GREAT Britain's No. 1 speedway rider Scott Nicholls has written off his chances of appearing in the high profile Grand Prix series in 2010.The Ipswich-based star, who is on loan to the Witches from his parent club Coventry, has scored 35 points from the opening nine GP's, which puts him in last place from the 15 permanent riders.

Elvin King

GREAT Britain's No. 1 speedway rider Scott Nicholls has written off his chances of appearing in the high profile Grand Prix series in 2010.

The Ipswich-based star, who is on loan to the Witches from his parent club Coventry, has scored 35 points from the opening nine GP's, which puts him in last place from the 15 permanent riders.

The 31-year-old, who has been an ever present in the series since 2002, revealed that he is enjoying riding back at Foxhall Stadium. But he says that it is too early to say what his domestic plans might be next season.

He seems resigned to not being one of the riders who will be handed a season-long wild card by the authorities for the next GP season.

Great Britain has always had at least two riders in the series with Chris Harris currently also involved, and with the Millennium Stadium to fill next summer for the British GP it would be a major surprise if two Brits were not given permanent nominations later this year.

But Nicholls said: “Right now I don't want to be involved in the Grand Prix next year.

“I'm trying things now with a view to next season, but obviously this isn't going to involve being in the GP.

“What has happened to me, that won't be a bad thing. A year away from it will do me good.

“The main thing now is to get back to enjoying my racing so I can look forward to meetings.

“I've got to regroup and focus on making next year a good one for me. Whether that means entering the GP qualification system remains to be seen.

“But I hope to be back in the Grand Prix series one day. Don't write me off yet.”

Nicholls did not ride in the Elite League at the start of the season, but then joined Coventry short-term before joining and doing very well for Ipswich from early July.

“I'm sure I'll be racing in England in 2010 and I'm looking forward to that,” he said. “But it's too early to say where.

“It's been good to be riding locally and I'm enjoying life at Ipswich where I can spend more time with Sophie and our daughter Maya.”

Nicholls will in the Witches side for their final league meeting of the season at Belle Vue on Monday, and they have arranged home and away challenge meetings with Poole on October 7 (Wimborne Road) and the following night at Foxhall.