, the same could be said for Hans at the moment. I never thought that Hampel would return to the grand prix's as a permanant rider but he's really done well this year.

Edited October 10, 2010 by William Fisher-Jones

[SCB]

There was a point last season that I feared Woffy at Brandon, he was scoring points for fun and if truth be told, I loved watching him do it. This season he's looked ordinary at best. For whatever reason he's gone backwards and he has more than his fair share of good, justifiable excuses.

 

Let him have 2 or 3 years out of the GP series, it's not liek he'll be old if he has 3 years out! Let him ride for Wolves next season without the pressure of a GP each week, let him get back to his best in his own time without the TV cameras watching him struggle every 2 weeks.

 

It's not I don't think he's good enough, he will be one day but he needs to re-group and have another go when he's got his confidence back.

[ladyluck]

The problem with nominating Woffinden for next season is that the second season is often much harder than the first. In the first season you're something of an "unknown quantity" and can produce the unexpected. Take a look at Chris Harris, Matej Zagar, or, at the extreme, Emil Sayfutdinov.

In reality, Woffinden should never have accepted his nomination for this season. There was nothing at all to suggest that he was worth the nomination. He was no second Emil Sayfutdinov.

Sky need to cease with their "Wuffy, Wuffy, Wuffy" mania. While it may be a huge laugh for Nigel Pearson and Kelvin Tatum, it could be doing untold and permanent damage to Woffinden's career.

[sheffieldscot]

Time for a break from the GP series for Tai and give him a chance to florish in the leagues he rides in, and his chance will come again in a few years

[spin king]

The problem with nominating Woffinden for next season is that the second season is often much harder than the first. In the first season you're something of an "unknown quantity" and can produce the unexpected. Take a look at Chris Harris, Matej Zagar, or, at the extreme, Emil Sayfutdinov.

In reality, Woffinden should never have accepted his nomination for this season. There was nothing at all to suggest that he was worth the nomination. He was no second Emil Sayfutdinov.

Sky need to cease with their "Wuffy, Wuffy, Wuffy" mania. While it may be a huge laugh for Nigel Pearson and Kelvin Tatum, it could be doing untold and permanent damage to Woffinden's career.

 

To be honest I have to agree with what you are saying, and I am a Tai fan. The big problem with British speedway is that at the present we do not have the talent coming through and have not done for sometime, and the insitance that Britain should have two riders in the Grand Prix is ruining the lads career if they insist on two riders for next year because after Bomber I still think that he is Britain's best rider.

I also think that by having just one rider like Bomber in the series will give us a kick up the backside as a speedway nation and address the problems of why we are not bringing riders on, and do something about it.

[fullbore]

I'd like to see Tai announce that he doesn't want a nomination and that he wants a year or two to put in place what he's learned from this year.

 

If he does that it'll take the wind out of the sails of anyone pushing for him to get another nomination.

 

Niamh

[salty]

If he was fortunate enough to be offered another nomination, I would hope he would turn it down and use the 2011 season to re-group.

The experiences of 2010 should stand him in good stead for the future and he can go away and concentrate on qualifying by right.

 

If he is given a nomination it would make the whole thing a mockery.

[spin king]

If he was fortunate enough to be offered another nomination, I would hope he would turn it down and use the 2011 season to re-group.

The experiences of 2010 should stand him in good stead for the future and he can go away and concentrate on qualifying by right.

 

If he is given a nomination it would make the whole thing a mockery.

I think that he maybe put under pressure to take a nomination, I just hope for his sake that he turns down the opportunity.

[T.N.T.]

I would say another year in the GP Series would do nothing but help him in the long run as you can only get experience by riding in these meetings.

 

 

However .... The GP Series should really be the top 15 riders battling for the World Title and at present I wouldn't put TAI in that group of riders when you consider riders like Kasprzak, Andersen/Kolodiej, Zagar, Nicholls, Iversen, Bjarne Pedersen, Watt, Ward etc etc are not even in that group of elite riders.

 

 

Tai will no doubt concentrate on league racing next year and his time will come again.

[george.m]

Tai is still a young lad and this year must have taken a lot out of him emotionally. I'm sure he'll benefit from a good rest over the winter. GPs next year? He still has most of his career ahead of him, so a year out wouldn't be the end of the world.

[bluebee]

Best to ask him. Now he knows what the GP's entail he needs to take stock and get a bit of advice from soemone like Chris Harris who has experienced the ups and downs. If he doesn't get a slot I hope that he doesn't think of it as a failure. I may be thought mad (not for the first time!) but I'd like to see Lee Richardson given another nomination - if there is to be one for a second Brit. He did us proud in the World Team Cup and has definitely improved.

[wjm]

Woffinden was (understandably IMO) given what was going to be a 2 year Wild Card, with the idea that he would learn in his first season and improve the next year - He has done ok in bits this season but this season as a whole seems to have been a struggle for him, which given what has went on in his life I think we can all see why it would have been

 

He is still very talented. I think if he can go away for a winter in Oz and recharge and have a bit of balance back into his life after what has went on the last year he could easily come back next season and perform in the GP.

