Phil
Smith speaks to speedway superstar, Greg Hancock.
PS. Hi
Greg, welcome to the Potters Power Questions and Answers, first off did
you enjoy the 1996 Stoke/Cradley partnership?
GH. Yes
PS.
Many people rate Loomer Rd as a top track, what is your opinion of it?
GH. When it was good it
was really good, but when it was bad it was ?*!!!
PS.
If the Heathens had of stayed at Loomer for 97 do you think you would
have been there?
GH. Yes
PS.
Yourself and Billy Hamill were the spearheads, statistics seem to say it
was a 2 man team, do you agree?
GH. No, we worked hard to
motivate the other riders to do their best.
PS.
What is your opinion of the present state of British speedway regarding
all the top names riding abroad and giving the E.L. a miss?
GH. For me, too many
meetings. I cannot speak for the other riders.
PS.
Will we ever see Greg Hancock riding competetively on these shores
again?
GH. I am always keeping
my options open. If the league structure changed, it would be possible.
PS.
What is the cost of a GP prepared speedway motorcycle?
GH. For me, not any different than the
league bikes. The only difference is the amount of times they are used
PS.
Any advice to any up and coming youngster who has ambitions to be World
Champion?
GH. Ride within your
means and follow your dreams. Work harder and play later!!
PS. You
are 38 now, do you think there is another World Championship within you?
GH. Of course, I am not
riding the GP’s for 2nd place.
PS.
Who do you see as the next Greg, Billy, Bruce etc??
GH. Ricky Wells. The kid
has the talent, motivation, and the desire to be our next World
Champion.
PS. How
did the Loomer track, compare with the old Dudley Wood circuit?
GH. No comparison, it is
not possible as everything about the two is different.
PS. Will
we ever see yourself at Loomer rd again do you think?
GH. You never know, like
I said in question 6.
PS.
Who was the biggest influence on your career?
GH. In the beginning
Bruce, Bobby Schwartz, later on Eric Gundersen, and now my wife,
Jennie.
PS.
Who do you see as your MAIN rival for this years 2009 GP series?
GH. The other 15 guys.
They are all capable of winning.
PS.
Do you think the Heathens will rise again?
GH. Like the Phoenix, I
hope so. It was a great team to ride for.
PS. The
influx of top US riders, i.e. Penhall, Schwartz, the Morans, yourself
and Billy to name a few, seems to have dried up in recent years why is
this in your opinion?
GH.
There are so many things for the young guys to do in the US. The
lack of tracks
and promoters did not help much. Things are looking brighter for the
future though. In SoCAL it is now possible for the guys to race 3 or 4
nights a week. The more you ride the better you can get.
Thanks for the support.
Greg Hancock
Greghancock.com
Many
thanks go to Greg Hancock and Richard Child, 02/04/2009.
