PHILIPRISING

GOOD for him (note they are not for Australians!) ... WORLD Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden wants to help a new generation of British youngsters realise their dream. Woffinden has revealed plans for a series of training schools he is planning throughout the UK later this year. The Scunthorpe-born racer insists there are some talented young riders waiting to surge onto the scene and take to the sport’s big stage. He’s also revealed how he has held positive discussions with British Speedway Promoters’ Association Chairman Keith Chapman about the project. “I’m planning to hold a series of Tai Woffinden training schools for British youngsters through the summer,” he said. “Over the last 10-years I’ve learnt loads, probably quicker than a lot of guys I started out with, and I would like to pass that on – I want to work with the kids because they are the future of the sport in our country. “I’ve spoken to Keith Chapman, the new Chairman of British Speedway, and he welcomes my ideas which is great. “It’s something I’m interested in doing and new projects like this always excite me. We may set an age limit of 21, we may also do a classroom session as part of the day to discuss fitness and diet. “I’m looking at three different tracks, King’s Lynn being one of them, and work at tracks a different shape and size to vary the experience and learning for the kids. “The final dates, venues and cost will be confirmed in due course, but I really look forward to working with the young British riders. “I know the BSPA are doing some great work alongside Olly Allen and the guys at Poultec and I’m really positive about the direction we’re taking. Running my own training days just allows me to give something back myself and give some personal tuition.”

GOOD for him (note they are not for Australians!) ... WORLD Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden wants to help a new generation of British youngsters realise their dream. Woffinden has revealed plans for a series of training schools he is planning throughout the UK later this year. The Scunthorpe-born racer insists there are some talented young riders waiting to surge onto the scene and take to the sport’s big stage. He’s also revealed how he has held positive discussions with British Speedway Promoters’ Association Chairman Keith Chapman about the project. “I’m planning to hold a series of Tai Woffinden training schools for British youngsters through the summer,” he said. “Over the last 10-years I’ve learnt loads, probably quicker than a lot of guys I started out with, and I would like to pass that on – I want to work with the kids because they are the future of the sport in our country. “I’ve spoken to Keith Chapman, the new Chairman of British Speedway, and he welcomes my ideas which is great. “It’s something I’m interested in doing and new projects like this always excite me. We may set an age limit of 21, we may also do a classroom session as part of the day to discuss fitness and diet. “I’m looking at three different tracks, King’s Lynn being one of them, and work at tracks a different shape and size to vary the experience and learning for the kids. “The final dates, venues and cost will be confirmed in due course, but I really look forward to working with the young British riders. “I know the BSPA are doing some great work alongside Olly Allen and the guys at Poultec and I’m really positive about the direction we’re taking. Running my own training days just allows me to give something back myself and give some personal tuition.”

FROM memory I think the 1978 World Final edition of Speedway Star had well over 10 whole page adverts from national companies involved in speedway.

IT won't be BV going after the contractors but Manchester City Council who employed them. If, and it is a big if, the contractors have 'downed tools' it would also be incumbent upon the council to hire new ones to finish the job. It is very frustrating for everyone waiting for this project to finally coming to a satisfactory conclusion, none more so than the BV management and riders. However, I for one would like (and suggest) that the BV management actually be a little more forthcoming with what the problems on bends 3/4 have been which I'm sure would not jeopardise any future litigation.

PRESUMABLY that's how the defects were found

MUST be so frustrating especially as the rest of the track is fine. Would be nice to actually know what those defects are. Will try and find out.

THE whole of bends 3/4 have been dug up and relaid to the same specification as the rest of the track.

NOT sure that anyone has said they took 100 days to finish bends 3/4 after the contractors had stopped using that part of the track as an entry/exit point. Three months (100 days) before the scheduled opening the rest of the track wasn't laid. The theory is that the contractors bodged that last section and that combined with the weather and one or two other reasons it didn't settle as had the rest of the circuit. Now, presumably, they have completed the track to the same specifications as the rest and all, hopefully sooner rather than later, will be good. No doubt Sky will be anxious to see the junior match go ahead but without it my guess is they might switch the fixture to Wimborne Road.

DUMP is a bit harsh. Pete, like me, is no Spring Chicken and I don't think he envisaged doing more than a couple of years when they first got together.

THE airlines did, the hotels had rooms booked, the shops were opening, the railways due to run ... it all fell apart just a few days before the official opening. It's a remarkable story, especially considering it's Germany and their capital that we are talking about.

THAT would be up to the FIM. Not sure that Teterow (think that is the 200th) quite fits the bill but maybe Stockholm. The FIM organised the 100th celebration in Gelsenkirchen to which all the living World Champions were invited. Was lucky enough to act as MC that night and very enjoyable it was too. There was a WC on each table and one of my roles was to interview them during the course of the evening. I knew that Egon Muller would attempt to break out into song and I was determined to stop him. I failed!

GOOGLE new Berlin airport ... due to open in 2010, still not able to accept flights, might even have to be knocked down and started again... that could be the biggest construction cock up in the history of man. Less than 100 yards of a speedway track ... perhaps not.

THE whole project? Obviously you haven't been there and are therefore not remotely qualified to make such uniformed remarks.

VERY cynical Tim ... obviously the contractors felt that it would be okay, we are not talking about a Mickey Mouse outfit (look at the development as a whole)) and that what they used would be okay.

WELL put... there might also be a suspicion that the contractors used 'any old rubbish' when it came to lay the sub base of turns 3/4 whereas for the rest of the track proper material had been used. That has come back to haunt them and at least they know that if they use the same material as for the rest of the track, which is still being described as 'fantastic' by those who had ridden it, a solution cannot be far away. The clock is ticking of course and much will depend on the weather but one would imagine Sky will want to see firm evidence that it is 100 per cent before committing themselves to April 27.

IT'S the base of the track that is the problem, not the top surface. That has to be resolved by contractors appointed by the MCC and no real speedway expertise is required. It's only when the shale goes down that Colin Meredith (presumably) will be on call to lend a voice, hand or whatever.

KNOW someone who was quoted £1,500 for an operation here, went to Poland, first class treatment in every conceivable way, cost ... about £50!

DONE

DAVID Gordon at his most forthcoming yet about the problems with the track in SS this week ... the whole of bends 3/4 are being dug up and relaid because the sub-base has proven faulty but this remains a matter between Manchester City Council and the contractors who were responsible for laying the track to the specifications (length, width, etc) of the BV management.

ARE the meetings being shown live or recorded highlights later in the week?

DAVID Gordon on BBC Radio Manchester this morning (instead of me!) and reiterated that the problems of turns 3/4 have not been entirely eradicated and that the matter is in the hands of MCC (Manchester City Council) and the contractors who have been instructed to relay the sub-base to their (MCC) satisfaction. Water seeping through to the surface after rain rather than going through the extensive drainage system appears to be one of the problems. Rest of the track is perfect. Confident things will be resolved by April 25. DG added that MCC had been very supportive of BV. Seems very likely that some sort of litigation will follow involving MCC and the contractors.

THINK there is a feeling that Eddie's mind is with Rye House not Lakeside.

SEE above ...

EVERYONE except Dave Rowe and Sam Ermolenko who didn't pick upon it.

CALL 020-83351113 ... Dave will mail you one