Track Talk: Jacob Thorssell can thrive with confidence

Swedish star Thorssell got the nod ahead of fellow countryman Freddie Lindgren at Monmore after promoters introduced a ridiculous rule of only one rider with an average of eight or over per team. Go work that one out.

It put Parrys International Wolves bosses in an impossible situation and one of Thorssell or Lindgren had to go. Thorssell stayed and made his comeback from a broken back which could have ended his career.

So I was delighted for the lad when he notched 12+1 for Wolves in their home win over Belle Vue last week.

“I really needed a big meeting like that,” he said. “It’s been tough times for me lately but it was nice to finally have a good meeting and start enjoying my riding again to be honest because it’s been a while.

“It’s been very, very hard mentally but I’m lucky I have some good mechanics to speak with, a good girlfriend at home, good team managements both in England and in Sweden and just a lot of good people around me who support me.

“I know what I can do around Wolverhampton and that is always with me in the back of my mind.

“I know I’m capable of 15 point maximums around Wolverhampton but it’s hard work to go out there and do that week in week out actually on the track itself.

“If you’re not there in the head and if you’re lacking that bit of confidence and you’re stuck in a bad rut, then small mistakes can creep in and cause bigger problems.

“In all sports there’s a lot of mentality involved, but I think in Speedway it’s more mental than in any other.

“Some people can get over it quickly and for some it takes a bit longer. But all you need is one bit of luck or one good meeting and then you have to look at that as a turning point for, hopefully, better things to come.”

Wolves’ next home meeting is on Monday, August 6 (7.30) when Midland rivals Leicester are the visitors, with the Monmore men heading to Swindon this coming Monday (July 30, 7.30).

Meanwhile, it’s ding-dong derby time on Wednesday when the Cradley boys make the short trip to Birmingham.

Quite simply the winners know they will go through to the National Trophy Final and I’m predicting a tense last heat decider. I know Birmingham have had a pop about our team and how we have been able to cherry pick riders as we aren’t in the league itself.

But I still hope they are rewarded with a bumper crowd on Wednesday – this sport needs rivalries and big crowds. Get yourself there.

There’s growing resentment about Cradley and what we’ve been allowed to do. Resentment, remember, from the very promoters who were keen to keep us in competition so they could get a good crowd against us!

Whether we’ll be allowed to use this option next season, I somehow doubt. But let’s worry about that in September and October!