PHILIPRISING

WHERE is that please?

THE SS staff work New Year's day ... this week's was as per usual schedule.

WHAT have they got to do with it? As usual you try and get in a dig about the SGP when there is no need. Even in the early 80s Wembley still had an aura, events staged there were instantly elevated in the public eye, the soccer pitch was superb, unlike most others in those days. But it's facilities for spectators were very poor, out-dated and in drastic need of renovation. Compared.to the Wembley of today it is of course chalk and cheese.

WENBLEY lived on its history and tradition. Hardly a World class stadium at that time. Facilities including the toilets were appalling and I speak as someone who at the time also covered just about all the footy matches there.

WROTE the following in an edition of Speedway Star in June 1981. Could have repeated it every year since including the present one. SPEEDWAY in this country is facing a crisis which threatens the foundations on which the sport is built. Unless something is done to stop the squabbling, the wastage of money, bending of the rules and, in some cases, blatant breaking of regulations, speedway will lose even the support of the hard core of fans. Vast numbers of followers are becoming disenchanted either with the way speedway is run or by the attitude of riders who seem prepared to bite the hand that feeds them. Any rider who doesn't fulfil his commitments is cheating the public. It is as simple as that. Speedway has got itself into such a mess with foreign riders that there is no easy way out. But a remedy must be found. First, however, the promoters who run league speedway in this country must put their own house in order. Speedway desperately needs a clearly defined set of regulations which are strictly adhered to without exception. The rulebook as it is at present is bent, manipulated, rewritten, ignored or changed at will. That cannot continue. Sadly, it seems it has.

DO you honestly think the BSPA would tell us? As I wrote in SS, more secret than North Korea. One thing his for certain... Chris Van Straaten didn't.

DEPENDS what your definition of contradiction is in this case. Mind is obviously different to many here but, no matter, we all have own own opinions. As far as I am concerned rules should encourage progress, to make the sport, in this case speedway, as good and simple as possible, to encourage those involved to aspire to the highest levels. The opposite is currently the case which as far as I'm concerned is a contradiction. But it's hardly worth an argument about semantics and if my interpretation doesn't align with yours that's fine. Mine is that the current regulations do more harm than good, starting with the one eight point rider per team fiasco.

WELL said. Consistency with teams, consistency with fixtures. The should be the mantra in 2018.

NO, sorry but will enquire

LOSERS ...

THERE was plenty more...

FOR those who have not seen the relevant piece in SS this week, Peter Oakes pointed out that Dean was unlucky to be sold a duff ticket with restricted view for the SGP at Torun in October. His initial complaints fell on stoney ground but, as Dean has subsequently admitted, he has now been offered free admission and pit passes fort the 2018 event. A loser and a winner ...

WHAT has Doyle's visa arrangements got to do with speedway's rulebook? Many years ago the great Ian Thomas said he could tear up the rulebook and rewrite them on a sheet of paper. It doesn't have to be complicated. The more complicated they are the more people will have different interpretations.

AROUND the time of the British SGP at Cardiff

THE BSPA think it is

CAN you please let me know which Asda

BECAUSE there are far too many rules, many of which contradict one another. Rules should be about what you can do, not what you cannot.,

WHICH town please...

NO!!!!

THIS week’s SS in shops tomorrow. Sub copies sent by 1st class mail this morning. Digital version available at 12.01 am Thursday.

WHAT about Lindgren? Don't think he does Danish League so, unlike Iversen, no Wednesday clash even if the 'three club' dispute with Poland is resolved.

THAT old chestnut again ... how can you sell something (rider) you don't own?

NEXT week's will go out by first class post on Wednesday morning. Office open that day. If anyone hasn't got this week's call 020-83351113

WAS asked to explain speedway prior to a SGP at Cardiff. Simply said: "Four guys turn left eight times and come back to where they started in about a minute."

DID the BSPA design the new aircraft carrier