PHILIPRISING

WHAT'S that got to do with the Millennium or Wembley?

THE last time I looked neither Wembley nor the Olympic Stadium is in the centre of London in the manner that the Millennium is to Cardiff with its close proximity to so many bars, restaurants, hotels, etc. I am sure that is one of the many things fans love about Cardiff. Wembley would never embrace speedway as does the Millennium, there is no roof, okay, not a cast iron guarantee against a cancellation but at least weather-proof. Also, one of the many attributes of the Millennium, as was superbly illustrated by Saturday's terrific opening ceremony, it's ability to be turned into almost total darkness in the middle of summer. Cannot honestly think of one area in which Wembley would be favoured over the Millennium for speedway's showcase event.

UNLIKELY due to stadium availability...

POSSIBLE explanation for gate 1 advantage at the Millennium ... as at Western Springs in 2013 the track was slightly higher on the outside than inside and moisture naturally gravitated to the inside providing more grip, which was critical on a track with short a such a short run from tapes to first corner.. Plus the fact that during races riders continually go over the outside gates rather than those on the inside, thus compacting them more. Had three telephone calls this morning (none of which were primarily anything to with Cardiff) from Barry Briggs, Hans Nielsen and Kelvin Tatum and put that point to each of them and all more or less concurred.

WOULDN'T bet a penny on Tampere next year...

ATTENDANCE was 40,750

THE roof hasn't been open since the track went down two and a half weeks ago ...

KELVIN Tatum spent almost an hour on the Cardiff track today and gave it the thumbs up. Couldn't be better said Kelvin and if it generates dirt on Saturday there should be excellent racing.

NORMALLY an hour before practice so imagine 2pm

DON'T rule out Kaspzrak just yet ...

WITH nine GPs to go and Kildemand in them all unless he gets hurt would be surprised if he didn't make top eight and secure automatic qualification for 2016.

IVAN didn't get his gold bike as any sort of reward from the FIM or for winning three titles. It was a mate of his (Ray Bockleman) in California who came up with the idea of gold plating one of his bikes. Olsen later did the same and his bike is (or was) at the Hotel Haderslev.

VERY much doubt that you are alone but would also suggest that you are in the minority.

AT the end of the day what Sky are most interested in is viewing figures...

IF that doesn't fuel the rumours about Ward joining Swindon for the duration of the season nothing will.

CANNOT imagine that the Millennium will have less staff than usual but that would be their call ... COULDN'T agree more... very odd

AIN'T that the case...

YES but track was down to the locals last year as well

RIGA ... nothing to do with Stuart Robson. Just saying that apparently the track in Riga for GP qualifier was very good. BELIEVE it is because more people tend to hang around the Fanzone and enter the stadium later ...

RIGA too apparently ... HAVE emailed Chris Durno, who was the referee, to see whether he has a results chart although as previously mentioned there were no prizes nor points money.

FROM what I have heard so far the track in Riga was excellent...

WAS in full flow at one of the cricket ODIs the other day, although I would tend to agree with you.

AGREE with that ... as was Tommy Knudsen who didn't win a individual World title either. And Chris Morton for that matter...

NOT sure of the relevance of your footnote... however, believe me or believe me not, there was no BSI contact with the riders in Warsaw after the start of the meeting. When the riders retreated to a room just behind the pit area on a number of occasions the only people allowed in (and I was standing outside the door - not quite with my ear on it!) were FIM officials including the Race Director, members of the Jury, Track Racing Director Armando Castagna and a representative of the PZM. Eventually the three Jury members drafted an official statement confirming that the meeting had been abandoned and it was only then that BSI were informed.

PRACTICE is shorter this year THANKS for your positive vibes