PHILIPRISING

THE riders will still have to pick their gate positions. Not sure what the TV stations will do while that is going on.

THAT'S the trouble with lawyers ... they love a ticking clock.

WHY would I say that BSI/IMG have run out of ideas when they plainly haven't. I have criticised Sky's SGP studio setup before and that had nothing to do with BSI/IMG... they supplied the pictures but Sky were responsible for that part of the show. Sky could have done so much more had they actually bothered to have a 'team' on site far more often than they did. But they clearly showed what could be achieved at the SWC meetings when they supplemented the world feed with cameras and interviewers of their own. Obviously Sky had a budget and stuck by it but I doubt it would have cost much more than their studio presentation with guests who, let's face it, were only watching the same pictures as the TV viewers. Quite obviously if they had been on site they would have had a much better grasp of what was actually going on, been able to see the pits throughout, and that in itself would have enhanced their opinions and output. When you look at how far Sky's coverage of footy has progressed, admittedly with far more resources and money, you can get an idea of what can be achieved.

HOPEFULLY quite soon. Have been working on it for a while now. Had one already to go, everything worked perfectly but was then informed that subs could only be paid for in US dollars. It is still our main goal right now but we are also revamping SS in the weeks ahead.

HERE'S a challenge for you ... in this week's SS we have interviews with Armando Castagna, Mervyn Stewkesbury, Freddie Lindgren, Tomas Topinka, Ronnie Moore, features with Jack Knight and Louis Carr. Please show me where you can find that on the internet? And, incidentally, much more that is in Speedway Star. If you don't like SS that's okay and your prerogative. But please do not suggest that SS simply publishes what is already available on the internet when we do not.

YOU obviously don't know me very well. Never had a gagging order in my life and a bit late to start now.

THEY think the world of you Andy!

ALL the riders' bikes and sundry equipment was packed and ready to leave Amsterdam for Auckland last night. Ole Olsen and his track building team leave tomorrow, Torben Olsen (IMG) and Tony Briggs already on their way. Riders depart Heathrow on Sunday, March 17th. Media breakfast and unofficial practice on the 21st, official practice the 22nd, SGP on the 23rd. VERY true but Dunedin is a long way south of Auckland. Third cricket test in Auckland same time as speedway.

HOPE so ... but not until the lawyers press the green button.

THAT has been a particular bone of contention with BSI especially as ever effort has been made - successfully I might add - to conclude the GPs within the allotted time frame. I am a fan of Sky and the manner in which they present sport but their coverage of the SGP series, from the perspective of their Isleworth studio, has not kept pace with the times and has been very stale for some time. Hopefully the new broadcaster will take the opportunity of bringing a new slant to add to the high quality HD pictures that they will be receiving from the BSI production team at each event.

MY opinion hasn't changed at all. A European Cup or league, call it what you will, is great in theory but not in practice for all the reasons stated here.

DENMARK have now joined Sweden in pulling out of the proposed Champions League for 2013 which just leaves Great Britain. Nothing wrong with the basic concept but until all the practicalities are resolved it will remain a pipe dream in my opinion.

I AM hearing rumours that Swedish clubs will not take part in the proposed Champions League, which will just leave Britain and Denmark.

OLE was obviously a Daily Mirror reader while in England. Andy Capp ... the memories

AT the end of the day Rob has the final say as far as the motorsport division is concerned but TV negotiations are primarily handled by IMG Media in consultation with Paul Bellamy, Managing Director of BSI Speedway, a wholly owned IMG company. I think we are close to an announcement about where, when and how the SGP series is shown on TV in the UK but (Pirates of Poole) I don't think it will be the combination that you describe. Could be wrong ... it has happened before. Although as Ole Olsen likes to say ... my first rule of life is that I am always right. My second is that even when I am wrong I am right. PS to the anti-Ole brigade: he was joking ... I think!

WOULDN'T put money on that

BUT, and this is a personal view, would BSI/IMG want to provide that facility after being dumped by Sky?

I TAKE your point and agree but Tom Maynard was, according to his inquest, taking cocaine every day along with ecstasy and was nearly four-times over the drink drive limit on the night of his death.

AGAIN, they worked for BSI as it was then.

IN fairness to Neil Middleditch there is a far more measured response to Ward's antic's in this week's Speedway Star (yes, I know it is a plug)...

IF you think at my age I can remember everything printed in the Star you are sadly mistaken. And I am far away from the office so cannot check the files.

BSI provide the coverage of ALL GPs... they use various production companies across Europe in conjunction with the 'host' broadcaster but generally either one from Poland or Denmark. All of which operate under the overall control of BSI and their appointed TV Director Steve Saint, whose company (Artifexmedia) produce the highlights package. Also see flagrag's informed answer above.

CORRECT me if I am wrong but Darcy Ward was not charged with or accused of rape and to suggest otherwise could leave you open to some legal response. He was (I think) charged with serious sexual assault which quite obviously is serious enough but not quite the same thing.

CANNOT say more right now. Contracts not yet signed and all that but although the Sky door is now bolted, at least for the forseeable future, plan b is taking shape.

I HAVE progressed from optimistic to mildly confident that the 2013 SGP series will be available to UK TV viewers...