jeff 60 Posted April 20, 2014 I read all the stuff about 'passing on experience' and 'geeing up the lads' but I struggle to see what the point of the team captain role currently actually is. Surely how 7 riders get on, communicate and support each other during a meeting will be down to what they are like as individuals and with so many riders riding for numerous teams in this country and abroad it's probably like ships passing in the night. It may well have been different years ago but it's a nonsense now isn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted April 22, 2014 I read all the stuff about 'passing on experience' and 'geeing up the lads' but I struggle to see what the point of the team captain role currently actually is. Surely how 7 riders get on, communicate and support each other during a meeting will be down to what they are like as individuals and with so many riders riding for numerous teams in this country and abroad it's probably like ships passing in the night. It may well have been different years ago but it's a nonsense now isn't it? Who is going to call 'Heads or Tails' at the toss. :rofl: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePark 2,781 Posted April 22, 2014 I read all the stuff about 'passing on experience' and 'geeing up the lads' but I struggle to see what the point of the team captain role currently actually is. Surely how 7 riders get on, communicate and support each other during a meeting will be down to what they are like as individuals and with so many riders riding for numerous teams in this country and abroad it's probably like ships passing in the night. It may well have been different years ago but it's a nonsense now isn't it? Who is going to call 'Heads or Tails' at the toss. :rofl: Add to that any problems with, say, the track conditions, it's always the two captains (and team managers) who are in discussion with the ref. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ruffdiamond 6,115 Posted April 22, 2014 do they not take the lads for a meal or a drink after a good win or performance, (nice touch that),,, then could maybe claim it back in expenses ??? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted April 22, 2014 Add to that any problems with, say, the track conditions, it's always the two captains (and team managers) who are in discussion with the ref. You are right the Abbott - there is a lot more to the job than calling at the Toss. I was being a bit flippant. Sorry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted April 22, 2014 Call heads and tails. Fill in a form to say all riders have been paid. one of the signs a club is in financial difficulty is the captain changes because he refuses to sign the form. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
THE DEAN MACHINE 4,750 Posted April 22, 2014 I will say this as a former rider and currently mechanic ,there are riders that will always help other riders with advice etc and they are not made captain but help anyway and there are riders who dont help are strangely are made captain and do nothing 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trees 2,814 Posted April 22, 2014 I guess it depends on what each team manager thinks is important in a captain, is it to set an example on track and/or always being ready to help and/or being that upbeat person who can gee up their team mates despite their performance, being confident of their ability. I guess the best captains have a mixture of everything. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ColinMills 1,728 Posted April 22, 2014 I will say this as a former rider and currently mechanic ,there are riders that will always help other riders with advice etc and they are not made captain but help anyway and there are riders who dont help are strangely are made captain and do nothingwould love to take a guess at that, but i wont! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BWitcher 12,453 Posted April 22, 2014 A 'good' team captain can be inspirational and although it sounds corny, literally add pts to the team. Back in his heyday Sam Ermolenko was as good a captain as you will find in so many ways. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted April 22, 2014 I would say the motivational skills are essential, that plus experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LagutaRacingFan 1,936 Posted April 22, 2014 Goes around the pits and makes sure that all the lads have had a good kip and kebab before the meeting. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ColinMills 1,728 Posted April 22, 2014 could be totally wrong here, hands up if so, but sure i saw some rider have a notebook of set ups at each track, and kept them to himself. cant think who it was off hand, never got that really, bit like riders not knowing the scores of a match Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arthur cross 492 Posted April 23, 2014 could be totally wrong here, hands up if so, but sure i saw some rider have a notebook of set ups at each track, and kept them to himself. cant think who it was off hand, never got that really, bit like riders not knowing the scores of a match A few riders clearly produce better results if they're left to just concentrate separately on each race they're taking part in rather than have that concentration affected by any impact from the scoreline ... such riders often end up at number-2 in the 15-heat format still used in the Premier & National Leagues because then their scheduled rides are out of the way by heat-10 (home) or heat-11 (away), leaving riders who don't mind knowing the score to take part in the later heats where the scoreline's more likely to influence any team tactics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,362 Posted April 23, 2014 could be totally wrong here, hands up if so, but sure i saw some rider have a notebook of set ups at each track, and kept them to himself. cant think who it was off hand, never got that really, bit like riders not knowing the scores of a match It could have been Ivan Mauger. I'm sure I remember reading that about him. I believe he also kept notes on referees, such as how long they held the tapes after the green light, who they tended to exclude if a rider came off and laid on the track, stuff like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites