Woz01 Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) i personally think woffy imo loves riding for GB. i think he adores Australia, which is fine, i love new york, but on this part of the discussion, i have no gripes with his nationality......just gutted bout todays decision! Agree with this, anyone who thinks Tai isnt British need to give their head a wobble. With him being GB captain I just don't think its the right thing for the figurehead and Captain of GB Speedway to miss out on national championships or not even ride here at all. I dont buy the excuse of burning out, a lot of fans will be disappointed in this especially if he rides in Poland the same day as a semi final. We shall see on that one. Edited March 31, 2016 by woz01 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris4gillian Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) What a bunch of pig ignorant head in the sand people there are on this forum. Tai is British, he was born here his parents are British. They chose to emigrate and obviously at that age Tai had to go with them hardly his fault where he grew up. You fools on here somehow expect him to have no affinity with Australia!! Of course he will love the place he made many friends there. He chose to ride for the UK his parents are British and he considers himself British like his parents are. If you don't like Tai as a person that's fine we don't like everyone, I was never a big Tatum fan, but to simply keep going on and on about he usnt even British is just being a lemming and joining up with the idiots. Once again I ask people have you seen the dates of the semis and final??????? Understandably he doesn't want to be injured. He is a Brit through and through who also loves the country he grew up in what is wrong with that!!!!! As we all say Mark Loram was born in Malta. Didn't see to many people moaning that he rode for Team GB!!! By the pathetic responses on here Mark should have ride for his country of birth then shouldn't he!!!! Those who also say Tai chose GB because he couldn't get in the Aussie team are also talking tosh. Tai as a character backs himself to be the best at anything so he would have fought tooth and nail anyway. Some sad people on here that I would suggest should stay away from Cardiff Exactly what I've been saying! At the end of the day Tai is his own man who makes his own decisions just like we all do. He has decided to focus on the World Championship in 2016 and not risk injury/fatigue in the British Final bearing in mind there's a GP sandwiched in there. His goal is to be a multi World Champion so his decision makes sense to me. It's his choice so bleating on about it is pointless and rather silly...but I'm sure it won't stop all the usual keyboard warriors who have nothing better to do carrying on with their pathetic persecution. Tai is British through and through but loves the country he grew up in. What's wrong with that? Sweet FA!! Edited March 31, 2016 by chris4gillian 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semion Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 So What if Tai wants to give a worthless meeting a miss. You only have to see how many fans bother to turn up for it to understand where it comes in the swing of things. Tai is doing what Most Businessmen would do. he is offering his time where he will get the greater rewards. If The BSPA want the Star Attraction there then they should offer The Star Attraction, Star Attraction Money. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackett Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 It is Woffy's choice. I wonder if the situation would be different if he was seeded straight to the Final ??? If he feels it would be more beneficial to him not to ride the British Final then so be it. The British Final is a grand title in prestige and history but little more. It is not as if the British Final comes with huge sponsorship and financial gain. Not riding in the UK it is logistically expensive. As for the SWC ; Rosco and Chapman have no option but to adhere to his requests as Woffinden is the only British World Class rider - without him there is no chance of Gold. With him comes every likelyhood of a full-house at Belle Vue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Once the British Semi-Finals were scheduled for May 13th and 15th respectively - with the Warsaw GP on the 14th this was always going to be a problem, for Harris as well as Woffinden. Obviously, neither would want to ride the day before the GP. Solution would have been to seed them through to the final. Wonder if this was considered/requested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Have I missed the BSI announcement that they are withdrawing their invitation to the British Final winner to be the wildcard at Cardiff yet?? again?!! ;-) Or are we still waiting........................................................................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedibee Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Just thought I'd re-post this as a lot of people are now saying that those speaking out against Mr Woffinden are pig headed and ignorant. I have not made any comment that Tai in anti-British and I have note said he cares more about Australia. Tai is not forced to ride in the British Final but I do think he is being very selfish and is having very little regard for his British Fan base. With regards to the SWC the only reason Rosco and Chapman are still sucking up to him is due to sponsorship. The SWC is sponsored by Monster Energy. They are Tai's big backers. Monster pull the strings so the BSPA would not dare upset them by not using their golden boy in Team GB. Just a thought as well. If Mr Woffinden is scared of being burned out he should take a leaf out of Greg Hancock's book. Greg is 46, a 3 time world champ, rides in probably more meetings and also flies back to the States during the season to compete in his home championship combined with having a family! If lessons are to be learned maybe the BSPA should consider seeding their British GP riders directly through to the Final. I know Tai reads these posts and he has to realise he has let a lot of his supporters down who would have turned up to see him. Maybe it's not too late to change your mind. Tai's British fanbase , consists of a few abusive idiots who post on the bsf since his announcement , the best thing would be to put him on ignore along with all the halfwits who cannot debate their argument without the need for abuse of anyone who doesn't agree with them 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris4gillian Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Once the British Semi-Finals were scheduled for May 13th and 15th respectively - with the Warsaw GP on the 14th this was always going to be a problem, for Harris as well as Woffinden. Obviously, neither would want to ride the day before the GP. Solution would have been to seed them through to the final. Wonder if this was considered/requested. Harris is a different kettle of fish. Tai will (hopefully) and expects to be challenging for the World title by then...unfortunately the same scenario can't be said for Harris, even though I'd personally love him to be up there too but being a realist that's very unlikely. Barring injuries Harris must now be the favourite for the British title with Scotty and Cookie not far behind him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 So What if Tai wants to give a worthless meeting a miss. You only have to see how many fans bother to turn up for it to understand where it comes in the swing of things. Tai is doing what Most Businessmen would do. he is offering his time where he will get the greater rewards. If The BSPA want the Star Attraction there then they should offer The Star Attraction, Star Attraction Money. Why would it matter ...he told us it was about burn out and nothing to do with money . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Tai said he is giving it a miss this year, he never said he is never going to do the final again, he wants to become a 3rd time world champion ..for me its the timing of the semis.....he cant do the semis as its gp week so maybe feels he shouldtn be seeded into the final, which i believe is also a gp week,If he was seeded straight through then all you Tai haters would feed on the fact of "why?. he didnt do the semis.. give it to some one who rode in them" To me Tai cant win whatever he does... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) Of course Tal chose to be British rather than Aussie because it was easier to get into the GB team.... Everyone know his natural talent would never have got him in the Aussie team as they are so good and even now after two world titles he would stuggle to get a place I am sure.... He also knew that staying in Oz at 15/16 years of age would have stagnated his growth similar to the way their youth system held back for example Adams, Crump, Holder and Ward who must all deeply regret remaining in Oz through their formative years as they only had World Titles, SWC victories and GP wins to show for riding for Aussie.. Lucky for him he came to Britain and the BSPA were able to take him under their wing and nurture him through their extensive, in depth youth training programme.. I am sure Tai thanks the lucky stars everyday that he got all that help and support from the BSPA yet he won't contest the National Championship....! I don't know, some people eh?.. Don't know their born, wouldn't have happened in my day, etc etc etc Edited March 31, 2016 by mikebv 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Have a look at the last Gp and what he choose to sing ...there you go ..no luck needed So as I said do you think Chris Froome is a Kenyan ? I never said Woffy was not British I said he has choose to do so at Sport because it suited him but at heart he is a Aussie No Chris Froome isn't a Kenyan because he was born to British parents, just as Tai Woffinden was. Your ignorance of the matter really is childlike. Woffinden didn't and doesn't qualify to race for Australia. There was no choice involved. As for showing some allegiance to Australia, that is 100% natural as he spent the majority of his childhood there and considers it 'home'. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) Once the British Semi-Finals were scheduled for May 13th and 15th respectively - with the Warsaw GP on the 14th this was always going to be a problem, for Harris as well as Woffinden. Obviously, neither would want to ride the day before the GP. Solution would have been to seed them through to the final. Wonder if this was considered/requested.Harris has often rode for Coventry the night before a GP, he has even got to a meeting on a Sunday lunchtime after a GP. Tai could easily do the semi final on the Sunday afternoon he just doesn't want to make the effort to do it. After Warsaw GP the next one is 4 weeks later, how can a rider be burned out with this schedule? POL Saturday, GB Sunday, then Sweden and Poland on Tuesday and Sunday for the next 4 weeks, it a very sparse schedule. Edited March 31, 2016 by woz01 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Slight difference with Froome in that the cyclist competed for the Kenyan team (albeit whilst being a British passport holder) for a good few years before coming over to Europe to further his career. National boundaries in sport are becoming increasingly muddied (look at the England cricket and rugby union teams) and with regards to GP Speedway I don't see why riders have to ride under a flag - it's an individual competition. Harris has often rode for Coventry the night before a GP, he has even got to a meeting on a Sunday lunchtime after a GP. Tai could easily do the semi final on the Sunday afternoon he just doesn't want to make the effort to do it. Don't forget the Poland v Rest of the World meeting at Warsaw is scheduled for the Sunday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkafag Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) I highly doubt anyone on here even “knows” Woffinden let alone being able to seemingly know his underhand motives. The persona (some) have created since his statement is completely bizarre, those against think he has manipulated the entire system and those for him think he now sees British Speedway as a joke, the British Final is crap and everyone is all a shower of little Englanders with their heads in the sand who don’t see the bigger picture (doesn’t do Woffinden any favours by the way even if you are trying to support him) RE: Woffinden I hope he wins 7/8 or even 9 World Titles, more power to him. He could even win 10. I only wish that for him because I “hate” him though. In real terms though it won’t matter to me (or his “lovers”) as much as it does to Woffinden and in 10/20 years’ time or so when he has chucked it, it is likely British Speedway (which is what does matter to me) will have seen little from it if his non-attendance in the leagues continues, his decision to skip the Final has probably only magnified that This is a British Speedway Forum, generally populated by people who support British Speedway, it seems pretty natural people would be irked when they see what they perceive to be an action that damages it taking place, and while it can be argued that the sport has changed etc, most people won’t care for that point as the safety of the sport here matters to them more than the changing land scape of the sport. Yes there are other factors at play in terms of the slow demise in this country, but Woffinden racing here a bit more often would help rather than him not being here and contributing to one of the 1,000 cuts killing the sport, saying that does not mean you "hate" him Edited March 31, 2016 by sparkafag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Slight difference with Froome in that the cyclist competed for the Kenyan team (albeit whilst being a British passport holder) for a good few years before coming over to Europe to further his career. National boundaries in sport are becoming increasingly muddied (look at the England cricket and rugby union teams) and with regards to GP Speedway I don't see why riders have to ride under a flag - it's an individual competition. Don't forget the Poland v Rest of the World meeting at Warsaw is scheduled for the Sunday... If he rides that meeting then fans will have a right to be annoyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 If he rides that meeting then fans will have a right to be annoyed. Bit different, he and his kit are already there! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris4gillian Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Of course Tal chose to be British rather than Aussie because it was easier to get into the GB team.... Everyone know his natural talent would never have got him in the Aussie team as they are so good and even now after two world titles he would stuggle to get a place I am sure.... He also knew that staying in Oz at 15/16 years of age would have stagnated his growth similar to the way their youth system held back for example Adams, Crump, Holder and Ward who must all deeply regret remaining in Oz through their formative years as they only had World Titles, SWC victories and GP wins to show for riding for Aussie.. Lucky for him he came to Britain and the BSPA were able to take him under their wing and nurture him through their extensive, in depth youth training programme.. I am sure Tai thanks the lucky stars everyday that he got all that help and support from the BSPA yet he won't contest the National Championship....! I don't know, some people eh?.. Don't know their born, wouldn't have happened in my day, etc etc etc How wrong you are has already been explained a few times in previous posts...but don't let that stop you from saying it all over again 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 How wrong you are has already been explained a few times in previous posts...but don't let that stop you from saying it all over again I think he was being sarcastic. Hope so anyway!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 I wonder what all the other British riders think about Tai's decision? May hear from a couple on the EDP speedway podcast 😊 It ought to be an honour to race in your country's national championship, not be taken for granted but there ya go ..... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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