PHILIPRISING

THE decision to abandon a meeting as in Warsaw is the responsibility of the FIM. It wasn't Tony Steele's sole decision but after a collective verdict from the Race Director and the Clerk of the Course, who believed that the track conditions could not be improved, the FIM Jury (President, Referee and local FMNR delegate) and in light of the riders' refusal to ride they really had no option but to formally call it off. When riders claim, rightly or wrongly, that a track is dangerous and unsafe officials are left with nowhere to go. You can huff and puff, threaten fines, suspensions all night long but if a rider did sustained serious injuries as a result of a crash deemed to have been caused by the track the repercussions would be endless. At no stage were BSI involved in those discussions between riders and FIM officials on the Saturday night. Who is ultimately responsible in Cardiff for providing a track which meets all the FIM requirements? BSI employ Speed Sport but it is also the role of the FIM to ensure that much of the structural work including fence, air barriers, starting gates (plural) and the track are in good working order. As Speed Sport are agents of BSI one can argue that BSI (as at Cardiff) are ultimately responsible if the track subsequently proves unfit for racing despite having been given the green light previously by the FIM. In Warsaw it was the PZM who employed Speed Sport, admittedly at the behest of BSI, but the lack of a second starting gate, for example, is something that as far as I can ascertain right now is still under review. Olsen and Speed Sport will argue that they presented the FIM with a raceable track which was duly inspected, licenced and homologated. The FIM will probably counter that it was impossible to detect that the track would break up as it did and that was the fault of those commissioned to lay it, Speed Sport, and those who employed them, the PZM. There are a lot of grey areas here and there is nothing concrete to emerge from the FIM as yet, at least not publicly, about Warsaw. But I would say that the consensus of opinion is that in Warsaw it was an in-perfect storm. Track conditions were far from ideal, that cannot be denied, but many, including some of the riders who were there, believe that but for the interminable delays caused by the starting gate the meeting may well have reached its conclusion. Had the malfunctioning gate been discarded immediately, and with no second gate, green light starts should immediately have been implemented in line with FIM regulations. Not ideal for riders used to looking left or right at a magnet but to exclude Jason Doyle on a green light start and then to rerun the heat with the tapes, which again didn't work, was borderline stupid in my opinion. Not only that, all the time spent trying to rectify the starting gate and the personnel working on it could have been utilised better on the track itself which may have placated the riders. But while all these delays were going on the riders became more and more frustrated and the rest is history. We are still left with the question of who is responsible at each individual SGP and might that be the promoters of each event, i.e those taking the ticket money , because ultimately it is they who have to make the refunds and incur compensation, should there be any. Food for thought...

RIGA is perfectly capable ... the stadium, etc, is fine. But the meeting itself this weekend will provide evidence of the state of the track. But you are still dismissing the fact that it was track's inability to handle the amount of rain that fell that was the root of the problem. What Tony Steele will be able to determine is whether new drains have in fact been laid and the quality of the surface which, after all, will be a permanent track and not there for just an annual or bi-annual SGP.

I'LL see whether a can find out but it was all very informal.

BUT you cannot ignore the role that the FIM still play in all this and what their responsibilities are.

NOT quite the same thing Tim. Going back to Warsaw (sorry) ... it wasn't anyone from BSI who called the meeting off because of track conditions. As for Cardiff this year ... BSI (unlike in Riga or Warsaw for that matter) were responsible for the laying of the track but it still required the SCB (in this case as it was not under their auspices not the FIM) last Tuesday to homologate and deem it worthy. I am sure that if BSI thought there was anything to be gained at this stage in sending someone to Riga they would. For all I know they may actually be doing that. But I go back to HA's point: they are not track experts. It is up to the FIM to determine a track's safety, etc, which is why they and not BSI carry out the various inspections (safety fence, starting gate (!), measurements, etc). I am sure that if Riga is on the cards the FIM will make sure all the boxes are ticked. But let's not forget that the FIM licenced the Riga track 12 months ago and ultimately it was the weather that caused its downfall.

IT is up to the FIM to homologate and deem a track's condition (referee, Jury President, etc) not BSI. HA's comment is made in his usual cynical tone but actually he is right. BSI don't need a rep there ... Tony Steele will tell them all they need to know and hopefully it won't rain as it did there last year which was the primary cause for the meeting to be abandoned.

