lucifer sam Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 The first time I saw Tai ride was at Sheffield. I think he was 16 and he just shot out from the start and flew round there, annihilating all the other reserves. I remember thinking he was brilliant and could be a future World Champion. Then I remember thinking a few years later how it's a shame how he never really lived up to that potential. So I'm not sure if I was right or wrong. I'm the same. I thought he was brilliant when I saw him in 2006 and 2007. In the 2007 CL play-off final, it wasn't just the fact he was effortlessly winning, he could also team-ride extremely well, and all at the age of 17! I considered him a future World Champion. Then around 2012 I was wondering if he career had stalled a little and I was sceptical how well he would do in the 2013 GP series. So yes I was intially right but then subsequently wrong as well. Even top-line riders can have lulls at certain points of their career. Another was Hans Nielsen - brilliant as a teenager (Danish hero in the 1978 WTC as an 18-year-old), had a couple of more ordinary seasons in 1981 and 1982 (average dropped back below 10.00), and then rising right towards the very top in 1983. Riders make a surge forward at different points in their career. All the best Rob He's a world class rider OK, and as long as he keeps his helmet on he's fine. But with all those tattoos and facial / body mutilations, and more of those planned in the future, you really think that he's a great advertisement for the sport? You'd send him to open a school fete would you? Pedaler, I'm over 40 and at a guess, I'd say you are as well. Yes I would definitely send Tai to a fete. The kids love Tai. All the best Rob 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave the Mic Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) This is a great and interesting thread. Not sure I would say I was wrong about him, but I certainly didn't see him being where he was, but as he made progress I was just pleased we had a young English rider coming through. As someone else said earlier, what is scary now, is how good he has become and how many titles he could go on to win. Clearly he needs to avoid serious injury, but even when hampered last year, he still came through to win. What really impresses me in terms of his racing, is his attitude, his dedication, the way he has completely changed his focus and got his his head right and come through an incredibly difficult time with losing his Dad, who was clearly his best friend, and also questioning whether he should take his life in a different direction. He has a good racing brain, which will only improve, he is generally quick, fearless, smooth and clever on the track and clearly has a good team and great machinery. As someone else has said, he has a bit of the Jason Crumps about him. Crumple had early issues of a few kinds but came though that to become a truly great rider and Tai is going the same way. In response to Pedaler, are you joking? Ok,he has a load of body art and I personally find it distasteful, but judging him as a person on that alone is as shallow as it gets. He is a fine young man. He conducts himself well in front of the camera, clearly loves his family and appreciates those around him. Never mind the fact that he has done a load of appearances at various places to visit those less fortunate than he and of course he did his bike ride last year and has huge plans for GOSH this year. Not a role model. You must be kidding, what a great example to youngsters he is, having come through adversity, truly made something of himself and being more than happy to put himself out to do things for those who need help. If only there were more like him. Edited June 18, 2014 by Dave the Mic 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 He's a world class rider OK, and as long as he keeps his helmet on he's fine. But with all those tattoos and facial / body mutilations, and more of those planned in the future, you really think that he's a great advertisement for the sport? You'd send him to open a school fete would you? YES!!! I would unhesitatingly have him to open a School Fete. You would probably ask me why. I would ask you to read Dave the Mic's Post which I have quoted below. I could not have put the highlighted part better myself. This is a great and interesting thread. Not sure I would say I was wrong about him, but I certainly didn't see him being where he was, but as he made progress I was just pleased we had a young English rider coming through. As someone else said earlier, what is scary now, is how good he has become and how many titles he could go on to win. Clearly he needs to avoid serious injury, but even when hampered last year, he still came through to win. What really impresses me in terms of his racing, is his attitude, his dedication, the way he has completely changed his focus and got his his head right and come through an incredibly difficult time with losing his Dad, who was clearly his best friend, and also questioning whether he should take his life in a different direction. He has a good racing brain, which will only improve, he is generally quick, fearless, smooth and clever on the track and clearly has a good team and great machinery. As someone else has said, he has a bit of the Jason Crumps about him. Crumple had early issues of a few kinds but came though that to become a truly great rider and Tai is going the same way. In response to Pedaler, are you joking? Ok,he has a load of body art and I personally find it distasteful, but judging him as a person on that alone is as shallow as it gets. He is a fine young man. He conducts himself well in front of the camera, clearly loves his family and appreciates those around him. Never mind the fact that he has done a load of appearances at various places to visit those less fortunate than he and of course he did his bike ride last year and has huge plans for GOSH this year. Not a role model. You must be kidding, what a great example to youngsters he is, having come through adversity, truly made something of himself and being more than happy to put himself out to do things for those who need help. If only there were more like him. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGT Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 He's a world class rider OK, and as long as he keeps his helmet on he's fine. But with all those tattoos and facial / body mutilations, and more of those planned in the future, you really think that he's a great advertisement for the sport? You'd send him to open a school fete would you? Get with the program, Grandad! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted June 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 Send him to a fete, the young generation would love it,! i think he keeps speedway at least with the other fashions and sport.But he can back it up on the track i am a bit of a old fart but it is great that Wooffy can identify with the young generation they hopefully will be the future fans of our sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) Not my taste, but I am 40 now and I would rather young people found him cool than he dressed like I do! He looks young, edgy and well in keeping with current fashion. He comes across as eloquent and a charming guy. He's also exciting and British, so I'd say he's actually the perfect package for our World Champion. If Tai Woffinden and say, Kenneth Bjerre or Jarek Hampel went to a School Fete, who do you think would make the biggest impression on the kids? Kenny B would be smaller than most of the kids. Woffy Woffy Woffy Edited June 18, 2014 by Triple.H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george.m Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) Since he added Alan Titmarsh to his backroom staff he's dug in, and progressed immensely! Seriously though, I never saw him being a World Champion and still find his rise to this height so quickly unbelievable. In one way I hope he does it again this year to prove it wasn't a fluke. Edited June 18, 2014 by george.m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixy230 Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I thought no way/ out of depth etc Then I thought he could get better or get worse (Kennett style) So happy he has grown as an individual without losing speed grit etc Dedication!!!!! Mental preparation!!!!! Well done Tai 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 Me, I didn't think he should be in the GP series last year which goes to show I know eff all. It would be good to know who made the decision to put him in as despite all the criticism of the GP series there are clearly some people involved who really know their business. I remember Sam passing him and subsequently beating him in a NL meeting in 2006! It was a pretty big thing at the time, even more so now! As for Tai, in his first few years he had it all, he was "clearly" going to be a World Champion, or close to it anyway. Then as we all know his dad passed away and he seemed to lose it a bit (who wouldn't?!) and I questioned if he'd ever do it. He got the WC for the GPs and I thought he'd be out of his depth but after his first GP in NZ I remember commenting he looked good and could win a GP. Made that prediction look a little underwhelming in the end didn't he?! As for sending him to fetes. Too right I would. Can't stand his tattos myself but he's is cool, he's what the kids want to be simply for the reason most of us hate his tattoos and anything us older (and even at 29 I'm old to teenagers) people think is a mess is cool. He's edgy, he's well mannered, he's doing great things for charity, his whole back story is one you could not write. It's just perfect. I still don't think the sport is using him half as well as they could be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 He will only win a couple more then he will have to drop down a step on the rostrum and make way for ruthless robert lambert..... If Lambert ever finds himself on the same piece of track that N. Pedersen Esq wants to be on he might well find the word "ruthless" means a lot more than he thinks it means. If Lambert finds himself wanting the same piece of track that Tai is on he might well find that having a racing brain is of a bit more use than calling yourself ruthless. Like most on this thread, I am not Tai's biggest fan but can't take anything away from what he has done in the last couple of seasons. For a while last year I just thought he was very lucky with the gaps opening for him at the right time but when it goes on this long then obviously its not all luck, and he is undoubtedly an intelligent racer. The only down side IMO is that for his age he has already suffered quite a lot of injuries around the collar-bone and arms and if he takes many more bad knocks in that area its quite possible injuries will catch up and curtail his career at the very top. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george.m Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 If Lambert ever finds himself on the same piece of track that N. Pedersen Esq wants to be on he might well find the word "ruthless" means a lot more than he thinks it means. If Lambert finds himself wanting the same piece of track that Tai is on he might well find that having a racing brain is of a bit more use than calling yourself ruthless. Like most on this thread, I am not Tai's biggest fan but can't take anything away from what he has done in the last couple of seasons. For a while last year I just thought he was very lucky with the gaps opening for him at the right time but when it goes on this long then obviously its not all luck, and he is undoubtedly an intelligent racer. The only down side IMO is that for his age he has already suffered quite a lot of injuries around the collar-bone and arms and if he takes many more bad knocks in that area its quite possible injuries will catch up and curtail his career at the very top. Yes I thought that a few times about the gaps during last years GPs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGT Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 Year after year, young riders burst onto the scene and are hailed as the next big thing, but end up finding their level and stay there or even regress, some ending up stuck in the PL. Tai has been a refreshing change from the norm and has enhanced his natural ability with a Mauger-esque approach to his racing and a focus that belies his young years. I'd love to see him dominate speedway for many years to come. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 I remember Sam passing him and subsequently beating him in a NL meeting in 2006! It was a pretty big thing at the time, even more so now! I didn't remember that! Tai must be gutted that he didn't go on to be a tyre fitter as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 I wasnt a fan of Tai a couple of years back but the last 2 years he has been nothing but a model professional. He is good at promoting the sport, the kids love him and the fundraising he is continuing to do is first class. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencebel Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 I think Tai is amazing. I have always believed he could make it, and he has proved me right. I hope he keeps doing so. The kids do love him, you only have to see the picture with him and the little girl in the hospital. Keep doing what you are doing Tai... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybikespeedway Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 I always Thought Tai Would go to the top right from his Debut at Scunthorpe Against Newport, 12 point Max , I knew he was something special And I have been Proved Right Well done Tai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandorum Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 I thought he would be one of a number of world champs from the young upandcomers. Darcy, Emil and him had that something but never expected what happened last year. One of the most amazing performances in speedway history and he is proving it was no fluke. Good luck to the lad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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