Scott Nicholls Diary

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By Scott Nicholls    Last updated: 15th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Scott Nicholls Diary

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It's been quite a big week for me - I've been making a few big changes.

I've parted company with my mechanic, as I felt that something wasn't quite working right. The relationship with your mechanic in some ways is almost like that with a girlfriend, and I felt that I needed to change for both of us. I didn't want to fall out and I just felt that we needed to change.

The Grands Prix are so important to me, and it was a real big decision to make. I need people around me who I know and you are familiar with, but at the same time I need to feel comfortable in a SGP setting, and that everything is done exactly.

We rode in Coventry on Friday, I got a maximum which was good, sadly the team lost but for me it was a good meeting. There are mixed emotions about going back to Coventry, obviously I really like the people, well most of them, there are obviously a few that I'm not too keen on. And I like the track.

There is always that little bit of pride at stake so it was important for me going back to have a good meeting.

On Saturday, Eastbourne was rained off late on and so it was straight out to Poland. We lost quite badly but again I scored okay. The track was prepared very differently to normal, it was very slick. If I'd known I'd have practiced during the day. It caught me out in my first couple of rides but after that I scored 8 in the last three races. So that was fine.

Ready for GP

Monday and Tuesday were spent setting up the new workshop, and then I had to make sure that everything was in the van for the next Grand Prix - something that a rider doesn't normally do. But it was my choice and I'm happy to do it.

I also managed to get to the gym as I'm looking to build up my fitness.

Then last night we were riding at Lakeside - another loss unfortunately. It was a Knockout Cup meeting. I only dropped two points from six rides and they were in the first two rides. I had bike problems on the parade laps but I got it sorted after that.

Right now I'm getting ready to go to Malilla in Sweden for the Scandinavian Grand Prix on Saturday. I've made a few semi-finals there so I've had some OK results. Obviously I'm looking to go a bit further this weekend.

I've got my Swedish mechanic helping me this weekend. and I've got some other people who will fill in. I've got a lot of good people around me right now. I'm planning ahead a bit and I'm happy with the way things are going. Kelvin (Tatum) will be at this one and that's a good thing for me. Kelvin has been good, he's a good supporter. He's good for advice.

Malilla is not the biggest track but it's wide and it's quite fast. Depending on how the track is prepared, if there a bit of dirt on there, it should see some good racing. I like the track and I'm looking forward to going and having a good meeting.

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Comments (4)

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Yvonne Mills says...

Chris Harris has been talikng about Scott, derogitory and he need to remember that he should remain professional at all times.He was supposed to step up his game when Scott was let go from Coventry but the boots were far too big forChris to fill, he is not Captain material.Lets hope Hans is Captain next season if he remains with Coventry he is much more classy than Chris will ever be.Take heed Chris.

Posted 14:38 30th August 2008

Alison Hitchman says...

I agree with previous comments regarding the gap between British riders and those from other speedway nations but I cannot agree with the comments made by Peter regarding Scott Nicholls (BRITISH NO.1 FACT NOT FICTION). Scott is the first to admit that his GP form is far from what he desires and expects of himself. To say he is only interested in beating the British riders is extremely short sighted!. I do believe that he is ahead of Chris in the GP standings and if this was his only concern then why would he be looking to change anything, surely he would just be content with where he is. I was not myself in the pits during the speedway WC and cannot comment on conversations between Scott and Chris but if it is true that they hardly spoke, if at all, it may have somthing to do with the interview Chris did with Speedway Star prior to Cardiff. He showed a total lack of respect for his team GB captain by suggesting that he gifted Scott the British final and he should have been the victor. How he came to that conclusion when he wasn't just beaten by Scott but by Edward and Tai as well I will never know!. Don't get me wrong Chris is a very talented rider and I like to see him do well as a British rider but his comments were out of order. You say Scott was jealous to lose British title to Chris in 2007. Scott has admitted that it upset him but also admitted that Chris was the better rider at that point It just spurred him on to get the title back this year. I'm sure it also hurt when Chris won Cardiff in 2007 but again Scott publicly congratulated him on his achievement and used it as motivation for future GP's. The WC performances were below par for most of the riders not just Scott. Yes Scott can ride tough at times so can Bomber, Nicki P, Hans A etc. I for one would rather pay to see racing rather than a procession. You could always switch to Formula 1 if it offends you too much!.

Posted 18:49 22nd August 2008

Peter Skerry says...

I can only agree with the previous points, Team GB did not qualify for the SWC final simply because they were not good enough. Lee recently made a statement saying that he, Scott and Chris were the only world class riders in GB. I take no pleasure in saying that Chris is not there yet, Lee never really made it certainly in SGP's and Scott was twice the rider he is now in SGP's 5 or 6 years ago. What does that tell you. As a Coventry supporter I have always had time for all 3 riders but Scott is starting to disapoint me with his attitude. In the SGP he was always more concerned about beating Lee than the other riders and now it is beating Chris more than any other rider. I am not saying that his tactics are rough but they certainly are rougher with Chris than anyone else. He was extremely jealous of Chris taking his so called British no. 1 position and Cardiff last year. He never mentions him in any Team GB interview in fact I dont think he spoke to Chris in the entire SWC series. Chris in fact played more of a role as Capt in the SWC than he did. Some say you it does not do any harm in your world championship to be hard, insensitive and selfish BUT it is all a bit unnecessary when you have not the wherewithall to back it up. You can change bikes, change engines, change tuners and change mechanics but at the end of the day it is the rider who is the common denominator for failure and at whatever level you ride you need respect whether people like you or not. Scotts PR and certainly team spirit needs a serious workover. He does not mind GB riders who are not a threat but his SGP & SWC perfomances leave a lot to be desired for GB's so called number one.

Posted 20:20 20th August 2008

Jim Selbie says...

Followed speedway since J.Parker in the 50,s @belle vue. I am afraid that the present Brits are very far behind the rest of the competitors. Saw the internationals on the box and all the G.P. meetings and feel that we have many problems. I look at the others imaculately turned out machines and the obvious pride taken to ensure they are. Does this include the real preperation of the mechanical and electronic components I wonder. G.B. appear to fail in all departments there. Our Guys may get round the corners initially but how often are they beaten by sheer speed of the others bikes. Is it that our people have inferior machinary, are the set ups better or do they others have better fuel. Unless there is a rapid increase in performance from the Brits, I would see a dramatic decrease in interest by the G.B. fans. It is great to watch the best at the G.P. Meets.. Mon nights O.K. but find a couple of brits with better kit and back up teams to take on the world. N.P.s pit and staff appear to be a proffecional outfit, makes one think.

Posted 10:18 18th August 2008
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