PHILIPRISING

THE figure you quote is unsubstantiated and probably off target

DEC 1st is an error ...

16.30 British time

STILL a pretty impressive squad!

And Nicki Pedersen

HE certainly did not.

IF an outside party comes in they would still need someone acceptable to the BSPA/SCB to attain a promoter's licence which is the direction I think this is going.

INTERESTING. Hadn't heard that one.

MANY small non-league football clubs have to come up with all sorts of money raising schemes to implement turnstile revenue and that what is needed at Belle Vue.

IT'S not what I think but must respect a confidence and not say anything until the dates are officially announced. Others will do as they please, especially Polish websites.

THANK you ...

HAD this nice email from Russell, Dave's eldest son (along with another from his brother Phil) today ... The outpouring of tributes since the horrors of losing dad seven days ago has been so sad for all of us - but at the same time so lovely. Among so many, I will forever cherish your words. You absolutely summed up dad in the most beautiful way. Because for all his razzmatazz broadcasting, presenting and promoting flair, the one thing dad wanted to be known for more than anything else was a writer. He drew pictures with his words and his skill as a broadcaster was his natural ability to write a story with his voice. You captured that so succinctly. I can't begin to tell you how proud dad would have been reading your piece. Above anything else written this past week, I know he would have said: "I'm bloody touched that Riso has written that about me." Thank you so much. Simply beautiful. Warmest regards. Russell

NOT talking about a wedding ceremony but reception. The Peter Craven suite is ideal. There is already a hockey facility as part of the village and how could they pay for the NSS? I never said it could survive on turnstile revenue alone. It was always in the business plan to make use of the stadium for as many days of the year as possible. That still has to be the aim and with an innovative stadium manager I'm sure much could be achieved. The interminable delays undoubtably cost them potential sponsors but it appears others might be in the pipeline now that the previous management have gone. NOT talking about a wedding ceremony but reception. The Peter Craven suite is ideal. There is already a hockey facility as part of the village and how could they pay for the NSS? I never said it could survive on turnstile revenue alone. It was always in the business plan to make use of the stadium for as many days of the year as possible. That still has to be the aim and with an innovative stadium manager I'm sure much could be achieved. The interminable delays undoubtably cost them potential sponsors but it appears others might be in the pipeline now that the previous management have gone.

THAT'S quite right but it cannot be far away now ...

AND who paid for them? NSS is best speedway stadium in the UK, let's be content with that, and while never sustainable on just speedway gate revenue alone, with other usage and some decent sponsorship and proper management can still be a viable proposition. MCC must think so otherwise they wouldn't be pulling out all the stops for speedway to continue there.

AND who paid for them? NSS is best speedway stadium in the UK, let's be content with that, and while never sustainable on just speedway gate revenue alone, with other usage and some decent sponsorship and proper management can still be a viable proposition. MCC must think so otherwise they wouldn't be pulling out all the stops for speedway to continue there.

SO you don't agree that British speedway has one of the best venues and tracks in the world and that is something to be proud of?

I WAS only making an analogy about relative waste of taxpayers money regarding BV and the Olympic Stadium. And the fact that the OS is still sucking money out of the public purse while the NSS comparatively is not. I make no apology for unbridled support for the construction of the NSS. Why should I? It is a magnificent achievement and hopefully one that will remain as a speedway venue for many, many years to come. Now more than ever it deserves and requires the support of everyone and, as previously stated, that includes BSI and the FIM, in trying to ensure that at least a couple of 'big meetings are staged there every year. I have also never denied that bad management this year has been a huge factor in the problems that have surfaced. But there is also so much more that has yet to be revealed and may never be so. Lots of people prepared to talk off the record but few on it especially when various parties are threatening to sue each other.

MCC spent around £7 million of tax payers money (although that was gleaned from the sale of land to MCFC) but their expenditure has ended and what they are losing out on now is rent. The Olympic Stadium cost taxpayers hundreds of millions, to build, hundreds more to convert and is still costing tens of millions to switch from football to athletics and the like and the tenants (WHFC) only pay a peppercorn rent which does not even include the upkeep or the people who man the turnstiles. If Belle Vue's rent was pro rata to that of West Ham no doubt they could easily survive on speedway attendances.

I'M sure you can work it out if you really tried.

BUT it's not an on-going situation like the Olympic Stadium which is still costing millions to stage both football and athletics and for the seating to be changed.

EXACTLY ... I DIDN'T say it was the fault of West Ham, who have got away with the deal of the century. But project as a whole is costing the tax payers millions and will continue to do so. At least at BV what is spent is spent.

WHEN you read about the Olympic Stadium/West Ham fiasco, this all seems quite small fry. Speedway Star putting some of the pieces of the jigsaw together for next week but, of course, many lips are sealed because of impending litigation.

THINK that is only part of it. Loss of revenue and, of course, goodwill from opening night was a massive factor and the battle for compensation from the council, who in turn were I think withholding money from the construction company. Don't know whether the full story will ever come out but no doubt Gordon will want to put his side once any impending litigation is resolved. Sadly, I think he and Chris made some serious errors of judgement in running the speedway side of the business and personally think Mark Lemon, a smart guy, could prove a great asset going forward.

SPEEDWAY cannot survive next door and why should we all give up on what is one of the best stadiums and tracks in the world. By the sound of it the Council don't want to see speedway not running there either and by working together with some sort of consortium it can still continue. As I have previously said, needs BSI (World Team Cup rounds, Finals) and the FIM (GP Challenge, Under 21 Finals) to help by putting top meetings there. It is easy to throw darts at Gordon and Morton (who has probably lost everything) now but let's not forget they did bring the stadium into fruition. Equally since that disastrous opening night, for which they still blame the construction company employed by the council, and the immediate loss of considerable revenue then and the bonanza Good Friday meeting against Wolverhampton things might, just might, have turned out differently. I do understand that while the stadium has terrific facilities that can be used for weddings, conferences, etc, its location is not exactly a prime one and they have found it hard to attract such events. A new stadium manager, probably a Council appointee, the retention Mark Lemon with a bigger role, and outside funding could yet provide a winning formula for the stadium to remain what it actually is ... by some distance the best race track in the UK and a fabulous venue for British speedway. Long may it survive.