PHILIPRISING

May have sold all the seats, of which there aren't many, but hardly sold out I'm told

AS much as possible

NO

OLE is currently only actively involved with temporary tracks ... the installation, etc. But then he hands over to the Race Director who makes decisions like grading, watering, etc as he does at permanent tracks. It is true that when RD Ole did prefer slick tracks because he felt they were easier to deal with in the event of bad weather and the necessity to get the meeting completed because of all the inherent costs, including TV, satellite times, etc. Tony Olsson, who in any opinion was the best RD, had a different and more relaxed attitude. Many lessons have been learned about temporary tracks - the material, how essential is the moisture level when laid - but from what I have been told today two months of hot, dry weather and plenty of wind made track preparation on Saturday very difficult.

WOULD get a lot more if clubs actually worked at it. Do special ad deals for a TV night, put signage up. Production guys would happily comply to ensure maximum coverage.

THEY pay for the production

HOW many speedway stadiums have fibre broadband. Just asking the question ... time for flagrag to make a contribution.

TERRY has nothing to do with any more. Does any one have an idea about the production costs?

BUT the SGP gets much closer to it than any World Final did, could or would.

SURELY the aim is to get the best 15 riders in the world. Which is largely what is achieved.

RACING was pretty good at Wroclaw for the SON. Warsaw is the jewel in the crown for the PZM. Unlike you, I thought this year's event was terrific. It's not just racing ... the atmosphere, setting. etc comes into play for me.

WHAT about the Polish league? And I honestly don't know any rider who would turn the clock back. Those in the SGP get a terrific kick out of it, those on the outside aspire to get in. And any rider with ambition wants to compete at the highest level.

WHICH Polish track would you drop?

TALKING off the record ...

YOU know that, I know that ... but do the people who hold the reins know that?

YOU are absolutely right. And if I need proof I just look at Speedway Star's weekly sales! And then go and lay down in a darkened room.

NO doubt we will but if the situation is not finally resolved one way or the other would not expect a comment.

NOT sure the full story will be available by press time on Tuesday. Thanks for the above comments.

NIGEL still is but his brief doesn't include making announcements on behalf of the BSPA MC, which is in my opinion a cardinal sin.

WHERE'S the fun in that? _______________ IT was tongue in cheek... get a sense of humour

RECENTLY I was invited to meet a member of the BSPA to discuss their relationship with Speedway Star and, indeed, the media in general. I told him that in my opinion the BSPA had become more of a secret organisation than the Vatican. It is all well and good publishing daily news items, which are fine, but there is no official spokesperson for the BSPA empowered to make official statements. It is only after an AGM that any official announcements are made and then, a few days later, changes are often made which are not made public. They are their own worse enemy in this respect. It is no wonder that the general speedway public are suspicious and often put two and two together to make five because no one says otherwise. Quite often one promoter will say one thing and another something totally different. Many years ago when Martin Rogers, a journalist by trade, was a member of the BSPA Management Committee he would brief the media, and especially Speedway Star, after meetings, some of which was "off the record" but at least we would know exactly what was going on and could do our best to keep the paying punters properly informed. With regard to the current situation with Rye House ... I am sure there are people that know as much as I do, which frankly isn't much. But it is situations like this which the BSPA as an organisation handle so poorly. Of course, they can not be expected to release confidential information but just a holding statement along the lines of "the BSPA are in negotiations with the Rye House management to resolve their current difficulties and in the meantime their immediate fixtures have been suspended" would have been better than total silence which invites fans to draw their own, frequently inaccurate, conclusions. What is not in doubt is that British speedway is facing a crisis the like of which I have not witnessed in over 50 years of covering the sport.

HE was flying through the air ....

AND potentially dangerous ... he could have easily missed the airforce.

BIT harsh really. Temporary tracks in Australia, New Zealand, Warsaw (bar the first), The Friends Arena, Cardiff and, until last night, Horsens have been good. Perhaps the weather played its part yesterday, not an excuse but a reason. Temporary tracks with no natural drainage are notoriously difficult to water under the conditions they experienced yesterday. Often the water will run to it's lowest point (the inside) which can result in gate 1 having a distinct advantage as it obviously did in Horsens.

TWO out of three ...