PHILIPRISING

SAYFUTDINOV and the Laguta brothers have refused to ride in the SWC because they have no support from the Russian federation.

MJJ is actually replacing Iversen ... Kim Nilsson replaces Ward assuming (and this is not as mad as it might sound!) Ward is still suspended

RUSSIAN federation provide no help for Emil or any of their riders for that matter. That's one reason why they have no competed in the SWC of late.

NEVER say never of course. This is speedway we are talking about. But Bob has been pretty unequivocal in his comments... http://i58.tinypic.com/1idg01.jpg His proposal for just nine home meetings will not be accepted by other EL teams despite the fact that most, unlike Eastbourne, have to pay rent when they stage meetings and don't enjoy all the revenue on race nights.

SEEMS that my admittedly clumsy wording about Lakeside theoretically looking at joining forces with the Premier League following the closure of Eastbourne, geographically their nearest EL opponents, has given the wrong impression in certain quarters. Lakeside promoter and BSPA co-chairman Jon Cook is adamant that Lakeside will remain in what will most likely be an eight team Elite League in 2015 and that his club has no aspirations about entering the PL. Happy to put the record straight and that Jon and his colleagues know they face some difficult decisions in the next few weeks to stabilise the EL which is, frankly, suffering from a shortage of available riders. But that is a problem not confined to the UK.

WARD hasn't actually been banned yet of course...

BUT you don't think that he should have been dealt with a little more leniently given, as you say, lack of intent, and his age?

POSTED earlier that as of last Friday no word from the FIM (and the question was asked) whether they would determine his fate or if it would go before the World Doping Authority.

SOON after the final GP in Torun HAVE had a chat with Emil and tried my hardest but he (and his manager) still think he should decline an invitation and go through the 2015 rounds. Sad ... personally think he is a bigger loss than Ward. TOO soon for Zmarzlik in my view. If not Hampel (and I think he will get the nod) would go for Piotr Pawlicki if it is another Pole.

Much will probably revolve around whether or not one or both of Jonsson and Lindgren make the top eight. If not Tomas H Jonasson might get the call. Still think Hampel might get one in light of his record over many years. He was, after all, World No 2 last year. Iversen will surely get one now.

NO...

DON'T think Doyle would be out of his depth in SGP but if Holder and Batchelor make top eight would make it tough giving Ward a wild card even if he was free of suspension

AGREE wholeheartedly with your last comment.

JUST an opinion nothing more... but given their geographic position in relation to EL as against PL teams must be a consideration now that Stuart Douglas isn't there

So would you welcome additional fixtures against Birmingham and Lakeside?

Wouldn't argue with those three ... all new faces full time in the series

WHICH team is that?

Think Ipswich would be quite happy to see Lakeside joining the PL along with Birmingham, both of which must be on the cards surely THE Dugards have been very loyal to speedway over many, many years. If, as rumoured, the Arlington site is worth several millions for housing development, no one can begrudge them taking the money.

From Paul Bellamy: "First I've heard about it."

HAD a text from Emil's manager after his Euro win yesterday and sadly no change of heart re SGP for 2015 BELIEVE he has some 'off track' issues that have had a detrimental affect on his SGP performances but you know what they say about class being permanent.

HAVEN'T heard that but no doubt it will be a topic of conversation this coming weekend now that you have brought into the open. Agree with your comments about the Friends Arena. Fantastic stadium but is it a deliberate policy to almost ban cars from the area? Not sure what the crowd will be come next Saturday but current crop of Swedish riders aren't bestowed with huge box office appeal although Andreas Jonsson's win in Vojens might have sparked some additional interest. Polish fans, for all sorts of reasons, don't travel in the numbers that they did, probably in part because they like most of us find cities like Stockholm very expensive.

TWADDLE...

THANKS for those kind comments...

WE'VE missed your concise and considered opinion Andy ... Have tried to get an answer from the FIM as to whether Ward will be dealt with by them or the World Doping body. No luck so far. Maybe Monday...

JUST checked with BSI ... is correct and will happen more than once in 2015