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Photo - Jason Crump, the 2004 World Speedway Champion:
There's good news and bad for world-champion-in-waiting Kelvin Tatum.
Good news - the defending Long Track Speedway World Champion Robert Barth will not now race at New Plymouth’s final round.
Bad news - the newly-crowned champion in the short track version of the sport, Australian Jason Crump, has arrived in the city eager to put on a show.
Barth’s no-show lifts some of the intense pressure off Tatum as he seeks to wrap up the series by winning his fourth world title at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Raceway on Saturday
Barth called New Zealand Grand Prix promoter Ivan Mauger with the news at the weekend, revealing that, although the operation on his injured hand was a success, the recovery was not complete, certainly not good enough for him to race a motorcycle around a limestone chip track at speeds of about 200km/h.
Denmark’s John Jorgensen has replaced Barth in the 20-rider field.
But the non-appearance of Barth is, in itself, no reason for Tatum to relax. Although the 40-year-old Englishman was winner at last year’s New Plymouth finale, and is a comfortable 10 points ahead of his nearest threat for the title this year, Germany’s Gerd Riss, there’s still plenty that can go wrong for Tatum before the trophy presentation on Saturday afternoon.
Tatum must not only be fast, stay upright and remain safe to keep Riss at bay, he must also tame the rest of a star-studded line-up that now includes surprise wildcard entry Crump.
The 29-year-old Crump was crowned speedway world champion last month and Saturday’s racing in New Plymouth will be his first event as the world No.1. Crump flew into New Plymouth from his base in England only this morning and he will fly out again, once the racing’s over, on Sunday. “I had considered coming to New Zealand last year but the speedway season wasn’t going so well for me then,” said Crump. “I didn’t come to cause any mischief with Kelvin but I am determined to give it a good shot. I’d be dreaming if I said I could come here and win. It’s just a matter of qualifying for the final race on Saturday and, if I draw a good place on the start line, anything could happen. “It’s been a few years since I raced long track,” said Crump. “But it’s not so different from what I’ve been doing. I’ve already been down to see the Pukekura Raceway track and it looks very fast. I had forgotten how big the long track circuits are.”
