PHILIPRISING

THE Jury is still out of a number of issues with the SON. Firstly, the title of the competition is a nonsense. It tells the greater public nothing, especially from a media point-of-view. It is a World Championship and should include the word world. The choice of venue for the opening round was extremely poor, although do not know what if any alternatives there were. Poor track, no facilities, came across poorly on TV, a largely German crew that had never covered speedway before, many comms issues on the day. Two run-off heats are un-necessary. One would suffice (3rd v 4th) especially as it is possible, as happened in Teterow, that one nation (Slovenia) had three races on the trot. Walking around the pits at BV on Tuesday afternoon it was nice to see so many nations represented. However, there were too many non-competitive races. The idea that each country should have an Under-21 reserve is fine in theory but not in practice. Why not simply have three-man squads, to be used at the discretion of the team manager. It would still be a pair in each race and just as likely if not more to produce team riding. With the final still to come, many things (such as a two-day final, the scoring system particularly for the Final) have yet to come under scrutiny. What if the championship is decided by a rider getting an exclusion or an engine failure. Plusses and minuses, as in all new ventures. What we already know is that much depends on the actual track on which these riders are expected to perform to the best of their ability. The NSS fits the bill perfectly. As Antonio Lindback remarked it is fun to race on and if the riders are enjoying whet they are doing the paying public will too.

TO try something different. Might work in a speedway mad region of Poland but dubious elsewhere, not least for economic reasons.

SO there you have it. If the BSPA disclosed who voted for what we wouldn't have all this confusion.

BECAUSE the BSPA never disclose what actually happens at their 'secretive' meetings which its something that should change. It is a major reason why there is so much suspicion about what goes on behind closed doors.

QUITE snappy out of the gate

NOT sure that working in GB (ie racing for and being paid by Poole) is the same as participating in a World Championship event.

NEITHER was entirely accurate

YOU may say that but any glance at Twitter for example and you will find it is not me having a go at Rosco.

GOOD question, will get an answer

I am not the Editor of Speedway Star

TROUBLE is that when you are dealing with an average rather than simply a rider those costs can quite easily go up. Plenty of riders have their worth inflated because their average fits rather than their ability.

WOULDN'T say nothing ... fees to BSI for SGP, production costs for PL.

WHERE'S the fun in that?

TRUE

NOT sure that is true Steve

DON'T think it rules him out of Cardiff

HE was indeed but cannot ride here as his work visa was not granted. Do wonder whether we will actually see him race domestically in the UK again.

COULDN'T possibly say

THE perceived wisdom at the NSS yesterday before the start was that Rossiter should give both Cook and Lambert an outing in GB's first two appearances and proceed with who ever fared better. Which he did. Woffinden is obviously energised by the new set-up (though not all of it) and also with the Final on his home Polish track could lead GB to a medal at least. He is as good as any other rider there and if Lambert can pick up a few points it is a feasible result. 5-1s will be hard to come by although the Danes and Germans look vulnerable especially if Lindback rides to the level that we know he can achieve.

BT are very happy with viewing figures for both the SGP and PL so far this year. Even up against. the Champions League Final the Prague SGP did well.

GOOD to see a preview of tonight's event at BV on the TV pages of the Daily Mail today

NO. I repeat that the only way to fully rectify the track issues at Poole is a major overhaul, back to the base, a complete rebuild. I also understand that in the current climate that prevails over speedway as a whole (see Mediman) this is financially impossible. But without a decent (at least) track it is hard to provide the sport of entertainment that we all know speedway can and which would undoubtedly help increase attendances.

HAD huge respect for Tony Millard, a long time friend, but his gaffs were legendary, as has been the case with many high profile commentators, including Murray Walker over the years. An aside, Murray once had to comment on the Internationale at Wimbledon for the BBC. One camera in middle of the centre green alongside Murray with me there to help identify the riders ... speedway wasn't his strong point. We all went round in circles until we were dizzy. Believe me, things have got better!

THERE is a lot of utter rubbish spouted on here but this one probably takes the biscuit... congratulations

IT has