PHILIPRISING

WHAT won't change is that speedway will be the prime sporting activity in towns across even parts of the country without a professional soccer club and become synonymous with that town or city as it is in Poland and may have been in the UK after the war. That is what I was saying. Or trying to ...

EVEN if speedway in Norwich was a huge success it would never rival soccer in the shape of Norwich City. Places like Torun, Gorzow, Leszno, and Zielona Gora are towns where speedway is the undisputed number one sport, it is what they are synonymous with, and the fans that attend are doing so in support of not just the club but the town itself. The whole culture is different and is reflected in the media at all levels including TV.

THAT'S not what I said and as someone who has visited Polish speedway towns no doubt you know that. Of course there is a place for team speedway in the UK. It is the only type that can possibly work.

THE biggest difference and the greatest advantage for Polish clubs is that they are representative of the towns and cities in which they are situated. That has not been the case with speedway in the UK for generations and will not change. Polish speedway clubs are akin to soccer teams in the UK.

THIS week's edition of Speedway Star will be something we have never done on this scale before.

CANNOT compare British speedway with what takes place in Poland. We are lucky that BT have continued to provide a TV platform for speedway in this country.

Amazing article in this week’s Speedway Star special by Tomasz Lorek on how Polish speedway has TV companies fighting for rights with mind-boggling figures. It’s a must-read for every British promoter and fan.

SPECIAL pre-AGM edition of Speedway Star next week ... plenty of fans voicing their opinions about the way ahead for British speedway.

BUT they must also adhere to the terms of their various contracts

ASSETS have no legal basis. A rider without a contract is a free agent. In Poland if a club wants to sign a rider under contract to another track a transfer fee could be involved. But if he has no contract then he can sign for who he wants.

BUT it's not ... riders are considered assets who can be loaned or sold. They are not. They have no contract so can do as they please and it is time British speedway broke the mould and accepted the same freedom of movement that occurs in Denmark, Poland and Sweden to name but three.

IN Speedway Star this week Alun Rossiter says that Doyley (Jason) is still "owned" by Swindon. Is he just some sort of commodity or a human being? Very much doubt that Jason accepts he is "owned" by anybody and nor should he.

RUMOUR has it that one of the qualifiers will be held at the NSS.

IT was stockcars ...

THANKS ... lot of guys relying on Poland for the bulk of their racing income