PHILIPRISING

WOULDN'T disagree but Buckley sees great value in having a 'local' man on site NOW and readily available for publicity, promotional events running up to April 5th. It's his call. Jason may not cut the mustard on the track but he is very articulate and media savvy off it. Not ideal but not the end of the world either.

SPOKE to BSI this morning ... still a few minor details to settle regarding media deals, etc, so a further delay but shouldn't be too long before tickets are available

FANTASTIC (can say this because I wasn't involved) features on Tai in this week's Speedway Star... anyone who still isn't a fan will be after reading them

WILL see what I can find out but doubt whether it will be any time soon

WORLD Champion Tai Woffinden on his way from Perth (Australia) to Auckland to take part in some pre Grand Prix publicity events. Might not sound or look very far but near seven hour flight and across three time zones. Just enough example of how hard Tai is prepared to work as speedway's premier ambassador right now.

TA...

SHOULD have been on the SS thread ... have apologised elsewhere. Mind you, unaware that I am not allowed to comment on SS content on here.

POSTED this in error on the Sky deal thread ... meant for here IN response to those who suggest there is nothing in SS that cannot be found elsewhere ... our winter Best of British series has proved tremendously popular and this week's spotlight on Tai Woffinden is outstanding. Deputy Editor Andrew Skeels, who hails from Scunthorpe and occasionally 'spannered' for Rob Woffinden, has done an excellent job, delving into his intimate knowledge of the family, and Peter Oakes has weighed in with a piece on Peter Adams and his role with the current World Champion. There is also an excellent feature on the demise of the Isle of Wight and a lengthy interview with Garry Stead. In answer to the query about readers' letters ... over the past two months SS received on average around six per week. We are considering using some that do not find their way into SS to be included in Speedway Star Xtra, which is currently attracting around 2500 hits per week.

IN response to those who suggest there is nothing in SS that cannot be found elsewhere ... our winter Best of British series has proved tremendously popular and this week's spotlight on Tai Woffinden is outstanding. Deputy Editor Andrew Skeels, who hails from Scunthorpe and occasionally 'spannered' for Rob Woffinden, has done an excellent job, delving into his intimate knowledge of the family, and Peter Oakes has weighed in with a piece on Peter Adams and his role with the current World Champion. There is also an excellent feature on the demise of the Isle of Wight and a lengthy interview with Garry Stead. In answer to the query about readers' letters ... over the past two months SS received on average around six per week. We are considering using some that do not find their way into SS to be included in Speedway Star Xtra, which is currently attracting around 2500 hits per week.

NOTHING in SS this week on Sky TV deal ... we have again had to hold an interview with Terry Russell because Sky refuse to say anything publicly although off the record info says it will still be this week. Frustrating or what?

I THINK you will find that Sky, for one, weren't interested in showing Polish speedway - or any speedway come to that - on a Sunday afternoon or evening. And, of course, they would have had to add an English commentary, etc.

ACTUALLY don't know whether that will be the case or not ... last time I spoke to SS office today they were still waiting for official confirmation which may not have been forthcoming before press time. NOT far away either... EXACTLY!

GETTING back on topic ... this could actually be THE week!

IT was but going to press on a Tuesday afternoon and going on sale on a Thursday during an on-going case is not an easy circle to square... so much can happen during the intervening hours and days.

LET'S not forget he was found not guilty ...

FOR the record, if my memory is correct Darcy Ward was never charged with rape. The court case was covered in SS. I believe we did discuss why Coventry and Peterborough were at loggerheads with the BSPA and Sandhu was given the opportunity of an interview but declined.

AT this moment in time Ryanair are not flying in or out of Bydgoszcz on Sunday, October 12th ... hope they change their mind!

LOT of work taking place on the stadium in Riga but Daugavpils will remain on stand-by ...

FULL list of SGP riders' numbers will be announced this week ...

I WILL enquire ...

IVAN would have been the best even if he had to start backwards! Don't know of any other rider who kept a book with every referee's name in it and notes about how he handled starts.

THANKS for those comments and fortunately there are still many who concur. Fully respect the views of everyone on here, even those I don't necessarily agree with.

MYSTERIOUS backers of Speedway Star? We have no mysterious backers and I resent the suggestion that we do. Pinegen Limited, owners and publishers of Speedway Star, is a privately owned company with all the shares in the possession of people who actually work there.

OF all the great starters I have seen over the years - such as Mauger, Nielsen, Tatum, Wiltshire and Hancock - so much was instinctive but they did have their own techniques and ensured that some of the basics were right. It is like trying to hit a golf ball with a grip that simply isn't conducive to what you are trying to achieve. It is an old chestnut of mine that young up-and-coming riders rarely receive any worthwhile tuition. As Ivan used to say, so many just perfect their imperfections. In just about any other sport coaches play a vital role even when the individuals involved reach the pinnacles of their respective careers. Look at tennis... Nadal, Federer, Murray, et al, all still have coaching. If I were Chris instead of watching countless dvds, etc, I'd just call Kelvin Tatum and ask for some help. He was and still is as strong on the theory as the practical. But the pupil has to be prepared to listen and learn and not, like some, think they know it all as soon as they can slide a bike.

SKIDDER1 is spot on regarding riders' costs, etc. Why would a rider earning several thousand pounds per meeting riding for Zielona Gora travel to England a mere fraction of what he normally receives? It isn't just team strengths where there is a great disparity between Poland and the UK.