World Speedway Grand Prix Championship Chase at Malilla in Sweden

Double World Speedway Grand Prix Champion Jason Crump took fourth place at Malilla in Sweden and missed out on a podium position at the Scandinavian Grand Prix.

Australian Jason Crump is second overall in 2008 World Speedway Grand Prix Championship Point Standings, photo by Mike Patrick Photography
Australian Jason Crump is second overall in 2008 World Speedway Grand Prix Championship Point Standings, photo by Mike Patrick Photography

Jason Crump just missed out on a podium position at Scandinavian Grand Prix, photo by Mike Patrick Photography
Jason Crump just missed out on a podium position at Scandinavian Grand Prix, photo by Mike Patrick Photography
The Australian racer scored consistently during the heat races. Crump racked up points and qualified for the semi-finals, but his placement in the semi cost him a vital choice of gates for the final. He was forced to take the only gate left, which was not the perfect choice.
The next round of the World Championship Grand Prix will take place at Daugavpils in Latvia and Jason Crump is ready for the challenge, photo by Mike Patrick Photography
The next round of the World Championship Grand Prix will take place at Daugavpils in Latvia and Jason Crump is ready for the challenge, photo by Mike Patrick Photography

The choice of gates at the Scandinavian Grand Prix at Malilla in Sweden put Jason Crump in a difficult starting position, photo by Mike Patrick Photography
The choice of gates at the Scandinavian Grand Prix at Malilla in Sweden put Jason Crump in a difficult starting position, photo by Mike Patrick Photography

There are four riders in each race during eliminations. Gates one and two are on the inside, gates three and four are on the outside. The racers who win the semi and have the most points have first choice of gates. Crump had to take one of the outside gates. If he had won his semi he would have had first choice of gates which could have made the difference in winning the event.

“Getting first or second choice of gates for the final gives you a much better chance of winning then getting the gate the others didn’t want,” said Crump. “I’m not making excuses. I need to win more races if I’m going to be World Champion again. I have a tough challenge ahead of me and challenges are what I thrive on.”

Crump’s fellow countrymen Leigh Adams and Dane Hans Anderson charged into the lead in the final. Adams took the win, Anderson took second and Nicki Pedersen of Denmark took third.

“I’m disappointed with my fourth place performance,” said Crump. “The gap for the championship points lead grew to 17 and there are only four Grand Prix’s left in the season. Leigh rode well and deserved the win.” Crump is currently second overall in the 2008 World Championship standings.

Crump is a 16-time Grand Prix winner. He has used K&N Engineering products during his entire racing career. “K&N makes the best filter on the market,” he said. “Under extreme track conditions K&N keeps the dirt out of my motorcycle engines. I can also depend on extra filtration and additional horsepower every time I race.”

The next round of the World Speedway Grand Prix Championship Series will take place at Daugavpils in Latvia.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.