TAI TESTIMONIAL TAKING SHAPE
TAI WOFFINDEN has assembled a glittering field of SEVEN gold medalists for his testimonial at Northampton.
The three-time World Champion will celebrate 20 years of racing in the UK at The Shaleway on October 3.
Woffinden, 36, announced his retirement from the sport six weeks ago after needing more surgery on his shoulder, 16 months after almost being killed in a horror crash in Krosno.
Britain’s most successful rider in history has assembled a strong field for his illustrious send off with a glittering array of gold-getters Jason Doyle, Ryan Douglas, Chris Holder, Max Fricke, Tom Brennan, Jaimon Lidsey and Niels-Kristian Iversen.
Legends Scott Nicholls, Danny King, young star Cooper Rushen and popular Aussies Josh Pickering, Sam Masters and Zach Cook also join the cast list.
There are other attractions as well including trials champion Alexz Wigg, nephew of Simon, and drifting legend JoJo McDonald.
Woffy was a guest of honour at the BOLL FIM World Cup Final and did a lap of the track with fellow multiple World Champ Ove Fundin and Jarek Hampel.
But he is clearly still finding it hard to adjust to life following his retirement.
He added: “I need to find myself as a person, who I am without motorsport. That’s going to take some time.
“I’ve been pretty busy since I announced my retirement, mainly sorting all my stuff out.
“I’ve been shipping stuff back out to Australia, personal effects and household items. There’s also been selling motorbikes.
“It’s been emotional, especially with the bikes. I didn’t think I’d feel emotional about it. I had the emotion when the retirement video went out.
“The bikes and everything in my workshop went to one person. It felt real then.
“I could stay involved in the sport if I wanted to. I have thought that far ahead moving forward.
“In Warsaw at the World Cup final they wanted me to do a lap on the track with Ove and Jarek, which was cool.
“There was a lot of activation for Monster Energy which I’m always happy to do and I enjoy that.
“They brought all the new staff out, I was with them to have a chat. On raceday we had the Monster Energy Rig Riot. After the event they had a couple of guys from their motorsport Dakar side and my wife Faye and I took them out for dinner. It was a really cool weekend.
“It was nice to be there. When I was racing they’d have former champions turn up now and then like Tony Rickardsson or Jason Crump. I’m happy to be involved in that way too. I feel like I’ll have a similar role in years to come.”
*For testimonial tickets and programme go to: northampton-speedway.com/ticket-office
Image by Taylor Lanning