Tai Woffinden thanks fans after burglars strike new home
Tai Woffinden has thanked all his fans who have rallied round wife Faye and him after they were burgled at the weekend.
The burglary took place at their new home when Woffinden was racing in the Mitas Czech Republic FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Prague on Saturday. Pregnant Faye was at her parents’ home watching on TV.
Woffinden estimates £20,000 worth of personal belongings were taken from his new home near East Midlands Airport – and it could have been worse. “Personally I think they were disturbed when Faye got home, from the information I have,” he said. “It’s naturally a horrible time, particularly for Faye when I’m away racing. I was so angry when I was told about it. There’s nothing we can do about it now but I would urge everyone to look at their home security as we will. And our thanks to all the fans who have sent messages of support through social media, once again they have proved how special they are.”
Woffinden, who won the Elite League with Wolves last year and remains an asset of the Monmore Green outfit, managed to put the raid to the back of his mind as he continued his fine league form in recent days.
On Sunday – the day after the burglary – he scored 13 from five races in Worclaw’s 51-39 Polish League win over Leszno.
And on Tuesday he carded 11+1 from five in the Swedish League as Masarna beat Piraterna 54-36.
It was a tough GP for Woffinden who failed to make the semi-finals by a point on Saturday.
“I touched the tapes in my third ride and I would say that moment cost me a semi-final place,” he said.
“You can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve touched the tapes in my professional career and it’s something I just have to get over and move on.
“When you look at the programme, that was a race I certainly felt I would win, particularly after my previous ride when I won it.
“We just have to look forward now and onto the next one in Denmark.
“ Also thanks to all the British fans who travelled there and got behind me, I thought it was a home Grand Prix at times!”
Woffinden has also spoken again of making more of practice the day before a GP – by making it a qualifying day. “I would have a transponder on the bike to time laps,” he said. “Other forms of motorsport do it, not only does it establish the riding order in a better manner than a lottery, it makes Friday more of an event.
“It would enhance the weekend experience for supporters and give the riders something to go for. Practice can often become a waste of time because the track on a Saturday can be completely different.
“But if you have something to aim for in testing, it would be different.”