NO but spoke to Tony Steele on Tuesday and he is going. He (and I for that matter, promoter Vladimir was at Kings Lynn with Latvian team) been told that track has been completely relaid but TS fears it is still sand based.

HAVE passed your comments on to BSI ...

ARE you sure there wasn't music between heats last year? I'm often stuck down in the pits where you cannot hear much but thought there was...

CANNOT think of any rider in the SGP who would now think of trying to 'bully' Greg on the track.

ALL sorts of reasons why BSI (and the Millennium) couldn't and wouldn't allow the public in. It would have meant the stadium employing additional staff, various health and safety elements, insurance issues, and, of course, if the track hadn't been right it would have turned sour. However, as explained earlier, for the track to be homologated and to cover the riders' insurance the meeting had to have a licence, in this case issued by the SCB, and a licenced promoter, which is where Colin Pratt stepped in.

CORRECT ... he asked to try one after the SWC. Used his GM in his final, vital ride which won Ipswich the meeting, and later told Tatum that he wished he or Gerhard had been there to help with set-up. Harris likely to use one at Cardiff, Lambert too if he gets a ride although of course he will have four practice sessions on Friday.

THINK the video may have been deceptive but they didn't have the usual watering truck available so that may have had something to do with it but the track was still in good shape at the end according to the guys who rode it.

WRONG on both counts I'm afraid... neither Laguta or Karlsson was on a GTR. PK did ride one at Lakeside on Monday and as I have posted elsewhere is having a couple to try in both England and Sweden. Kelvin Tatum, who rode with Peter in Sweden for many years of course, feels that his experience and feed back can be invaluable.

KELVIN was offered a place in the Golden Hammer and yesterday's event at Cardiff but his wife Debbie put her foot down. Last thing he, or she needs, is for him to get caught up in some accident at his age. PK is using a GTR and, says KT, providing valuable feedback. Vastly experienced rider of course. Lambert is also continuing to try a GTR and hopefully KT will also pass on a couple of tips about his otherwise excellent riding style.

GARRITY is only a meeting reserve and will only take the place of a rider indisposed once the GP has started.

COST ...

I LEFT before the end to get home to see the bulk of the 20/20 cricket. But it was all academic. No exclusions for tape breaks and so on but from the heats I watched the British lads gave it a real test while being understandably circumspect.

JUST got home from Cardiff after witnessing the most surreal meeting I have seen with only the sound of the bikes breaking the silence under the Millennium roof. First, for those who have enquired, the line-up: Kyle Howarth, Lewis Blackbird, Stuart Robson, Robert Lambert, Danny King, Charles Wright, Kyle Newman, Ritchie Worrell, Ashley Birks, Richard Lawson, Jason Garrity, Adam Ellis, Lewis Kerr, Josh Bates, Edward Kennett and Adsam Roynon. Apparently not one rider turned down the invitation. But then I wouldn't shun the chance for a round at Augusta. And the good news: the track was excellent. I walked round before the start and it was very different to Warsaw or Cardiff two years ago. Spongy yes, because these temporary tracks always are, but much harder than in Poland and that must be because the material was in perfect condition when being laid. For the next 10 days it will be constantly monitored, the roof will probably remain shut although if the weather is perfect it may open for a while so I'm told. Next use will be on Thursday, July 2 for some media social media work by Kelvin Tatum. Obviously being able to access the stadium a week earlier than usual has been a big plus but, of course, that isn't always possible. Riders had two new tyres, free fuel and a fee paid by BSI. The meeting was actually run under the auspices of the SCB because the FIM saw no reason to be involved and for that reason it required a licence promoter. Step forward Colin Pratt! THINK they will have plenty of time in Melbourne...

DIDN'T do Emil much good in the final

I COULDN'T possibly comment ...

YOU obviously did

THE Briggo one was taken by Mike Patrick very early one cold Friday morning after a Wimbledon meeting the night before.

THE photograph of Tai Woffinden, taken as part of a promo for Polish TV, in the altogether with only his helmet to protest his, well h t, which has been widespread on Twitter, etc, made the Sunday Sun this morning. Brings back memories of John Davis being the male centrefold in the Sun back in the day.

IF you read his autobiography he credits me with getting him his first role with TV (which I did) ... sorry folks...