Post by PLUSTAR on Jun 5, 2010 17:09:22 GMT 1
« on: November 14, 2009, 04:07:50 PM »
QUESTIONS FROM PAIL MERK
Q1 You suffered many heavy falls during your career. What makes a rider get back on a bike after injury?
JO: Yes - I did suffer my share of falls during my career, but luckily I never got seriously injured. I had a few near misses but always managed to recover within weeks. My type of never say die type of racing always did involve me in more incidents than many but I always enjoyed my racing and never thought a race was over until the finishing line was crossed.
Q2 Denmark's junior development programme seems to be producing quality riders. Could a similar system work in the UK?
JO: It would take a complete shake up of the fundamentals in the approach of the sport in Britain from the ministry to the BSPA, to get anywhere near the same kind of set up which is seen in Denmark and Sweden.
Scandinavien clubs are run on a democratic membership basis and therefor supported by local councils. The ideology is to bring on youngsters and engage young people in a safe and organised manner. This approach involve many volunteers an members and strong interest in youngters. The U-16 championship is very well organised and has the strength of many tracks and clubs. The best talents get selected for their national sides and attract national recognising from an early age.
Q3 Who was the biggest influence on your career?
JO: My earliest Speedway memories was Ole Olsen's World Championship battles in the '70. I have no relation to Ole but was lucky to meet him on many occasions. He gave me his best wishes when i had my Testimonial 2002.
Q4 What would you change to improve the Speedway Grand Prix?
JO: The Speedway GP is great but very demanding on the riders. I think the qualifying is wrong. If you are not in the top 8 you are out! unless the governt body has mercy or you have undergone a successful qualifying on the side! The 9-16 should have a end of season qualifier with the top 8 contenders.
Q5 How do you see speedway progressing in the future?
JO: Speedway is a great spectator sport but will always remain a minor sport. Big companies are not interested because Speedway is a speciality sport which does not attract the mainstream motorcycle market. It does not appeal to motorcycle manufactures since it;s specific speed arrenged for shale.
QUESTION FROM MERVJANKE FAN CLUB
Q1 HOW IS THE SHOULDER THESE DAYS?
JO: My shoulder is really good these days. In 2002 when I rode for Newcastle, and suffered from early season dislocations I decided to call it a day and underwent a 2nd operation. They called it a "bone lock" procedure and after intensive physiology it stabalised the shoulder, and I have never had any trouble with it since.
Q2 ARE YOU STILL LIVING IN THE UK?
JO: Yes I am living in Northumberland with my lovely wife Carol and my 2 daughters Samantha 8 and Natasha 3.
Q3 WHEN MILDENHALL FOLDED YOU FOUND YOURSELF AT GLASGOW, IT COULDNT HAVE HAVE BEEN A MOVE YOU WERE EXPECTING, HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?
JO: When Mildenhall closed in their summer of '92 I was just 25 but more than ready to call British Speedway a day! It was the third club clouserure that I had encountered in less than 12 month! First Wimbledon then Eastbourne and now Mildenhall. I lived in West Sussex at the time. Suddenly I had a call out of the blue by Neil McFarlane. I had met Neil on my first visit to Shawfield in 1990 in a pre-season challenge riding for my Danish club Slangerup. He already then told me he was impressed with my riding and would like to discuss a possible future contract. It never really crossed my mind until he rang again and it felt like he then threw me a lifeline.
Q4 HOW WAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH NEIL MACFARLANE?
JO: He was a very straight forward and therefore likeable character within the team. Neil was very enthusiastic and was a big reason for the success that we had in 1993 and 1994. I never had any problems riding or dealing with Neil.
Q5 WHICH SEASON WAS THE MOST ENJOYABLE OFF YOUR CAREER?
JO: '93 riding for Glasgow was my most important and enjoyable. It was the year that I established myself as a rider to be reckoned with, and winning the League and Cup was more than I could ask for. But I enjoyed 97,98,99,00 and 01 with Newcastle on the back of my success on the tracks the most.
Q6 WHAT WAS YOUR SEVEN FROM HEAVEN FROM EX-TIGERS TEAM-MATES ONLY?
JO: 1. Steve Lawson 2. Shane Bowes 3. David Walsh 4, Robert Nagy 5. Mick Powell 6. Sean Coutney 7. James Grieves
QUESTIONS FROM GRASSCUTTER
Q1 WHERE DID YOU RIDE YOUR FIRST SPEEDWAY BIKE?
JO: Training track outside Koge in Denmark 1977 I was 10yr old 50cc bike
Q2 ARE YOU ANY RELATION TO OLE OLSEN?
JO: No Olsen is like Smith
Q3 NAME BEST 7 RIDERS YOU RACED WITH?
JO: Tony Richardson, Hans Neilsen, Eric Gundersen, Jan O Pedersen, Tomas Golob, Nicki Pedersen, Jason Crump.
Q4 BEST DANISH RIDER OF ALL- TIME?
JO: Hans Neilsen
Q5 WORST INJURY IN YOUR CAREER?
JO: Oxford crash 1999 when i raced as a guest for Poole, Upper Jaw fracture has 5 plates in it. Never really got over that.
Q6 BEST BRITISH CLUB RACED FOR?
JO: Newcastle & Glasgow
Q7 WHO WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TEAM-PARTNER?
JO: Neville Tatum (Kelvins brother) at Wimbeldon
Q8 DID YOU EVER REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY?
JO: Yes
Q9 BEST TRACK YOU RACED ON?
JO: (the bedroom) Slangerup home track in Denmark
Q10 AT THE COST OF BIKES / LEATHERS WOULD YOU STILL BE A SPEEDWAY RIDER NOW?
JO: Yes, the cost would not stop me. But the wife would.
Q11 ARE THE TRACKS IN DENMARK BETTER THAN BRITISH TRACKS?
JO: Yes as they are purpose built.
Q12 BEST AWAY TRACK YOU RACED ON?
JO: Ashfield
Q13 BEST TEAM-MANAGER YOU RACED UNDER?
JO: Ian Steel
Q14 DO YOU STILL ATTEND SPEEDWAY MEETINGS?
JO: Sometimes, mainly GP's
Thanks to Jesper for his answers, Grasscutter for organising and everyone who asked questions