Winning the British title means a lot... just ask Scott Nicholls!
There's plenty of talk about how the British Final isn't what it was 20-years ago when it was raced in front of 10,000 fans at Coventry.
But this Wednesday at Poole's Wimborne Road, 16 riders will be going for glory with the extra incentive of a place at the magnificent Millennium Stadium in Cardiff next month on the line.
Bridger - Tipped to make GP spot (Pic credit Les Aubrey)
Yes, the highest placed non Grand Prix rider will be the wildcard for the FIM British Grand Prix on June 27. Last year it was Eddie Kennett, the year before was David Howe.
So there's plenty to race for and I'm looking forward to it. Personally I reckon there will be some top class action for us to enjoy.
But back to the title itself. Scotty is desperate to retain the crown he won at Swindon last year and he's admitted in the brilliant Speedway Star magazine how he underestimated the importance of the title when he lost it to Chris Harris in 2007.
Expect a couple of 'Woffy, Woffy, Woffy' shouts from the commentary box on Wednesday!
British Speedway Final
7.30pm, Wednesday
Sky Sports 1
And despite his poor form in the GP - and a serious lack of meetings now he's not racing in the UK - I fully expect him to be the man to beat.
Tough
It's been a tough start to the season for Scotty. He has put added pressure on his own shoulders by deciding to sit out the Elite League, but he knew he'd be under the microscope when he decided to go down that route. He's suffered from a virus in the early weeks and that clearly hit his Grand Prix preparations hard. Yes, there are reasons behind his poor scores at GP level - but nobody could have predicted how poor they would be.
I expect him to bounce back on Wednesday. He'll be on machinery he's familiar with from last season and he'll also relish racing in front of a British crowd in my view.
I just feel he will have enough in his locker to pip his rivals to the post. As for the wildcard for Cardiff, that's a little harder to predict.
Kennett has had a good season with Coventry so far and I would have fancied Eastbourne's Lewis Bridger but for the injury he sustained in that amazing televised meeting last week when the pits resembled a hospital ward! He can still do it, though.
And then there's my pal Woffy. Tai's made a good start to life in the Elite League at Wolves and I'd love to see the kid at Cardiff - expect a couple of 'Woffy, Woffy, Woffy' shouts from the commentary box on Wednesday. You have been warned!
Close call
I'll go for a Nicholls, Harris, Bridger 1-2-3. Despite the injury, Lewis has a good chance of mamking Cardiff in my view.
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