PS. A new season is upon us, are you as enthusiastic as if you were
still riding?
JS.
Yes, very much so, but it’s a different type of enthusiasm. There’s lots
to do, and many new projects, plus I’ve been busy throughout the winter.
My job is not as seasonal as riding is, because during the winter I have
to arrange training camps, seminars, fitness tests etc. as well as
renewing the Team Danmark contracts on behalf of the Danish Motor Union,
budgets, organising, and help where I can with the riders’ contracts in
different countries.
PS.
How is the injury? And have you been on a bike since the 'accident'?
JS.
The injury is still there, unfortunately. I am still having big problems
with my back, where I have two punctured discs in the lumbar area,
whereas my shoulder problems amount to that my right arm ‘sleeps’ very
easily.
I
have had a couple of laps around Loomer Road last year at a practise
session, and I was very tempted when Nicki Pedersen asked if I
fancied trying his bike when the Danes were at Stoke earlier this year
for a training camp.
PS. If that had'nt have happened do you think you were good for another
few seasons?
JS.
Absolutely. I had a long term goal in my mind that said 2010, and was
still enjoying racing my bike. It was ambitious on my part, I know that,
but if I kept in shape, and more importantly kept scoring the points,
then I think I could have done that.
When
I was at Long Eaton, I was partnered with Richard Hellsen, who was 43
and still had an 8 point average in the 2nd division.
Having said that, I am reasonably happy that I was still able to hold my
own and still had a 9+ point average when I was forced to stop, rather
than be farting about at the back and have people saying ‘oh he
should’ve stopped years ago’ That would have been sad.
PS.
What is your favourite memory as a Potter?
JS.
There are many. The camaraderie was very special. Riders and the
promotion. Good times, happy times.
PS.
Denmark is like a production line of talent, do you see any hope for the
future of British speedway?
JS.
Sure, but there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and you need the
serious backing of the federation.
PS. You reached the last one off World final as a Div 2 rider some
achievement, to do that would you say the old one off's are/were harder
than the GP format?
JS.
Hmmm – you can’t really compare the two. The GP is such a tough contest
now, and you need a big budget to be competitive. With the one of World
Final any rider could start the season knowing that he had a theoretical
chance to become World Champion that same year, and at those World
Finals you’d always get one surprise rider coming good on the night and
making the rostrum.
With
the GP you don’t get that. When the season starts a rider with GP
ambitions knows that if he qualifies, then it won’t be until next year
that he has a chance of becoming World Champion.
Still the
system favours consistency, and that is surely a fairer way to find the
best rider?
PS. Laydown machines or uprights, which is better in your opinion?
JS.
You cannot stand in the way of progress, and I voted for laydowns at the
time, however in retrospect I wish we had kept to uprights.
You
needed more technique to ride those, and they favoured the riders with
throttle control.
The
laydowns are easy to ride in comparison. Faster and more aggressive,
yes, but it’s pretty much a ‘twist and go’. A lot more expensive too.
I do
believe the uprights provided better racing.
PS. Best rider you raced against?
JS.
Hmmm. There are so many great riders, and I was fortunate to have raced
in an era that counted some of the best riders ever.
Tony
Rickardsson however, is the greatest rider of all time as far as I am
concerned, and I was very disappointed that he had to pull out of my
jubilee meeting at Stoke.
I
picked Tony, because I recall racing with him at Stockholm , being
partnered at 3 and 4, before racing against him in the GP’s and what
not, and then I worked for him during the few years when I wrote his
website. You knew that when you beat him, it was an achievement.
We
travelled in Australia and had the best time and got up to all sorts of
mischief. He’s a fabulously talented rider, and a top bloke.
PS. How long do you see yourself in your present role as Denmark chief?
and do you have any ambitions of going into promoting at some stage?
JS.
My current contract is being negotiated as we speak, and runs for 3 more
years.
I am
doing the job to the best of my ability, and as long as the riders and
my federation are happy with that, then I am happy to carry on.
Sure,
if the right proposition came along I would like to have a go at
promoting.
PS. Whats the best track you have ridden?
JS.
There are many that I have really enjoyed riding, but in all honesty
Stoke wins that one, from Long Eaton.
PS. 2 time World champion manager how proud are you of that?
JS.
Extremely proud. I’ve been manager for 4 World Cups, won 2, 1 silver,
and 1 bronze. Can’t be unhappy about that, can I?
I
would be ecstatic if we can win in Poland this year though, and lay that
one to rest.
PS. Finally, many thanks and have you a message to all the Stoke Potters
fans from Jan Staechmann?
JS.
Thank you very much for your support over the years, and I look forward
to visiting Loomer Road this season.
