Grand Central

Yes, that is undeniable. But the impressive thing to me is the way in which he has become the complete package in such a short space of time. He is genuine world class in a way that British riders just usually never are. You don't have to look in the programme in the hope that he has any easy ride next. He can beat them all. You don't have to look through your fingers at the start because you fear he'll fluff the gate. Unlike all our recent best hopes he really can get out of the start consistently well. And he's doing this on every type of track, every week. This is pretty unprecedented for a Briitish rider. As I say I have gone from being a total pessimist regarding his chances to a born-again out-an-out fan.

I have owned up before to say that I was massively wrong about Tai's chances this year. Revelation is certainly the word to use. SCB has said it best; he is now the reason why I am watching the GP from start to finish. I think I would have given up on last night without Tai. But he is making a pretty poor GP into compulsive viewing and long may it continue. Just 5 points down and anything is possible.

Great to see Phil Rising still posting so close to the start. And making it plain how more than capable he is at 'holding his own' here.

No one. To my knowledge. I just asked a (rhetorical) question. Like you've just done, I suppose. .

Surely, it is just because they are only talking about points acored in the first 20 races. They are giving odds on scores that do NOT include semi and final points. In which case there are just 120 points in total to play for.

I agree entirely that they may have been doing that. In which case that would have been the simple answer to the question. That question was one I asked for the first time today. And Phil has told us that he has asked the same one 100 times before. So it's hardly me doing the interrogation, is it? .

Yes that's seems so simples that they would have made ever such a good answers to those 100 questions. But the simples point is. They weren't given.

I'm glad to hear that answer number 97, 98 or 99 wasn't convincing enough to stop you asking just that one more time. Reasonable points to offset the perceived benefit, I would have thought. It just seems strange for everyone to be getting excuses ready for a poor track and poor crowd when there are venues around the world that would offer so much more on both counts. But even so I'm primed and ready to have a good night watching. So here's hoping .

That's fair enough. We are all the in the dark. Perhaps one of your chaps could ask the question of BSI next time they do an interview.

Thanks. Good to get more info, as always. Just a little intrigued then. Many people seem to want to damn BSI for only following the money. Actually, not me as clearly no one makes any cash out of Terenzano. So if they perceive some other benefit, do you have any idea what that is? As it's a bit difficult to work out from here. And they are sticking to Italy with Lonigo next year too. Certainly better than Terenzano but it still,looks a little incongruous next to the other venues that are mooted.

Yes, I suppose 'they' must. But who are 'they'. We all know about the 'Tourist Information' deals that finance the SGP going to Gorzow, Torun and Cardiff because of the endless promotions. And we are well aware of promoters like Bill Buckley and Mr Pavlic who stand full square behind their bids. But can't remember any particular 'moneybags' from Terenzano.

Have we ever really had an answer to that question? In my cynical moments. I'd wondered if Mr Bellamy had a holiday retreat in Northern Italy, or perhaps over the border in Slovenia. And with the weather being so good at this time of year it 'just seemed a shame to waste it'. .

Clearly I seem to have upset you. Which seems a shame as your post (in combination with the previous two others) does not point out any inaccuracies in anything I wrote. Conversations with people in the sport reveal all sorts of information; often this comes from parties that are not directly involved. But it is totally understandable to assimilate this into our greater understanding of Speedway's current position; good or bad. And this you have certainly done with your riders costs of engine tuning etc. And whilst others seem to think that all discussion of riders finances is somehow off limits, I do not and have never said such. But wheras I feel that any such information about the finances of the sport that we come by, even indirectly, may be 'fair game' for discussion. You do not. You have limits. Limits that at the moment principally apply to sugary drinks companies It is OK to point out that you know Monster pay something rather than zero and go public with that But whether you do or do not know any more from off the record chats remains out of the public domain. And as I did point out before that is your prerogative, no doubt. But you ask what my problem is. Inconsistancy. I suppose. That is all. But anyway I will fly the white flag and say 'Truce'.

So the bills from engine tuners to their self employed clients, the riders, are lying opened on the desk of their Promoter. That Promoter is not paying the bills himself. But he tells a journalist all the details. Who then relays it to us. But it would be wrong for us to speculate on how much sponsorship Monster may put into the sport. Or other private financial matters in Speedway. Very interesting. .

Let's not get too carried away with the thought that it is the BSF that the promoters hate. It is just the criticism, they hate. They cannot hack it no matter what the 'forum'. Surely we all remember Len Silver taking great umbridge at the Speedway Star feature on people's views earlier in the year. In the 21st Century dissent just happens to come via electronic media. For most of the twentieth century it would be via post, the local paper or in person. But promoters have always hated it. They have never encouraged it. And they certainly have never listened. Back in Pioneer days it would have been no different. AJ Hunting, Johnnie Hoskins et al. They'd have shot down the carrier pigeons. If they brought critical messages. .

That race in Ben Hur was pretty good. But it was the last one I can remember.

Quite True. As you know. Different rules apply to all matters SGP related. .

This sort of story baffles me. Which defines insanity more succinctly? They fact that this promoter is nutty enough to enter into an such an agreement with a rider. Where the terms are such that these ridiculous bills land on his desk at all. Or. The fact that the same promoter is nutty enough to tell a journalist of his madness. Whichever, it is difficult to offer sympathy to anyone involved. Let alone £17. .

Thankfully it is just a heavily edited version of the Belle Vue Speedway statement from last week. Conveying exactly the same information.

On the sites and forums that deal with my specific profession. There is quite a bit of discussion regarding the sources and levels of funding that are available for different purposes. We are quite open and that informs the debate to the benefit of us all. As yet I have not been asked about the values of Speedway sponsorship on those sites. Funny that.

No, the great thing about journalists is their fantastic ability to juggle as many double standards as possible just to sell copy. All at the same time. No story is complete without including a person's age, their house price and wherever possible their earnings. Right or wrong is irrelevant. Any possible detail of finances is included in a story for the simple reason that most readers want to know it. Even though no one admits it. 'We' are above all that. It's 'them' that want to know. You know. Those people who are 'no better than they ought'. And quite right no journalist would want to tell anyone how much they were paid. But Wayne Rooney. He's fair game. Anyone who 'respects' Monsters right to keep such things a secret. Is perfectly entiltled to do so But no one will confiscate their NUJ card for revealing all that they know.

If they carry on sleeping with 15 year olds for the next fifty or sixty years. It sort of does. As it 'appens.

To have the leaden feeling in your stomach at reading the fateful words in the Programme. "ACU Steward: L D Stripp." And then have the cloud lifted by the joyous thought that old Lew might well leave the Stadium with a black eye. Oh the glory days of Ken Walton..

It clarifies all the points about exactly what stage they are at right now and exactly who is doing what. The speculation that a planning application had already been submitted is corrected And the role of Architects and others in the developing of that still-to-come application is clarified. And I'm sure that is greatly appreciated by all of us who ALL want the project to succeed. It now makes a hell of a lot more sense. Lets hope it all happens speedily, now. When it gets to the right stage I will be buying a bloody brick myself! .

Thanks for the link TWK that does take us through to a very welcome statement from the Belle Vue promotion. It certainly does give a much clearer, and understandable, picture of the current position. In the light of the doubts surrounding the Swindon redevelopment and this weeks momentary panic about Brandon it is really good to read. .