mikebv Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 5 hours ago, Super Blue said: Oh well, having had a couple of hours to mull this news over and without wishing to appear too negative I'm afraid I'm totally underwhelmed. I am seriously hoping I'm wrong with what I'm about to say and I want to be eating humble pie but here goes. A 44 year old long retired 'has been' at No1 , albeit a previous 3 times world champion does not inspire me to believe we will be at all competitive this season. Even he isn't confident of what he's capable of now. Although it's great to see Drew signed up as a full Witch I'm not sure he's ready for the top league of British speedway, he struggled in the Championship last season, again I would love to be proved wrong. Last year I quite enjoyed the Witches being written off as wooden spooners by everyone but this year I think I'm going to be agreeing with them. My enthusiasm for the coming season is seriously dented. Understand your view.. From an Aces perspective, and probably fans of all other clubs, it will be great to see him ride... However. I understand some Ipswich fans thinking that with over 8 pts worth of average invested they could have got someone 'current'.. A great signing for the sport as a whole I would suggest, and will help Ipswich (at least initially in the first few matches), financially.. Just not so sure it will help then make a challenge for the League given the average and his time out.. Be great to be proved wrong though as it means he will still be box office.. Personally, cant wait to see him ride around the NSS. His presence will definitely will get me there that night.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB1 Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 I think we all hope we are wrong regarding Crump, however I just feel he has been out of the sport way too long. Perhaps the theory is if the other 6 riders give an extra 5 per cent then it may cover for any deficiencies that Crump may have such as fitness and State of mind having been out for so long. And IF this goes wrong then who do we turn to then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueherb777 Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 13 minutes ago, TB1 said: I think we all hope we are wrong regarding Crump, however I just feel he has been out of the sport way too long. Perhaps the theory is if the other 6 riders give an extra 5 per cent then it may cover for any deficiencies that Crump may have such as fitness and State of mind having been out for so long. And IF this goes wrong then who do we turn to then? Ledwith was out of sport for 25 years!.... and he’s not done too bad,and he’s no Crump! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bash Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Crump was quoted as saying he has been talking to Chris since November, but was probably only second or third choice as with that average he would've fitted in the team with the late Danny Ayres in. Holder was obviously top choice but can't get a visa, very strange. What average is Nicki P on as this seems a very strange figure for Crump to come in on. 7.00 - 7.50 would be reasonable as he hasn't ridden for 8 years. Not sure how I feel about this signing as have never like Crump and he really needs to hit the ground running or it will be a season of struggle, not just for him but the whole team. The one good thing is that Klindt won't be at number 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac101 Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Ashtech the engine tuner has just posted a picture of 2 brand new engines ready and waiting for crumpy I think he will do well personally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 1 hour ago, acef said: Non. But that’s my point in that it’s a changing dynamic. Jason has come back. Niki is still going. Greg would still be going if not for personal reasons. Being fit is the key. If you stay clear of imjury I see no reason why riders can’t go on into their mid forties/fifty. we will all see what happens very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben91 Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 34 minutes ago, FAST GATER said: I hear what you are saying but IMO Greg was aone off at GP level never mind league ,I was shocked when Michael Schumacher made a comeback what a disaster that was and only after a couple of years .Once they stop they are never as good again courage ,concentration you name it just leaves them forever . I would not want to see him getting 4/5 a match and getting hurt in the proccess ,I really do think this is a bad idea from his image or legacy point of view nothing to prove which makes it worse . People live longer now, people hit their peak at a later age, 40 being the new 30 isn’t just a saying, there’s a truth to it. Was Schumacher’s return to F1 a disaster? He wasn’t winning races and championships but he was still comfortably one of the top 10 drivers in the world from what I remember. Nobody is expecting even that from Crump. The fact that there is nothing to prove makes it less of a risk for Crump and for Ipswich IMO. He can go out, enjoy his racing and what will be will be. He had bucketfuls of natural talent and was one of the best in the world for a very long time. That kind of talent stays with you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sotonian Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 An ex-rider told me that everything is rosy when it is all still second nature. When it isn't, when the thinking starts to pre-dominate then it's time to quit. The latter happens with age and Crumpy is 44. Will certainly be an interesting watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacksaw Jim Duggan Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 I expect Crump to quite comfortably cruise his way to an 8.00 average at least Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cheese Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Surprised by this despite the rumours. Certainly a gamble from Ipswich but given the clear lack of options for that number 1 spot it's one worth taking and hopefully it pays off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupidstunt Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 brilliant news shame its not at my club, the panthers but guess ipswich have a bigger budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodles Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 7 minutes ago, Cupidstunt said: brilliant news shame its not at my club, the panthers but guess ipswich have a bigger budget. Or are the bigger muggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueherb777 Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 50 minutes ago, geoff58 said: that's NL level not PL level PL level?..... hardly what it used to be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacksaw Jim Duggan Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 1 hour ago, FAST GATER said: I hear what you are saying but IMO Greg was aone off at GP level never mind league ,I was shocked when Michael Schumacher made a comeback what a disaster that was and only after a couple of years .Once they stop they are never as good again courage ,concentration you name it just leaves them forever . I appreciate it isn’t a direct comparison, but Schumacher came back to race at the absolute pinnacle of his sport against drivers who were at the absolute peak of the profession, that’s not the circumstance Crump is coming back to . Would he (Crump) struggle in the GP most likely yes, in the current league structure? Even if he isn’t the Jason Crump he was he will still be at a level most in the league will never be. His brain and racing line will see him beat most riders in the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 6 minutes ago, Hacksaw Jim Duggan said: His brain and racing line will see him beat most riders in the league. If he gates then maybe. Can’t see him putting his neck on the line going for a gap and risking injury to himself 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacksaw Jim Duggan Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 1 minute ago, Sully said: If he gates then maybe. Can’t see him putting his neck on the line going for a gap and risking injury to himself Which really puts him in the same bracket as about 90% of riders in the league, it is a pretty exclusive club of riders who race with the intent to injure them self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawk127 Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Time will tell for both sides whether this is right or wrong but let’s enjoy the moment. I am old enough to remember another 44 year old Aussie who joined Rayleigh in 1973. Black leathers, old fashioned handlebars but boy could Peter Moore gate and with a style that looked so laid back and he managed an average of 8.30. His equipment was nowhere near the standard of today’s machines but he knew how to ride and was a fine example of someone who had honed his craft as a rider. Crump knows what he is doing. History says we should not write the older rider off, just yet. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckerroo Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 At 44 yrs old with a fair few yrs out the sport I would imagine if he accrues a 5.7 - 6 pt average it would be a pretty good achievement 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 And there`s me thinking that the Nicki Pedersen signing was the biggest of the winter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghosty Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 3 hours ago, Ghosty said: All the keyboard warriors on here comparing JC with other riders forget Jason was in a different class, 3 times world champion & a 10 year stint never outside the top 3 in the world. As you say Arch Stanton Jason is a proud man but also level headed & intelligent. Jason's retirement was down to an arm injury, that now has had time to heal, if he can come back to 80-90% of the former rider then everyone will be happy. If things aren't working out Jason will no doubt pull the plug. Good on "Young Tiger" for pulling this off, can only be good for U.K. speedway. I can't believe there are negative people on here, This along with Niki P is a massive POSITIVE for the whole of british speedway.........I would like the G.P. TV guys to get Jason on board when & were possible as he is the BEST commentator currently available. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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