Applin gets ready for his big day (From Bournemouth Echo)

Applin gets ready for his big day

7:24am Friday 27th June 2008 in

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POOLE clerk of the course Paul Applin admits he'll wake up with butterflies in his stomach tomorrow ahead of the British Grand Prix in Cardiff.

Applin, 64, will be making his eighth appearance at the Millennium Stadium since the biggest meeting in the world was taken to the Principality in 2001.

The wholesale fruit and vegetable worker for Winton-based Meyrick Markets might be an old hand at controlling top speedway stars.

But he takes nothing for granted and is still as thrilled to be involved in the sport's leading event, which is set to attract another 40,000-plus crowd this year.

Applin, who'll work closely alongside GP race director Ole Olsen and referee Marek Wojaczek, said: "I'm really chuffed to have been asked again, especially when there are other people qualified and available.

"I thought last year might have been my last and they would give my job to someone else, so I'm delighted.

"In 2001, I was assistant clerk to Graham Reeve. I didn't think seven years on I'd still be doing it. For the job I do, it's the highest I can go in the sport.

"I enjoy every minute except my sore throat on Sunday morning after two-and-a-half hours of working between the pits and the track and having to cope with the fumes inside the indoor arena."

So what will Paul be doing while Pirates captain Bjarne Pedersen battles it out with reigning world champion Nicki Pedersen, Tomasz Gollob, Leigh Adams, Jason Crump and the other top stars tomorrow night?

Paul said: "On Saturday we meet Ole at 10am and inspect the track after they have worked on it overnight.

"There is the paperwork to complete, then I'm usually at the riders' briefing at 5pm. Ole starts off by addressing the riders then I just say I want the riders up and ready to go for their races.

"It runs itself to a certain degree, but my job is the running of the meeting.

"I'm standing by Ole, next to the pit gate, throughout and give the riders the signal to go out on track before each race.

"If there is an accident, I have to inspect the fence to make sure it is correctly back in place before allowing the next heat to get underway, just like I would at Poole.

"When the meeting is over, we attend the FIM jury meeting and hope their progress report is good."

Paul, who lives in Southbourne, added: "It's a buzz. I still get a thrill being part of the FIM team on such a big occasion.

"I start getting nervous the week before. Even when I walk the track on Thursday night, you look at it and you can't believe you're there.

"Fortunately, I must be doing something right to be involved in a top international sports event like this."

Paul, who'll officiate during a two-hour practice session today, continued: "I've got two years on my FIM licence to go before I have to re-take the exam.

"I'm not the oldest clerk of the course in the country, the Coventry guy has been there 50 years.

"I've been at Poole 31 years and I'm 65 in September. But as long as I can do it, and am capable of doing it, I will."