Track talk: Tai Woffinden needs gating gloves on for penultimate round

Tonight here in Teterow we see the penultimate round of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix series with British hero Tai Woffinden still nine clear of Polish sensation Bartosz Zmarzlik.

It’s a lead which has rapidly diminished over the last couple of rounds. In Krsko a fortnight ago he was thrown out of a race controversially for not being at the tapes when the two minute clock hit zero – other riders go away with it.

But that doesn’t hide the fact that Tai hasn’t been making the starts, something isn’t quite right and he has decided not to give any pre meeting interviews for now as he stays focussed on putting it right.

At one stage he was 20-points clear but his rivals have chipped away. He needs a successful round tonight, in fact I’d say he could do with making the final. He needs his gating gloves on.

The good thing is he has the calming influence of Pete Adams in his pit camp. Pete has worked with Ole Olsen, Bruce Penhall, Erik Gundersen and Sam Ermolenko – World Champions all – during his career as well as a glittering career in domestic racing with league titles at Coventry, Cradley Heath and Wolves.

His calm nature can only benefit Woffinden and he is a massive asset to have on the team at this stage of the season when it’s really getting tense.

Teterow holds a Grand Prix for a third successive year and there will be a terrific atmosphere at the Bergring – the main seating area is sold out.

And in Torun, Poland, for the final round almost every seat has gone. That’s where the title will be decided in my view and if Woffinden can hold a nine-point lead going into that meeting I reckon that should be enough for a third world title.

He’s kept a low profile since Krsko but you can be sure he will have had his mind on one thing – getting it right tonight.

Zmarzlik has been on fire in the league racing in Poland and Sweden as well as the SGP, I fully expect him to be on the gas once again tonight.

You can catch all the action from Germany tonight on BT Sport from 6pm with Kelvin Tatum and myself on commentary duty.

Wolverhampton are gearing up for their final meeting of the season – and there will be fireworks!

The club have joined forces with NGK Spark Plugs to host the Olympique meeting at Monmore on Monday October 15.

It’s always a unique event because it features the handicap system when winners start their next outing 20-metres back from the start and it provides great racing.

Exciting American Luke Becker has been confirmed for the meeting. He is a protégé of USA icon Greg Hancock and is looking for a UK place next season.

And another newcomer to the event is Pole Mateusz Tonder, who has been recommended by Wolves legend Adam Skornicki.

Other names included are former Cradley man Steve Worrall, British ace Chris Harris, Australian World Cup star Nick Morris and ex-Wolf Nicolai Klindt with more to follow soon.

And yes – the season will end with a spectacular firework display.