IN a new weekly series throughout the 2014 season, the Speedway GB website carries an in-depth interview with a rider or other personality within the sport.
This week, Mark Plummer speaks to Coventry man KENNETH HANSEN...
Kenneth Hansen is no stranger to crunching numbers.
In fact the classy Danish racer can probably lay claim to being the brightest man in speedway after becoming a fully-qualified accountant.
But right now the only figure that Hansen is interested in is his Elite League average as he gears up to return to British racing following a four-season absence.
He has not raced on these shores since starring for Peterborough back in 2009, but now Coventry have handed him an opportunity in the new-look top-flight.
Hansen said: "I always wanted to make sure I had a career to go into after speedway and that is why I felt it very important to gain a qualification.
"But that is something for the future and now is a good time for me to make my mark in speedway.
"I'm 26, I've got my education behind me and I am ready to devote the next few years to the sport.
"I will see where it takes me, but I am very ambitious and want to be pushing for GP qualification.
"Every rider wants to race in the World Championship and I'm no different.
"I don't want to look back when I'm 45 and think about what I could have done better. That is why I give my all every time I go out on the track."
Hansen admits he struggles to put into words his delight at securing a return to Britain.
He had been ignored by British promoters since going from a three-point reserve to a solid middle-order man during a fine spell with Peterborough, but successfully put himself in the shop window when making a whistle-stop tour of the country at the end of last season.
Hansen's visit included a trip north to Berwick to race in the Ricky Ashworth Benefit and a date down south for the Argus Championship of Sussex at Eastbourne, but he clearly made the biggest impression of all when lining up in the Brandonapolis at Coventry.
Bees chief Mick Horton was so impressed he offered Wolverhampton asset Hansen a team berth on a 5.83 average.
"I've been waiting so long for the chance to race in Britain again," added Hansen. "And I could not be more determined to take it.
"I feel I was very unlucky after having a good year in 2009. Maybe my average became too high for another promoter to believe in me.
"I did have talks with Trevor Swales about going back to Peterborough on a few occasions, but it never quite worked out.
"I'm so pleased I came over to the UK at the end of last season. I rode in some fun meetings and it was important that I showed everyone what I could do again because a lot of people had probably forgotten about me.
"It is so hard for me to explain what it means to be back riding over here. I've come back to British speedway older and wiser, and having invested in a lot of good equipment.
"I have a point to prove on the track. I want to make promoters regret not signing me during the time I've been away."
Hansen has endured a frustrating start to his Coventry career with his debut put on hold following the postponement of their Friday (March 28) clash at home to Birmingham due to ongoing problems with the Brandon surface.
His first taste of Bees action should now arrive on Thursday (April 3) when they visit Swindon and he is desperate to impress the Bees' faithful who have given him a warm reception since his arrival.
"Coventry and Peterborough are my two favourites tracks in the whole world and I've been lucky enough to have both of them as a home track," continued Hansen.
"There have been a few problems at Coventry in the last few days which hasn't been the ideal way to start the season, but I can't wait to race for the club.
"I will be surprised and disappointed if I don't hold my average. I want to see it increase to around eight points if I'm being honest.
"That might sound like a big aim, but what is the point in racing if you don't have them?
"The fans there have taken me to heart already. I've been made to feel very welcome and picked up some nice sponsors in the area.
"We have a really strong main body of the team and the two reserve boys looked fast when I saw them in action.
"Things can always look different on shale to what they do on paper, but I'm confident about our chances of success."