[MattyHart]

I'd say there was pros and cons whichever decision is made, hasn't had the greatest of seasons, but the only way to find out if a season in the GP's has helped is by giving him another shot, but if it hasn't helped then of course it'll be too late by that point.

[montie]

Tai had a near vertical rise to where he is now and i guess it was always going to level out for him a bit after what happened to his dear old dad,tai will come good again,of that i have no doubt,he is a talent thats for sure

[Not Blinkered]

Woffinden was (understandably IMO) given what was going to be a 2 year Wild Card, with the idea that he would learn in his first season and improve the next year

 

 

That does not make sense though, it is almost saying to a rider, don't worry, you don't have to perform to be guaranteed a place next season. Many GP newbies have had average seasons, but shone through at times, Emil, Holder, and even Chris Harris did so perhaps deserved their second chances, but Tai has not really shown any glimpses of being good enough at all this season and nearly always looked off the pace.

 

So whilst I hope he makes it back in a season or two, and shows what he is capable of, I don't think his performances justify a place next season.

Edited October 11, 2010 by Not Blinkered

[Garry1603]

I don't think that his performances merit another attempt at the GPs next year. A lot of people (including myself) thought that this was a year too early for him and sadly it has proven to be the case. It wold be unfair to the other potential wildcards if Tai was picked in front of them.

 

Let him concentrate on his Wolves form in 2011 and hopefully he can come back the following year.

[mothorsen]

I don't think that his performances merit another attempt at the GPs next year. A lot of people (including myself) thought that this was a year too early for him and sadly it has proven to be the case. It wold be unfair to the other potential wildcards if Tai was picked in front of them.

Let him concentrate on his Wolves form in 2011 and hopefully he can come back the following year.

 

I agree. Let the best riders through, and the likes of Woffinden, THJ and Dennis Andersson, all promising speedway world stars, can sit out untill they show they've got what it takes.

[spook]

Tai Woffinden Would another nomination hinder his career?

 

without knowing the guy im not sure I can answer that as everyone is built differently and react in different ways to things.......... I personally was outraged last winter when he was offered the wildcard ... (and before that when Tai and Ed were rumoured).......... speedway history and common sense dictates that it was a reckless decision by IMG that was most likely putting at stake a young rider's career at a time when he had enough to deal with

 

this year imho has shown that Tai is not consistent enough, does not have enough big race experience..... and has not yet developed enough track craft to float at this level.....he may or may not be reacting well to it within himself but the competition out there is cut throat and he has generally been off the pace both on track and in the table

 

In the circumstances, 49 points from 11 Grand Prix rounds is not too bad a haul.

 

tbh in the circumstances he has done everything expected.... grief is a tricky thing when it involves parents and I take my hat off to the lad for getting through the season without doing a Reggie Perrin considering the magnification he has been under...................... but lets not lose sight of the facts .....49 points from 11 gp's (or 56 races) is an extremely poor return and is down there with the very worst in GP history

 

similar poor seasons have ended up sinking the majority of the respective riders GP careers.......but Tai is just getting started and is so young that he could easily have 3 or 4 years out and still come back a youngster......

 

I think it is inevitable that Tai will be top 8 standard but only if he is allowed to grow at his own pace

 

 

ladyluck quote

 

Sky need to cease with their "Wuffy, Wuffy, Wuffy" mania. While it may be a huge laugh for Nigel Pearson and Kelvin Tatum, it could be doing untold and permanent damage to Woffinden's career.

 

completely agree and while i'm not adverse to a bit of impartial commentary, the pressure that ends up being heaped on his shoulders, and the viewers expectation of him, is just too much.......... personally I think IMG and Sky should turn it down a bit..

 

one thing I never caught up with...... am I right in remembering that because Tai didnt qualify for the GB final that it will rule him out of being nominated for world championship qualifying this season?

[tomhaines]

Just had a quick look at the stats from the past few seasons (since we've gone back to 16 riders). Statisticly Woffy has been the 'best' last placed rider in all those years. (Taking 14th as 'Last' since Sayfutdinov didn't ride in enough rounds and would never have finished 15th if he had)

 

Woffi's 49 from 11 rounds gives him an average round score of 4.45

Dryml 2008 is next on 4.27 (47 from 11)

Nicholls 2009 was 4.09 (45 from 11)

Richardson 2006 was 3.90 (39 from 10)

Chrzanowski 2005 was 3.11 (28 from 9)

Lindback 2007 was 3.10 (31 from 10, including 3 x zero scores)

 

Obviously the stats don't take into account the competition, Woffi's score would have benefited points wise from a below par/injured Pedersen and the absense of Sayfutdinov.

 

Somebody always has to come last, but if Woffiden rode next season he'd be last again in what is shaping up to arguably be the strongest line-up GP has seen (in my opinion).

 

Interesting is that three out of the past six seasons have seen a Brit at the bottom of the pile... clearly time for Britain having two riders guaranteed has to be over!

Edited October 11, 2010 by tomhaines