Tai Woffinden Speaks: Cardiff, Raw Speed, And His Rise To The Top

TAI WOFFINDEN finished top of Friday’s British Speedway Grand Prix qualifying session as the reigning World Champion attempts to achieve his Cardiff GP dream. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the World number one following the conclusion of yesterday’s practice.

Standing in the pits of the Principality Stadium following a blistering qualifying session, Tai Woffinden cuts and assured and confident figure knowing that in just 24 hours he could finally achieve his dream of winning his home nation Grand Prix. 

Born in Scunthorpe, England, Team GB Captain Woffinden has worked harder than perhaps any other rider in the GP series with his rags to riches story captivating fans of motorsport around the World. 

At just 29-years-old Woffinden has endured a rollercoaster career, with his rise to the top of World speedway a feat few riders could only dream of. 

Speaking ahead of today’s British SGP, Woffinden outlines the reasons for bringing out his new book Raw Speed and says he hopes the events of his life so far will help inspire others to achieve their dreams and speak out.

“I’ve achieved so much up to now in my career and thought we would tell the story,” said Woffinden.

"There’s definitely controversy and things that have happened such as my father passing away from cancer, to when we came and lived in Europe and were in a caravan for two years on a rough estate.

“I guess for some people they will be able to relate to it and some people will hopefully be inspired by it,” he added. 

“We started from the bottom with nothing and worked our way up. It’s just my story so far and there will be another book focusing on the second half of my life.

“The book sales have been crazy. We’re number one on Amazon for motorsports, top 100 of all books at the moment and that’s not even including this weekend.

“We sold 150 this morning at the book signing at WHS Smith and the book is available across most major retailers and we’ve just signed a contract to do it in Polish as well,” said Woffinden. 

A whirlwind year for the current World Champion has seen Woffinden’s title defence hampered by injury after a broken back sustained whilst racing in Poland saw him miss two rounds of the GP series and all but ending his aim of retaining the World Championship. 

But being the determined racer that has brought him so much success during a relatively short period, Woffinden has not let injuries faze him and explains how this year might just be the year British racing fans crown another home GP champion, with winning in Cardiff now his ultimate aim as the season edges nearer its conclusion. 

“I’m super excited for the weekend, this is a crazy event to race at,” said Woffinden. 

“This year has been a bit up and down for me. I broke my back in June, had two months out and went straight back into the World Championships without any warmup. 

“My first time on a bike was two months after the crash and that was at GP practice in Poland. 

He added: “I don’t mind throwing myself in at the deep end and now we’re just giving it everything. Qualifying was good and it’s great to have managed to take pole position.

“There’s no pressure in the fact that I normally come into this round with no pressure as I view it as a stepping stone to being World Champion where every round is one step closer to achieving the ultimate prize.

“Now that prize is out of reach, I’m in a situation where there’s going to be 45,000+ fans all wanting me to win tomorrow.

“I’ve got to take a little bit different of an approach to it this year because I can’t now win the world title, and the only thing reputable that I can win is my home GP,” stated Woffinden. 

Injuries, unfortunately, are part and parcel of being a racer in a motorsport that doesn’t have any brakes. But it’s fair to say that Woffinden has perhaps endured more than his fair share of shatters and snaps, with his broken back and serious neck injury sustained earlier this year perhaps his most serious injuries to date. 

However, being the fierce competition that he is, Woffinden states that his early return to action was against the recommendation of medical specialists, before explaining that he felt the best way to get back to his best was getting minutes on the bike and laps on the shale. 

Speaking on his injury, he said: “Every specialist that I spoke to said I needed three months off after my injury. I only had two months off.

“So yes I maybe came back too early but that was my decision. I felt strong and ready so thought why not? 

“With speedway your racing three times a week. You’ve got Grand Prix’s, Poland, Sweden, and some guys are riding in England,” he added. 

“When you’re on the bike all the time you get bike fit and you’re probably more switched on. 

“I had two months sat at home doing nothing. All the other guys were sharpening up, mastering their craft and getting better every time they rode the bike. 

“In a World Championship event you can’t give the best guys in the world a two-month advantage,” said Woffinden.

“I believe that my ability is good enough to come back and score them big points but this year has been a challenge. 

“It’s the first time I’ve been in this situation but mentally I’ve dealt with it really good. You still have those rollercoaster situations where you’re trying to figure things out and you learn every time you sit on one of these bikes. 

“The day I stop learning will be the day I retire. You’re forever improving, moving forward, and there are all always new challenges which is why I have so much love for the sport,” added Woffinden. 

Friday’s qualifying session saw Woffinden top the standings with an unbeaten lap time of 12.936 seconds giving him first pick of the riding positions at today’s GP. 

But the introduction of qualifying in this year’s GP series hasn’t been without its problems as Woffinden outlines that the demands of Polish Ekstraliga racing has seen some riders unable to take part in practice and qualifying sessions.

“So it’s been a really strange year with qualifying because Polish racing overrides the World Championship practice and qualifying,” said Woffinden. 

“Because the Friday of a GP isn’t compulsory I’ve missed the first two practice and qualifying which again goes back to not giving other riders that advantage.

“They were getting a day test on the track and I wasn’t so the first two rounds were really tough.

“My first one was in Wroclaw in August. I have done the job here today and we’re in a good position for the GP,” he said. 

Photo Credit: Speedway GP