It's All About You....Sandor Kovacs

Debrecen

Tell us about your introduction to speedway

We used to live quite close to the local speedway track in my hometown Debrecen, Hungary and in the early 80s speedway was becoming the most popular sport in the city so attendance was around 8000 for each race. My Dad took me to my first race in 1984, I was 6 only. The smell of castrol oil, the dirt, the sound captured me so been a speedway fan ever since.

Tell us about your favourite meeting of all time

Most probably the Prague Grand Prix in 2004 is in top3. We travelled for a long weekend to do some sightseeing as well on Friday and Saturday noon and just hours before the race it started to rain and did not really stop until the parade. Riders we re introduced and returned to the pits... 2 hours of massive grading organizers built almost a new track so at around 9 heat 1 could kick off. Fab race, great atmosphere, Crump won the rainy final, Hampel came runner-up. Great tram trip back to the center with lots of Polish and British fans singing together.

Tell us about your favourite rider of all time

Tony Rickardsson. A gentleman, a true professional with the proper racing intelligence. Seemed unbeatable for years.

Tell us about your favourite track/stadium

Debrecen. The stadium has always been there for me... Most probably will be closed shortly as there are no riders, no youngsters and lack of support from the city / no proper sponsors for years now. Sad to remember memories from the late 80s / early 90s when Hungarian riders were really there in the top, great home wins, massive crowd, sometimes attendance reached 10000.

What are the best things about speedway?

Really simple machines and a lot depends on the synergy between the rider and the bike. No other motorsport is similar.

What are the worst things about speedway?

Declining trends.

What one thing would you do to improve speedway?

Get sponsors first then build an intense speedway life again in Hungary and the region.

Tell us about a rider you wish you'd seen

Hans Nielsen/Erik Gundersen. Childhood heroes.

What does the future hold for speedway?

If the current level of worldwide popularity could be kept, would be great. In current circumstances, any future improvement would be a bonus only. And wishing bikes will never change :)