In 2014 season the riders who will start in SEC will have the possibility to choose the number which will be on their plastron. So far the riders in all tournaments had number which were given to them obligatory by the organizers. This situation is changing this year – fifteen riders of SEC series is going to start with the number chosen by themselves.
One thing is sure for now – the number of European Champion Martin Vaculik. Slovak as the best rider of the last season will get yellow plastron (at the first competition) with number one. After each successive contest will receive a yellow plastron leader of the general classification of the SEC. The rest of the riders can choose their number from 2 to 999. The order of choosing will be depended on the place in SEC 2013.
Definitely it’s going to be interesting thing for the riders and fans who will get a chance to recognize a rider thanks to his characteristic number chosen by him. It will be also up to date next years.
"Choosing the numbers by riders is one of the new things which we’ve decided to start this season – next will be known soon. Some of the riders is connected with some numbers, they are parts of their logos. So far they haven’t had a chance to use them in tournaments – Some time age we decided to give them such chance and we discussed it with FIM Europe. It’s interesting solution for our series, the riders and also for fans who are watching it – for the next few years they can identify with particular number of the rider" – says Karol Lejman, One Sport.
"Choosing riders’ numbers is interesting thing for all fans and it is already known from other motor sports. We were inspirited by Moto GP and F1 where drivers also will choose their lucky numbers starting from next season. So far in speedway it hasn’t been present but soon we will find out why some numbers were chosen by Nicki Pedersen, Grigorij Łaguta, Tomasz Gollob and Emil Sayfutdinow. Other riders will do it after the qualifiers which will emerge the rest of participants of this year’s series"– adds Jan Konikiewicz from One Sport.
Soon we will know the first numbers chosen by riders who are sure of participation in SEC 2014.