Q&A - Nigel Pearson

Also see

• LIVE Speedway only on Sky Sports
• Bet on 2008 Speedway season
• Check out the 2008 GP calendar
• British Speedway standings

Our first Speedway Q&A is here as we sat down with Sky Sports' own Nigel Pearson and went through the host of questions you sent in.

Please remember to send in your recommendations for anyone you would like us to feature.

We can also announce that BSPA chief Peter Toogood, Wolves boss Chris Van Straaten, Graham Brodie of the FIM, Ove Fundin and Sky Sports executive producer Rory Hopkins have all agreed to take part.

But next up will be American Grand Prix star Greg Hancock - so get mailing us your questions for Greg.

And finally, here is Nigel's response to as many questions as we could accommodate.

Nathan Bailey wrote: Hi Nigel. I have been watching speedway for about eight years now and from the very first meeting I watched I knew I was hooked. The one thing that I have noticed is that speedway is not advertised much at all. why is this?

"Advertising costs a lot of money, Nathan, and as a sport there is much effort put in by clubs to promote their local track throughout the media - though in some cases I believe this is underestimated. TV and Radio advertising doesn't come cheap and I suspect many promoters cannot afford that level of expenditure. I still feel the Sky Sports coverage is the best advert we have... but I would say that, wouldn't I?!"

George Armstrong wrote: Having been a supporter of speedway since the early seventies it is hard for me to understand why speedway has very little TV coverage now, it used to be on grandstand ever Saturday this could be why there are teams not racing next year, I am talking about the likes of Berwick Bandits who I can remember watching when you would get a crowd of over 1000 and now it's down to a few hundred, could this be because tv has forgot about the lower leagues?

"George, there is more Speedway on TV now than ever before, though I guess you mean a lack of terrestrial TV - but the only live sport on terrestrial regularly is Football and F1. On your point of losing tracks, at the same time Speedway gains some - you only have to look at Redcar, Plymouth, Scunthorpe, Weymouth, Somerset and Birmingham in the last few years. I also hope Newport, Oxford and Exeter can return in the future having come close recently."

Neil Taylor wrote: Hello Nigel. My Question. Do you really think Cradley Heathens will return after so many years without a track or are we all just living in dream land?

"As a Heathens fan myself I will never, ever give up hope... but I must admit the last blow when a planning application was withdrawn really tested my belief. Cradley Heath and surrounding areas like Halesowen, Dudley, Stourbridge, Lye and Quarry Bank are all built-up areas and it's not easy to slot a motorcycle speedway track in there."

Colin Butler wrote: Do you think they should get rid of the joker in the World Cup? I believe that with the countries' best riders on show they should not need to be allowed to benefit from this. I feel it also shows speedway is still a joke sport.

"The joker in the World Cup is the same concept as the tactical ride in domestic racing. I believe some form of changes should be available to bring a team more in contention - and we've seen some thrilling finishes because of close scorelines. I'm all for that."

Ken Matcham wrote: British speedway would be better if the track conditions were better from the start, you know for a fact that the proper racing does not start until heat 6 & 7 then half the meeting is over.

"The track curators do a great job and deserve praise for their work. Any track in the world needs time to bed in - and are you saying British tracks are worse than those at a Grand Prix? I don't believe so, the GP tracks are generally slick and yet still provide great racing."

Melvin Trickey wrote: Although I understand if a rider wins 3 races he scores 9 points I don't understand it when you say "He scored 9- paid 10 points" or I see the results as 9+1. can you please explain the "extra point". Thanks.

"Yes, Melvin, the extra point is for a rider who finishes behind his colleague, but it doesn't count to the overall score of the match. If you finish second behind your colleague, you get 2+1 for pay purposes, hence another phrase you may have heard, 'paid maximum'."

Michael Abell wrote: What are your hopes, expectations and visions for Speedway over the next five years? Can our sport become truly widespread, and the riders become household names?

"We have a great product and a great sport Michael. It needs everyone to work together to portray that product and by that I mean promoters, riders, TV companies and fans. It can happen."

Trevor Holmes wrote: Who was the best Brit Peter Collins or Peter Caven?

"Believe it or not, Trevor, I am too young to remember Peter Craven!! I've seen pictures and love his riding style, the real wizard of balance, but I would have to plump for Peter Collins."

Geoff Clarke wrote: What does Nigel think about a designated race night for the elite league, does he think it is something that might encourage some of the GP stars to commit more to British racing?

"Yes I do but I'm not sure it would be practical. Stadium availability is a major issue here, a change of race-night is a major gamble but, yes, it would make it more attractive for the GP boys."

Brett Sparkes wrote: Does the high wages, currently being paid to riders in Sweden and Poland, pose a serious threat to top flight British speedway?

"Not at all, the British promoters will move forward and pay what they believe they can afford. Whilst it's disappointing to miss some of the top boys in England right now, the most important thing is the immediate and long term future of the sport. I also still believe the top flight next season will be entertaining for Sky Sports viewers and long may that continue."

Andrew Hall wrote: I would be interested in Nigel's views (him being a Wolves supporter). Why would you make Freddie Lindgren captain of a young inexperienced team, when it is quite obvious that he is a young man who is trying to establish himself with in the sport and concentrate on his own abilities rather than trying to manage other people. Surely Adam's and Van Straaten's experience within the sport should have told them that the team required someone with more maturity and experience. And this comes to my second point, I hear on good authority that in the not so distant future Sam Ermolenko is going to be taking over from Adams.

"Andrew, you are speaking from hindsight. We all know it was an awful season for the team, but nobody I know predicted it would be as bad when the team, labelled young and exciting, was put together.

I personally feel Freddie is a great talent and he's a good pal, but the team now needs an experienced figurehead to take them forward in what will be a vital season.

