PHILIPRISING

WARD is already with Monster...

WHATEVER ... the fact is that Ward is the best rider currently outside the GP, has the capability to not only win GPs but also the whole shooting match and is box office on TV and for a live audience. I wouldn't argue that he needs to shape up away from the track but he only has to look at Holder and see how he has matured while still possessing some of that raw Aussie charm!

BUT he didn't turn it down just on money and wasn't able to enter the qualifying rounds in Australia.

THINK you might be right. Vaculik will be relieved Iversen made it.

DRYML getting too close for comfort

WOULDN'T be the worst scenario that's for sure

ESPECIALLY after being eliminated in the previous rounds ...

CAN assure you that at this stage no one, not even Hampel, is assured of a wild card. Personally think MJJ's chances are slim, especially if as looks likely he doesn't do well tonight. Bit too soon for him probably and, as things stand after eight heats, two Danes could make it through tonight. Nothing against him personally - he's a nice young lad - but it would have been a travesty had Pavlic made it.

CRUMPIE has never been a record chaser and came out with one telling remark recently: "When I drop my kids off at school it doesn't matter whether I am a three times World Champion or a four times World Champion."

THIS says acres about Crumpie ... http://speedwaygp.com/news/article/1894/tips-for-the-top

ELDER sister to be precise

THINK Hancock will try and hang on for a GP in the States (possibly 2014) and judging by conversations with him shows no sign of wanting to pack up. Gollob? Who knows but what else would he do?

SPEEDWAY riders face a long retirement with no assured income. Of course it remains to be seen for how long Gollob can command match fees close to twenty grand.

GET it through your head ... the fourth placed rider won't replace Crump.

I AM not making anything up. I am just telling you what the FIM interpretation of their own rules is. By retiring and not entering the 2013 SGP series Crump will be deemed not to have qualified. I am not defending the way the rules are worded but the fact is that he will be replaced by the ninth placed rider. AND the fact that Jason will not ride in 2013 obviously doesn't mean his record and placing this year is expunged. No one has suggested that the final placings are changed.

HAVE just read it ... but believe that only applies if a rider WITHDRAWS having previously stated his intention to compete. Crump has not and will not enter the 2013 competition and, as the SGP series takes precedence over the Challenge, the rider placed ninth will move up in the official standings and therefore take his place. I do agree that it could be drafted with more clarity but the FIM are in no doubt and the ninth placed rider will get the slot.

SPOKE to both Tony Olsson and the secretary of the CCP at the FIM this morning and they both quoted me the regulations that determine who rides in the following year's SGP series in the event of (a) one of the top eight withdrawing and ( one of the top three from the Challenge doing likewise. According to both there is no ambiguity and the ninth placed rider will replace Crump.

THE ninth placed rider will get the call. Fact.

READ the previous part as well. What you have quoted above only applies AFTER the start of the new SGP season.

SEE above ...

FIRST response from an FIM official is that the fourth placed rider in Gorican will replace Crump but there remains some confusion about whether that is actually the case. On the case... CONFIRMED by FIM this morning ... Jason Crump will be replaced in the 2013 FIM SGP series by the rider whose is ninth on the official standings at the end of the 2012 season.

THAT may not be correct CONFIRMED by FIM this morning ... Jason Crump will be replaced in the 2013 FIM SGP series by the rider whose is ninth on the official standings at the end of the 2012 season.

HAVE emailed the FIM for clarification but we were led to believe over the weekend that prior to the start of a new SGP season a rider from the top eight withdrawing is replaced by the next in the final standings while a rider have qualified through the Challenge is replaced by the next in line from that event. Will post FIM replay asap...