PHILIPRISING

YOU do NOT know for a fact that Tai will be invited because the decision has not been made. Far from it. And nor is it certain that AJ will not get a call should he, as is likely, finish outside the top eight. Nothing is decided yet so please do not allude that it is.

NO need to exclude AJ as he didn't finish the race ...

BECAUSE Hampel effectively missed five rounds and otherwise would have cruised into the top eight after a second and third in the first two GPs... and the same reason why Sayfutdinov got a wild card after an injury-ravaged season. Not sure how much AJ actually wants it. He is a tough guy to read, puts his heart and soul into it but there is always a suspicion that he just isn't hungry enough.

WOFFINDEN'S form in Poland (where I think he has been using GMs rather than the Jawas he has in the UK) this year has been much improved. If there has to be a Brit - and I don't necessarily subscribe to the view that there does - he is the only logical choice.

ACTUALLY I don't have any inside knowledge and so much depends of which riders get through the Challenge. Just guesswork along with everyone else but I just don't see AJ as a shoe-in if Lindgren and Lindback are already there. Hampel is probably the only cert at this stage and rightly so. Great to have him back on Saturday, a top class rider, ultimate professional and a really nice guy. He's the only one I would bet my house on ...

MALILLA are hoping to fund a major redevelopment of the G&B Arena which would actually see the back straight grandstand demolished and replaced. I would be very surprised if the SGP series doesn't return there in 2014 with Gothenburg off the calendar. Incidentally, the Malilla club will be heavily involved in the GP at Stockholm's new national arena next year. With regard to the Pedersen/Jonsson incident, everybody has and is entitled to their own view. However, I would just say that many who criticised NP after only seeing it live had a different view later in the evening while watching the highlights show on Swedish TV.

WOULDN'T bet my house on AJ getting a wild card if he finishes outside of the top eight, especially assuming two Swedes already in.

BLUE sky this morning and a good weather forecast. Track was in fantastic condition for yesterday's practice having had new shale on it a couple of weeks ago. Lindback, Lindgren and Bjarne Pedersen all skipped practice, Vaculik as usual only did half, but after a sunny day it was decidely chilly in the evening and will probably be so again tonight. Nightmare draw for Sayfutdinov so maybe not such a good bet after all. Conditions will probably suit Holder, the fastest man in the field, and on a track where different lines are always available that could be crucial. But don't rule out Hancock just yet ... he was very focused in practice and there is still no substitute for experience.

THEEE is going to be one, date probably confirmed in the next few days.

IVAN could make a great start going backwards.

VERY wet and cold here in Malilla yesterday but nice and sunny today with a stiff breeze. Forecast fine for tomorrow. Should be a cracker on what is normally a great race track. Difficult one to predict, too, although Sayfutdinov might be worth a bob or two.

WE are getting into dangerous territory here and into areas that personally I don't think is ideal for a forum such as this. But, for the record Niamh, I don't recall Ward being charged with rape in the first place.

SOME of the facts are getting muddied by personal opinions here. Ward couldn't for obvious reasons enter the Australian championship during the British winter which was his only route to the GP qualifiers. Whether or not he gets a wild card will have nothing to do with arrogance but ability. The reasons behind him declining a wild card last winter are well documented but I wouldn't argue that he needs to buck his ideas up off the track. It would do him (or Tai) no harm in looking at how Holder has "grown up" and see how much they have to loose career-wise. However, there is no doubt in my mind that Ward is a potential World Champion, let alone just a GP rider, and that being in the series might just bring him into line. Obviously there are posters on here still upset at the outcome of a certain court case but the fact is that a trial ran its course and a verdict handed down.

HAD a long chat with Greg Hancock about Janowski being offered a wild card at the end of last year. He felt he probably needed two more years but, of course, he might have changed his mind now. So much will depend on the Challenge...

SUCCINCT as ever ... see you have been posting across the board today. Come out of hibernation?

WE (Speedway Star) have just finished the Malilla programme and THJ is the wild card ...

LOOKS like it but yet to be finally ratified by FIM

SWC will be in July not June...

THERE are no IMG lanyards as such. The same lanyards (which have never included any IMG logo) are used for all passes including those for track staff, guests, media and officials. You cannot seriously believe that a company like IMG would risk sanctioning someone selling cheap tickets outside the stadium. Much more likely that someone (track staff for example) provided with complimentary tickets decided to try and make a quick buck.

I CAN assure you that the 2013 calendar is far from complete, both in terms of venues and dates. 8pm on Sky...

EVER the cynic

I UNDERSTAND that Sky will be showing a replay of Saturday's British GP tonight following the postponement of their scheduled fixture. Cardiff 2013 date will be announced at 8pm.

SADLY that doesn't apply to soccer ... and I say that as a football fan too.