Tai remaining grounded, despite massive lead

TAI Woffinden is refusing to get carried away with his world title prospects – despite a stunning 24-point lead.

The British racer was in fine form again in the Gorzow FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland at the weekend, finishing third in the final but notching the top score of 18 on the night.

And with four rounds remaining, the Scunthorpe-born racer is closing in on a second world crown in three years.

But he said: “There’s still a lot of hard work ahead and I’m taking nothing for granted.

“Of course I’m in a good position, I would rather be where I am than my rivals, but I’m not over the line and anything can happen in this sport, we know that.

“I just have to keep things going and picking up points at every opportunity, I know that sounds like I’m repeating myself but it really is that simple.

“There’s four rounds remaining, that’s 84-points to race for, so nothing is decided, far from it. I’m staying focussed and looking forward to the next one already.

“I was of course happy with my performance in Gorzow. I had an engine which I knew worked well there and we used it to our advantage.

“Peter Johns has done a great job with my engines and I have to thank him for that, hopefully this run of scoring will continue.

“I just need to keep plugging away and keep scoring those points.

“Australia for the last round is going to be one special night and I’m sure there will be loads of fans there, but it would be nice to get as close to the title as possible before we get there!”

And Woffinden admitted he was touched by the way the entire stadium paid tribute to seriously injured Aussie ace Darcy Ward.

He said: “There was a lot of support for Darcy which was amazing, and a massive thank you to all the Polish fans. When they were chanting ‘Darcy Ward! Darcy Ward!’ it really was incredible and it just shows how much love he has out there.

“There are lots of people praying for him, and I wish him all the best, I just hope he can heal as well as possible and be able to lead a normal life.

“These things happen in our sport, it’s just so unfortunate he crashed into the part of the fence he did, but it is what it is and all we can do is all rally around him and support him.”

The Grand Prix series now moves to Krsko on Saturday, September 12 and the Mitas Slovenian FIM Speedway Grand Prix in the Stadion Matije Gubca.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (top 10): 1 Tai Woffinden 109, 2 Nicki Pedersen 85, 3 Greg Hancock 82, 4 Matej Zagar 81, 5 Niels-Kristian Iversen 70, 6 Chris Holder 69, 7 Jason Doyle 66, 8 Michael Jepsen Jensen 64, 9 Maciej Janowski 63, 10 Andreas Jonsson 51.