PHILIPRISING

BECAUSE the riders want it. Maybe of no interest or value to fans (including the likes of me) but riders will take note of who is doing what. It is in their nature. They are speed merchants. Who is the fastest matters to them, not in terms of the actual meeting, but almost as a matter of pride. It's in their dna. Once had a heated discussion with Tony Rickardsson at the only FIM Gala Dinner I have attended. He was an ardent fan of transponders. Believed that everyone was interested in times. Tried to argue that fans don't care whether a race lasts 59.0, 59.2 or 59.8 seconds. It is the entertainment provided in the race no matter its duration that matters. He wasn't convinced... by a long way! And, of course, transponders will have a value on race-day.

THERE isn't exactly a queue of people lining up take the places of the "rank amateurs and enthusiasts" and even if there was who would pay them? I seriously doubt that any promoter in the country would not seriously consider selling if a suitable offer came along. Bit it ain't going to happen. Not even the most successful track in the country (Poole) can attract a buyer.

NOT saying whether I agree or disagree with Rob's comments and am certainly not generally a fan of decisions made by the BSPA, but ... without people like Rob, funding speedway tracks that for the most part are not even profitable, there would be no speedway. And with regards to Scunthorpe... he created one of the best tracks in the country and if racing was good elsewhere the sport might not have some of the problems it does today. Just saying ...

THE transponders are also to be used during the meeting and will determine any close finishes. It is the riders who were pressing for transponders. They are interested in times, etc. Will it make any difference to crowds and entertainment. No it won't but it will make practice sessions more interesting for those who are there.

AS I understand it the track will be graded after each flying lap... may be wrong but it would be unfair if that wasn't the case.

HOW does that work? I'm confused... surely the best way to get the starting number you want is to be the fastest? If you are the slowest you get what is left after 15 others have made there pick.

WHY? Riders can still skip practice.

THE former ...

TICKETS for this have officially sold out

PERSONALLY think this is something that will appeal to the riders more than the general public, most of whom won't see the time trials anyway.

No need to apologise

YES

SHE wasn't...

BELIEVE it is a new three year deal for SGP/SON ... still a year to run on domestic speedway.

SO, not being swept under the carpet

YES

LEN Went later became Press Officer at Wembley Stadium for many years.

THINK it was 1954 ... before my time but not yours John

BETTER, in my opinion, to have three bites of the cherry and announce them one by one.

WE were approached by the producers of Grantchester some time ago about using the magazines and to ensure there were no copyright issues, which of course there were not.

Along with a terrific race track which, ultimately, is what really matters.

INTERESTING even for technical morons like me... thanks Ash

THAT was quite common ... remember seeing Briggo and Ivan off at an airport and their wives, June and Sarah, were carrying engines in special bags! They had all sorts of tricks, none that would work now of course. Placing the toe of a foot under the scales while checking in was a good one. Knowing someone at the airport could help too. Once traveled from Heathrow to Los Angeles to meet Barry, Ivan and their World Champions troupe in California with 69 (yes, 69) pieces of luggage of my own, including about 20 tyres. An old school chum was working for the airline in question.

THINK it was an SCB decision

HULTSFRED is a one-horse town when even getting a cup of coffee can be a problem ... Vimmerby a much better bet.