PHILIPRISING

SPOOK ... views about Harris are my own but I can add that in conversations I have heard or been part of his name hasn't been mentioned. Things can always change but think IMG are more confident of Cardiff attendances now than before and having a British rider as the defending World champion should be sufficient. They also have less wiggle room with Holder and Gollob (assuming both make full recoveries) taking two of the four. One, if not two, will definitely be a Swede and frankly there isn't a really outstanding candidate like, for example, Ward this year. Every year there seems to be at least one rider or riders who fails to live up to expectations. This time it is Lindback and, to a lesser extent, Vaculik. Martin is a nice guy but a one dimensional rider who might actually benefit from a spell in the UK although he is set against it. Next year the concern will be Smolinski. Another nice guy, very enthusiastic and professional but the strong possibility is that he will be out of his depth.

ALL being well there will be a British World Champion in the series next year. Why do BSI need another Brit? And, let's not forget, judging by this year Harris likely to get a few appearances anyway...

HAD a long chat with Tomasz Gazinski, Gollob's manager, in Stockholm prior to the start. Gollob definitely wants to continue and believes he can win again. Vaculik actually talking about a four or five year break from the SGP before tackling it again. Once Holder is out of wheelchair he will be undertaking a fitness and recovery regime devised by Paul Ankers (recommended to him by Kelvin Tatum) who is a specialist in sports rehabilitation. Lots of hydro-therapy. There will be at least one Swede. Harris not even in the frame. Laguta's cause not helped by his snub to the SWC and problems with Russian federation. Three Danes already in will work against MJJ. Unlikely that two Poles will get wild cards.

DON'T think you will see a GP in Germany (Berlin) next year ... more likely 2015. Same with Melbourne.

BSI need somewhere to stage a qualifying round. Eskilstuna could fit the bill with King's Lynn, as usual, taking the other. Final seems set for Poland. No problem with seeding the hosts (and defending champions) there! My money would be on Malilla for a GP.

BT Sport hire in their own production facilities for the sport they cover... there are different strands of Eurosport but the UK version certainly wouldn't get involved with covering speedway on a weekly basis. Terry Russell still handling the negotiations for British speedway.

SPOT on ... have heard that one suggestion being muted is that only the play-offs are shown on TV.

THANKS for that. Not sure if there is even a rule about riding again after concussion these days. Perhaps it was deemed later on Saturday that he wasn't concussed anyway but that was certainly the reason we were given for his withdrawal.

GOLLOB certainly won' be there, will be amazed if Woffinden is and Vaculik sustained concussion in Stockholm and may not be fit. One of the Poles told me over the weekend that even Mr Pedersen isn't that popular at Rzeszow this year having missed a number of meetings after SGP rounds which has contributed to the club being relegated.

WELL it wont be the SGP because Eurosport have a three year deal and no guarantee that Tai will even ride in the UK. How ironic and sad would that be!

NO chance of Eurosport doing a full season of British speedway...

I NEED to go for a lie down! Good to see you, too

DON'T know of anyone who was there who thought the track contributed to Tai/Tomasz crash ...

PLUS the police closed off the roads in the immediate area until 11pm which meant a long walk to the nearest taxi point. Transport to and from the stadium is the only issue we had especially as there is little car parking available. But there is a lot more space at the Friends Arena than either the Millennium or Parken and the pits area for the riders was superb. The stadium authorities are keen to build on this opener (BSI have a five year contract).

GET your hearing tested... COULD only afford a half!

SAW and spoke to PK tonight ... looked remarkably well.

LOTS of media stuff lined up for Tai should he clinch it tonight ... Sky Sports News immediately after the event, Radio 5 live recording, hopefully BBC Breakfast TV on Monday followed by Radio 5 Live plus a media conference around noon in Manchester. BSI working hard to get Tai the exposure he deserves. Not so sure the BSPA. One promoter allegedly said he couldn't see the benefit to British speedway in having a British World Champion! It would be great if his first appearance as WC was in front of the Sky cameras at Wolves on Monday. Would also be a great weight off his shoulders and allow him to fully concentrate on club business.

TOLD last nigt that they have sold over 1,000 tickets already. Confident they will get a full house. Track prep starts in a couple of weeks.

CORRECTION (cannot type this morning, still shell shocked at bar prices at our hotel in Stockholm) ... should have read "aren't in the SGP anyway"

BUT that has much to do with the proliferation of other leagues, particularly in Poland. Most of the riders who don't race in the UK are in the SGP anyway. The fact is that it is uch more convenient and lucrative to ply their trade across the Channel.

DEFINITELY ... but prices for anything in Stockholm let alone a coke are scary ...

PRACTICE went well. Track excellent, no problems. Awesome stadium, What a place for Tai to win the championship...

CORRECTION: title on Saturday

BUT the lack of British success, in either the SGP or the SWC, has been a major factor in speedway being ignored by the mainstream media. Both BBC Radio (5 LIve) and News 24 have requested interviews with Tai Woffinden in Manchester on Monday morning should he clinch the title on Monday. It's a start and underlines my point ...

WELL put ... anyone who believes you can lay the blame for all British domestic speedway's ills at the foot of the SGP needs a guide dog