Steve Shovlar 10,439 Posted August 16, 2016 You mean the Maltese Falcon... turned his Maltese flag tattooed back on the country of his birth And a lovely place It is too. Been there loads of times. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hackett 220 Posted August 16, 2016 Tai needs to makes a full statement and slam the BSPA if need be and give the true reasons for his decision. He has continually gone on record and stated his 5 year plan - I seem to remember that Rob Lyons had a similar plan and was banging his head against an air fence and quit !! The BSPA probably thinks they are doing enough in supplying riders with kevlars. Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson (RIP RICO!) have said there needs to be more help training,development and preparation for the riders. Guess the BSPA will say it is about money !!! Premier League 4's riders were going to quit because of pay, the Elite League hasn't had a "true" sponsor for years. All clubs look after themselves rather than the future of the sport. Lets remember BSI / IMG pay little in comparison to other motor sports in terms of winnings - Russia riders had to pay their own way to SWC events and threatened with an international ban if they failed to do so. Australia have to resort to sponsorship pages on websites in trying to help the funding of riders etc - Team USA has had issues financially continually. Would be interesting to see what Sweden / Denmark provide their riders with in terms of support and help on logistics. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A ORLOV 8,628 Posted August 16, 2016 Tai needs to makes a full statement and slam the BSPA if need be and give the true reasons for his decision. He has continually gone on record and stated his 5 year plan - I seem to remember that Rob Lyons had a similar plan and was banging his head against an air fence and quit !! The BSPA probably thinks they are doing enough in supplying riders with kevlars. Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson (RIP RICO!) have said there needs to be more help training,development and preparation for the riders. Guess the BSPA will say it is about money !!! Premier League 4's riders were going to quit because of pay, the Elite League hasn't had a "true" sponsor for years. All clubs look after themselves rather than the future of the sport. Lets remember BSI / IMG pay little in comparison to other motor sports in terms of winnings - Russia riders had to pay their own way to SWC events and threatened with an international ban if they failed to do so. Australia have to resort to sponsorship pages on websites in trying to help the funding of riders etc - Team USA has had issues financially continually. Would be interesting to see what Sweden / Denmark provide their riders with in terms of support and help on logistics. Have said this before, it is about time the riders and federations insisted BSI etc pay more to them for future development, with the threat that they will look for another organisation who may run the World Championships and World Cup. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trees 2,814 Posted August 16, 2016 The promoters of the SWC should cough up with funding for the teams if their federations don't for whatever reason, just as league promoters do. They are the ones marketing the competition, taking money from sponsors, supporters and TV rights. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
racers and royals 8,720 Posted August 16, 2016 Tai needs to makes a full statement and slam the BSPA if need be and give the true reasons for his decision. He has continually gone on record and stated his 5 year plan - I seem to remember that Rob Lyons had a similar plan and was banging his head against an air fence and quit !! The BSPA probably thinks they are doing enough in supplying riders with kevlars. Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson (RIP RICO!) have said there needs to be more help training,development and preparation for the riders. Guess the BSPA will say it is about money !!! Premier League 4's riders were going to quit because of pay, the Elite League hasn't had a "true" sponsor for years. All clubs look after themselves rather than the future of the sport. Lets remember BSI / IMG pay little in comparison to other motor sports in terms of winnings - Russia riders had to pay their own way to SWC events and threatened with an international ban if they failed to do so. Australia have to resort to sponsorship pages on websites in trying to help the funding of riders etc - Team USA has had issues financially continually. Would be interesting to see what Sweden / Denmark provide their riders with in terms of support and help on logistics. Good post- however as Philip Rising has said on more than one occasion it`s the FIM who set and pay the riders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shale Searcher 1,264 Posted August 16, 2016 (edited) Have said this before, it is about time the riders and federations insisted BSI etc pay more to them for future development, with the threat that they will look for another organisation who may run the World Championships and World Cup. Until we know what's happened/not happened, everything is speculation. It wouldn't surprise if this decision was made before this year's final, and he is just paving the way to debut for Australia in the 2017 Grand Prixs and SWC'S... Edited August 16, 2016 by Shale Searcher 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skidder1 7,634 Posted August 16, 2016 Maybe there will be an 'exclusive' interview/statement in this week's SS?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XTC38L 79 Posted August 16, 2016 Statement from Tai. http://www.taiwoffinden.com/land/index.html 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A ORLOV 8,628 Posted August 16, 2016 Until we know what's happened/not happened, everything is speculation. It wouldn't surprise if this decision was made before this year's final, and he is just paving the way to debut for Australia in the 2017 Grand Prixs and SWC'S... We have now had a statement from Tai stating that he is giving 2017 a miss as far as Team GB goes, but I still say the whole running and financing of the top competitions needs a complete overhaul, but that is a different situation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparkafag 746 Posted August 16, 2016 I don’t know the situation so can’t really comment on it – one thing it probably will do is crystallise the utter failings in previous development systems (not to take away from the efforts of people). It was dismissed by some just how much it was down to Woffinden that GB took 2nd at the World Cup, it wasn’t a sign of a nation waking or emerging from a slumber. Perhaps short/medium/long term Britain need an utter showing up at a World Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Shovlar 10,439 Posted August 16, 2016 (edited) So he releases a press release where he says absolutely nothing other than he wants to keep it private and not discuss it in public. So if that was the case why the ranting tweet in the first place? He can't have it both ways. A useless and pathetic press release which basically is just stoking the flames for the fans left wondering what the hell is going on. If he has that many fans left. This guy needs a PR man. Edited August 16, 2016 by Steve Shovlar 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shale Searcher 1,264 Posted August 16, 2016 (edited) So he releases a press release where he says absolutely nothing other than he wants to keep it private and not discuss it in public. So if that was the case why the ranting tweet in the first place? He can't have it both ways. A useless and pathetic press release which basically is just stoking the flames for the fans left wondering what the hell is going on. If he has that many fans left. This guy needs a PR man. Hmm, the statement does not explain his "tweetrant" in any way, shape or form.. The statement has smoke screened the "tweetrant" and it doesn't reflect the "tweetrant" content or its angry bias.. #nowiser "Tweetrant" meaning = A tweet that is written in an angry manner or Rant without substance. Edited August 16, 2016 by Shale Searcher 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gresham 928 Posted August 16, 2016 TW's PR man is Nigel Pearson. Having spoken to TW recently, there is far more to this story than meets the eye. No wonder he's pissed off. The people running this sport in this country are going to run it into the ground. They are clueless. As for TW not being 'Universally popular'... a few very vocal moaning old gits, on a speedway forum frequented by the same few people, doesn't actually count' ;-) 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Star Lady 5,400 Posted August 16, 2016 As I said yesterday now Tai has issued a press release I will re-evaluate. Basically I still think his tweet yesterday smacked of being a spoilt child and the PR today really has solved absolutely nothing except prove he does need a good PR person beside him before he goes anywhere near social media. If he doesn't wish to make it public, do just that keep quiet. All he has done is cause mayhem and confusion, he has said nothing about the BSPA so quite honestly they have nothing to respond to, and for them to comment would IMO solve nothing. Tai redeemed hmself somewhat in my eyes (and possibly others) by his demeanour and actions during the SWC but I'm afraid this episode has just about taken us back to square one. But it has stopped any discussion about his relatively poor performance in the Grand Prix 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Woz01 3,589 Posted August 16, 2016 Very poor from Tai that is. No explanation just raises speculation further. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