As for Peter Adams and Chris Van Straaten, I can assure you they are both desperate to prove their critics wrong. Their pride has been hurt, they have both brought great success to the club, but not in recent seasons and they know only too well that is unacceptable. They are like wounded animals right now and don't write them off just yet.

As for Sam, he's a top guy and a legend at that club. However, do you honestly feel Sam would have ensured Wolves didn't finish bottom last season? I don't think so, it was all down to under-achieving riders who could and should have done so much more.

And just to clarify, I am not a Wolves fan. I supported both Hull and Cradley as a kid and look what happened to them, so you don't want me as a Wolves fan!"

Andrew Hall wrote: Could you please ask Nigel if there was any thoughts on Sky possibly doing a documentary on one of the high profile rider's of the sport and possibly follow the rider around for the season, I think this would be good viewing as well as giving a good insight into a rider's season and the preparation and planning that a top rider has to do to keep at this level.

"I agree Andrew, it would be a great programme. As would a weekly magazine programme. It's not for me to comment on the tv contract, but I'm pretty sure the Sky budget is for live Speedway only - maybe food for thought when the deal is up for renewal, though?"

David Hensby wrote: Nigel, can you explain to the guests what it is like to watch a speedway race from the in-field? Most of the fans are never privy to this position during the racing. Your insight would be welcomed!

"I spent 15-years on the infield at Sheffield, Cradley, Wolves, Long Eaton and Hull and you tend to take it for granted David. However, it's a fantastic experience and I particularly like it when you stand in the area where the riders are just going into the first turn - you start thinking they're all going to hit you!"

Ian Muddell wrote: Nigel, do you think to many GP riders are turning their back on the Elite League and what can we do to keep them?

"Hi Ian. I find it disappointing that the likes of Nicki Pedersen, Greg Hancock and Jason Crump will not be in our league next season. It seems to be a modern trend, but I feel the wheel will turn full circle and there will be a time when more GP boys are riding here again. Believe me, Polish and Swedish Leagues are not all a bed of roses right now!"

Steve Perkins wrote: On the question of promotion/relegation, don't you feel it can only be taken seriously by supporters if the team finishing bottom of the Elite League go down and the winners of the lower league go up and are then allowed to strengthen their team accordingly? A play off as happened this season will always favour the current Elite League outfit as their reserves would normally occupy a heat leader berth in the lower division.

"I can understand your viewpoint, but let me tell you Wolves were nervous before their play-off with Edinburgh. It provided two good meetings with bumper crowds and, eventually, we'll see an upset."

Andy Gatenby wrote: What do you think to Jason Crump's decision to quit the EL next season? He is the latest one of the top riders to quit the EL in recent years and I wonder what your views are on what should be done to keep the very best riders in our league?

"The only way to attract these guys back would be to allow them to do less meetings. This could be done by slashing the league to one home and one away (but how would a promoter fill the rest of a fixture list without going bankrupt) or teams could be allowed to sign two top men to job share. Greg Hancock told me at Cardiff when I met him for a coffee that he would have considered 15-20 British meetings... but not 40."

John Robinson wrote: Whenever we watch speedway we always see an advantage in some of the starting gates, for whatever the reasons, would it not be fairer to the riders if the start-line was made of concrete? Then all the bikes will all have the same surface to start from. then everyone is equal, I think this is the way it used to be years gone by.

"Riders would refuse to ride on a concrete start line. The bikes are simply too powerful these days and, anyway, the gate stats are always interesting!"

Steve Williams wrote: Hi, Could you use a little time explaining the technical side of the bikes. I'm sure it would be of interest. Maybe have a bike in the studio and give a more in depth view of what is done to make it suit track conditions. Why not have a small camera like a kerb cam at the end of the straight low enough to give a true feel of the speed they throw the bikes in.

"I will pass on your comments, Steve. In actual fact, Kelvin Tatum did a series of reports a few years ago explaining the technical side of the bike and it went down well."

Mark Hiles wrote: Before a Sky meeting, how much research do you look at about tracks/riders etc. Whats your favourite track for racing?

"Hi Mark. Because I'm involved in the sport on a daily basis through my media work I feel I'm on top of my research and feel comfortable with that. We also get stats sent through to us and I take a quick look through them for any milestones which are worth mentioning. My colleague, Tony Millard, is much more stats orientated than me.

My favourite track? I've always enjoyed Peterborough and I also feel Wolverhampton offers fabulous entertainment."

Keith Moscrop wrote: Do you have a bet with Kelvin Tatum that you will mention Tai Woffinden at every Sky meeting?

"I knew someone would ask this, Keith! When we all went out to Denmark for the World Cup, we felt pretty down about the poor GB display and young Tai was the only highlight, I'm sure you agree.

We went big on Tai and he has a bright future in the sport. No, we don't have a bet, but there are many occasions when I like to mention the youngsters."

Mark Holland wrote: Is there a difference in the equipment level of the top 5 riders, and particularly engine power? These riders seem consistently quick especially on power pick up out of turn 2 down the straight. On a related matter it would be good if the coverage from Kelvin and Chris included a lot more detail and background on the bike set ups and technicalities (like F1 coverage) as this would help the average viewer appreciate the differentials involved in maximising performance. Maybe even interview or have info sessions with the mechanics who are unseen unsung heroes.

"The top boys clearly have bigger budgets for the better engine tuners. Attention to detail is vital for success in the sport and I'm sure they are top of the list when it comes to engine tuners' priorities. Your other points are noted."

Paul Simpson wrote: Do you think that apart from Tai Woffinden that there are any good young British Riders coming through the British Speedway system?

"Yes Paul, how about Ben Barker, Adam Roynon, Daniel King, James Wright, Joe Haines... to name a few."