PHILIPRISING

JOHN Postlethwaite saw the potential of the SGP where others, many from far bigger organisations, didn't and had the guts to gamble and pile millions into it. He could just as easily have lost. I don't see any harm in someone making a profit. Presumably whoever you work for, even if it is yourself, tries to do just that. You or I could have taken on the SGP but imagine we had neither the balls nor the finance. BSI/IMG have explored new markets (New Zealand and Finland of late) but you only have to look at a map and see the sheer size of Russia to appreciate that country is a very different ball game. I think they stood a better chance with the SWC - national pride and all that - but Emil and the Laguta brothers pretty well scuppered that last year. Even their own federation doesn't take speedway too seriously...

LOTS of sportsmen and women, including motorcyclists, don't earn a living on prize money, especially from the FIM! When John Postlethwaite first secured the commercial rights for the SGP from the FIM, who had been touting it around since its inception, at his first meeting with the riders he told them that if they were to make significant money from the series it would be through sponsorship. He would provide the TV coverage and the stages on which they would perform, the rest was up to them. Some, like Tony Rickardsson, benefitted massively. For many sponsorship is harder to come by than others but there are plenty who have earned very good money from deals secured on the basis of the TV exposure provided by the SGP in appearing in some major venues. That is fact. And, of course, SGP riders do get paid to ride with a pre-season payment and prize money, although you and others may consider that a mere pittance. Maybe it is but the World Championship is the cream on the cake and plenty, like Jason Crump for example, saw it that way. Incidentally, I also made some enquiries about showing the SGP on TV in Russia. Apparently there is zero interest, most TV companies don't even know who Emil Sayfutdinov is. As for Eurosport, TV companies contracted to BSI like those in Denmark, Poland and Sweden are adamant that they do not want the SGP shown on Eurosport (other than the British version which is in effect a separate entity) because of its possible effect on their own audiences.

THINK you can set assured that Sky aren't getting it for nothing. And, as has been pointed out numerous times on this forum, TV production at GP meetings is handled by BSI and passed onto the broadcasters whether that be Sky or British Eurosport.

CANNOT imagine you can force any one to ride even if they have entered but whether or not the FIM have sanctions at their disposal I'm not sure. Agree about Nice potentially adding to Emil's contract but whatever one's feelings about all this would be disappointed if a rider like Emil didn't actually want to be World Champion. I know the sacrifices Greg Hancock (and Billy Hamill) made when they came to England but it was never about money. They wanted to be World Champion and figured they would reap the spoils later. Contrasting sounds coming out of the FIM about what the next step is with them and OneSport but think everyone can agree that the FIM have tried to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted. They (and FIM Europe) should have stipulated from the word go that SGP riders wouldn't be allowed to compete in the European Championship in the same year and that it would be a feeder into the SGP. Think this is the real bone of contention within the various factions of the FIM and, as I have said before, they were warned by BSI/IMG and others that attempting to do it retrospectively was fraught with danger.

MY gut feeling after some discussions regarding Gollob's withdrawal is that the FIM have no choice but to follow their own rules and promote Chris Harris into the 2014 SGP series. Incidentally, I have had it confirmed, for what it is worth, that all other 14 riders have submitted their entry forms to the FIM for the 2014 SGP.

HAVE stated on here several times that BSI warned the FIM that they would be opening a can of worms if they went ahead with banning GP riders from the SEC but they went and did it anyway. Ball is currently in the FIM's court... IT will be up to the FIM to determine how Gollob's replacement is chosen. HE wasn't...

GIVEN a choice I would imagine FIM/BSI would be more likely to look for a like-for-like replacement as in a Pole-for-a-Pole ...

GOLLOB'S withdrawal might have more to him losing his Monster sponsorship - he was allegedly the highest paid amongst the speedway fraternity - than anything else. AS he was a wild card pick rather than a qualifier either through the top eight or the Challenge the FIM might consider that as an option...

IF you were going to Daugavpils chances are you would fly to Riga anyway... By the way, I've just pulled the other way. Believe or believe not, I won't lose any sleep over it. But I know when BSI are paying the bills because Pinegen (Speedway Star) produces the programmes and that is what we did for all the Terrenzano GPs. With regard to Gollob and Sayfutdinov ... not saying they will ride in SGP at expense of SEC if the FIM stick with that policy, but don't see why either would commit one way or the other at this stage other than to try and force the FIM's hand on behalf of OneSport.

I'VE been told that Emil has submitted his entry form for SGP ... this still has a long way to run

WHEN I said there "isn't one now" I was referring to an Italian GP ...I am quite aware that Armando is Italian!

THERE isn't one now ... perhaps historically it was to curry favour with the President of the FIM who was Italian as was the President of the CCP.

GPs in Terenzano were actually 'staged' by BSI because at the time they perceived some sort of gain from having a GP in Italy... the backing from the local province from very limited. Sure they don't have any obligation with TV companies for a particular number of GPs and, as stated previously, they have no problem filling the calendar. Berlin, Lonigo, Krkso and Gdansk were all close to joining the rota this year. Obviously BSI don't share your view that a GP in Russia is essential. Sure if the terms were right they would seriously consider it but doubt whether they are that bothered. The people behind the GP in Riga are convinced they can transform the proposed venue over the next few months and have government backing but there remains the option of going back to Daugavpils for a year if necessary. I believe that ticket sales for Tampere now exceed 4,000.

IT is a fee paid to the FIM, suppose you could call it a licence. GPs are at the top of the scale. Don't think it includes insurance coverage, that remains the responsibility of the local promoter as far as I know.

JUST to repeat, the SS App will be available from December 5th but personally think it better to go through Exact Editions... incidentally, the net income for SS from either method is about the same

THERE will be a SS app available as a free download from iTunes on Thursday but, frankly, the best deal is through exact editions.com/speedwaystar. I have been out of the UK for some time now and read the last three editions on my iPad. Works well...

GPS in Italy pay same inscription fee as British GP at Cardiff. No one disputes how good the stadium in Togliatti is but what about Gustrow and Holsted? Anyway, this theme is just a handful of us going round in circles. Time to move on ... Incidentally, Humphrey, have you taken out an online sub for Speedway Star as you promised? No doubt you are a man of your word so I thank you.

DON'T think there is a glitch ... probably in the hands of the lawyers!

email dave@pinegen.co.uk

FOR starters SEC events don't have to pay the FIM 20,000 Euros (been down this road before) and why should BSI feel obligated to take the SGP into Russia when they can do better elsewhere? Can hardly compare popularity of soccer and ice hockey in Russia with speedway.

THE Aussie channel that screens the SGP is nationwide and although there are vast distances involved from say Perth to Sydney it is hardly comparable to Russia where Vladivostok is virtually on a different continent to Moscow. No doubt the bottom line is that no TV station in Russia is interested although, given that IMG actually have an office in Moscow, I am sure it has been touted around.

WITH some tracks literally thousands of miles from another... don't think you can seriously compare Russia with any other country. Actually, I don't even know what their TV coverage is like. Are the channels nation wide or more localised?

BE patient...

THE countries and TV stations that show the SGP in various forms (live, delayed, highlights, etc) are well-documented, verifiable and available in the Media Guide they produce each year. Despite Emil's success. speedway isn't big in Russia as a whole which is probably why there isn't a TV deal in place. This dispute between the FIM and One Sport still has some way to run and I wouldn't take too much notice of some of the propaganda coming out of Poland, where let's not forget Emil now rides for Torun whose owner has an association with Nice who are sponsors of the SEC... it is a tangled web.

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